Time-scale for biological and physical processes involves in Ecosystems |
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Biological processes |
Geophysical Process |
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time scale (years) |
Process |
time scale (years) |
Process |
1-50 |
immigration of appropriate plant species |
0.01-0.02 |
atmospheric turbulence |
1-50 |
establishment of appropriate plant species |
|
|
1-10 |
accumulation of fine materials captured by plants |
|
|
1-100 |
accumulation of nutrients by plants from soils minerals |
1-100 |
imrpovments of soil available water capacity |
1-100 |
accumulation of N by biological fixation and from atmospheric inputs |
1-1000 |
accumulation of fine material by rock weathering or physical deposition |
1-20 |
immigration of soil flora and fauna supported supported by accumulating organic matter |
1-1000 |
decomspotion of soil minierals by weathering |
1-20 |
changes in soil-structure and organic-matter turn-over due to plant, soil-microorganism and animal activities |
1-1000 |
release of mineral nutrients from soil minerals |
1-20 |
improvments in soil water-holding capacity due to changes in soil structure |
10-10000 |
leaching of mobile materiales from surface to lower layers |
10-1000 |
reduction in toxicities due to accumulation of organic matter |
100-10000 |
formation of distinctive horizons in the soil profile. |
Source: nfm |
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