CAUSES OF THE HIGH NITROGEN AND ORGANIC MATTER CONTENT OF CERTAIN TROPICAL FOREST SOILS

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Abstract
The anomalous occurrence of highly organic and nitrogenous soils in tropical regions was studied by comparing 2 California profiles and 2 tropical profiles. The decomposition constants of the soil organic matter lead to the conclusion that tropical forest litter decomposes rapidly, but an unknown quality of the mineral soil prevents the rapid oxidation of soil humus. Thus, the rapid production of litter in the tropics results in a highly organic soil. The author attributes the high N content to the fixation of atmospheric N. H. L. Mason, Director of the Herbarium of the Univ. of California, estimates that more than 50% of the tropical forest trees are legumes.

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