The early impact of mixed canopies with Norway spruce, European beech and silver fir on a new forest floor

Abstract The character of pure or mixed forest canopies and their litterfalls contribute to different forest-floor properties. These organic layers also subjacent topsoil were studied at three study sites covered by treatments such as beech–spruce, beech–fir, spruce–fir two monospecific beech spruce treatments. age the stands ranged from 11 15 years when sampled. All used meadows afforested; therefore, floors new, A-horizon properties not influenced older humus inherited previous generations. mineral soil was likely affected levels former fertilization, which resulted in differences among sites. early-developed showed between with others. below had more nitrogen, oxidizable carbon cations exchangeable hydrogen well pH showing acidic conditions lower contents saturation base cations. Pure phosphorus. nutrient pools did differ treatments; significantly matter found oldest on first afforested site, increased pools.