Aspect differences in an unimproved hill country pasture

Abstract

Soil nutrient status, sheep dung deposition, pasture botanical composition, and productiyity were measured on north, south, east, and west aspects of a hill in the southern Ruahine Range, New Zealand. Differences among aspects were significant in all the above factors. Pasture productivity appeared to be related to available soil nitrogen levels. Botanical composition was also related to available soil nitrogen levels and to soil available phosphate status. The rates of nitrogen mineralisation of soil cores incubated in the field were closely related to tota soil nitrogen content, soil carbon:nitrogen ratio, and temperature.