57
4.5.7 Accumulation of Organic
Matter and Their Export
Notwithstanding the above, the elemental cycles
of wetland environments differ, to some extent,
from those of terrestrial habitats in the ability of
flowing water to import or export particulate and
dissolved materials and also in the modification
of decomposition and recycling processes. It is
said to occur in the presence of low redox soil or
sediment which causes loss of nitrogen but assists
in the trapping of carbon, sulphur and some
heavy metals. Further, import and export by moving water has a substantial effect on the nitrogen
cycle.
Concomitant to above, the annual nitrogen
uptake of wetland vegetation is almost similar
to that of other productive habitats as the elemental content of herbaceous tissues differs
slightly between wet and dry ecosystems.
Further, the denitrification rate of eutrophic
wetlands is potentially enormous, particularly
when they are enriched with sewage effluent or
fertiliser.
Summary
1. Soil is the natural medium for growth of biota
in both land and water and is a heterogeneous
mixture.
2. The physical and chemical characteristics of
soil in any area determine the different types
of biota it can sustain.
3. The methodology recommended by Jackson
(1973) and ICAR (1960) are largely followed.
4. The lentic soils are important media, in which
many of the chemical transformations take
place.
5. Soil may be of different kinds depending on
the composition.
6. The remains of plants in various stages of
decomposition primarily compose the organic
wetland soil.
7. The soil, which is generally dominated by
minerals (when flooded for extended periods), constitutes the mineral wetland soil.
The characteristics of their identification are
collectively called redoximorphic features.
Mineral wetland soils sometimes contain
oxidised matter. Further, soils are categorised according to zonal types which broadly
correspond with geographical and climatic
conditions.
8. Soil parameters like temperature, pH, conductivity, organic carbon and NPK are generally
estimated. In addition to these, soil moisture,
bulk density and infiltration rate are sometimes estimated mainly in the land soils.
Suggested Readings
Clymo RS (1983) Peat. In: Gore AJ (ed) Ecosystems of
the world, vol. 4A: Mires: swamp, bog, fen, and moor.
Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 159–224
Dickman SR, Bray RH (1940) Colorimetric determination
of phosphate. Indus Engg Chem (Anal) 12:665–668
Godwin H (1978) Fenland. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge
Jackson ML (1973) Soil chemical analysis. Prentice Hall
of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, pp xiv + 498
Moore PD, Bellamy DJ (1973) Peatlands. Elek Science,
London
Olsen SR et al (1954) Estimation of available phosphorus
in soils by extraction with Sodium bicarbonate. Circus
U.S. Department of Agriculture, pp 939
Vedpraskas MJ (1995) Redoximorphic features for identifying aquic conditions. Technical Bulletin 301. North
Carolina Agricultural Research Service, North
Carolina State University, Raleigh, 33 pp
Walkley AJ, Black IA (1934) Estimation of soil organic
carbon by chromic acid titration method. Soil Sci
37:29–38
Suggested Readings
4.5.7 Accumulation of Organic
Matter and Their Export
Notwithstanding the above, the elemental cycles
of wetland environments differ, to some extent,
from those of terrestrial habitats in the ability of
flowing water to import or export particulate and
dissolved materials and also in the modification
of decomposition and recycling processes. It is
said to occur in the presence of low redox soil or
sediment which causes loss of nitrogen but assists
in the trapping of carbon, sulphur and some
heavy metals. Further, import and export by moving water has a substantial effect on the nitrogen
cycle.
Concomitant to above, the annual nitrogen
uptake of wetland vegetation is almost similar
to that of other productive habitats as the elemental content of herbaceous tissues differs
slightly between wet and dry ecosystems.
Further, the denitrification rate of eutrophic
wetlands is potentially enormous, particularly
when they are enriched with sewage effluent or
fertiliser.
Summary
1. Soil is the natural medium for growth of biota
in both land and water and is a heterogeneous
mixture.
2. The physical and chemical characteristics of
soil in any area determine the different types
of biota it can sustain.
3. The methodology recommended by Jackson
(1973) and ICAR (1960) are largely followed.
4. The lentic soils are important media, in which
many of the chemical transformations take
place.
5. Soil may be of different kinds depending on
the composition.
6. The remains of plants in various stages of
decomposition primarily compose the organic
wetland soil.
7. The soil, which is generally dominated by
minerals (when flooded for extended periods), constitutes the mineral wetland soil.
The characteristics of their identification are
collectively called redoximorphic features.
Mineral wetland soils sometimes contain
oxidised matter. Further, soils are categorised according to zonal types which broadly
correspond with geographical and climatic
conditions.
8. Soil parameters like temperature, pH, conductivity, organic carbon and NPK are generally
estimated. In addition to these, soil moisture,
bulk density and infiltration rate are sometimes estimated mainly in the land soils.
Suggested Readings
Clymo RS (1983) Peat. In: Gore AJ (ed) Ecosystems of
the world, vol. 4A: Mires: swamp, bog, fen, and moor.
Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 159–224
Dickman SR, Bray RH (1940) Colorimetric determination
of phosphate. Indus Engg Chem (Anal) 12:665–668
Godwin H (1978) Fenland. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge
Jackson ML (1973) Soil chemical analysis. Prentice Hall
of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, pp xiv + 498
Moore PD, Bellamy DJ (1973) Peatlands. Elek Science,
London
Olsen SR et al (1954) Estimation of available phosphorus
in soils by extraction with Sodium bicarbonate. Circus
U.S. Department of Agriculture, pp 939
Vedpraskas MJ (1995) Redoximorphic features for identifying aquic conditions. Technical Bulletin 301. North
Carolina Agricultural Research Service, North
Carolina State University, Raleigh, 33 pp
Walkley AJ, Black IA (1934) Estimation of soil organic
carbon by chromic acid titration method. Soil Sci
37:29–38
Suggested Readings