Abstract

Dynamics of nutrients, non-polar, water solubles, acid solubles and acid insolubles (lignin) in decomposing litter were investigated for 2 years in the oak, Quercus acutissima, and the pitch pine, Pinus rigida, stands in the vicinity of Kongju, Chungnam Province. Nitrogen and phosphorus conetrations in decomposing litter increased with time elapsed, however, potassium decreased rapidly within three months and then remined constant with time elapsed. Calcium concentration in needle litter during experimental period was lower than that of initial concentration in needle litter during experimental period was lower than that of initial concentration, and showed no significant variation with time elapsed. Calcium concentration in oak litter during the experimental period, however, were higher than that of initial concentration. Magnesium concentration in oak litter decreased repidly during six months, and then remaines constant thereafter. Annual amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium which returned to soil via litter decomposition in the oak and the pitch pine stands was $3.3g/m^2$ and $0.9g/m^2$ for N, $0.03g/m^2$ and $0.01g/m^2$ for P, $1.3g/m^2$ and $0.7g/m^2$ for K, $0.7g/m^2$ and $1.2g/m^2$ for Ca, $0.9g/m^2$ and $0.4g/m^2$ for Mg, respectively. Non-polar, and water- and acid-soluble fractions in decomposing litter decreased and lignin increased with time.

Keywords

• Acid solubles;
• Decomposition;
• Lignin;
• Nutrients;
• Pinus rigida;
• Quercus acutissima;
• Water solubles