Phosphorus and Base Cation Inputs through Litterfall Components in Pine Forests after Tree Removal Due to Pine Wilt Disease Disturbance

Abstract

This study was conducted to measure litterfall and nutrient (P, K, Ca, Mg) inputs under varying degrees of disturbance by pine wilt disease in pine forests in southern Korea. Litterfall was collected to evaluate nutrient responses at different intensities of disturbance (various levels of basal area) by pine wilt disease across 2 years. Phosphorus, Ca, and Mg concentrations in needle litterfall were positively correlated (p < 0.05) with decreased disturbance intensities (increased basal area) depending on the time of sampling, whereas the nutrient concentrations in other litterfall components (branches, bark, reproductive organs, and miscellaneous litterfall) were not significantly correlated (p > 0.05) with the intensity of pine wilt disease disturbance. Dry weight and nutrient inputs through litterfall components decreased linearly with increasing intensity of disturbance by pine wilt disease (p < 0.05), except for the nutrient inputs of branch (K, Ca, Mg) and reproductive organ (K, Ca) litterfall. These results indicate that decreased litterfall across different levels of disturbance may be related to the reduced soil nutrients in pine wilt disease forests.