Abstract
Abstract. Biota–soil interactions in natural ecosystems are the subject of considerable research. Our hypothesis is that individual trees play a significant role through biomechanical and biochemical disturbances affecting soil formation in temperate forests, resulting in a complex spatial pattern of disturbance regimes and a close relationship between disturbance histories and soil units. In Žofínský Prales (Czech Republic) – the fourth oldest, continuously protected reserve in Europe and the first site of global research network SIGEO (Smithsonian Institution Global Earth Observatories) in continental Europe – we compared extensive dendrochronological, soil and pit–mound microtopography data both temporally and spatially from an area of anthropogenically unaffected 42 ha collected from 2008–2012. These data sets differ in terms of information complexity and length of memory: tree cores contain complex information about the disturbance history of the past 350 years, footprints of disturbances from the uprooting of a specific tree can persist 1700 years, and soils represent an extensive composite phenotype that has been developing for at least the entire postglacial period (10 500 years). On average, 6.18–13.41% of the canopy on individual soil units was disturbed per decade. Even though the "backbone" of key events in the development of the forest ecosystem remained the same (e.g. the 1870s, 1880s and 1980s), the internal structure of disturbance history often differed among soil units; the most exceptional were Gleysols and Histosols, where important feedback from soil to trees was expected. However, the characteristics of treethrow dynamics as well as the frequencies of stronger releases in core series also significantly differed along a gradient of terrestrial soil weathering and leaching (Haplic Cambisols – Dystric Cambisols – Entic Podzols – Albic Podzols). These results suggest the existence of several disturbance regimes within the forest, controlling fine-scale pedodiversity.
Highlights
1.1 Soil evolution theoryRecent studies on the diversity and development of soils in the landscape have revealed the limits of traditional pedogenetic theories created from the middle of the 19th century, which emphasized the role of geology (Morton, 1843) or climate (Glinka, 1914) in pedogenesis
While periods of intensive disturbances were clearly visible in all partial dendrochronological records, weaker events were site specific. This indicates that the traditional sum of disturbance history (e.g. D’Amato and Orwig, 2008; Fraver et al, 2009) can mask significant differences in the pattern of weaker events and encumber the ecological interpretation of results
Weak disturbances are known to be of key importance in the dynamics of beech-dominated temperate forests (Splechtna et al, 2005; Šamonil et al, 2013a)
Summary
1.1 Soil evolution theoryRecent studies on the diversity and development of soils in the landscape have revealed the limits of traditional pedogenetic theories created from the middle of the 19th century, which emphasized the role of geology (Morton, 1843) or climate (Glinka, 1914) in pedogenesis. The traditional concept of “zonal soils” (Hartemink and Bockheim, 2013) or the recent concept of “endemic soils” (Guo et al, 2003; Bockheim, 2005) came from early views on landscape evolution (Johnson et al, 1990) and Clementsian concepts of vegetation succession (Cline, 1961). Terms such as “soil maturity” or “climax soil” have been used in scientific studies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
