Über die stoffliche Zusammensetzung von Waldbodenpflanzen eines montanen Hainsimsen-Buchenwaldes I. Asche-, Stickstoff- und Proteingehalt

Abstract

Within the German Solling Project 6 species of the herb layer ( Avenella flexuosa , Fagus sylvatica [seedlings], Luzula luzuloides , Oxalis acetosella , Polygonatum verticillatum , and Sorbus aucuparia [young shrubs]) and one species of the moss layer ( Polytrichum formosum ), all growing in a montane beech forest (Luzulo-Fagetum) were analyzed chemically with respect to their ash, nitrogen, and protein content. According to its growth form each species was separated into 2 or 3 functionally different biomass fractions. Plant samples were taken monthly within the vegetation period (from May through November) in order to reveal the seasonal dynamics of the compounds investigated. Green and aboveground plant parts contain significantly more ash than nongreen or belowground ones. During the growing season, in the green parts obvious changes in ash content occur, the tendency of which, however, varies with species. Corresponding to the poor acidic soil of the Solling beech forest, the species investigated can be regarded as low in ash content. This is in contrast to the nitrogen regime which turns out to be much more favourable than expected, a fact that finds support in studies concerned with mineralization and content of soil nitrogen in the Solling area. Again, aboveground parts and leaves are favoured and contain much more total N, protein N, and protein than other plant parts. Also, the changes that occur during the course of the growing season are more dramatic in these parts and show in general decreasing tendencies. The fraction of soluble nitrogen differs by playing a more important role in belowground parts and by showing increased amounts at the beginning and the end of the growing season when enhanced protein synthesis or degradation occur.