Evaluating humus forms variation in an unmanaged mixed beech forest using two different classification methods

Abstract

Humus is an important part of terrestrial ecosystems and can be considered as an indicator of th ecosystem functioning status. The application of morphological methods is an inexpensive and easy way to study humus forms. Two morphological methods were adopted in a beech stands of the Hyrcanian forest in order to assess their applicability in the study of these ecosystems. An unmanaged beech stand was selected and 320 humus profiles were considered. In each profile the humus form was determined as to suborder level according to the above morphological methods. The results showed that the average thickness of organic and organo-mineral horizons (OL, OF, OH and Ah) in the study site was 2, 0.6, 0.3 and 3.6 cm, respectively. Moreover, the two different morphological methods used in the study site had different functions and outputs. According to both methods the Mull order was the dominant humus form in the study site. The number of humus suborders found in the study site was different in the two methods and indicates their different ability in describing humus forms in the study site. © iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry.