Relationships between Plant Biodiversity and Soil Fertility in a Mature Tropical Forest, Costa Rica
Joint Authors
Nadeau, Martin B.
Sullivan, Thomas P.
Source
International Journal of Forestry Research
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-13, 13 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-02-26
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
13
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
We aimed to study relationships between plant biodiversity and soil chemical fertility in a mature tropical forest of Costa Rica.
Soil samples were collected in nine sampling plots (5 m by 25 m) in order to identify P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Al and total N contents, soil fertility index, CEC, pH, and C/N ratio.
Furthermore, species richness, Shannon-Wiener and Simpson’s species diversities, structural richness, and structural diversity were calculated for each plot.
Simple linear regression analyses were conducted.
Tree species richness was inversely related to concentration levels of K, Ca, and P, CEC, and soil fertility index.
Therefore, higher tree species richness tended to be found on sites with lower soil fertility, which is the complete opposite of temperate forests.
As a result, tropical and temperate forest ecology should be considered separately.
Shannon-Wiener tree species diversity was positively correlated to C/N ratio.
Herb structural richness was positively correlated with soil fertility index and P concentration.
Therefore, herb structural richness may be a good indicator of soil fertility.
This study gives important insights on ecological relationships between plant biodiversity and soil chemical fertility in a primary tropical forest.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Nadeau, Martin B.& Sullivan, Thomas P.. 2015. Relationships between Plant Biodiversity and Soil Fertility in a Mature Tropical Forest, Costa Rica. International Journal of Forestry Research،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1065969
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Nadeau, Martin B.& Sullivan, Thomas P.. Relationships between Plant Biodiversity and Soil Fertility in a Mature Tropical Forest, Costa Rica. International Journal of Forestry Research No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1065969
American Medical Association (AMA)
Nadeau, Martin B.& Sullivan, Thomas P.. Relationships between Plant Biodiversity and Soil Fertility in a Mature Tropical Forest, Costa Rica. International Journal of Forestry Research. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1065969
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1065969