Weight Loss and Nutrient Dynamics during Leaf Litter Decomposition of Quercus mongolica in Mt. Worak National Park

Weight loss and nutrient dynamics of Quercus mongolica leaf litter during decomposition wereinvestigated from December 2005 through August 2008 in Mt. Worak National Park as a part of NationalLong-Term Ecological Research Program in Korea. The decay constant (k) of Q. mongolica litter was 0.26. After33 months decomposition, remaining weight of Q. mongolica litter was 49.3 ± 4.4%. Initial C/N and C/P ratiosof Q. mongolica litter were 43.3 and 2,032, respectively. C/N ratio in decomposing litter decreased rapidly fromthe beginning to nine months decomposition, and then showed more or less constant. C/P ratio increased to2,407 after three months decomposition, and then decreased steadily thereafter. N and P concentration increasedsignificantly during decomposition. N immobilization occurred from the beginning through 18 monthsdecomposition, and mineralization occurred afterwards in decomposing litter. P immobilized significantly fromfifteen months during decomposition. K concentration decreased rapidly from the beginning to six months decomposition.However it showed an increasing pattern during later stage of decomposition. Remaining K decreasedrapidly during early stage of decomposition. There was no net K immobilization. Ca concentration increased fromthe beginning to twelve months decomposition, and then decreased rapidly till twenty one months elapsed.However, it increased again thereafter. Ca mineralization occurred from fifteen months. Mg concentrationincreased during decomposition. There was no Mg immobilization during litter decomposition. After 33 monthsdecomposition, remaining N, P, K, Ca and Mg in Q. mongolica litter were 79.2, 110.9, 36.2, 52.7 and 74.4%,respectively.