广西喀斯特次生林地表碳库和养分库特征及季节动态

以自然保护区原生林为对照,调查了广西喀斯特区处于同一次生演替序列中的灌丛、藤刺灌丛、乔灌丛3个群落的地表凋落物存量,同时对凋落物层和土壤表层(0-5 cm)的有机碳,全氮、磷、钾等养分元素的含量、贮量状态及其雨季前后的变化进行了研究.结果表明:地表凋落物存量及有机碳、全氮贮量随演替阶段上升均呈增高趋势;除全磷外,土壤的有机碳和养分元素含量与凋落物层贮量相关性显著(p<0.05);雨季期间,凋落物迅速分解,地表凋落物的分解量要大于当季凋落量,并且次生林的凋落物分解与养分释放量显著高于原生林;雨季后,各群落有机碳和养分的凋落物层贮量以及土壤含量均有所降低.其中凋落物层贮量下降显著的是藤刺灌丛与乔灌丛.土壤养分含量则在灌丛与原生林阶段下降更为明显.在从灌丛向顶级群落演替的进程中,森林的自养能力可能存在一个先增高再降低的过程.     

Soil aggregation and organic carbon in short-term stockpiles

Surface mining is known to drastically reduce soil organic carbon (OC) pools through various mechanisms associated with topsoil salvage, stockpiling and respreading. Stockpiling is an important management practice; however, the effects of this practice on reductions and recovery of soil aggregation and aggregate OC are poorly understood. Objectives of this research were to monitor soil aggregation and aggregate OC in the surface of a short‐term stockpile (<3 yr) followed by a second movement of stockpiled soils to a temporary location. Samples were analysed for aggregate size distribution, aggregate fractions, OC, and organic matter turnover using ¹³C natural abundance. Macroaggregate proportions increased and microaggregate proportions decreased after 3 yr of storage, possibly indicating recovery of soil structure. Following the removal of the stockpile and placement in a temporary pile, macroaggregation decreased and free silt and clay fractions increased relative to initially stockpiled soils. The second disturbance resulted in greater destruction of aggregate structure than the initial disturbance during topsoil salvage. Aggregate organic matter (as indicated by OC) increased significantly between the early sampling of the stockpiled soils (<1 yr in storage) and the placement of the topsoil in a temporary pile in macroaggregates and remained the same for microaggregates. Organic matter not protected within aggregates decreased with storage time as this material was available for utilization by microbes while aggregate protected organic matter (OM) remained unchanged or slightly increased for macro‐ and microaggregates with stockpile storage time. Aggregate δ¹³C values did not indicate inclusion of new OM within soil aggregates after 3 yr of topsoil stockpiling. Short‐term stockpiling was beneficial for aggregation in the surface layers where plant roots and microbial communities were active; however, subsequent movement of the topsoil resulted in a greater loss of soil aggregation relative to the initial topsoil salvage without impacting soil OC.     

Analysis and simulation of soil organic‐carbon stocks in grassland ecosystems in SW Germany

Grassland extensification is followed by a change of soil organic‐matter (SOM) contents. In order to give a better assessment of these developments on grassland sites in SW Germany, the CENTURY Soil Organic Matter Model was used on five long‐term experimental sites under three different management practices (“Mowing”, “Mulching” (mowing without removal of the phytomass), and “Natural succession”). On these sites, soil‐organic‐carbon (SOC) monitoring was continuously done for soil depths of 0–4 and 4–8 cm from 1975 to 2002. The contents of organic carbon (OC) were at steady state or showed a slight decrease for the mulched and succession plots. Carbon contents of the mowed plots were decreasing. Measured C contents were transferred into stocks and compared with the simulated OC stocks. Linear regressions between observed and simulated C stocks were calculated separately for mulched and succession plots. The regressions for OC yielded significant relationships (R² = 0.8) for both kinds of plots. However, the model did not reproduce the short‐term dynamics of C stocks. Whereas SOC stocks on mulched and succession plots are expected to stay stable for the next decades according to the simulation, they are expected to decrease for a couple of years before stabilization on mowed plots.     

Mid-infrared spectroscopy for topsoil layer identification according to litter type and decompositional stage demonstrated on a large sample set of Austrian forest soils

When forest soils are investigated, the identification of litter and soil layers is a key step. Mid-infrared spectroscopy seems to be promising for this due to its capability to provide fingerprint information. In this study, a large data set of mid-infrared spectra of different forest soils (L, FH and Ah horizons of coniferous, mixed and deciduous forests) was available together with general analyses data (among others organic carbon, total nitrogen and carbonate contents). This set was used for devising models for the identification of different soil layers and to follow the characteristics of different forest types in the different layers. Canonical discriminant functions were calculated using nine mid-infrared bands occurring in both organic layers and mineral soil layers. The discriminant analysis of the topsoil layers showed that aliphatic mid-infrared bands dominated the first function and yielded a clear separation of mineral and organic layers. Further, this analysis reflected the higher chemical diversity in the organic layers visible by a high scattering of the calculated data points. Two tests with two separate data sets showed a reliable and reproducible performance of the model. Separations of forest types were best possible in the organic layers, in which the deciduous forests were separated best from mixed and coniferous forests. Also for these discriminations, aliphatic bands were dominating. Advanced degradation of soil organic matter resulted in small distances of equidistant forest-type group-centers in the 5-10 cm layers of the mineral soils. Dominating molecular moieties in the discriminant functions in these layers were carbonates and aliphatic bands. The applied methodology suggests mid-infrared spectroscopy as an appropriate tool for soil layer identification, allowing for unequivocal discrimination between organic and mineral soil layers. Discriminations of forest types delivered information about dominating mid-infrared bands in the single layers and allowed conclusions about functional groups dominating these differences.     

Labile, recalcitrant, and inert organic matter in Mediterranean forest soils

The biochemical quality of soil organic matter (SOM) was studied in various profiles under Quercus rotundifolia Lam. stands on calcareous parent material. Special attention was paid to the question of how biochemical quality is affected by position within the soil profile (upper versus lower horizons). The following global SOM characteristics were investigated: (a) overall recalcitrance, using hydrolysis with either hydrochloric or sulphuric acid; (b) hydrolyzable carbohydrates and polyphenolics; (c) extractability by hot water and quality of the extract; and (d) abundance of inert forms of SOM: charcoal and soot-graphite. The recalcitrance of soil organic carbon (OC) decreases with depth, following the order: H horizons>A horizons>B horizons. In contrast, the recalcitrance of nitrogen is roughly maintained with depth. The ratio carbohydrate C to total OC increases from H to B horizons, due to the increasing importance of cellulosic polysaccharides in B horizons, whereas other carbohydrates are maintained throughout the soil profile at a relatively constant level, 12-15% of the total OC in the horizon. Whereas the quality of the hydrolyzable carbon (measured by the carbohydrate to polyphenolic C ratio) decreases with depth from H to B horizons, the quality of the hot-water extractable organic matter is much higher in B horizons than in A or H horizons. The relative importance of both charcoal and soot-graphitic C and N tends to increase with depth. The ratio black/total is usually higher for N than for C, a result that suggests that inert SOM may represent a relevant compartment in the nitrogen cycle. Overall, our data suggest that in Mediterranean forest soils the organic matter in B horizons could be less stable than often thought.     

Forest humus forms as potential indicators of soil carbon storage in Mediterranean environments

The aim of this work was to investigate the potential of forest humus forms as indicators of soil C storage. To this purpose, Mediterranean forest soils in Southern and Central Italy were examined. Sites differed for elevation, climate, parent material and vegetation conditions, while summer drought was the common ecological factor. A morpho-functional criterion, based on holorganic layers thickness and A horizon properties, was used to classify humus forms, which ranged from Dysmoder to Eumull. Such variability allowed understanding of factors influencing organic matter storage. The relations between carbon stock and humus form were investigated for the topsoil layer (0–20 cm), which was supposed to contain the soil C pools most sensitive to climate change. We found that humus forms can be grouped in statistically different populations, with respect to topsoil C stocks. The use of A horizon structure was the main diagnostic criterion and represented the most effective approach to humus classification in Mediterranean conditions. It appears that humus forms have a clear potential as indicators of organic carbon status in Mediterranean forest soils.     

长期不同施肥对塿土大团聚体中有机碳组分特征的影响

【目的】研究长期施肥对土大团聚体中有机碳组分特征的影响,揭示不同施肥方式下土壤有机碳的固持机制,为合理施肥提供理论依据。【方法】采集土35年长期肥料定位试验不同施肥处理0—10 cm和10—20 cm土样,分析其大团聚体中各组分有机碳含量的变化。试验处理为:不施肥(CK)、单施化肥(NP)、单施有机肥(M)和有机肥配施化肥(MNP)。【结果】与CK相比,长期NP处理对大团聚体中粗颗粒有机碳(cPOC)、细颗粒有机碳(fPOC)、大团聚体中微团聚体内颗粒有机碳(iPOC)以及矿质结合态有机碳(MOC)组分的有机碳(OC)含量均无显著影响;而M处理以及MNP处理可显著提高两土层cPOC和iPOC组分的OC含量以及0—10 cm土层MOC组分的OC含量,其中,cPOC含量增幅分别为174%~338%和215%~245%,iPOC含量增幅分别为127%~241%和106%~130%,MOC含量增幅达28.9%~34.6%。MNP处理显著提高了0—10 cm土层fPOC组分的OC含量,增幅达482.1%。累积碳投入量与大团聚体中各组分的OC含量呈显著线性相关,尤其是iPOC含量,表明长期施肥过程中土有机碳在大团聚体中固存的差异主要受物理保护的颗粒有机碳组分的影响。【结论】关中地区土长期施化肥对大团聚体中各组分OC含量没有显著影响,而长期单施有机肥能进一步增加大团聚体中各组分OC含量,有机肥配施化肥能显著增加团聚体中各组分OC含量,特别是大团聚体中微团聚体内颗粒有机碳组分的含量,进而增加土的有机碳固持。因此,有机肥配施化肥是提高土有机碳含量的有效措施。     

Soil organic matter transformation in Argentinian Hapludolls

Distribution and transformation of SOM in an Argentinian Hapludoll under arable land use and afforested with Pinus radiata was investigated by a combined approach using particle-size fractionation, wet-chemical analysis and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The soils showed thick mollic A horizons and had high organic carbon (OC) contents even in the subsoil, clay-sized separates having the highest OC concentrations. Under pine, a thick forest floor was built up. CuO oxidation data indicated low transformation of lignin in the forest floor, but advanced oxidative decomposition in the mineral soil horizon. In contrast, non-cellulosic carbohydrates, appeared to be stabilized in the mineral soil horizon against mineralization. Humic acids extracted from the mineral soil horizons showed an extremely high aromaticity. We assume that this was due to the production of pyrogenic aromatic moieties (black carbon) as a result of frequent fires in this ecosystem. No clear profile differentiation with respect to SOM quality was obtained. Composition of SOM in the mineral soil appeared not yet influenced from land use.     

Dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in precipitation,throughfall, soil solution,and stream water of the tropical highlands in northern Thailand

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is important for the cycling and transport of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in soil. In temperate forest soils, dissolved organic N (DON) partly escapes mineralization and is mobile, promoting loss of N via leaching. Little information is available comparing DOC and DON dynamics under tropical conditions. Here, mineralization is more rapid, and the demand of the vegetation for nutrients is larger, thus, leaching of DON could be small. We studied concentrations of DOC and DON during the rainy seasons 1998–2001 in precipitation, canopy throughfall, pore water in the mineral soil at 5, 15, 30, and 80 cm depth, and stream water under different land‐use systems representative of the highlands of northern Thailand. In addition, we determined the distribution of organic C (OC) and N (ON) between two operationally defined fractions of DOM. Samples were collected in small water catchments including a cultivated cabbage field, a pine plantation, a secondary forest, and a primary forest. The mean concentrations of DOC and DON in bulk precipitation were 1.7 ± 0.2 and 0.2 ± 0.1 mg L^–1, respectively, dominated by the hydrophilic fraction. The throughfall of the three forest sites became enriched up to three times in DOC in the hydrophobic fraction, but not in DON. Maximum concentrations of DOC and DON (7.9–13.9 mg C L^–1 and 0.9–1.2 mg N L^–1, respectively) were found in samples from lysimeters at 5 cm soil depth. Hydrophobic OC and hydrophilic ON compounds were released from the O layer and the upper mineral soil. Concentrations of OC and ON in mineral‐soil solutions under the cabbage cultivation were elevated when compared with those under the forests. Similar to most temperate soils, the concentrations in the soil solution decreased with soil depth. The reduction of OC with depth was mainly due to the decrease of hydrophobic compounds. The changes in OC indicated the release of hydrophobic compounds poor in N in the forest canopy and the organic layers. These substances were removed from solution during passage through the mineral soil. In contrast, organic N related more to labile microbial‐derived hydrophilic compounds. At least at the cabbage‐cultivation site, mineralization seemed to contribute largely to the decrease of DOC and DON with depth, possibly because of increased microbial activity stimulated by the inorganic‐N fertilization. Similar concentrations and compositions of OC and ON in subsoils and streams draining the forested catchments suggest soil control on stream DOM. The contribution of DON to total dissolved N in those streams ranged between 50% and 73%, underscoring the importance of DOM for the leaching of nutrients from forested areas. In summary, OC and ON showed differences in their dynamics in forest as well as in agricultural ecosystems. This was mainly due to the differing distribution of OC and ON between the more immobile hydrophobic and the more easily degradable hydrophilic fraction.     

子午岭地区植被演替的土壤碳汇效应

为明确黄土高原地区植被长期恢复的土壤碳汇效应,采用时空互代的方法,研究子午岭地区150年以来8个植被演替序列的土壤有机碳含量及储量的变化特征,分析影响土壤有机碳储量变化的植被因素。结果表明:从农地演替到气候顶级辽东栎(Quercus wutaishanicaMary.)群落,土壤有机碳含量和储量明显增加,表现为演替前期(草本群落)快速增加,后期(乔木群落)趋向稳定的变化特征。剖面上来看,随着土层加深,土壤有机碳含量迅速减少。0—5 cm土层土壤有机碳含量与5—20,20—40 cm土层差异显著(P＜0.05),表明土壤有机碳积累存在明显的表聚效应。枯落物蓄积量与细根生物量均随演替时间呈现出增加的变化特征,前者更有利于提高土壤有机碳储量。0—5 cm土层与0—20 cm土层土壤有机碳储量与演替时间均存在极显著的幂函数关系,不同土层之间土壤有机碳储量线性相关关系显著(P＜0.001)。植被长期演替具有显著的土壤碳汇功能。未来黄土高原地区林、草地的恢复应根据植被带的分异规律,促进自然演替,以进一步提升该地区的土壤碳汇潜能。     

Stabilization of organic matter by soil minerals — investigations of density and particle‐size fractions from two acid forest soils

We tested the hypothesis whether organic matter in subsoils is a large contributor to organic carbon (OC) in terrestrial ecosystems and if survival of organic matter in subsoils is the result of an association with the soil mineral matrix. We approached this by analyzing two forest soil profiles, a Haplic Podzol and a Dystric Cambisol, for the depth distribution of OC, its distribution among density and particle‐size fractions, and the extractability of OC after destruction of the mineral phase by treatment with hydrofluoric acid (HF). The results were related to indicators of the soil mineralogy and the specific surface area. Finally, scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDX) was used to visualize the location of OC at mineral surfaces and associations with elements of mineral phases. The subsoils (B and C horizons) contained 40—50% of the soil OC including the organic forest floor layers. With increasing depth of soil profiles (1) the radiocarbon ages increased, and (2) increasing portions of OC were either HF‐soluble, or located in the density fraction d >1.6 g cm^—3, or in the clay fraction. The proportions of OC in the density fraction d >1.6 g cm^—3 were closely correlated to the contents of oxalate and dithionite‐citrate‐bicarbonate‐extractable Fe (r² = 0.93 and 0.88, P <0.001). SEM‐EDX analyses suggested associations of OC with aluminum whereas silicon‐enriched regions were poor in OC. The specific surface area and the microporosity of the soil mineral matrix after destruction of organic matter were less closely correlated to OC than the extractable iron fractions. This is possibly due to variable surface loadings, depending on different OC inputs with depth. Our results imply that subsoils are important for the storage of OC in terrestrial ecosystems because of intimate association of organic matter with secondary hydrous aluminum and iron phases leading to stabilization against biological degradation.     

长白山不同林型土壤有机碳特征

采用野外采样与室内分析相结合的方法,研究了长白山北坡6种不同林型(阔叶林、针叶林、云冷杉、岳桦林、岳桦-苔原、高山苔原)土壤有机碳及其组分的含量,分析了土壤有机碳分布与铁铝氧化物和黏粒矿物组成之间的关系。结果表明:不同林型之间,阔叶林土壤的有机碳、胡敏素碳、颗粒有机碳、2~0.25 mm大团聚体碳和0.25~0.053 mm微团聚体碳含量最高,云冷杉土壤的易氧化碳含量最高而水溶性有机碳、胡敏酸碳、富里酸碳和颗粒有机碳含量最低;此外,岳桦林土壤的胡敏酸碳和富里酸碳含量显著高于其他林型土壤,岳桦-苔原土壤的水溶性有机碳含量显著高于其他林型土壤,而高山苔原土壤的有机碳和易氧化碳含量显著低于其他林型土壤。相关性分析表明,土壤有机碳含量与非晶质氧化铝含量呈显著的正相关关系(P<0.05),富里酸碳含量与游离氧化铝含量呈显著的正相关关系(P<0.05),而0.25~0.053 mm微团聚体有机碳含量与2种形态氧化铝含量都呈显著的正相关关系(P<0.05)。上述结果指出,不同林型条件下各有机碳及其组分差异显著。     

The effect of warming on the vulnerability of subducted organic carbon in arctic soils

Arctic permafrost soils contain large stocks of organic carbon (OC). Extensive cryogenic processes in these soils cause subduction of a significant part of OC-rich topsoil down into mineral soil through the process of cryoturbation. Currently, one-fourth of total permafrost OC is stored in subducted organic horizons. Predicted climate change is believed to reduce the amount of OC in permafrost soils as rising temperatures will increase decomposition of OC by soil microorganisms. To estimate the sensitivity of OC decomposition to soil temperature and oxygen levels we performed a 4-month incubation experiment in which we manipulated temperature (4–20 °C) and oxygen level of topsoil organic, subducted organic and mineral soil horizons. Carbon loss (C_LOSS) was monitored and its potential biotic and abiotic drivers, including concentrations of available nutrients, microbial activity, biomass and stoichiometry, and extracellular oxidative and hydrolytic enzyme pools, were measured. We found that independently of the incubation temperature, C_LOSS from subducted organic and mineral soil horizons was one to two orders of magnitude lower than in the organic topsoil horizon, both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. This corresponds to the microbial biomass being lower by one to two orders of magnitude. We argue that enzymatic degradation of autochthonous subducted OC does not provide sufficient amounts of carbon and nutrients to sustain greater microbial biomass. The resident microbial biomass relies on allochthonous fluxes of nutrients, enzymes and carbon from the OC-rich topsoil. This results in a “negative priming effect”, which protects autochthonous subducted OC from decomposition at present. The vulnerability of subducted organic carbon in cryoturbated arctic soils under future climate conditions will largely depend on the amount of allochthonous carbon and nutrient fluxes from the topsoil.     

不同肥料管理对三熟制高产稻田土壤有机碳消长与平衡的影响

采用田间长期定位试验,研究了不同施肥条件下浙江省三熟制高产稻田土壤有机碳的消长和平衡。结果表明,浙江省三熟制高产稻田耕层(0～20cm)土壤有机碳(C)的年自然矿化量在1800～2000kg/hm2;作物根茬有机碳量与子粒产量密切相关。两者的比值相当稳定,分别为0.30(单施化肥)和0.32(化肥有机肥配施),这便于估算耕层的根茬有机碳量。试验结果还表明,根茬有饥碳对维持耕层土壤有机碳的平衡有相当大的贡献,但在单施化肥时大多不足以补充矿化消牦;在不施肥时,根茬生物量和有机碳量均逐年下降。试验发现,可以利用土壤有机碳的年自然矿化量、矿化因数、子粒产量和(或)有机碳施入量来测算耕层土壤有机碳的消长和有机碳的平衡施用量。测算结果表明,浙江省三熟制高产稻田有机碳(C)的年平衡施用量一般不大于1600kg/hm2,折成水稻秸秆约为4000kg/hm2,相当于全年水稻秸杆总生物量的三分之一左右,可作为推荐有机肥用量之参考。     

Relationships between particle-size distribution and organic carbon in French arable topsoils

A database including results from 102 000 soil analyses was built for arable topsoil in France. We show a strong effect of soil particle‐size distribution on present organic carbon (OC) stocks in these soils. By using the upper decile values by textural classes as a proxy of the maximal carbon storage potential, we show that it might be more efficient to encourage practices favouring carbon accumulation in soils already having high OC stocks than to try to increase OC stocks in soils where present stocks are low.     

Organic carbon accumulation in a 2000-year chronosequence of paddy soil evolution

Considerable amounts of soil organic matter (SOM) are stabilized in paddy soils, and thus a large proportion of the terrestrial carbon is conserved in wetland rice soils. Nonetheless, the mechanisms for stabilization of organic carbon (OC) in paddy soils are largely unknown. Based on a chronosequence derived from marine sediments, the objectives of this study are to investigate the accumulation of OC and the concurrent loss of inorganic carbon (IC) and to identify the role of the soil fractions for the stabilization of OC with increasing duration of paddy soil management. A chronosequence of six age groups of paddy soil formation was chosen in the Zhejiang Province (PR China), ranging from 50 to 2000 years (yrs) of paddy management. Soil samples obtained from horizontal sampling of three soil profiles within each age group were analyzed for bulk density (BD), OC as well as IC concentrations, OC stocks of bulk soil and the OC contributions to the bulk soil of the particle size fractions. Paddy soils are characterized by relatively low bulk densities in the puddled topsoil horizons (1.0 and 1.2 g cm^− 3) and high values in the plow pan (1.6 g cm^− 3). Our results demonstrate a substantial loss of carbonates during soil formation, as the upper 20 cm were free of carbonates in 100-year-old paddy soils, but carbonate removal from the entire soil profile required almost 700 yrs of rice cultivation. We observed an increase of topsoil OC stocks from 2.5 to 4.4 kg m^− 2 during 50 to 2000 yrs of paddy management. The OC accumulation in the bulk soil was dominated by the silt- and clay-sized fractions. The silt fraction showed a high accretion of OC and seems to be an important long-term OC sink during soil evolution. Fine clay in the puddled topsoil horizon was already saturated and the highest storage capacity for OC was calculated for coarse clay. With longer paddy management, the fractions < 20 μm showed an increasing actual OC saturation level, but did not reach the calculated potential storage capacity.     

Specific features of the morphology and chemical properties of coarse-textured postagrogenic soils of the southern taiga,Kostroma oblast

The properties of loamy sandy postagrogenic soils in the course of their natural overgrowing were studied in the southeastern part of Kostroma oblast. Micromorphological indications of tillage were preserved in these soils at least 35–40 years after the cessation of their agricultural use. In the course of the soil overgrowing with forest vegetation, the bulk density of the upper part of the former plow horizon decreased, the pH and the ash content of the litter horizon somewhat lowered with a simultaneous increase in the acidity of the upper mineral horizon, especially at the beginning of the formation of the tree stand. In 5–7 years after the cessation of tillage, the former plow horizon was differentiated with respect to the organic carbon content. The total pool of organic carbon in the upper 30 cm increased. In the course of the further development, in the postagrogenic soil under the 90to 100-year-old forest, the organic carbon pool in this layer became lower. The soil of the young fallow (5–7 years) was characterized by the higher values of the microbial biomass in the upper mineral horizon in comparison with that in the plowed soil. In general, the microbial biomass in the studied postagrogenic ecosystems (the soils of the fields abandoned in 2005 and 2000 and the soil under the secondary 40-year-old forest) was lower than that in the soil of the subclimax 90to 100-year-old forest. The enzymatic activity of the soils tends to increase during the succession. The restoration of the invertase and, partly, catalase activities to the values typical of the soils under mature forests takes place in about 40 years.     

Microbial enzyme activities,fungal biomass and quality of the litter and upper soil layer in a beech forest of south Italy

Forest soils contain a large amount of organic matter (OM) and therefore represent a considerable carbon reserve. The amount of OM sequestered in the soil is dependent on annual input of litter and its quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the quantity and quality of OM, the microbial capacity to degrade it and its recalcitrance to further degradation, by considering some extracellular enzyme activities in a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest in south Italy (Mediterranean area). Our attention was focused on the decomposition continuum of the litter horizon and upper soil layer. Because fungi are the major decomposers of plant material, fungal biomass was also measured and its relationship with enzyme activities was tested. The results showed that: (i) the litter horizon and the upper soil layer differed in chemical characteristics and biological activities; (ii) within the litter horizon, the three layers detected for their different degree of degradation (L, recently fallen, not decomposed and not compressed material; F, partially decomposed and fragmented but macroscopically recognizable material; H, compressed and strongly fragmented) differed more in chemical characteristics than in biological activities; (iii) the enzyme activities and fungal biomass changed during the study period but a clear relationship with succession of seasons was evident only for cellulase, laccase, peroxidase and fungal biomass; and (iv) the upper soil layer included 42% OM and less than 50% of that was susceptible to further decomposition. This percentage was 30% in the OM of L.     

Spatial-temporal dynamics of organic carbon in soddy-podzolic soils of postagrogenic biogeocenoses

The organic carbon content in developed soddy-podzolic soils increased during the overgrowing of abandoned plowland with meadow and forest vegetation. The highest carbon content was recorded at the stage of 40–50-year-old forest, which was related to the largest input of organic matter into the soil and the intense litter decomposition during this period. A decrease in the soil carbon content was observed during the development of forest vegetation on the long-term hayfields in place of the former croplands, because the humus content in the lower part of the old-arable horizon decreased significantly. The spatial variability in the distribution of organic carbon in the soils increased with the development of forest biogeocenoses.