Natural Environment Monitoring 2007, No 8, 65-72
TEMPORARY VARIABILITY OF THE ORGANIC MATTER FALL IN FIR-BEECH STANDS IN YEARS 1994-2006 ON THEMAIN MASSIF OF ŁYSOGÓRY
Alojzy Kowalkowski, Marek Jóźwiak
Summary
In the years 1994-2006, within a framework of integrated monitoring, research on dynamics of organic deposition in two biogroups of mountain acid beech wood (Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum, Klika, 1927, Matuszkiewicz, 1964) was conducted. The beech wood comprises 3-layer fir-hornbeam-beech stand while beech is between 60-140 years old, and fir is up to 150 years old (“A” biogroup), and 2-layer beech-stand is aged between 60-140 years with addition of sycamore (“B” biogroup). The research was carried out on the Northern slope of the main quartzite £ysogóry Massif on the OEwiêty Krzy¿ Mountain at heights from 509 to 520 m ASL. 12 components were selected from organic deposition assimilation organs of fir, beech, hornbeam, sycamore and mountain ash; fruits of beech, hornbeam and maple; small tree branches, bud hulls, bark and other components. In the time of the dynamics of organic deposition, the key role was played by quantitative ratios of assimilation organs of fir and deciduous trees occasionally with those aged 1 or 2 years (seminal years). In the years 2002-2006, a remarkable increase of organic deposition was observed in both biogroups in comparison to the previous period. In “A” biogroup which was getting old, unbalanced and high deposition of coniferous needles of fir which was under die-back and acidifying soil environment was observed, the fructification of deciduous trees decreased significantly. In “B” biogroup of beech-stand maturing, where foliage deposition dominated, total organic deposition is higher, fructification is several (2.7x) times higher, while deposition of tree branches and bark is lower in “A” biogroup.