Relative Stability of Mineral Cycles in Forest Ecosystems

Plant and soil recovery along a series of abandoned desert roads

“…Rates of mineral cycling in deserts are high relative to input and output rates, giving these cycles low stability and long recovery periods following disturbance (Jordan et al, 1972). Critical nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are highly localized in soils of the Mojave Desert, limiting most biological activity to the top 3 cm of soil, especially under or near plant canopies (West, 1981).…”

Nutrient accretion to the soil via litterfall and throughfall in Acioa barteri stands at Ozala, Nigeria

“…** Percentage of total nutrient input (shown in brackets). Present study Jordan et al [1972] Golley et al [1975] Berhnard-Reversat [1975 Nye [1961] --+ = No available information. Present study Egunjobi [1974] Cornforth [1970[ ] Berhnard [1970 b,~ "--a P(10%) at Ozala fall within the ranges obtained by Parker [1983] for N(0-15%) and P(10-20%).…”

Research History and Opportunities in the Luquillo Experimental Forest

“…Six herbicides applied to soils west of El Verde produced no sterilization effect and the forest floor was covered with grasses, sedges, and vines within one year of treatment . Jordan et al (1972) and Odum (1970b) reviewed existing knowledge and hypotheses about nutrient budgets and general cycling pathways within the Luquill0 Experimental Forest. There are relatively large pools of certain elements like calcium, sodium, magnesium, and iron in the soil as compared to the vegetation pools.…”

“…Essential elements had higher recycling rates and, therefore, a lower stability, indicating that recovery from perturbation would require a greater amount of time (Jordan et al 1972).…”