Journal article

Publication year: 2007

Pages: 231-240

Journal: Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science

Volume number: 53

Issue number: 3

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340701308667

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group

Abstract: 

Local humus stocks (= contents of soil organic matter, SOM in kg · m⁻²) of arable soils were investigated in several regions of the seemingly uniform ground moraine-landscape. Depending on relief position, quantifiable effects of humus removal or enrichment are evident, caused by denudation or colluviation. The depth (thickness) of the investigated humus-bearing topsoil horizons varies between 15 and 150 cm overall and amounts on average to 67 cm. Extreme values of SOM (resp. C_org) stocks are 2.73 (1.58) and 137.41 (79.70) kg · m⁻². The average values of all found SOM (resp. C_org) stocks in the investigated arable soils amount to 10.78 (6.25) kg · m⁻². Humus stocks are not only of importance for the agricultural yield potential but also because of their function as a sink for, or a source of, atmospheric CO₂, which is of special current interest due to its influence on menacing climate change. The total carbon content of the corresponding column of atmosphere, 1.60 kg · m⁻², amounts to only one quarter of the average in our arable soils.

Harvard Citation style: Reuter, G., Böttcher, H., Honermeier, B., Kopp, H., Lange, G., Makowski, N., et al. (2007) Diversity of humus stocks in the arable soils of the Late Pleistocene ground morains in Mecklenburg, West Pomerania, Germany, Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 53(3), pp. 231-240. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340701308667

APA Citation style: Reuter, G., Böttcher, H., Honermeier, B., Kopp, H., Lange, G., Makowski, N., Müller, K., & Teltschik, K. (2007). Diversity of humus stocks in the arable soils of the Late Pleistocene ground morains in Mecklenburg, West Pomerania, Germany. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 53(3), 231-240. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340701308667