Summary
Leaf litter breakdown and fine root production, including exudation, are two major influences upon carbon and nitrogen mineralization rates in forest soil. Sieving and root removal experiments were used to examine their effects. Although carbon mineralization rates declined in smaller particle size fractions of forest litter, this trend largely disappeared when results were calculated on an ash-free basis. Nitrogen mineralization by contrast, was greatest in smaller fractions.
Much of the variation in carbon mineralization rates appeared to be associated with fine roots. A rapid initial exponential decay phase noted in laboratory respiration studies was probably associated with disappearance of available carbon in the form of root exudates and/or the microorganisms dependent on them. Clear cutting caused a marked reduction in the size of available carbon pools, reflecting decreased root exudation and rhizosphere activity. A model of mineralization is proposed which represents the available and humified carbon pools.
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Hendrickson, O.Q., Robinson, J.B. Effects of roots and litter on mineralization processes in forest soil. Plant Soil 80, 391–405 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02140046
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02140046