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Forest humus forms as potential indicators of soil carbon storage in Mediterranean environments

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Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the potential of forest humus forms as indicators of soil C storage. To this purpose, Mediterranean forest soils in Southern and Central Italy were examined. Sites differed for elevation, climate, parent material and vegetation conditions, while summer drought was the common ecological factor. A morpho-functional criterion, based on holorganic layers thickness and A horizon properties, was used to classify humus forms, which ranged from Dysmoder to Eumull. Such variability allowed understanding of factors influencing organic matter storage. The relations between carbon stock and humus form were investigated for the topsoil layer (0–20 cm), which was supposed to contain the soil C pools most sensitive to climate change. We found that humus forms can be grouped in statistically different populations, with respect to topsoil C stocks. The use of A horizon structure was the main diagnostic criterion and represented the most effective approach to humus classification in Mediterranean conditions. It appears that humus forms have a clear potential as indicators of organic carbon status in Mediterranean forest soils.

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Acknowledgments

Data were supplied by the Italian Forest Service (CONECOFOR Office) and were gathered within the Pilot Project BioSoil, co-funded by the European Commission, following Regulation (EC) No. 2152/2003 concerning monitoring of forests and environmental interaction in the community (Forest Focus).

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Author notes

  1. Rossano Ciampalini

    Present address: UMR LISAH - INRA, IRD, SupAgro, Campus AGRO, Bat. 24 - 2, Place Viala, 34060, MONTPELLIER Cedex 1, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Firenze, Di.P.S.A., Piazzale Cascine 18, 50144, Firenze, Italy

    Anna Andreetta, Rossano Ciampalini, Francesca Tescari & Stefano Carnicelli

  2. CNR-ISE, Via Marussi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Giorgio Poggio

  3. University of Napoli Federico II, D.I.S.S.P.A., Via Università, 100, 80085, Portici, Italy

    Pierpaolo Moretti & Simona Vingiani

  4. CNR-ISAFOM, Via Cavour, 4-6, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy

    Giorgio Matteucci

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  1. Anna Andreetta
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Correspondence to Anna Andreetta.

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Andreetta, A., Ciampalini, R., Moretti, P. et al. Forest humus forms as potential indicators of soil carbon storage in Mediterranean environments. Biol Fertil Soils 47, 31–40 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-010-0499-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-010-0499-z

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