Wilcke, W.; Boy, J.; Goller, R.; Fleischbein, K.; Valarezo, C. & Zech, W. (2011): <b>Effect of topography on soil fertility and water flow in an Ecuadorian lower montane forest</b>. In: L.A. Bruijnzeel, F.N. Scatena & L.S. Hamilton (eds.): <i>Tropical Montane Cloud Forests: Science for Conservation and Management</i> ( ), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 402-409.
Resource Description
Title:
Effect of topography on soil fertility and water flow in an Ecuadorian lower montane forest
Short Name:
Topography effects
FOR816dw ID:
925
Publication Date:
2011-01-01
License and Usage Rights:
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Wolfgang Wilcke
Contact:
email:
wolfgang.wilcke <at> kit.edu
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Institute of Geography and Geoecology
Reinhard-Baumeister-Platz 1
76131 Karlsruhe
Baden-Württemberg
Germany
Individual:
Jens Boy
Contact:
email:
boy <at> ifbk.uni-hannover.de
D-30419 Hannover
Germany
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<br/>
layer and the mineral soil resulted in a hillslope flow regime dominated by fast lateral flow. During baseflow conditions, d18O values were similar to that of the subsoil 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. It is concluded that topographic position and lateral<br/>
transport of water and matter (as a consequence of the pronounced inclination) are important controls of the water and nutrient cycles of the study forest.
Literature type specific fields:
CHAPTER
Chapter Number:
43
Book Editor:
L.A. Bruijnzeel, F.N. Scatena & L.S. Hamilton
Book Title:
Tropical Montane Cloud Forests: Science for Conservation and Management
Page Range:
402-409
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Publication Place:
Cambridge, UK
Total Pages:
768
ISBN:
9780521760355
Metadata Provider:
Individual:
Wolfgang Wilcke
Contact:
email:
wolfgang.wilcke <at> kit.edu
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Institute of Geography and Geoecology
Reinhard-Baumeister-Platz 1
76131 Karlsruhe
Baden-Württemberg
Germany
