Microbial dynamics in Mediterranean Moder humus

There is a growing interest in the links between humus forms and soil biota, and little is known about these links in Mediterranean ecosystems. Culture-independent techniques, such as DNA extraction followed by DGGE and enzyme activities, allowed us to compare microbial communities in two horizons of a forest soil in different seasonal conditions. Direct in situ lysis was applied for extraction of DNA from soil; intracellular DNA was separated from extracellular and used to represent the composition of microflora. The aims were to describe how biochemical and microbiological parameters correlate with topsoil properties in typical Mediterranean Moder humus. Changes in bacterial and fungal community composition were evident from DGGE profiles. Degrees of similarity and clustering correlation coefficients showed that the seasonal conditions may affect the composition and activity of bacterial and fungal communities in the OH horizon, while in the E horizon the two communities were hardly modified. In the same season, OH and E horizons showed a different composition of bacterial and fungal communities and different enzyme activities, suggesting similar behaviour of eubacteria and fungi relatively to all the variables analysed. Evidently, different organic carbon content in soil horizons influenced microflora composition and microbial activities involved in the P and N cycles.     

Organic carbon storage in soils of the Basque Country (Spain): the effect of climate,vegetation type and edaphic variables

This study was performed to identify the environmental factors that control soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation in the Basque Country (Northern Spain) and to evaluate the impact of land use change on SOC budget in this territory. A total of 30 samples of the organomineral horizon were taken under representative vegetation types including native forest, coniferous plantations, scrub, pasture and cultures. The edaphic variables measured were organic C content, pH, total N, available P, exchangeable H⁺ and Al³⁺, cation exchange capacity (CEC), texture, and carbonates. The substitution of the original forest with a pasture led to a significant increase in organic C content of the topsoil in all cases studied. Temperature was the main climatic factor affecting the organic C levels in soil, being the two variables negatively correlated. The CEC and texture were other key factors controlling the organic C content, which increased with CEC and decreased with total sand. Average organic C content of the organomineral horizon did not differ significantly (P <0.05) with base content of original substrate nor climate type, but it was more sensitive to climate change in the Atlantic soils than in the Mediterranean ones, where edaphic variables such as CEC and texture were important in regulating C sequestration.     

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.     

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.     

Humus Forms in Forest Soils: Concepts and Classifications

The concepts and classifications of humus forms developed since the time of scientific pedology formation are critically discussed. The concept of humus forms (types) relates to the classification of a set of topsoil organic and organomineral horizons, which reflects morphologically distinct phases of plant litter and soil organic matter decomposition, but not to the fractions of soil organic matter. Humus forms reflect various types of transformation and accumulation of organic matter in the soil. The stages of development and modern classifications of humus forms abroad are described. The taxonomy of humus forms in Russian literature and its application for the mapping and evaluation of forest soils are considered, as well as its use for the mathematical simulation of soil organic matter mineralization and humification. Prospects for the development of the classification of humus forms in combination with the basic soil classification of European Russia are discussed. A call for an understanding and a common language in soil science at the international level is underlined.     

Characteristics of organic matter in soil surface horizons derived from calcareous and metamorphic rocks and different vegetation types from the Mediterranean high-mountains in SE Spain

A study was carried out on some basic characteristics of the organic matter in the surface horizons of soils from the two different geological (calcareous and acid metamorphic rocks) and ecological systems under a Mediterranean climate in Southeast Spain. The results show some noticeable differences in soil organic matter composition. This is likely due to typical Mediterranean climate and well adapted vegetation. There is a tendency towards a greater stability for the soil humus formed under slightly alkaline soil in comparison to the slightly acidic environment. The samples taken from the latter environment have a higher content in free organic matter, a lower content in total extractable humin and a greater relative proportion of aliphatic chains and lignin in the humic acids. The results also suggest some differences caused by the type of vegetation (forest and scrubland ecosystems) in the soil humus chemistry, with a more obvious negative effect under reforestations with species of Pinus in an acidic soil environment (a higher content in free organic matter, lesser presence of fungal-derived perylenequinonic pigments in the humic acids, and a higher content in little evolved forms of nitrogen and lignin in the humic acids). In general the organic matter under scrubland and Quercus vegetation is more decomposed and the humus is more evolved than under Pinus vegetation.     

Carbon storage and other properties of soils under agriculture and natural vegetation in São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract. Topsoil (0–20 cm) and subsoil (60–100 cm) properties are compared at agricultural and nearby natural vegetation sites in São Paulo State. Differences are related to land use and climate, in order to estimate soil carbon storage under various ecosystems and also to study the effects of high-input agriculture on the chemical composition of soils with low activity clays. Within each land use, organic carbon in the topsoil is most strongly related to clay + silt content. This relationship is stronger for cropped, short savannah (cerrado) and tall savannah (cerradão) sites than for semi-deciduous and evergreen forest sites. Losses of topsoil carbon with cropping can be predicted if the initial carbon and the clay+silt contents are known. The greatest carbon losses after long term cultivation occurred in forest mineral topsoils, ranging from 6% for perudic clayey soils to 37% for ustic sandy soils. No significant difference in carbon content was found between the paired savannah-cultivated sites. In most of the originally less fertile soils cation exchange capacity was greater in the cultivated topsoil (Ap) than in the topsoil under savannah or forest (A1), probably because of liming and phosphate fertilization. Most subsoils at agricultural sites show increases in exchangeable bases (mainly Ca) and base saturation, but no significant change in pH.     

Chemical Characterization of Sewage Sludges in Chile and Their Potential Utilization as Amendment to Reclaim Soils for Forestation Purposes

Soils open for forestation in Chile are characterized by their very low organic carbon content; therefore, new forest plantations, needed to restore soil ecological equilibria, are scarcely developed. Stabilized sewage sludge contain organic compounds which have been demonstrated can serve as good soil amendments. To evaluate their actual uses in Chile it is necessary to characterize the carbon (C)-distribution pattern of such sludges in order to foresee their potential contribution for soil reclamation and plant growth, acting both as a source of stable C-reservoir and as readily available C-source.

The molecular weight (m.w.) distribution and carbon balance in Chilean sewage sludges are quite similar to soil humus and some woody by-products, as sawdust and bark dust. Total C varies from 30 to 35%, N from 5 to 9%, and P from 10,000 to 12,000 ppm. No significant content was found for heavy metals.

The C-balance indicates that around 70% of total-C is under stabilized forms as humine and humic macromolecule structures. The sewage sludge can be considered as good amendments for forest soils, especially in areas heavily eroded and depleted of natural humus. Their soluble-C fractions (13% of total-C) will serve as good energy starter source to strengthen indigenous soil microbial ecology, while their high m.w. fractions (humic acid-like and humine-like macromolecules) will serve both as good humus reservoir and as microelement frame in soils treated with such sewage sludges.     

Carbon Turnover in a Sorghum-cultivated Semi-arid Mediterranean Soil Profile

ABSTRACT

Organic carbon storage in soils is a key factor for agriculture sustainability and future climate control. Nevertheless, this issue has been insufficiently studied in the semi-arid context of northern Africa. Our aim was to quantify carbon dynamics in a Tunisian Calcaric Cambisol profile, using the natural ¹³C labeling offered by the continuous C4 crop forage sorghum. Our results show that in the topsoil 0–30 cm, the amount of crop-derived carbon accounted for 20% of the cumulated input from crops after 12 years, and half of it was retrieved as organic matter with particule size < 50 µm. Such values could be model-predicted with no particular adaptation to the specific calcareous environment using the RothC model. However, soils were additionally characterized by a very high subsoil organic carbon stock (170 t C ha^?1 between 30 and 140 cm), and we demonstrated that crop rooting highly contributed to this subsoil organic matter. Indeed, an unusually large proportion of new crop-derived carbon (one third) was found below the upper 30 cm. Our results show an increase in carbon content in the deep layers of this soil under semi-arid Mediterranean climate.     

Assessment of agronomic homogeneity and compatibility of soils in the Vladimir Opolie region

Complexes of gray forest soils of different podzolization degrees with the participation of gray forest podzolized soils with the second humus horizon play a noticeable role in the soil cover patterns of Vladimir Opolie. The agronomic homogeneity and agronomic compatibility of gray forest soils in automorphic positions (“plakor” sites) were assessed on the test field of the Vladimir Agricultural Research Institute. The term “soil homogeneity” implies in our study the closeness of crop yield estimates (scores) for the soil polygons; the term “soil compatibility” implies the possibility to apply the same technologies in the same dates for different soil polygons within a field. To assess the agronomic homogeneity and compatibility of soils, the statistical analysis of the yields of test crop (oats) was performed, and the spatial distribution of the particular parameters of soil hydrothermic regime was studied. The analysis of crop yields showed their high variability: the gray forest soils on microhighs showed the minimal potential fertility, and the maximal fertility was typical of the soils with the second humus horizon in microlows. Soils also differed significantly in their hydrothermic regime, as the gray forest soils with the second humus horizon were heated and cooled slower than the background gray forest soils; their temperature had a stronger lag effect and displayed a narrower amplitude in seasonal fluctuations; and these soils were wetter during the first weeks (40 days) of the growing season. Being colder and wetter, the soils with the second humus horizons reached their physical ripeness later than the gray forest soils. Thus, the soil cover of the test plot in the automorphic position is heterogeneous; from the agronomic standpoint, its components are incompatible.     

Modelling changes in soil organic matter after planting fast-growing Pinus radiata on Mediterranean agricultural soils

The Kyoto Protocol explicitly allows the storage of carbon (C) in ecosystems resulting from afforestation to be offset against a nation's carbon emissions and paves the way for carbon storage in soils to be eligible as carbon offsets in the future. More information is required about how afforestation affects carbon storage, especially in the soil. We report a study in which soil carbon storage in first‐rotation Mediterranean Pinus radiata plantations, established on former cereal fields and vineyards, was measured and modelled. Measurements were made on plantations of several ages, as well as repeat measurements at the same site after 5 years. We tested the ability of two widely used soil organic matter models (RothC and Century) to predict carbon sequestration in Mediterranean forest soils. Increases in the top 5 cm of soil of about 10 g C m^?2 year^?1 were observed after afforestation of former vineyards, but nitrogen (N) either remained the same or decreased slightly. During afforestation, most organic matter accumulated in the ectorganic layers at a rate of 19 g C m^?2 year^?1 in former vineyards and 41 g C m^?2 year^?1 in former cereal fields. The RothC and Century models were sensitive to previous land use and estimated a carbon sequestration potential over 20 years of 950 and 700 g C m^?2, respectively. The accurate simulation of the dynamics of soil organic matter by RothC, together with measured above‐ground inputs, allowed us to calculate below‐ground inputs during afforestation. The Century model simulated total C and N, including the ectorganic horizons, well. Simulations showed a depletion of N in the below‐ground fractions during afforestation, with N limitation in the former vineyard but not on former cereal land. The approach demonstrates the potential of models to enhance our understanding of the processes leading to carbon sequestration in soils.     

云南省森林土壤腐殖质组分特征及影响因素

云南省森林生态系统在全球碳循环及平衡中具有不可替代的作用,但其森林土壤腐殖质组分特征及其影响因素尚不十分清楚。基于云南省不同林区采集的88个表层土样,通过描述性统计和回归分析量化了海拔、土壤类型、坡向和坡度、年均温和年降水量对土壤腐殖质组分分布影响的相对重要性,探讨云南省森林土壤腐殖质组分分布特征。结果表明:云南省森林土壤表层有机碳含量为8.40～199.73 g·kg~(–1),平均含量为51.37 g·kg~(–1),土壤可提取腐殖质碳含量为2.54～84.02 g·kg~(–1),平均含量为24.52 g·kg~(–1);胡富比均值小于1,土壤腐殖质聚合度较低;土壤腐殖质组分分布特征总体表现为滇西北、滇东北部较高,滇中、滇南部较低;土壤类型、海拔、年均温是影响云南省森林土壤腐殖质组分含量的主导因子,各因素的贡献程度总体呈现为土壤类型最高,其次是年均温、海拔,这说明土壤类型对森林表层土壤腐殖质的积累起重要作用。     

三江平原典型环型湿地土壤有机碳剖面分布及碳贮量

选取岛状林(棕壤型草甸白浆土)、小叶章草甸(潜育白浆土)和毛果苔草沼泽湿地(腐殖质沼泽土)研究了三江平原典型环型湿地土壤剖面有机碳分布特征与积累现状。结果表明,从环型沼泽湿地边缘向中心,土壤剖面有机碳含量和有机碳储量变化明显。小叶章草甸剖面土壤有机碳含量高于岛状林,但两者差异不大;毛果苔草沼泽湿地明显高于岛状林和小叶章草甸,最大值(为284.1 g kg-1)出现在10~20 cm,20 cm以下明显下降。从环型沼泽湿地边缘向中心,土壤剖面有机碳储量明显增加。1m深度内有机碳储量分别为1.04、1.48和4.22×104t km-2。     

Einfluß der Bodeneigenschaften auf die Freisetzung der gelösten organischen Substanz (DOM) aus dem Oberboden

Influence of Soil Properties on the Release of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) from the Topsoil A percolation experiment over a period of three month with small monoliths from forest and grassland soils varying in their anthropogenic changes was carried out to identify, to weigh and to quantify important soil properties for DOM release from the topsoil. Quality of soil organic matter determines the amount of DOM released from the topsoil if the soils have a low ability to adsorb and to precipitate DOM. Favorable conditions for high DOC concentrations in the soil solution are wide C/N ratios in the soil and in the hot water soluble fraction, a high soil content of hot water soluble organic carbon and a high portion of hot water soluble organic carbon in the total organic carbon content. Anthropogenic changes of the soils are effective to DOM release via changing quality of soil organic matter. Long dry periods and large water fluxes can further increase DOM release. The effects of soil organic matter can be disguised in soils with a high DOM retention capacity (high CEC, high content of exchangeable bases, Fe_ox and Fe_d). Then adsorption and precipitation determine DOM release from the topsoil and contribute to a decrease of DOM release.     

Organic C and N storage, and organic C fractions, in adjacent cultivated and forested soils of eastern Canada

As a major attribute of soil quality, organic matter is responsive to agricultural land use practices including tillage. A study was initiated in eastern Canada to characterize changes in the masses of organic C and total N, and organic matter fractions in forested and adjacent cultivated or forage sites. Generally, the cultivated and forage sites had denser soil profiles than the forest sites. Based on an equivalent soil mass, to accommodate differences in soil bulk density, the paired forest and cultivated sites showed that cultivation decreased the mass of organic C (35%) and total N (10%) in the soil profile of the Podzolic soils, but increased organic C (25%) and total N (37%) in the Brunisolic (Cambisol) and Gleysolic soils. For the Podzolic soils, use of forages increased soil stored organic C and N by 55% and 35%, respectively. Organic C fractions were mainly of significance in the A horizon. Soil microbial biomass C was greater in the forested, compared to the cultivated soil, but the proportion of soil organic C as microbial biomass C (1.3% to 1.6%) was similar. The proportion, however, was greater (2.1%) for the forage soil, compared to the corresponding cultivated (1.3%) soil, suggesting that organic C was continuing to increase under the former. The relatively large proportion (19%) of organic C found in the light fraction of forest soils in the A horizon was decreased (up to 70%) by cultivation. In contrast, the proportion of macro-organic C present in the soil sand fraction was not greatly influenced by cultivation. Overall, soils in eastern Canada have a relatively large potential to store organic matter. The study illustrates the importance of soil type and cultivation interactions for maintenance of soil organic matter storage, and the positive influence of forages in this regard in agroecosystems.     

Vertical gradients of potential enzyme activities in soil profiles of European beech,Norway spruce and Scots pine dominated forest sites

Management of forest sites has the potential to modulate soil organic matter decomposition by changing the catalytic properties of soil microorganisms within a soil profile. In this study we examined the impact of forest management intensity and soil physico-chemical properties on the variation of enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, α-glucosidase, phenol oxidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, l-leucine aminopeptidase, phosphatase) in the topsoil and two subsoil horizons in three German regions (Schorfheide-Chorin, Hainich-Dün, Schwäbische Alb). The sandy soils in the Schorfheide-Chorin (SCH) showed lower ratios of the activity of carbon (C) acquiring enzymes (β-glucosidase) relative to nitrogen (N) acquiring enzymes (N-acetyl-glucosaminidase + l-leucine aminopeptidase), and activity of C acquiring enzymes relative to phosphorous (P) acquiring enzymes (phosphatase) than the finer textured soils in the Hainich-Dün (HAI) and Schwäbische Alb (ALB), indicating a shift in investment to N and P acquisition in the SCH. All enzyme activities, except phenol oxidase activity, decreased in deeper soil horizons as concentrations of organic C and total N did, while the decrease was much stronger from the topsoil to the first subsoil horizon than from the first subsoil to the second subsoil horizon. In contrast, phenol oxidase activity showed no significant decrease towards deeper soil horizons. Additionally, enzyme activities responsible for the degradation of more recalcitrant C relative to labile C compounds increased in the two subsoil horizons. Subsoil horizons in all regions also indicate a shift to higher N acquisition, while the strength of the shift depended on the soil type. Further, our results clearly showed that soil properties explained most of the total variance of enzyme activities in all soil horizons followed by study region, while forest management intensity had no significant impact on enzyme activities. Among all included soil properties, the clay content was the variable that explained the highest proportion of variance in enzyme activities with higher enzyme activities in clay rich soils. Our results highlight the need for large scale studies including different regions and their environmental conditions in order to derive general conclusions on which factors (anthropogenic or environmental) are most influential on enzyme activities in the whole soil profile in the long term at the regional scale.     

Heavy metals (copper,lead, nickel,and cadmium) in the organic part of gray forest soils in the Buryat Republic

The levels of the accumulation of copper, lead, nickel, and cadmium in the parent material-soil-plants-soil organic matter system are given for gray forest soils in the Buryat Republic. The concentrations of copper, lead, and nickel in the parent materials do not exceed the corresponding clarkes, and cadmium is present in trace amounts. The concentrations of copper and nickel in the humus horizon are lower than those in the parent material; an opposite situation is observed for lead. The concentrations of copper, lead, and nickel in the soil organic matter and in the herbaceous plants correspond to their contents in the soil and do not exceed the background (clarke) values. Cadmium was not detected in the aboveground part of the plants, though it was found in the root mass and in the organic soil horizon. In the humus of gray forest soils, these heavy metals are mainly present in the acid filtrate remaining after the precipitation of humic acids.     

Loss of labile organic carbon from subsoil due to land-use changes in subtropical China

Topsoil carbon (C) stocks are known to decrease as a consequence of the conversion of natural ecosystems to plantations or croplands; however, the effect of land use change on subsoil C remains unknown. Here, we hypothesized that the effect of land use change on labile subsoil organic C may be even stronger than for topsoil due to upward concentration of plantations and crops root systems. We evaluated soil labile organic C fractions, including particulate organic carbon (POC) and its components [coarse POC and fine POC], light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), readily oxidizable organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass down to 100 cm soil depth from four typical land use systems in subtropical China. Decrease in fine root biomass was more pronounced below 20 cm than in the overlying topsoil (70% vs. 56% for plantation and 62% vs. 37% for orchard. respectively) driving a reduction in subsoil labile organic C stocks. Land use changes from natural forest to Chinese fir plantation, Chinese chestnut orchard, or sloping tillage reduced soil organic C stocks and that of its labile fractions both in top and subsoil (20–100 cm). POC reduction was mainly driven by a decrease in fine POC in topsoil, while DOC was mainly reduced in subsoil. Fine POC, LFOC and microbial biomass can be useful early indicators of changes in topsoil organic C. In contrast, LFOC and DOC are useful indicators for subsoil. Reduced proportions of fine POC, LFOC, DOC and microbial biomass to soil organic C reflected the decline in soil organic C quality caused by land use changes. We conclude that land use changes decrease C sequestration both in topsoil and subsoil, which is initially indicated by the labile soil organic C fractions.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Content in Contaminated Forest Soils with Different Humus Types

The aim of the study was to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content in different forest humus types. The investigation was carried out in Chrzanów Forest District in southern Poland. Twenty research plots with different humus types (mor and mull) were selected. The samples for analysis were taken after litter horizons removing from a depth of 0–10 cm (from the Of- and Oh-horizon total or A-horizon). pH, organic carbon and total nitrogen content, base cations, acidity, and heavy metal content were determined. In the natural moisture state, the activity of dehydrogenase was determined. The study included the determination of PAH content. The conducted research confirms strong contamination of study soil by PAHs and heavy metals. Our experiment provided evidence that different forest humus types accumulate different PAH amounts. The highest content of PAHs and heavy metals was recorded in mor humus type. The content of PAHs in forest humus horizon depends on the content and quality of soil organic matter. Weaker degradation of hydrocarbons is associated with lower biological activity of soils. The mull humus type showed lower content of PAHs and at the same time the highest biological activity confirmed by high dehydrogenase activity.     

Humusveränderungen nach Einbringung von Buche und Eiche in Kiefernreinbestände

Humus changes after introduction of beech and oak into Scots‐pine monocultures Medium‐ and long‐term (16 to 83 years) effects of an introduction of broadleaf‐tree species (Common beech [Fagus sylvatica] and European‐Sessile Oak [Quercus robur/petraea]) into mature Scots‐pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands on humus type and chemical properties of the Oh layer (pH value, base saturation, C : N ratio) were studied on 16 sites in Bavaria/Germany. The sites investigated covered a large range with respect to elevation, climate, parent material, and soil type. At most sites, the introduction of beech resulted in a significant change of the soil humus type from biologically inactive humus types to more active ones. The strongest changes occurred on the poorest sites, where forest floors under pure pine were particularly biologically inactive. In most cases, the changes in humus type were accompanied by significant increases in the pH value and the base saturation and significant decreases in the C : N ratio of the Oh layer. However, the latter effect was not noticed at most sites with initial C : N ratios higher than 30. In contrast to beech, the introduction of oak did not result in a systematic change of the humus type, the pH value, or the base saturation of the Oh layer. In spite of the considerable change of humus type under beech to biologically more active types, the introduction of broadleaf trees did not result in a systematic change of the thickness or the mass of the forest floor. A decrease in the mass of the Of layer was compensated by an increase of the Oh‐layer mass. All studied sites considered, the introduction of broadleaf trees into Scots‐pine monocultures resulted on average in an 8% decrease of the total amount of organic carbon (C_org) in the forest floor; the C_org amount in the uppermost 10 cm mineral soil increased by 9%. At 35% of all investigated sites, broadleaf tree introduction resulted in increased (+5% to +18%) topsoil (forest floor and uppermost 10 cm mineral soil) C_org stocks. At 30% of the sites, the stock changes were less than ±5%, and on 35% of all sites, soil C_org stocks decreased by –5% to –36%. The average change in the topsoil C_org stock for all studied sites was –5%. The introduction of beech into Scots‐pine monocultures resulted in an ecologically desired translocation of soil organic matter from the forest floor into the mineral topsoil. It is an effective and sustainable silvicultural measure to restore and revitalize acidified, nutrient‐depleted topsoils with biologically inactive humus types.