FOREST NUTRITION:FOREST NUTRITION:

Twigs and branches from Natural Twigs and branches from Natural Pruning and dead leaves form the first Pruning and dead leaves form the first level of most of the food chains of the level of most of the food chains of the forest. They also form the natural forest. They also form the natural habitat of biota of the forest floor which habitat of biota of the forest floor which are of primary importance in the are of primary importance in the dynamics of forests. dynamics of forests.

The mineralization of leaf and twig litter, The mineralization of leaf and twig litter, aided by biota, is used by the trees and aided by biota, is used by the trees and provides some of the energy pathways provides some of the energy pathways through the Eco System. When the through the Eco System. When the forest litter is removed for burning by forest litter is removed for burning by the local and refugee population great the local and refugee population great harm is done to the forests. Their food harm is done to the forests. Their food is snatched away and the habitat of is snatched away and the habitat of biota is ruined. Symbiotic bacteria that biota is ruined. Symbiotic bacteria that help Pine trees in obtaining essential help Pine trees in obtaining essential Nitrogen are killed and growth is Nitrogen are killed and growth is stunted. stunted.

Now a days even the bark of Now a days even the bark of Walnut and Pine trees is being Walnut and Pine trees is being removed. This acts as a removed. This acts as a protection to the Cambium protection to the Cambium layer. Between these two the layer. Between these two the tree's nutrition makes it's way tree's nutrition makes it's way up the tree. Complete girdling up the tree. Complete girdling (removal of bark all around, (removal of bark all around, any place on the bole of the any place on the bole of the tree) results in death.tree) results in death.

The forest is a complex Eco The forest is a complex Eco System. Nutrition and balance System. Nutrition and balance between photosynthesis and between photosynthesis and respiration are the determining respiration are the determining factors for a tree's growth. This is factors for a tree's growth. This is greatest in the dense Pole Stage greatest in the dense Pole Stage and slowest in mature trees.and slowest in mature trees.

DATADATA The thermal efficiency of The thermal efficiency of

photosynthesis is 14 %. Up to 60 % of photosynthesis is 14 %. Up to 60 % of net radiation received is expended in net radiation received is expended in transpiration. The actual process of transpiration. The actual process of photosynthesis accounts for only 1.5 %.photosynthesis accounts for only 1.5 %.

Despite this the least productive Forest Despite this the least productive Forest type is still more productive than many type is still more productive than many other Eco Systems, for example other Eco Systems, for example average cultivated land and the up-average cultivated land and the up-swelling zones of oceans.swelling zones of oceans.

DATADATA The thermal efficiency of The thermal efficiency of

photosynthesis is 14 %. Up to 60 % of photosynthesis is 14 %. Up to 60 % of net radiation received is expended in net radiation received is expended in transpiration. The actual process of transpiration. The actual process of photosynthesis accounts for only 1.5 %.photosynthesis accounts for only 1.5 %.

Despite this the least productive Forest Despite this the least productive Forest type is still more productive than many type is still more productive than many other Eco Systems, for example other Eco Systems, for example average cultivated land and the up-average cultivated land and the up-swelling zones of oceans.swelling zones of oceans.

ENERGY PATHWAY:ENERGY PATHWAY:

ENERGYENERGY ------------------Breakdown of Organic Matter.Breakdown of Organic Matter.

CONSUMPTIONCONSUMPTION - -WWeathering Process in Soil.eathering Process in Soil.

IN THEIN THE ----------- -----------Hydrothermic Cycle.Hydrothermic Cycle.

FOREST FLOORFOREST FLOOR - -Transport of substances in Soil Transport of substances in Soil Profile. Profile.

QUANTATIVE INVESTIGATION OF QUANTATIVE INVESTIGATION OF CIRCULATION PATHS OF ESSENTIAL CIRCULATION PATHS OF ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS:ELEMENTS:

Input From Rain. Subsoil Weathering. Circulation within Forest-Soil-Animal System. Losses by way of Crops of Plants or Animals. Runoff in Dissolved & Particulate Forms.

Evolved a Circulation System which reduces Nutrient loss fromleaching and runoff by keepingMost of the minerals locked up in Vegetation.

Nitrogen (N) Potassium (P) Calcium (Ca)

Long-Term StabilityLong-Term Stability

Of a Forest Eco System depends Of a Forest Eco System depends upon the successful balance upon the successful balance between the output and input of between the output and input of Nutrients. In case losses are Nutrients. In case losses are high they need to be replaced. high they need to be replaced.

The Cycling of The Cycling of Nutrients in a Forest Nutrients in a Forest involves:involves:

•• Uptake by PlantsUptake by Plants

• Return to the soil via dead Organic Matter.

• Storage within the Organisms.

NutrientsNutrients The quantities of nutrients at The quantities of nutrients at

various stages is important to various stages is important to determine the quantities of determine the quantities of minerals removed if a tree is minerals removed if a tree is harvested and taken harvested and taken elsewhere elsewhere and if branch, twig and leaf and if branch, twig and leaf litter is allowed to stay or litter is allowed to stay or cleared.cleared.

PROCESS N (Kgs)

P(Kgs)

K(Kgs)

Ca(Kgs)

Uptake 45 5 7 29

Return 35 4 7 19

Storage 10 1 2 10

ThinningRemoval 1.8 0.1 1 5

SPECIES: PINE

NUTRIENT BUDGET:NUTRIENT BUDGET:

Tropical Forest accumulation: Tropical Forest accumulation: 2,000 to 53,000 Kg per Hectare.2,000 to 53,000 Kg per Hectare.Dry Savannah accumulation: Dry Savannah accumulation: 1000 Kg per Hectare. 1000 Kg per Hectare.