Seasonal Variations in Ash Content of Some Michigan Forest Floor Fuels

Abstract

Samples from the forest floor litter layer were collected seasonally from under medium to fully stocked larger sapling to sawtimber stands in Lower Michigan to study seasonal ash content changes. The total ash and silica-free ash content of tree foliage in the upper part of the litter layer differed little from season to season. Differences in ash content due to species were generally more important than those due to season. The total ash content than those due to season. The total ash content of an entire northern hardwood-oak-hickory forest litter layer increased significantly (0.01 level) through the year, however, silica-free ash content did not. Bracken fern did not change significantly in either total ash or silica-free content

Citation

Loomis, Robert M. 1982. Seasonal Variations in Ash Content of Some Michigan Forest Floor Fuels. Research Note NC-279. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station