Fuyuki Satoh

Microbially Available Phosphorus in Boreal Forests: Effects of Aluminum and Iron Accumulation in the Humus Layer

AbstractSoil microorganisms play an important role in the mobilization of phosphorus (P), and these activities may be beneficial for plant P utilization. We investigated the effects on microbial P availability of different combinations of aluminum and iron (Al + Fe) concentrations and different P pools in humus soils from boreal forest ecosystems. We measured respiration rates in laboratory incubations before and after additions of glucose plus (NH4)2SO4 (Glu+N), with or without a small dose of KH2PO4. Glu+N was added in excess so that the availability of the inherent soil P would be growth-limiting for the microorganisms. The exponential increases observed in microbial growth after substrate additions (Glu+N) was slower for humus soils with high Al+Fe concentrations than for humus soils with low Al+Fe concentrations. Adding a small dose of KH2PO4 to humus soils with high Al+Fe concentrations did, however, increase the exponential growth, measured as the slope of the log-transformed respiration rates, by more than 200%. By contrast, the average increase in exponential growth was only 6% in humus soils with low Al+Fe concentrations. Almost eight times more carbon dioxide (CO2) was evolved between the substrate additions and the point at which the respiration rate reached 1 mg CO2 h−1 for soils with high Al+Fe concentrations compared to humus soils with low Al+Fe concentrations. The amount of CO2 evolved was positively related to the Al+Fe concentration of the humus soils (r2 = 0.86, P < 0.001), whereas the slope was negatively related to Al+Fe concentration (r2 = 0.70, P < 0.001). Easily available P forms were negatively related to the Al+Fe concentration, whereas organic P showed a strong positive relationship to Al+Fe (r2 = 0.85, P < 0.001), suggesting that other forms of P, as well as inorganic P, are affected by the increased sorption capacity. The results indicate that P mobilization by microorganisms is affected by the presence of sorption sites in the humus layer, and that this capacity for sorption may relate not only to phosphate but also to organic P compounds.

Importance of Internal Proton Production for the Proton Budget in Japanese Forested Ecosystems

Annual biogeochemical fluxes (bulk precipitation, throughfall, stem flow, soil solution and vegetation uptake) of inorganic elements were observed in eight cool temperature forested ecosystems in Hokkaido, northern Japan, in order to determine the mechanisms of acid neutralization in Japanese forest ecosystems. We compared our results with the other biogeochemical studies in Japan, north Europe and US from the literature. In many Japanese forests, the internal proton production (IPS) by base cation accumulation into the vegetation was a major proton source, rather than external acidic deposition, and the IPS also affected the base cation fluxes from the mineral. IPS in Japanese forest tended to be larger than that in north Europe and US. Our results suggested that the high acid neutralizing ability of Japanese forests could be attributed to the strong relationship between the base cation buffering of the soil and the larger contribution of IPS as a proton source. acidic deposition|biogeochemical cycling|forest ecosystem|Japan|proton budget

Chemical Characteristics in Stemflow of Japanese Cedar in Japan

To clarify the characteristics in stemflow of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), we conducted the annual and extensive observation. We examined the chemistry of bulk and wet deposition, throughfall and stemflow at 26 forested sites in June and September 1998. The each sampling site was broadly distributed in all over the Japanese archipelago. The stemflow pH of Japanese cedar was significantly lower (p<0.01) than precipitation and stemflow of broad-leaved species in both months. There were significant anion deficits in stemflow of Japanese cedar, suggesting that organic anions derived from plant sources play an important role in the stemflow acidity. Our results suggested that the strong stemflow acidity in Japanese cedar was derived from an internal biological characteristic rather than influences of external acidic deposition.

The role of organic horizons and canopy to modify the chemistry of acidic deposition in some forest ecosystems

To clarify the mechanisms of pH buffering in forest ecosystems, field observations of pH and ionic concentrations in precipitation (R), throughfall (Tf), stemflow (Sf), and leachates from organ c horizons (Lo) were conducted for three years at three stands in Tomakomai (TK) and Teshio (TS) in Hokkaido, northern Japan.Weighted mean rates of H+ input as wet deposition at TK and TS were estimated in the range from 0.3 to 1.0 and 0.4–0.6 kmolc ha−1 y−, respectively. While the net H+ flux was reduced significantly by the forest canopy, net fluxes of other ions by throughfall, especially for Na+, Cl−, and SO42−, were apparently greater than those by precipitation. The canopy modification of the H+ flux was more remarkable under deciduous stands than under coniferous stands, suggesting that the efficiency of conifers as the collectors of dry deposition is greater than that of deciduous ones. More than 50% of H+ flux due to throughfall was absorbed by the organic horizons and the weighted mean pH of Lo at TK and TS was in the range from 4.9 to 5.5 and 5.0–5.5, respectively. Results from field observation and field leaching experiments, showed that the major H+ sinks of the organic horizons are exchange reaction of Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+. Organic acids or organo-metallic complexes of lower pK(=5.0–5.5) played a significant role as counter anions in O horizons leachate in coniferous forests.Our results indicate the importance of biogeochemical modifications in the canopy and organic horizon in acid buffering mechanisms of forest ecosystems.

Nutrient dynamics and carbon partitioning in larch seedlings (Larix kaempferi) regenerated on serpentine soil in northern Japan

Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) grows at a relatively high rate in northern Japan, even in serpentine soil. Serpentine soil has high concentrations of heavy metals (Ni, Cr), excessive Mg, and is nutrient deficient. These factors often suppress plant growth. We examined the mechanisms of Japanese larch’s tolerance to serpentine soil. We compared growth, photosynthetic capacity, and concentrations of elements in needles and roots between larch seedlings growing in serpentine soil and in nonserpentine (i.e., brown forest) soil. Dry mass of needles, stems, and branches were lower in seedlings grown on serpentine soil than in those grown on brown forest soil. There were lower concentrations of phosphorus and potassium in seedlings grown on serpentine soil than in those grown on brown forest soil. Seedlings growing on serpentine soil had lower Ni in plant organs. Our results suggest that larch seedlings grown on serpentine soil were able to exclude toxic elements. Moreover, the photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen concentration in needles was almost the same for seedlings grown in the two soil types. A wide range in growth was observed among individuals grown on both soil types. This may be regulated by nitrogen storage in the roots.

Riparian control on NO3−, DOC, and dissolved Fe concentrations in mountainous streams, northern Japan

We evaluated (1) the longitudinal pattern of stream chemistry and (2) the effects of the riparian zone on this longitudinal pattern for nitrate (NO3−), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and total dissolved iron (Fe). We selected two small watersheds; the “southern watershed” had an extending riparian wetland and the “northern watershed” had a narrow riparian area. Stream NO3− concentrations decreased from the spring to outlet of both watersheds. In the southern watershed, stream DOC concentration decreased from the spring to midstream and then increased to the outlet. Stream Fe concentration in the southern watershed longitudinally increased. On the other hand, the northern watershed exhibited no longitudinal pattern for DOC and Fe concentrations. In both watersheds, while NO3− concentrations in the soil and ground water were lower than those in the stream waters, DOC and Fe concentrations exhibited the opposite patterns. The longitudinal decreases of NO3− concentrations in both streams and increase of stream Fe in the southern watershed mainly resulted from the inflow of the soil and ground water to the stream. The decrease in stream DOC from the spring to midstream in the southern watershed was due to the deep groundwater having low DOC, while the subsequent increase to the surrounding soil and ground water. Moreover, considerations of stream solute flow with soil and ground water chemistry suggested other mechanisms adding NO3− and removing/diluting DOC and Fe, especially for the northern watershed; coexistence of oxidizing and reducing conditions in the riparian zone might control the longitudinal concentration change in the stream water chemistry.

Annual Element Budget of Soil in Snow-Dominated Forested Ecosystem

Seasonal fluctuation of concentration and flux of major inorganic ions in throughfall, stem flow, snowpack and soil solution was investigated at a natural cool temperature mixed forest in Hokkaido, northern Japan, in order to clarify the effect of snowmelt on the solute dynamics in the forest soil in snow-dominated region. Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− and SO42− concentrations in soil solution showed a large fluctuation in the snowmelt period. The percentage of output of these elements from soil during the snowmelt period in the annual output was as follows. Mg2+: 51%, Na+ and Cl−: 59 and 60%, SO42−: 65%, Ca2+: 77%. Our results indicated that the snowmelt event was very important to quantify the annual elemental budgets in this region. Although the leaching of base cation from the soil was larger than that of inputs and accumulation into the vegetation, annual decreasing rate of acid neutralization capacity (ANC(s)) from the soil was mostly affected by the base cation accumulation into the vegetation, related that the base cations weathering accompanied with bicarbonate was slow due to the acidic and weathered soil in the studied site. It is suggested that the weakly acidic soil which has low ANC(s) in snow-dominated region will be relatively sensitive to the future increase of acidic deposition.

Roles of dominant understorySasabamboo in carbon and nitrogen dynamics following canopy tree removal in a cool-temperate forest in northern Japan

To clarify the role of dense understory vegetation in the stand structure, and in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics of forest ecosystems with various conditions of overstory trees, we: (i) quantified the above- and below-ground biomasses of understory dwarf bamboo (Sasa senanensis) at the old canopy-gap area and the closed-canopy area and compared the stand-level biomasses of S. senanensis with that of overstory trees; (ii) determined the N leaching, soil respiration rates, fine-root dynamics, plant area index (PAI) of S. senanensis, and soil temperature and moisture at the tree-cut patches (cut) and the intact closed-canopy patches (control). The biomass of S. senanensis in the canopy-gap area was twice that at the closed-canopy area. It equated to 12% of total biomass above ground but 41% below ground in the stand. The concentrations of NO3− and NH4+ in the soil solution and soil respiration rates did not significantly change between cut and control plots, indicating that gap creation did not affect the C or N dynamics in the soil. Root-length density and PAI of S. senanensis were significantly greater at the cut plots, suggesting the promotion of S. senanensis growth following tree cutting. The levels of soil temperature and soil moisture were not changed following tree cutting. These results show that S. senanensis is a key component species in this cool-temperate forest ecosystem and plays significant roles in mitigating the loss of N and C from the soil following tree cutting by increasing its leaf and root biomass and stabilizing the soil environment.

A toposequence of fine-textured soils in the hilly area of the northernmost part of Hokkaido

Abstract Morphological, micromorphological, and physico-chemical investigations were conducted on three profiles of a toposequence in the hilly area of northern Hokkaido: Profile Bf, on a relatively steep slope; Profile Pr, on a rounded top or upper convex slope; and Profile Pg, on a lower concave slope. The influences of eluviation and illuviation processes were evident in all three profiles, but the appearances of the profiles were different depending upon the geomorphic position. The soil substances accumulated in the B horizons in all three profiles were summarized as follows: sesquioxides not associated with humus and clay in Profile Bf; sesquioxides and humus in Profile Pr; and mainly clay but including sesquioxides not associated with humus in Profile Pg. Profiles Pg and Bf were identified as Aquic Glossoboralfs and Typic Haplumbrepts, respectively, according to Soil Taxonomy. Although Profile Pr had a spodic morphology, its Bhs horizon failed to meet one of the laboratory criteria of a spodic hori...

Seasonal Dynamics of Biogeochemical Proton and Base Cation Fluxes in a White Birch Forest in Hokkaido, Japan

Biogeochemical proton and base cation fluxes in a 30-year old white birch forest composed of Dystric Cambisols in northern Hokkaido, Japan were estimated using data on atmospheric deposition (AD), throughfall (TF), stemflow (SF), and discharge from soils (DS) and plant uptake (UP) from early June to November 1999. In the monitoring period, proton flux was 0.20kmolcha−1 for AD, 0.07 for TF+SF, and 0.03 for DS, indicating that atmospheric acid input was neutralized through plant and soil. Base cation flux was 1.29 for AD, 1.23 for TF+SF, and 0.99 for DS and plant base cation uptake was 2.14, indicating that the soil was the major source of base cation for plant. However, these seasonal fluxes showed various trends. Cumulative base cation flux in TF+SF showed constant increase trend during the whole period, which was similar to AD. Proton flux in AD jumped once just after a heavy rain of 255mm for 8 days at the end of July. Trends for the proton and base cation fluxes in TF plus SF were similar to that of AD. Although proton and base cation fluxes of DS were not found until middle July because of vegetation uptake and no flow, both fluxes increased suddenly after the heavy rain in July. After August, the base cation and proton fluxes in the DS increased continuously, due to the lack of plant uptake and intermittent rainfall. In this study, it is clear that plant activity and water flow are very important driving force for seasonal dynamics of biogeochemical cycling.