Potassium, calcium, and magnesium dynamics during litter decomposition in a cool temperate forest

The dynamics of K, Ca, and Mg were investigated during the decomposition of 14 litter types over a 3-year period on the upper and lower parts of a forest slope in a cool temperate forest in Japan. Potassium dynamics were divided into initial leaching phase and late phase. Initial K concentrations for the initial phase were correlated with the rate of decrease in K concentration during the initial phase. The late phase was characterized by seasonal fluctuations in concentration: K concentration increased from April to November and decreased during the winter period. The pattern of change in Ca concentration was divided into initial increase phase and late decrease phase in some litter types, or consisted of the late phase only in other litters. Calcium concentration of the initial litter was not predictable for the pattern of change in Ca concentration nor the rate of change in Ca concentration during the initial phase. Initial Ca concentration for the late phase was correlated with the rate of change in Ca concentration during the late phase. The pattern of change in Mg concentration was divided into initial leaching phase and late immobilization phase. Initial Mg concentration for the initial phase was correlated with the rate of change in Mg concentration during the initial phase. At the lower site, initial Mg concentration for the late phase was correlated with the rate of change in Mg concentration during the late phase, while such a relationship was not observed at the upper site. Concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg showed a convergent trend at the end of the study period. The final concentration differed between the upper and lower sites.