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Weight and Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Calcium Content of Forest Floor Humus of Lodgepole Pine Stands in Colorado¹

ABSTRACT

The pine-derived organic matter of the forest floor was sampled by horizon from eight Pinus contorta stands of contrasting densities, site indices, average dbh, and stand height. Tabular data are given for loss-on-ignition, mineral and ash content, and N, P, K, and Ca content of these horizons. Total quantities of forest floor humus ranged from 2.54 to 4.21 kg/m² irrespective of stand density. Expressed as g/m² the N content of the forest floor humus ranged from 31–54, P from 2–5, K from 7–17, and Ca from 10–25. The proportion of N increased with progressive decomposition of organic material. The most mobile nutrients, K and P, were generally most concentrated in the lowest of the four forest floor humus horizons whereas Ca concentrations differed little among each of the horizons.

¹ This study was supported by contract no. 16-127 with the US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest & Range Experiment Station, Ft. Collins, Colo., and by NSF grant GB-6300. The authors express appreciation to G. L. Hayes, R. R. Alexander, C. A. Myers, W. G. Forrest, and J. D. Ovington for helpful suggestions at various stages of this study.

² Assistant Professor of Biology and Research Assistant, Department of Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder. The current address of the senior author is College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins 80521.

Received for publication March 4, 1968. Accepted for publication September 17, 1968.