The effect of aspect on humus types in the black pine forests of Kütahya province

The effect of different aspects on the distribution of humus forms in the black pine forests within the borders of Kütahya province was determined. The distribution of humus forms changed with stand development age and aspect. Amphi humus type is dominant in all areas. Regarding the forest type, our results showed that Eumacroamphi, Leptoamphi and Pachyamphi forms were dominant in pure larch forests according to their developmental age. As a result, the most important factors affecting the distribution of humus forms are tree species, soil pH and soil fauna. The data obtained showed that there was a difference in terms of humus types between northern and southern aspects, where the Amphi humus form dominated the larch forests. In the larch stands in the northern aspect, Eumacroamphi (OH ≥ 1 cm) was determined in the Çkb and Çkc developmental age, and Eumesoamphi (OH <3 cm) was determined in the Çkd developmental age, while Eumesoamphi (OH <3 cm) was determined in the Çkb developmental age and Leptoamphi (OH <3 cm) was determined in the Çkb developmental age in the southern aspect. 1 cm), and Eumacroamphi (OH ≥ 1 cm) humus type was determined in the Çkd developmental age. In future studies, the relationships between the chemical structures of litter corizons and the age of stand development, canopy and growing environment should be determined.