Soil carbon and nitrogen accumulation in a forested debris flow chronosequence, California.

The role of forest soils in the biogeochemical cycling of C and N is most dynamic during the early stages of soil development. To define C and N trends that occur with soil development in a mixed coniferous forest, a chronosequence formed by debris flows was studied. The accumulation rates of total organic C (TOC) and total N (TN) were evaluated in soils on 10 debris flow deposits, ranging from 250 yr. Carbon and N accumulation in the organic horizons, however, both follow a linear trend over the 244-yr period. The rates of C accumulation suggest a rapid recovery of the soil organic C pool following disturbance.