FORESTRY UPDATE by Gary Allen Burns 12-21

The organic matter of the forest soil represents a very small portion of the total soil, perhaps less than 1 percent to 15 percent. It does, however, exert a significant influence on its biological, chemical, and physical properties.

The soil organic matter is basically decaying plant litter and animal parts attacked by microorganisms. Leaves, twigs, stems, and reproductive structures are the above sources of plant litter, while roots are the primary below ground source. Below-ground litter from fine roots may actually exceed the above ground litter.

Original tissue refers to the organic matter that remains recognizable such as twigs and leaves. Humus is the organic matter that has decomposed and is unrecognizable. Humus is what gives the brown color to some topsoil. The topsoil is the most productive soil layer. Most biological activity is present there, as are most plant nutrients available for roots.

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