Drying and rewetting of forest floors: dynamics of soluble phosphorus,microbial biomass-phosphorus,and the composition of microbial communities

Drying and rewetting (D/W) of soils often leads to a pulse of total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) by lysis of sensitive microorganisms. The relevance of D/W on the P cycle in ecosystems depends on the duration of the TDP release. In forest soils, the forest floor represents a hotspot of microbial activity and is often prone to D/W. Here, we investigated the dynamics of TDP, the microbial P pool (Pmic), and the composition of microbial communities after D/W. Samples were taken from Oi and Oe layers of a European beech and a Norway spruce site and desiccated up to ??100 MPa (pF 6) at 20 °C, while controls were kept moist. TDP and Pmic were measured 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after rewetting and the composition of microbial communities was analyzed by automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis after 14 days. After D/W, the largest TDP net release (D/W-control) was from Oe layers with 40–50 mg P kg^?1 and inorganic P as the dominant fraction. The TDP concentrations decreased strongly in Oi layers within 1 (beech) to 4 (spruce) days, while remaining stable in Oe layers. The TDP dynamics were linked to the decrease and recovery of Pmic after D/W. Pmic dynamics differed between layers and stand types, suggesting the influence of microbial communities with different D/W sensitivities. The composition of microbial communities varied strongly among sites and layers, while D/W only affected the composition of bacterial and fungal communities in the spruce Oe layer. D/W of forest floors increases the plant available P and affects the P cycle in forest ecosystems.     

Different effect of drying on the fluxes of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen from a Norway spruce forest floor

The forest floor represents the major source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) in forest soils. The release mechanisms of DOC and DON from forest floors and their environmental controls as well as the dynamics of concentrations and fluxes are still poorly understood. We investigated the effect of drying and rewetting on the release of DOC and DON from a Norway spruce forest floor. Undisturbed soil columns of 17 cm diameter and 15—20 cm height were taken with 7 replicates from the forest floor of a mature Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) site and established at 10°C in the laboratory. Columns were exposed to different periods of drying (3, 5, 10, 20 days). Each drying period was followed by a rewetting for 5 days at an irrigation rate of 10 mm d^—1 with a natural throughfall solution. The percolates from the forest floor were collected daily and analyzed for DOC, total N, NH₄, NO₃, pH, electrical conductivity and major ions. Drying for 10 and 20 days decreased the water content of the Oi horizon from 280% dry weight to about 30%. The water content of the Oe and the Oa horizon only changed from about 300% to 200%. The fluxes of DOC from the forest floor were moderately effected by drying and rewetting with an increase after 3 and 5 days of drying, but a decrease after 10 and 20 days. On the contrary, the drying for 10 and 20 days resulted in a drastic increase of the DON fluxes and a subsequent decrease of the DOC/DON ratios in the forest floor percolates from about 50 to 3.3. These results suggest that the mechanisms for DOC release in forest floors differ from those for DON and that drying and rewetting cause temporal variations in the DOC/DON ratios in forest floor percolates.     

Drying–rewetting cycles release phosphorus from forest soils

Drying–rewetting cycles (D/W) occur frequently in topsoils and may mobilize phosphorus (P). We investigated the effect of repeated D/W on the release of dissolved inorganic (DIP) and organic P (DOP) from forest floors and A horizons. Samples were taken from 3 European beech sites and from 3 Norway spruce sites. Soils were desiccated up to pF 6 (–100 MPa) in three D/W cycles in the laboratory, while the controls were kept permanently at 50% water holding capacity. After each drying, P was extracted from the soils in water. D/W caused the release of DIP and DOP especially from O layers. There was no general difference in response to D/W between samples from beech and spruce. The net release of DIP after D/W was largest from the Oe horizons (average 50–60 mg P kg^?1) for both beech and spruce forest soils. The net release of DIP from Oi layers was on average 7.8 mg P kg^?1 and from spruce Oa layers 21.1 mg P kg^?1. In the A horizons, net DIP release was similar in beech and spruce soils with 0.4 mg P kg^?1. The release of DOP was less than the release of DIP except for the A horizons. Repeated cycles did not increase the release of DIP and DOP. The release of DIP and DOP was positively correlated with the microbial biomass in Oe and Oa layers but not in Oi layers. Our results suggest that D/W may significantly influence the short term availability of dissolved P in both beech and spruce forest soils.     

Nitrate leaching in forest soils: an analysis of long‐term monitoring sites in Germany

Elevated atmospheric inputs of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^– have caused N saturation of many forest ecosystems in Central Europe, but the fate of deposited N that is not bounded by trees remains largely unknown. It is expected that an increase of NO₃^– leaching from forest soils may harm the quality of groundwater in many regions. The objective of this study was to analyze the input and output of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^– at 57 sites with mature forest stands in Germany. These long‐term study sites are part of the European Level II program and comprise 17 beech, 14 spruce, 17 pine, and 9 oak stands. The chloride balance method was used to calculate seepage fluxes and inorganic N leaching below the rooting zone for the period from 1996 to 2001. Nitrogen input by throughfall was significantly different among most forest types, and was in the order: spruce > beech/oak > pine. These differences can be largely explained by the amount of precipitation and, thus, it mirrors the regional and climatic distribution of these forest types in Germany. Mean long‐term N output with seepage was log‐normal distributed, and ranged between 0 and 26.5 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1, whereby 29 % of the sites released more than 5 kg N ha^–1 yr ^–1. Leaching of inorganic N was only significantly lower in the pine stands (P < 0.05) compared with leaching rates of the spruce stands. Median N output : input ratio ranged between 0.04 and 0.11 for the beech, oak, and pine stands, while the input : output ratio of the spruce stands was 0.24, suggesting a higher risk of NO₃^– leaching in spruce forests. Following log‐transformation of the data, N input explained 38 % of the variance in N output. The stratification of the data by the C : N ratio of the O horizon or the top mineral soil revealed that forests soils with a C : N ratio < 25 released significantly more NO₃^– (median of 4.6 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1) than forests with a C : N ratio > 25 (median of 0.8 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1). The stratification improved the correlation between N input and N output for sites with C : N ratios < 25 (r² = 0.47) while the correlation for sites with C : N ratios > 25 was weaker (r = 0.21) compared with the complete data set. Our results suggest that NO₃^– leaching may increase in soils with wide C : N ratios when N deposition remains on a high level and that the potential to store inorganic N decreases with C : N ratios in the O horizons becoming more narrow.     

Minor response of gross N turnover and N leaching to drying,rewetting and irrigation in the topsoil of a Norway spruce forest

Forest floors in the temperate climate zone are frequently subjected to strong changes in soil moisture, but the consequences for the soil N cycle are poorly known. In a field experiment we tested the hypotheses that soil drying leads to a decrease of gross N turnover and that natural rewetting causes a pulse of gross N turnover and an increase of N leaching from the forest floor. A further hypothesis was that optimal water availability induced by irrigation causes maximum N turnover and N leaching. Replicated control, throughfall exclusion and irrigation plots were established in a Norway spruce forest to simulate different precipitation patterns during a growing season. Gross N turnover rates were determined in undisturbed soil cores from Oi + Oe and Oa + EA horizons by the ¹⁵N pool dilution technique. Forest floor percolates were periodically collected by suction plates. After 142 mm throughfall was excluded, the median soil water potential at the throughfall exclusion plots increased from pF 1.9 to 4.5 in the Oi + Oe horizon and from pF 1.8 to 3.8 in the Oa + EA horizon. Gross ammonification ranged from 14 to 45 mg N kg⁻¹ soil day⁻¹ in the Oi + Oe horizon and from 4.6 to 11.4 mg N kg⁻¹ soil day⁻¹ in the Oa + EA horizon. Gross ammonification of both horizons was smallest in the throughfall exclusion plots during the manipulation, but the differences between all treatments were not statistically significant. Gross nitrification in both horizons was very small, ranging from 1.6 to 11.1 mg N kg⁻¹ soil day⁻¹. No effects of decreasing water potential and rewetting on gross nitrification rates were observed because of the small rates and huge spatial variations. Irrigation had no effect as the differences from the control in soil water potential remained small. N leaching from the forest floor was not affected by the treatments. Our findings suggest that ammonification in forest floors continues at considerable rates even at small water potentials. The hypotheses of increased N turnover and N leaching following rewetting of dry forest floor or irrigation were not confirmed.     

Potential microbial nitrogen and phosphorus availability in forest floors

The potential availability of nitrogen and phosphorus to microorganisms in forest floors was studied by means of a bioassay. Microbial N and P availability was assessed by analyzing the respiration rate response to addition of different amounts of N and P when glucose and other nutrients were added in excess. Forest floors of Norway spruce, Sitka spruce, Douglas-fir, beech, and oak from three sites of different nutrient status were studied. Oak forest floors had higher microbial N and P availability than forest floors of the other species, and P availability was lowest in Norway spruce forest floors. Sites differed only slightly in microbial P availability. The site with the most P rich soil also had the highest P availability in forest floors. The microbially-available proportion of total P was very high, and much higher than the available proportion of total N. Microbially-available N was not significantly related to KCl-extractable N, total N concentrations or C-to-N ratios, nor was microbially-available P related to concentrations of total P or C-to-P ratios. Basal respiration rates were positively related to microbial N and P availability. The bioassay assessed simple organic N compounds fairly well when these were added to forest floor material in low amounts. Microbial N and P availability in forest floors may be more dependent on other quality variables than total N and P concentrations, e.g. the organic forms of N and P.     

Carbon Control on Nitrogen Dynamics in the Forest Floor of an N-Enriched Deciduous Forest Ecosystem

Recent evidence from nitrogen (N) saturation studies indicates that forest floors in moderately impacted forests are the primary sink for atmospheric N inputs. Some researchers have suggested that the sink capacity of organic horizons is dependent on the amount of available carbon (C), which can be used for microbial N assimilation. To test the hypothesis that C limitation in forest floors exposed to chronic N deposition leads to an enhanced N leaching, a field C input manipulation experiment is under way in a deciduous forest. Since September 1999 aboveground C input has been doubled (by doubling litter input or by amending glucose) or excluded in replicated plots. Here we report the short-term response of concentrations of dissolved inorganic N (DIN: NO₃ ^?-N and NH₄ ⁺-N) in forest floor percolate to the C input manipulation. In autumn following the C input manipulation, DIN concentrations in forest floor percolate decreased in all plots except the No Litter plots compared to the pre-treatment summer concentrations. In contrast, the concentrations of DIN in the No Litter plots remained high. A different seasonal pattern of DIN leaching among treatments, along with measurements of microbial biomass C and potential nitrification rates of forest floor samples, indicates that seasonal N dynamics in the forest floor are largely regulated by C availability changes assoicated with litterfall C input.     

Wachstum und Ernährung von Eberesche,Buche und Fichte im Gefäßversuch mit immissionsbelasteten Bodensubstraten aus dem Erzgebirge

Influence of simulated sulphur and nitrogen depositions on biomass and nutrient relationships of mountain ash, European beech and Norway spruce in a pot experiment with two soil substrates from the Ore Mountains Growth and nutrient relationships of mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) were investigated in a pot experiment with the two substrates rhyolithe (acidic) and basalt (alkaline). Additionally, depositions of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) as expected to occur in the Ore Mountains (Saxonia, Germany) in the future were simulated in order to test the species′ suitability for forest regeneration. After two years, aboveground biomass was significantly higher on basalt compared to rhyolithe for all species. The amount of S given (0 and 100 kg ha^—1 a^—1) and the dominant form of N applied (NH₄⁺:NO₃^— = 1:4 and 4:1; total amount of N given 80 kg ha^—1 a^—1) were of minor influence only. The contents of N and K in leaves or needles were higher on rhyolithe, whereas P, Ca, Mg and Mn contents were higher on basalt. Nutrient contents were only slightly affected by the amount of S supply and the NH₄⁺:NO₃^— ratio. In contrast to mountain ash, beech saplings exhibited considerable growth on rhyolite. It is therefore concluded that beech may be a suitable species for forest regeneration even on acidic soils suffering heavily from S and N immissions, whereas spruce will not tolerate high S loads. However, increasing N depositions by stimulating growth may cause deficiencies of Mg and K in both species.     

Nitrogen Leaching of Two Forest Ecosystems in a Karst Watershed

Karst watersheds are a major source of drinking water in the European Alps. These watersheds exhibit quick response times and low residence times, which might make karst aquifers more vulnerable to elevated nitrogen (N) deposition than non-karst watersheds. We summarize 13 years of monitoring NO ₃ ^? , NH ₄ ⁺ , and total N in two forest ecosystems, a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest on Cambisols/Stagnosols (IP I) and a mixed beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) spruce forest on Leptosols (IP II). N fluxes are calculated by multiplying concentrations, measured in biweekly intervals, with hydrological fluxes predicted from a hydrological model. The total N deposition in the throughfall amounts to 26.8 and 21.1 kg/ha/year in IP I and IP II, respectively, which is high compared to depositions found in other European forest ecosystems. While the shallow Leptosols at IP II accumulated on average 9.2 kg/ha/year of N between 1999 and 2006, the N budgets of the Cambisols/Stagnosols at IP I were equaled over the study period but show high inter-annual variation. Between 1999 and 2006, on average, 9 kg/ha/year of DON and 20 kg/ha/year of DIN were output with seepage water of IP I but only 4.5 kg/ha/year of DON and 7.7 kg/ha/year of DIN at IP II. Despite high DIN leaching, neither IP I nor IP II showed further signs of N saturation in their organic layer C/N ratios, N mineralization, or leaf N content. The N budget over all years was dominated by a few extreme output events. Nitrate leaching rates at both forest ecosystems correlated the most with years of above average snow accumulation (but only for IP I this correlation is statistically significant). Both snow melt and total annual precipitation were most important drivers of DON leaching. IP I and IP II showed comparable temporal patterns of both concentrations and flux rates but exhibited differences in magnitudes: DON, NO ₃ ^? , and NH ₄ ⁺ inputs peak in spring, NH ₄ ⁺ showed an additional peak in autumn; the bulk of the annual NO ₃ ^? and DON output occurred in spring; DON, NO ₃ ^? , and NH ₄ ⁺ output rates during winter months were low. The high DIN leaching at IP I was related to snow cover effects on N mineralization and soil hydrology. From the year 2004 onwards, disproportional NO ₃ ^? leaching occurred at both plots. This was possibly caused by the exceptionally dry year 2003 and a small-scale bark beetle infestation (at IP I), in addition to snow cover effects. This study shows that both forest ecosystems at Zöbelboden are still N limited. N leaching pulses, particularly during spring, dictate not only annual but also the long-term N budgets. The overall magnitude of N leaching to the karst aquifer differs substantially between forest and soil types, which are found in close proximity in the karstified areas of the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria.     

Nitrogen Deposition and Nitrate Leaching at Forest Edges Exposed to High Ammonia Emissions in Southern Bavaria

The atmospheric deposition of air pollutants was studied by means of monitoring canopy throughfall at six forest stands. The investigation was carried out in Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) forests in Southern Bavaria with high ambient ammonia concentrations due to either adjacent intensive agriculture or poultry housing. Five monitoring plots transected the forest edges and forest interior from the edge, at 50, 150, about 400 m and about 800m to the interior. Additionally, nutrient concentration in soil solution was sampled with suction cups at each plot, and C/N ratio of the humus layer was also determined. The variation of ambient ammonia concentration between three of the six investigated sites was estimated using diffusive samplers. In order to compare the effects of atmospheric deposition on European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce additional monitoring plotswere installed under each of these species in a mixed beech and spruce stand. Bulk deposition and soil water samples were analysed for major ions (NO₃ ^-, NH₄ ⁺, SO₄ ^2-, Cl^-, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca^2+M).The results show a substantial increase of deposition towards the forest edges for all ions. This so called 'edge effect' continued in most cases until a distance from 50 to 150 m from edge. For both ambient ammonia concentrations and nitrogen deposition, it can be concluded that increased dry deposition is the main reason for the edge effect. Over 76% of the nitrogen ratios in throughfall deposition between the edge and 50 m distance into the spruce forest exceed 1.0. Except for potassium, beech generally showed lower ratios than spruce.Due to high nitrogen deposition the forest floor, C/N ratios were lower at stand edges when compared to their interior. In contrast to the increase of nitrogen deposition at the edge, nitrate export below the main rooting zone was lower at the edge. Nitrate export was generally lower under beech than spruce. Nitrogen budgets of some plots were negative, indicating a reduction of total ecosystem nitrogen stock.The results show that forest edges, especially in areas with high air pollution, receive much more atmospheric deposition than the interior parts of closed forest stands. As many deposition studies in forests were conducted at field stations in the central parts of forests the estimated deposition for the whole forest may be underestimated. This may be important to consider in geo-statistical studies and models aiming to estimate spatial critical deposition values, especially with an increasing fragmentation of the forest cover.     

The Behavior of Nitrogen Isotopes in Acidified Forest Soils in the Czech Republic

The effects of atmospheric deposition on N cycling in acidified soils were studied at three spruce and one beech forested sites in the Czech Republic. Nitrogen content and δ¹⁵N were monitored in bulk and throughfall precipitation, needles, leaves, soils and soil solutions. Changes in soil NO₃ ^- production, effect of admixing of atmospheric N in spruce forest and N consumption in deciduous forest are described using changes in ¹⁵N fractionation of mineralized N in soil. Admixing of atmospheric NH4+ can be identified at low concentrations of exchangeable NH₄ ⁺. The δ¹⁵N ratio of atmospheric NO₃ ^- input is on average by 2‰ less negative than the δ5N ratio in soil water; admixing changes the δ¹⁵N of soil NO₃ ^- detected in lysimeters.     

Nitrogen cycling in two Norway spruce (Picea abies) ecosystems and effects of a (NH4)2SO4 addition

Nitrogen cycling in two Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) ecosystems in the ARINUS experimental watershed areas Schluchsee and Villingen (Black Forest, SW Germany) and initial effects of a (NH₄)₂SO₄ treatment are discussed. Although N reserves in the soils are similar and atmospheric N input is the same low to moderate level characteristic for many forested areas in SW Germany, N export by both seepage and streamwater differs considerably. At Villingen, deposited N is almost totally retained in the ecosystem, whereas at Schluchsee N export is the order of the input. This is explained by differences in forest management history. The Villingen site had been subject to excessive biomass export (e.g., litter raking) leading to unfavorable microbial transformations in the soil. In contrast, as a ‘relic’ of the former beech stand, the Schluchsee site is characterized by high biological activity in the soil with vigorous nitrification despite low pH values. Accordingly, the two ecosystems responded differently to the additional N input (150 kg NH₄ ⁺ -N ha^?1 as (NH₄)₂SO₄). Nitrification starting immediately in the Schluchsee soils led to continued Al mobilization and leaching of basic cations and NO₃ ^?. The availability of Mg, already deficient before treatment, further decreased due to Mg leaching and marked N uptake by the stand. In contrast, most of the added N in Villingen was immobilized in the soil. Hence, uptake by the stand and leaching of NO₃ ^? and cations was correspondingly lower than at Schluchsee. The results emphasize the problems associated with the definition of generally applicable values for ‘critical loads’ of N deposition.     

Effects of nitrogen load to the forest floor in sitka spruce stands (Picea sitchensis) as affected by difference in deposition and spruce aphid infestations

Studies of biogeochemical cycling and soil acidification have been carried out in even aged stands of Norway spruce, sitka spruce, Douglas fir, beech and oak under the frame of “The Element Cycling Project”. Deposition of excess nitrogen to forests is important as a potential acidifying input. In Denmark, reduced vitality in Norway spruce has promoted extensive planting of sitka spruce. However, several spruce aphid infestations have caused defoliation in many sitka spruce stands. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of deposition and increased litterfall due to spruce aphid infestations on nitrogen transformations in the forest floor in sitka spruce stands on different soil types. The deposition of throughfall nitrogen range from 19 to 35 kg/ha/year. Fluxes of nitrogen in litterfall ranged from 21 to 77 kg/ha/year, whereas nitrogen leaching range from 1 to 57 kg/ha/year. Leaching was lowest at the infertile sites, but increased with magnitude of deposition and aphid infestations. Proton production according to the nitrogen transformations was largest at the fertile site most often affected by infestations. Huge amounts of bird droppings, honey dew and input of easily available nutrients by canopy leaching probably induced litter decomposition and formation of NO ₃ ^? in the soil water.     

Canopy and Soil Retention of Nitrogen Deposition in a Mixed Boreal Forest in Eastern Finland

Nitrogen deposition, leaching, and retention were monitored in a mature spruce (Picea abies Karsten) dominated mixed boreal forest in eastern Finland. Bulk precipitation, throughfall, stemflow, and percolation through the podzolic soil profile were monitored from 1993 to 1996. Mean annual bulk deposition of total N was 3.83 kg ha^-1, of which 33% was NH₄ ⁺, 26% was NO₃ ^- , and 41% was organic N. Throughfall+stemflow flux of total N was 2.93 kg ha^-1 yr^-1. Sixty-four % of NH₄ ⁺ and 38% of NO₃ ^- in bulk precipitation was retained by tre three canopy. Organic N was released (0.27 kg ha^-1 yr^-1) from the tree canopy. Nitrate-N was retained and organic N was leached as the water passed through the ground vegetation and soil O-horizon. Ammonium-N and organic N were retained mainly in the E-horizon. The output of total N from the E-horizon was only 5% of the total N deposition in the forest stand during the study period and it was mainly as organic N. The output of inorganic N forms from under B-horizon was seasonal and occurred mainly at spring snowmelt.     

Microbial activities in forest floor layers under silver birch, Norway spruce and Scots pine

The aim of this study was to compare microbial activities in the litter (L), fermentation (F) and humified (H) layers of the forest floor under silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Soil pH, C-to-N ratio, respiration rates, concentration of NH₄-N, net N mineralization and nitrification rates, gross NH₄⁺ production and consumption rates and amounts of C (C_mic) and N (N_mic) in the microbial biomass were determined from samples taken from the L, F and H layers under silver birch, Norway spruce and Scots pine. The forest floors under birch and spruce were more active than that under pine, having higher respiration and net N mineralization rates, and higher C_mic and N_mic values than pine forest floor. Differences between tree species were smaller in the H layer than in the L and F layers. The L layer had the highest rates of respiration for all tree species, while rates of net N mineralization were highest in the F layer for birch and spruce. Pine showed negligible net N mineralization in all layers. Concentration of NH₄-N was the best predictor of rate of net N mineralization (r=0.748). In general, C_mic and N_mic were higher in the L and F layers than in the H layer, as were their relative proportions of total C (C_tot) and N (N_tot), respectively. C_mic correlated positively with soil respiration (r=0.980) and N_mic with concentration of NH₄-N (r=0.915).     

Are Indicators for Critical Load Exceedance Related to Forest Condition?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the (Ca?+?Mg?+?K)/Al and the Ca/Al ratios in soil solution as chemical criteria for forest condition in critical load calculations for forest ecosystems. The tree species Norway spruce, Sitka spruce and beech were studied in an area with high deposition of sea salt and nitrogen in the south-western part of Jutland, Denmark. Throughfall and soil water were collected monthly and analysed for pH, NO₃-N, NH₄-N, K, Ca, Mg, DOC and Al_tot. Organic Al was estimated using DOC concentrations. Increment and defoliation were determined annually, and foliar element concentrations were determined every other year. The throughfall deposition was highest in the Sitka spruce stand (maximum of 40 kg N ha^?1yr^?1) and lowest in the beech stand (maximum of 11 kg N ha^?1yr^?1). The Sitka spruce stand leached on average 12 kg N ha^?1yr^?1 during the period 1988–1997 and leaching increased throughout the period. Only small amounts of N were leached from the Norway spruce stand whereas almost no N was leached from the beech stand. For all tree species, both (Ca?+?Mg?+?K)/Al and Ca/Al ratios decreased in soil solution at 90 cm depth between 1989 and 1999, which was mainly caused by a decrease in concentrations of base cations. The toxic inorganic Al species were by far the most abundant Al species at 90 cm depth. At the end of the measurement period, the (Ca?+?Mg?+?K)/Al ratio was approximately 1 for all species while the Ca/Al ratio was approximately 0.2. The lack of a trend in the increment rates, a decrease in defoliation as well as sufficient levels of Mg and Ca in foliage suggested an unchanged or even slightly improved health condition, despite the decreasing and very low (Ca?+?Mg?+?K)/Al and Ca/Al ratios. The suitability of these soil solution element ratios is questioned as the chemical criteria for soil acidification under field conditions in areas with elevated deposition rates of sea salts, in particular Mg.     

Fate of Nitrogen Compounds Deposited to Spruce (Picea Abies Karst.) and Pine (Pinus Silvestris L.) Forests Located in Different Air Pollution and Climatic Conditions

Measurements were made of NO₃-N and NH₄-N in bulk deposition, throughfall and soil solution on six permanent plots in pine and spruce stands located along a transect from the south to the north of Poland. Location differed both in the level of air pollution level and in climatic parameters. The total N load calculated from throughfall ranged from 12.5 to 34 kg^{-1a -1}. The load of NH₄-N exceeded the NO₃-N contribution. Differences in total N load were not reflected in foliar N concentration. Present forest health status of stands determined by defoliation class, and do not appear to be related to their N deposition.     

Temperature sensitivity of mineral N transformation rates, and heterotrophic nitrification: possible factors controlling the post-disturbance mineral N flush in forest floors

A major forest disturbance such as clearcutting may bring on a flush of mineral N in organic forest floor horizons, but the magnitude of this flush can vary markedly from one ecosystem to another. For example, it was previously established that clearcutting in a high elevation Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir (ESSF) ecosystem results in significantly higher NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations, whereas clearcutting in an old-growth coastal western hemlock (CWH) ecosystem has little effect on mineral N dynamics. We hypothesized that the higher mineral N flush observed in the ESSF ecosystem is due to a greater temperature sensitivity of mineral N transformation rates, and to a lower proportion of heterotrophic nitrifiers, compared to the CWH ecosystem. To test these two hypotheses, we sampled forest floors several times over the growing season from clearcut and old-growth plots in both ecosystems, and measured gross mineral N transformation rates at field temperatures and at 10 °C above field temperatures, as well as with and without acetylene to inhibit autotrophic nitrifiers. Gross NH₄⁺ transformations rates ranged between 20 and 120 μg N (g forest floor)⁻¹ day⁻¹ at the ESSF site, and between 15 and 40 μg N (g forest floor)⁻¹ day⁻¹ at the CWH site. Higher temperature increased gross NH₄⁺ transformation rates in forest floor samples at both sites, but the average Q₁₀ value was higher at the ESSF site (3.15) than at the CWH site (1.25). Temperature sensitivity at the ESSF site was greater in clearcut plots (Q₁₀=4.31) than in old-growth plots (Q₁₀=1.98). Gross NO₃⁻ transformation rates ranged between 10 and 32 μg N (g forest floor)⁻¹ day⁻¹ at the ESSF site, and between 10 and 24 μg N (g forest floor)⁻¹ day⁻¹ at the CWH site, but there were no significant effects of temperature or clearcutting on gross NO₃⁻ transformation rates at either site. Likewise, there were no significant differences in the proportion of heterotrophic nitrifiers between sites. Overall, our results support the view that the temperature sensitivity of microbial processes may explain the magnitude of the NH₄⁺ flush in some coniferous ecosystems, but we lack the evidence relating the magnitude of the NO₃⁻ flush to the proportion of heterotrophic nitrifiers.     

Nitrogen Saturation and Soil N Availability in a High-Elevation Spruce and Fir Forest

A field study was conducted during the summer of 1995 to gain abetter understanding of the causes of nitrate (NO₃-N)leaching and ongoing changes in soil nitrogen (N) availabilityin high-elevation (1524–2000 m) spruce (Picea rubens) andfir (Abies fraseri) forests of the Great Smoky MountainsNational Park, Tennessee and North Carolina, U.S.A. Indicatorsof soil N availability (total soil N concentrations,extractable NH₄-N, extractable NO₃-N, and C/N ratios)were measured in Oa and A horizons at 33 study plots. Dynamicmeasures included potential net soil N mineralization determinedin 12-week aerobic laboratory incubations at 22 °C.Potential net nitrification in the A horizon was correlated (r =+0.83, P < 0.001) with total soil N concentrations. Mostmeasures of soil N availability did not exhibit significanttrends with elevation, but there were topographic differences.Potential net soil N mineralization and net nitrification in theA horizon were higher in coves than on ridges. Relative amountsof particulate and organomineral soil organic matter influencedpotential net N mineralization and nitrification in the Ahorizon. Calculations indicate that soil N availability andNO₃-N leaching in high-elevation spruce and fir forests ofthe Great Smoky Mountains National Park will increase inresponse to regional warming.     

Chemical Composition of Air, Soil and Vegetation in Forests of the Silesian Beskid Moutains, Poland

For the first time concentrations of trace nitrogenous (N) air pollutants, gaseous nitric acid (HNO₃), nitrous acid (HNO₂), ammonia (NH₃), and fine particulate nitrate (NO₃) and ammonium (NH₄), were measured in the montane forests of southern Poland. Determinations were performed in two forest locations of the Silesian Beskid Mountains in the western range of the Carpathian Mountains, and in an industrial/urban location in Karowice, Poland. The measurements performed in summer 1997 with honeycomb denuder/filter pack systems showed elevated concentrations of the studied pollutants. These findings agree with the low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios and the results of ¹⁵N analyses of soil and moss samples. High concentrations of N air pollutants help to explain previously determined high levels of NO₃ and NH4 deposition to Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) canopies in these mountains. Ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) were elevated and potentially phytotoxic. Deficiencies of phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) in Norway spruce foliage were found while concentrations of other nutrients were normal.