Trap Jean auteur aut IRD Bureau F. auteur aut IRD Perez G. auteur aut IRD Aubert M. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access Using Partial Least Squares regression, we ranked the ability of leaf litter and topsoil properties to predict humus form shift along a 130-yr-old pure beech forest chronosequence. Three models were tested, including only litter properties (model 1), only topsoil properties (model 2) and both litter and topsoil properties (model 3). The first model was highly significant and explained more than 91% of the humus form variability with N-based variables, Mn, Mg and K as the best predictors. The second model showed lower goodness of fit (75%) with Ca and Mg contents, pH(KCl) and Delta pH as good predictors. The last model showed that litter traits were better predictors compared to topsoil variables, suggesting that beech trees may impact humus form along forest development mainly through aboveground pathways. specialized Leaf litter quality Topsoil nutrients availability Humus Index Fagus sylvatica Forest chronosequence Below-aboveground relationships PLS regressions 068 082 020 57 969-971 2013 0038-0717 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060830 10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.07.014 0038-0717 [F B010060830] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060830 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2013/05/010060830.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2013-05-31 2025-03-12 fdi:010060830 fre