Biomass and nutrient distribution patterns in a young Pseudotsugamenziesii ecosystem

Calculations are presented giving biomass and quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium contained in soil, understory vegetation, and standing arboreal components of a low-site, immature Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco ecosystem on southern Vancouver Island. For the standing arboreal crop, biomass and elemental content of the foliage, live and dead branches, wood, bark, and total tree were estimated, using the formula logeY = a + b logeD2H, where D = diameter breast height and H = total tree height.The soil component contained over 70% each of the total organic matter biomass and nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium content in the ecosystem. Although the soil also contained large quantities of potassium and phosphorus, the vegetative component significantly increased in importance with regard to these two elements. Biomass and nutrient distribution patterns within the standing arboreal crop are discussed in terms of elemental concentrations and distribution between components o...