Community Structure, Phytomass, and Primary Productivity in Thuja orientalis Stands on Limestone Area

The community structure, phytomass, and primary productivity in Thuja orientalis stands on a limestone area located in Maepo-up, Chungbuk province in Korea were estimated quantitatively. Seven species including a small proportion of Quercus dentata were identified in the tree layer, 26 species including Ulmus macrocarpa in the shrub layer, and 79 species including Carex lnceolata in the herb layer of the Thuja stands. The vertical distribution of the fine root phytomass exhibited a power functional decrease relative to the soil depth. The seasonal changes in the fine root phytomass at a soil depth of 5 cm were closely related to the pecipitation in the study area. The productivity of the stand of stems, branches, leaves, and roots were 10.72, 0.82, 0.45 and 6.46 ton DM. $ha^{-1}$ .$yr^{-1}$, respectively. The Thuja stand had a high foliage(25%) and low rate of production per unit of foliage. The annual turnover rate of the fine roots int he Thuja stand was 6.71 $yr^{-1}$. The net primary production of the overstory including the understory was estimated at 19.48 ton DM.$ha^{-1}$.$yr^{-1}$ including an underground section of 6.46 ton DM.$ha^{-1}$.$yr^{-1}$(33%). The allocation ratio of net production to root was lower in the limestone Thuja communities than at the nearby non-limestone ones, whereas the production efficiency to leaf weight was higher in the limestone communities. These results would seem to indicate that the limited production capacity is due to the calcium toxicity and low availability of iron and phosphorus in a limestone soil with a high pH, calcium, and bicarbonate content with a strategy for survival in a hostile habitat.