Soil organic matter chemistry changes upon secondary succession in Imperata Grasslands, Indonesia: A pyrolysis–GC/MS study

The chemical composition of soil organic matter (SOM) following secondary succession in Imperata grassland was investigated by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). We studied 46 samples from different stages of succession using plots that last burned 3 and 9 years previously, secondary forest (≥ 15 years), primary forest and Acacia mangium plantation (9 years). During regeneration of Imperata grasslands the chemical composition of SOM changes considerably. Differences between litters and SOM were larger than within SOM, which is mainly due to a rapid degradation of lignin in the soil. Both litter and SOM under Imperata contain larger amounts of carbohydrates and fewer lignin moieties, aliphatics and N-compounds than those under secondary and primary forest. Nevertheless, SOM degradation under grassland is less efficient because of scarcity of N-compounds. SOM decomposition is most advanced under forest, as indicated by lower amounts of plant derived compounds and higher contribution of microbial matter. Decomposition efficiency appears to be related to SOM chemistry, but more to abundance of N-compounds than to that of potentially recalcitrant compounds. C stocks were linked to decomposition efficiency and litter production.

► We study the chemical composition of soil organic matter (SOM) upon succession in Imperata grassland was investigated by py-GC-MS.
► Both litter and SOM under Imperata contain larger amounts of carbohydrates and fewer lignin moieties, aliphatics and N-compounds than those under secondary and primary forest.
► SOM degradation under grassland is less efficient because of scarcity of N-compounds.
► Decomposition efficiency appears to be related to SOM chemistry, but more to abundance of N-compounds than to that of potentially recalcitrant compounds.