CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Brown, J-L. and Martel, Y
Date : 1981
Title : The importance of windfalls in the study of paleosols
Publication : Geographie Physique et Quaternaire
Issue : 35:
Page(s) : 87-92.
Abstract
The object of this study is to point out the effects of windfall on pedogenesis and more specially to contribute to a better interpretation of radiocarbon dating of soil organic matter. The effects of this phenomenon are illustrated by the means of soil trenches under a sugar maple-yellow birch stand. The results of radiocarbon measurements of soil organic matter in the upper part of the B horizon, for three samples taken at short distances (1-2 m), indicated mean residence times varying from 1260 years BP to 2430 years BP. This discontinuity in dates corroborates the statement by BROWN (1977), to the effect that the age of forest soils changes from place to place at short distances because of soil rejuvenation by windfall. It is therefore important to consider this last phenomenon in the interpretation of radiocarbon dating in the study of paleosols as well as for other pedogenetic studies.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology