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A chromatographic approach to the diagnosis of humus quality and some implications for forest management

University of British Columbia

Understanding forest humus is seen as an important aspect of sound forest management. A method using paper chromatography, developed by Pfeiffer is examined as a diagnostic approach to the nature and dynamics of forest humus. Chromatograms are prepared from a sodium hydroxide extract of humus. On a circular filter paper the radiating extract reacts with silver nitrate producing a characteristic picture or "humus spectrum". Preliminary work relating chromatograms to types of humus and site conditions is presented and discussed. Further comparisons are made between chromatographic features and a range of chemical and site variables of 103 humus form samples. Significant correlations, scattergrams and discriminant function analyses are presented and discussed. It is concluded that the chromatogram allows a network of inferences to be made about the nature of forest humus. Although not quantitatively predictive, the chromatogram reflects in a consistent manner, properties of humus derived from chemical analyses. It supports the classification of humus forms and may provide a method of discrimination when morphological properties are inconclusive as found in clearcuts or other disturbed sites. Applications for forest management are discussed and a number of examples presented. The potential for monitoring changes as a result of management practises is seen as particularly interesting. The method may provide the field manager with a practical interpretive tool, and the student of humus dynamics with an interesting bridge between the results of analytical chemistry and field observation of the in-situ humus. The limitations of the approach are discussed and further studies suggested.

Text

2010-05-15

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/24713

Resource Management and Environmental Studies

University of British Columbia

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