Carbon and nitrogen in soil and vegetation at sites differing in successional age

摘要: We studied vegetation and soil development during primary succession in an inland drift sand area the Netherlands. compared five sites at which had started different moments past, respectively 0, 10, 43 121 years ago, a site not yet started. In three younger was herbaceous, whereas two older pine forest formed. Forest formation accompanied by of FH-layer soil, increase amount organic matter, nitrogen mineralisation rate from 1.9 to 18 g N m−2 yr−1. Soil moisture content also increased, pH showed steady decrease with age. The changed herbaceous dominated mosses lichens grass species Corynephorus canescens Festuca ovina towards understorey Deschampsia flexuosa and, oldest site, dwarf shrubs Empetrum nigrum Vaccinium myrtillus. At same time total amounts carbon ecosystem relatively stronger pool. establishment trees greatly affects dynamics ecosystem, especially its dynamics.