Influences of stand composition and age on forest floor processes and chemistry in pure and mixed stands of Douglas-fir and paper birch in interior British Columbia

The influence of stand composition and age on forest floor chemical properties, nitrogen availability, and microbial activity was examined in mixed and pure stands of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera). Decomposition of Douglas-fir and birch litter over two years as well as annual litter input was also measured. Mixed and pure stands of each species aged 10-25, 50-65 and >85 years old were selected in the Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH) zone of southern interior British Columbia. Significantly more total N was mineralized in the forest floor of pure birch compare to that of pure Douglas-fir stands while forest floor of mixed species stands had intermediate N mineralization values. When sampling times were pooled forest floor N mineralization was lowest in the young stands compared to the older stands. Stand composition did not significantly affect litter decomposition were found in litter decomposition, microbial respiration and biomass. Stand age, however, did affect these parameters significantly. More birch litter mass was lost in young stands than in their older counterparts while the opposite trend was observed for fir litter. Generally, lower basal respiration, microbial biomass and Cmic/Corg was found in young compared to older stands. Concentrations and contents of forest floor total N and exchangeable K and Mg, and pH under pure birch were consistently higher compared to pure Douglas-fir. While forest floor total C, available P contents, exchangeable K and Mg concentrations were lowest in young stands, no differences were observed for total N and exchangeable Ca. All litter nutrient concentrations and contents were highest in pure birch stands. No clear trends could be discerned in litter nutrient concentration data among stand ages, although when converted to nutrient contents, there was a general increase with stand age. Both stand type and age had significant effects on forest floor properties and processes suggesting that stand age is another factor to evaluate when assessing the influence of forest composition on forest floor processes and chemistry. In terms of the effect of mixture, the data indicated that the maintenance of paper birch in mixed stands in these forest may have some effect on nutrient availability and status.