Spatial heterogeneity of phosphorus concentration and P speciation in German forest soils

In this project, we will investigate the spatial heterogeneity of soil phosphorus (concentration of total P, P speciation) in soils with different P status with modern analytical (synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy and spectromicroscopy) and geostatistical methods at different scales (soil aggregates: (sub)micron to mm scale; particular regions of soil profiles [e.g. root channels, surrounding of stones]: mm to dm scale; entire soil profiles: dm to m scale; selected patches of the forest stand: m to 5m scale). We expect that our results will provide new insights about spatial heterogeneity patterns of soil P concentration and P speciation in forest soils and their relevance for P availability and P nutritional status of Norway spruce and European beech.

For further information, see:
Chair of Soil Science - TU München