Role of the dwarf bamboo (Sasa) community in retaining basic cations in soil and preventing soil acidification in mountainous areas of Japan

Abstract

Adjacent plots (1 m2) with and without communities of dwarf bamboo (Sasa), i.e. Sasa- and ref-plots, were selected in mountainous areas, which were relatively low in soil buffer capacity. The following parameters were studied: chemical properties of surface (0-30 cm) soil (at 6 sites), elemental abundances in the soil-Sasa ecosystem (at 6 sites), effect of artificial acid rain on the above two parameters (at 1 site), and chemical properties of throughfall and stemflow of Sasa (at 2 sites including one on a plain). Average values of pH(H2O), base saturation and the ratio of exchangeable (K+Mg+Ca)/exchangeable Al in surface soil were 4.35±0. 53, 25.2±14.3% and 0.41±0.28, respectively, in Sasa-plots and 4.26±0.63, 20.0±9.6%, and 0.28±0.13, respectively, in ref-plots. Though not significant, all soil parameters had higher values in Sasa-plots, i.e. Δx = ca. 0.1 unit, 5% and 0.13, respectively. When the abundance of elements (exchangeable cations in soil of 30 cm depth plus elements in litter and Sasa biomass) in the ecosystem was compared between the two plots, K (and often other basic cations) was higher in Sasa-plots than in ref-plots, whereas Al was lower. Artificial acid rain (1.5 L of 0.05 M H2SO4 applied monthly for 10 months) induced a reduction of Na, K, Mg and Ca in a ref-plot, but in a Sasa-plot only Na and K were reduced whereas Mg and Ca were completely retained. The composite samples of throughfall and stemflow of Sasa were ca. 0.5 higher in pH and richer in K, Mg and Ca than the ambient precipitation. The amounts (equivalents) of elements released by Sasa were in the order K > Ca > Mg. It was determined that about 87% and 98% of K, 76% and 87% of Ca, and 39% and 93% of Mg were of Sasa origin in the composite samples at a mountainous site (cambisol soil type) and a plain site (andosol soil type), respectively. Sasa communities may have a significant role in retention of basic cations in surface soil and prevention of soil acidification because of recycling elements in the soil-Sasa ecosystem.