Nutrient concentration and acid–base status of leaf litter of tree species characteristic of the hardwood forest of southern Quebec

Abstract

Leaf litter of 15 tree species characteristic of the deciduous and mixed forest of southern Quebec were analyzed for pH, directly titrable acids and bases in water extracts, ash bases, excess bases, excess ash bases, and for levels of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. We hypothesized that many tree species typical of the climax of sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) dominated forest have leaf litter with a higher base status than sugar maple and red maple (Acerrubrum L.) leaf litter, and that the base status of leaf litter would be lower on wet sites. Mean differences among species were highly significant (p < 0.0001) for all variables related to acidity or bases, but the effect of drainage was not. Red and sugar maple leaf litter was very acid and low in N concentration. American beech (Fagusgrandifolia Ehrh.) and red oak (Quercusrubra L.) leaf litter was not very acidic but was low in nutrient concentrations. White pine (Pinusstrobus L.) was lowest in all nutrients and ash bases but was low in titrable acidity. Directly titrable bases in leaf litter extracts were correlated positively with leaf litter N and Mg, and ash bases were positively correlated with leaf litter Ca and Mg. Many species typical of the sugar maple climax may have better soil ameliorating potential than sugar and red maple.