Studies of the Development of Woodland Conditions Under Different Trees: The Forest Floor

Abstract

At each of 3 Forest Gardens, namely, West Tofts, Bedgebury and Abbotswood, there is a number of plots of different tree spp. The type of surface organic matter developed in the plots is largely dependent upon the kind of tree spp. planted, and the humus layers differ considerably in their chemical composition and the rate of decomposition. The greatest accumulation of organic material occurs under stands of conifers, notably pines and spruces. Although the percentages of N and ash in the hardwood forest floors are higher than those of the conifers, the total quantity of N and non-volatile matter contained in the forest floor of the conifers is greater than that of the hardwood stands. The wt. of fresh litter present is always considerably less than that of the decayed material and in general the ratio L/F + H decreases as the forest floor becomes less well developed. The rate of accumulation of surface humus is greatest at the thicket stage but decreases after the pole stage is reached.