Differences in soil chemistry between early and late succession of oak-hornbeam forest after grassland abandonment

Changes in C and nutrient cycling during succession are well studied, however, results can be contrasting for different nutrients and successional sequences. We analyzed soil chemical differences between early and late succession of oak-hornbeam forest. Late forest succession efficiently retained plant-available P, and total Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, and Ni pools in the soil, as their concentrations were similar to those of early-successional grasslands. Available K, soil organic C, and organic matter content, as well as C:N and C:S ratios were higher in late than in early succession. Soil organic N and S concentrations did not differ between the stages.