Abstract:

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of altitude, slope aspect, and tree species on soil macro (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Na, Cu, Zn, Al) concentrations and stocks. Four tree species (Scots pine, black pine, beech, and oak), three soil depths (0-10, 10-20, 20-30 cm), two aspect positions (sunny and shady), and two altitudes (1189 m and 871 m) were considered for this study. The results showed that beech had the highest C (57.7 ton/ha), N (3.32 ton/ha), and P (0.181 ton/ha) stocks and oak had the lowest (39.7-ton C ha-1; 2.37-ton N ha-1, 0.115-ton P ha-1). Among the tree species, the highest calcium stock was found in black pine (3.64 tons/ha) and oak (2.41 tons/ha), the lowest in Scotch pine (0.73 tons/ha) and beech (0.67 tons/ha), while the highest potassium was seen in scotch pine (3.60 tons/ha), followed by beech (2.92 tons/ha), black pine (2.16 tons/ha) and the lowest in oak (1.03 tons/ha). Macronutrient stocks also differed between upper and lower altitudes and shady and sunny aspects, but the direction of the differences varied according to tree species and macronutrient element. Differences in micronutrient stocks were generally in the same direction. Micronutrient stocks were higher in the upper altitudes and sunny aspect position. Among tree species, Scots pine and beech stands had more micronutrient stocks than black pine and oak stands.

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