Evaluation of nutrient resorption properties of tree species in tropical forests on different soil environments

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23780175
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Forest science
• Research Institution: Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
• Principal Investigator: MIYAMOTO Kazuki 独立行政法人森林総合研究所, 四国支所, 主任研究員 (60353877)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 栄養塩再吸収 / 窒素 / リン / ヒース林 / ボルネオ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Nutrient resorption before leaf abscission is an important trait as an adaptive strategy for trees growing on nutrient limited environment. To clarify variation in leaf nutrient resorption at the species level along the gradient of soil nutrient availability, we collected green and senesced leaves from tree canopies in tropical heath forest growing on nutrient-poor soil (podzol) and other forest types on non-podzolic soils including typical mixed dipterocarp forest in Sabah, Borneo. Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus resorption efficiencies of dominant species were higher in the heath forest stands, compared with those in the forest stands on non-podzolic soils. The resorption efficiencies also varied within heath forest stands. Our results demonstrate that the dominant species in our study sites adapt to the soil nutrient availability in each forest type by having different nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) resorption traits.

Free Research Field

森林生態学