Besonderheiten des Stoffkreislaufes einiger terrestrischer Ökosysteme

Abstract

Summary The usual scheme for the carbon cycle and energy flow of a deciduous forest ecosystem is not typical for all terrestrial ecosystems. Even in this forest ecosystem a short cycle without above soil consumers is much more important than the long cycle with such consumers. The general participation of species with mycorrhiza in forest ecosystems, especially on poor soils, let us suppose a partial mycotrophic cycling without a total mineralisation. Often the role of fire is important in many natural ecosystems. Fire causes a quick mineralisation of accumulated dead organic material and in this way replaces the decomposers. Examples from regions with winter rain and summer drought climate, from the boreal coniferous zone and from steppe or savanna grasslands are discussed. The global nutrient cycle becomes more and more interrupted by man and this may in future cause an acute phosphate deficiency.