Variations of soil enzyme activities in a temperate forest soil

• Published in: Ecological research 2009-09, Vol.24 (5), p.1137-1143
• Main Authors: Kang, Hojeong, Kang, Sinkyu, Lee, Dowon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acer; Air temperature; Autumn; Behavioral Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Chemical properties; Decomposition; Dehydrogenase; Ecology; Enzymatic activity; Enzymes; Evolutionary Biology; Extracellular enzyme; Forest floor; Forest soils; Forestry; Geochemistry; Landscape ecology; Leaf litter; Leaves; Life Sciences; Nutrient availability; Original Article; Plant Sciences; Quercus mongolica; Risk management; Seasonal variation; Seasonal variations; Soil sciences; Temperate forests; Zoology
• ISSN: 0912-3814; 1440-1703
• DOI: 10.1007/s11284-009-0594-5

Soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase, and arylsulfatase) in a temperate forest soil were determined in relation to landscape position and seasons. Overstory of the area is dominated by Quercus mongolica , Kalopanax pictus , Carpicus cordata , and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum . The activities were measured in three patches, namely a north-facing backslope, a ridge, and a south-facing backslope in autumn and spring over 2 years. In addition, spatially more detailed analysis for phosphatase was conducted before and after litterfall production in six patches. Dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase, and arylsulfatase activities varied 1.8–18.5 μg INT-formazan g −1  h −1 , 45.4–347.0 μg NH 4 +  g −1  h −1 , 0.9–4.5 mmol pNP g −1  h −1 , and 0.7–2.6 mmol pNP g −1  h −1 , respectively. In general, higher enzyme activities were found in the northern aspect than in the southern aspect. This variation appears to be related to differences in chemical properties (e.g., Fe, Al, and Mg) of soil as well as distribution of leaf litter. Two patterns were discernible in relation to seasonal variations. Dehydrogenase and urease exhibited a positive correlation with mean air temperature, suggesting that temperature would be a major controlling variable for those enzymes. In contrast, higher activities were detected in autumn for phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities, which appeared to be closely related to litter production and distribution. Overall results of this study indicate that soil enzyme activities in a forest floor are influenced by several variables such as temperature, nutrient availability, and input of leaf litter, which are closely related to landscape position.