Influence of broad‐leaved tree species on pH and organic matter content of forest topsoils in Scania, South Sweden

Abstract

The influence of Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Tilia cordata Mill. and Acer platanoides L. on pH(KCl) and organic matter content in the topsoil (0 to 5 cm), was studied at 70 mixed deciduous forest sites with different soil properties in the province of Scania, south Sweden. Samples at 50, 150 and 250 cm from the trunk were collected under canopies of individuals of different tree species growing side by side on initially similar soil. Analysis of differences included pairwise comparisons on each site. Compared to Q. robur, pH was 0.26 (at 50 cm) and 0.13 (at 150 and 250 cm) units lower for F. sylvatica. Acer platanoides had 0.15 and T. cordata 0.39 units higher pH than Q. robur, as means of all distances. All differences were highly significant. Carpinus betulus had pH values very similar to Q. robur. The differences in soil organic matter content between the tree species were small and not significant.