Studies of the Development of Woodland Conditions Under Different Trees: VII. Soil Calcium and Magnesium

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Abstract
Comparisons are made of Ca and Mg in the soils of forest plantations and treeless plots at 3 experimental areas and differences between plots are attributed to the differential effects of tree spp. The litter accumulated over the mineral soil contains up to 231 kg/ha of Ca and 27 kg/ha of Mg depending upon the tree spp. planted. Afforestation did not result in a significant change in the Mg content of the mineral soil but there was a decrease in exchangeable Ca, particularly in the upper mineral soil. The loss of Ca from the soil varied greatly but no distinction could be made between indigenous and exotic or between coniferous and hardwood spp. Over a forest rotation, the depletion of calcium from the mineral soil would be reduced by the decomposition of the litter and the tree canopies and roots left after the crop is harvested.