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43 - Effect of topography on soil fertility and water flow in an Ecuadorian lower montane forest

from Part IV - Nutrient dynamics in tropical montane cloud forests

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 May 2011

By
W. Wilcke ,
J. Boy ,
R. Goller ,
K. Fleischbein ,
C. Valarezo  and
W. Zech
Edited by
L. A. Bruijnzeel ,
F. N. Scatena  and
L. S. Hamilton
W. Wilcke
Affiliation:
Johannes Gutenberg University, Germany
J. Boy
Affiliation:
Johannes Gutenberg University, Germany
R. Goller
Affiliation:
University of Bayreuth, Germany
K. Fleischbein
Affiliation:
University of Potsdam, Germany
C. Valarezo
Affiliation:
Universidad Nacional de Loja, Ecuador
W. Zech
Affiliation:
University of Bayreuth, Germany
L. A. Bruijnzeel
Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
F. N. Scatena
Affiliation:
University of Pennsylvania
L. S. Hamilton
Affiliation:
Cornell University, New York
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Summary

ABSTRACT

Tropical montane forests are frequently located on steep slopes with pronounced differences in topographic exposure, related microclimatic conditions and hence in composition and structure of the vegetation over small distances. The objective of this work was to test the hypothesis that topographic position significantly influences soil fertility and water flow in these forests. Soil properties were determined at various topographic positions and water samples of selected ecosystem fluxes analyzed over a 1-year period for oxygen isotopes in three small, steep watersheds under lower montane forest in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes in southern Ecuador. The soils are subject to lateral material movement (landsliding and solifluction). This, together with the pronounced variation in climatic conditions and vegetation over small distances, resulted in high heterogeneity of soil properties. The pH of the A-horizon ranged between 3.7 and 6.4; concentrations of base metals (calcium, magnesium), sulfur and phosphorus, and trace metals (manganese, zinc) showed enormous spatial variation (coefficient of variation: 358–680% over a surface area of <30 ha). The steepness of the study area and the large contrast in hydraulic conductivities of the organic layer and the mineral soil resulted in a hillslope flow regime dominated by fast lateral flow. During baseflow conditions, δ18O values were similar to that of the sub-soil solution, but rapidly became similar to values in the top-soil solution during rain storms. The chemical composition of stormflows resembled that of the litter leachate. Stormflow had lower pH and higher organic carbon and metal concentrations than did baseflow. […]

Type
Chapter
Information
Tropical Montane Cloud Forests
Science for Conservation and Management
 , pp. 402 - 409
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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