Soil Properties of Quercus variabilis Forest on Youngha Valley in Mt. Worak National Park

Abstract

Soil properties of Quercus variabilis forest on Youngha valley at Mt. Worak National Park were studied as a part of Korea National Long-Term Ecological Research. Soil sampling was carried out along the 50 cm soil depth with 10cm intervals at every quarter from May 2005 through July 2006. Fresh soil was used for <TEX>$NH_4{^+}-N,\;NO_3{^-}-N$</TEX>, and soil water content determination. Remaining soils were air dried in the shade, and then used for determination of soil pH, T-N, T-P and exchangeable cation. Average soil organic matter in top soil was <TEX>$8.5{\pm}1.2%$</TEX> and decreased with soil depth. Bulk density of top soil was <TEX>$0.82{\pm}0.07g/cm^3 $</TEX>and increased with soil depth. Soil organic matter and bulk density showed a negative linear correlation (<TEX>$R^2=0.8464$</TEX>). Soil pH in top soil and subsoil was similar. T-N, <TEX>$NH_4{^+}-N,\;NO_3{^-}-N$</TEX> and T-P in top soil were <TEX>$1.9{\pm}0.5mg/g,\;7.3{\pm}1.0mg/kg,\;2.0{\pm}0.4mg/kg\;and\;0.2{\pm}0.05mg/g$</TEX>, respectively. <TEX>$K^+,\;Ca^{2+}\;and\;Mg^{2+}$</TEX> in top soil were <TEX>$84.6{\pm}24.4,\;408.8{\pm}137.8\;and\;93.4{\pm}23.0mg/kg$</TEX>, respectively. They decreased with soil depth. Amounts of organic matter, T-N, <TEX>$NH_4{^+}-N,\;NO_3{^-}-N$</TEX>, T-P, <TEX>$K^+,\;Ca^{2+}\;and\;Mg^{2+}$</TEX> in 50 cm soil depth were 250.9, 3.45, 0.025, 0.003, 0.639, 0.181, 0.845 and 0.302 ton <TEX>$ha^{-1}\;50cm-depth^{-1}$</TEX>, respectively.