Carbon and nitrogen status by decay class in fallen dead wood of three pine species in southern Korea

Abstract The importance of a quantitative assessment of C and N contents of dead wood is increasing in forest ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the density and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) status of dead wood with decay class for three pine species (Pinus densiflora, Pinus rigida, and Pinus koraiensis) in southern Korea. The C concentration in dead wood was significantly different among species (P. densiflora, 50.31%; P. koraiensis, 47.22%; P. rigida, 44.96%), whereas decay class did not affect the C concentration (p > 0.05). The density and C content of dead wood in all species decreased with increasing decay class. The N concentrations of dead wood increased more rapidly in P. rigida and P. koraiensis than in P. densiflora, with an increasing decay class. Thus, the N content of dead wood was unchanged or increased in P. rigida and P. koraiensis, whereas that of P. densiflora decreased because of density reduction with increasing decay class. Our results indicate that the unchanged, increased, or decreased status of C and N in dead wood depends on the species and decay class.