Soil properties and humus forms in 50-year old and 80-year Red Oak stands and native mixed forests of Lombardy plain@en

The effects of substitution of natural mixed forest by red oak forest on humus forms and soil properties were investigated in two paired plots: a 50-year-old (Bosco Ginestre) and 80-year-old (Bosco Vacaressino) forest stand. Soil sampling was performed from 3 layers at 49 and 40 points in Bosco Ginestre and Bosco Vacaressino respectively to determine humus forms, soil pH, organic carbon stock, carbon-nitrogen ratio (C:N), available phosphorus and texture.