Abstract

The decomposition of litters of Pinus densiflora and the growth of microbial populations in a calcareous region, Youngwal were compared with those in a noncalcareous region, Sinlim. The decay rate of litter in Pinus densiflora in Youngwal was 0.128 and that in Sinlim was 0.096. The differences in the populations of soil bacteria and total microorganisms between the two regions were signficant at the 5% level, but that of fungi and actinomycetes was not at that level. The differences in the content of calcium and pH value of soil between the two regions were significant at the 1% level. The excessive content of calcium became to increase pH value, in turn the high pH decreased the content of available phosphorus in soil. The vertical distribution of the content of available phsophorus was consistent with that of the populations of fungi and actinomycetes in Youngwal.

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