中国滇池流域土地利用方式对土壤侵蚀和养分状况的影响

Soil erosion and loss of soil nutrients have been a crucial environment threat in Southwest China. The land use and its impact on soil qualities continue to be highlighted. The present study was conducted to compare soil erosion under four land use types(i.e.,forestland, abandoned farmland, tillage, and grassland) and their effects on soil organic carbon(SOC), total nitrogen(TN) and total phosphorus(TP) in the Shuanglong catchment of the Dianchi Lake watershed, China. There were large variations in the erosion rate and the nutrient distributions across the four land use types. The erosion rates estimated by137 Cs averaged 2 133 t km-2year-1under tillage and abandoned farmland over the erosion rate of non-cultivated sites, and the grasslands showed a net deposition. For all sites, the nutrient contents basically decreased with the soil depth. Compared with tillage and abandoned farmland, grassland had the highest SOC and TN contents within 0–40 cm soil layer, followed by forestland. The significant correlations between137 Cs, SOC and TN were observed. The nutrient loss caused by erosion in tillage was the highest. These results suggested that grassland and forestland would be beneficial for SOC and TN sequestration over a long-term period because of their ability to reduce the loss of nutrients by soil erosion. Our study demonstrated that reduction of nutrient loss in the red soil area could be made through well-managed vegetation restoration measures.     

在施钾条件下灌溉水稻的养分吸收和利用效率研究

Potassium is one of the most important nutrients for rice production in many areas of Asia, especially in southeast China where potassium deficiency in soil is a widespread problem. Field experiments were conducted for four consecutive years in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, to determine utilization of nutrients (N, P and K) by inbred and hybrid rice and rice grain yields as affected by application of potassium fertilizer under irrigated conditions. Grain yield and nutrient harvest index showed a significant response to the NPK treatment as compared to the NP treatment. This suggested that potassium improved transfer of nitrogen and phosphorus from stems and leaves to panicles in rice plants. N and P use efficiencies of rice were not strongly responsive to potassium, but K use efficiency decreased significantly despite the fact that the amount of total K uptake increased. A significant difference between varieties was also observed with respect to nutrient uptake and use efficiency. Hybrid rice exhibited physiological advantage in N and P uptake and use efficiency over inbred rice. Analysis of annual dynamic change of exchangeable K and non-exchangeable K in the test soil indicated that non-exchangeable K was an important K source for rice. Potassium application caused an annual decrease in the concentration of available K in the soil tested, whereas an increase was observed in non-exchangeable K. It could be concluded that K fertilizer application at the rate of 100 kg ha^-1 per season was not high enough to match K output, and efficient K management for rice must be based on the K input/output balance.     

中国中亚热带杉树及常绿阔叶林中焚烧对养分流失及土壤肥力的影响

A Chinese fir forest(Cunninghamia lanceolata,CF) and an evergreen broadleaved forest(EB) located in Fujian Province,southeastern China,were examined following slash burning to compare nutrient capital and topsoil properties with pre-burn levels.After fire,nutrient(N,P and K) removal from burining rsidues was estimated at 302.5kg ha^-1 in the CF and 644.8kg ha^-1 in the EB.Fire reduced the topsoil capitals of total N and P by about 20% and 10%,respectively,in both forests,while K capital was incresed in the topsoils of both forests following fire.Total site nutrient loss through surface erosion was 28.4kg(N) ha^-1 ,84.kg(P)ha^-1 and 328.7kg(K) ha^-1 in the CF.In the EB,the losses of total N,P and K were 58.5,10.5 and 396.3kg ha^-1,respectively,Improvement of soil structure and increase in mineralization of nutrients associated with increasesd microbe number and enzyme acitvityes and elecvated soil respiration occurred 5 day after fire.Howerver,organic matter and available nutrient contents and most of other soil parameters declined ont year after fire on the burned CF and EB topsoils.These rsults suggest that short-tmerm site productivity can be stimulated immediately.but reduced subsequently by soil and water losses,especially in south China,where high-intensity precipitation,steep slopes and fragile soil can be expected,Therefore,the silvicultural measurements should be developed in plantation management.     

中国南方稻麦轮作生态系统中土壤溶解性有机氮的淋失

The rice-wheat rotation in southern China is characterized by frequent flooding-draining water regime and heavy nitrogen(N)fertilization. There is a substantial lack of studies into the behavior of dissolved organic nitrogen(DON) in the intensively managed agroecosystem. A 3-year in situ field experiment was conducted to determine DON leaching and its seasonal and yearly variations as affected by fertilization, irrigation and precipitation over 6 consecutive rice/wheat seasons. Under the conventional N practice(300kg N ha-1for rice and 200 kg N ha-1for wheat), the seasonal average DON concentrations in leachate(100 cm soil depth) for the three rice and wheat seasons were 0.6–1.1 and 0.1–2.3 mg N L-1, respectively. The cumulative DON leaching was estimated to be1.1–2.3 kg N ha-1for the rice seasons and 0.01–1.3 kg N ha-1for the wheat seasons, with an annual total of 1.1–3.6 kg N ha-1. In the rice seasons, N fertilizer had little effect(P 0.05) on DON leaching; precipitation and irrigation imported 3.6–9.1 kg N ha-1of DON, which may thus conceal the fertilization effect on DON. In the wheat seasons, N fertilization had a positive effect(P 0.01)on DON. Nevertheless, this promotive effect was strongly influenced by variable precipitation, which also carried 1.8–2.9 kg N ha-1of DON into fields. Despite a very small proportion to chemical N applied and large variations driven by water regime, DON leaching is necessarily involved in the integrated field N budget in the rice-wheat rotation due to its relatively greater amount compared to other natural ecosystems.     

黄土高原土壤养分的损失

The soil nutrient losses due to excessive soil loss on Loess Plateau were studied by means of runoff plots and systematical determination of soil nutrients both in sediments and runoff.The results show that the amounts of nutrient losses depended on the amounts of ersoion sediments.Along with sediment,11-197kg nitrogen/hectare and 9-174kg phosphorus/hectare were lost,accounting for 92.46-99.47 percent of the total amount of nitrogen loss and 99.85-99.99 percent of the total amount of phosphorus loss respectively.The nutrient losses,very small in runoff,were mainly attributed to erosion of a few rainstorms during a year.The nutrient level in sediment was mostly higher than that in the original soil.Planting grass evidently redued the losses of soil nutrients.The N level was lower in runoff than in rainfall so that the N loss from runoff could be made up by rainfall.Fertilizer application to crops raised the nutrient level in runoff.     

Assessment of Potential Nutrient Release from Phosphate Rock and Dolostone for Application in Acid Soils

Finding alternative local sources of plant nutrients is a practical, low-cost, and long-term strategy. In this study, laboratory column experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design to evaluate the feasibility of using phosphate rock and dolostone as fertilizers or acid-neutralizing agents for application in tropical acid soils. The dissolution rates of different particle-size fractions(0.063–0.25, 0.25–0.5, and 0.5–2 mm) of both rocks were studied by citric acid solution at p H 4 and 2 and water, with extraction times of 1, 3, 5, 7, 12, 24, 72, 144, 240, and 360 h. The results showed that the dissolution of both rocks depended on the particle size,leaching solution, and extraction time. The dissolution rate of rock-forming minerals increased as the specific surface area increased,corresponding to a decrease in particle size. In all cases, the release kinetics was characterized by two phases: 1) a first stage of rapid release that lasted 24 h and would ensure short-term nutrient release, and 2) a second stage of slow release after 24 h, representing the long-term nutrient release efficiency. Both rocks were suitable as slow-release fertilizers in strongly acid soils and would ensure the replenishment of P, Ca, and Mg. A combination of fine and medium particle-size fractions should be used to ensure high nutrient-release efficiency. Much work could remain to determine the overall impact of considerable amounts of fresh rocks in soils.     

Long-Term Cropping System, Tillage, and Poultry Litter Application Affect the Chemical Properties of an Alabama Ultisol

Sustainable agricultural practices have been steadily increasing in the last couple of decades. These management practices frequently involve cover crops, less or no-tillage, and organic fertilization. In this study, we evaluated the effects of cropping systems,tillage and no-tillage, and the application of poultry litter(PL) on selected soil physicochemical properties and soil test nutrients. Soil samples were collected from the topmost surface(0–5 cm) and subsurface(5–10 cm) layers. The general effect trend was PL application no-tillage cover crop cropping type. There were more statistically significant(P ≤ 0.05) correlations between the 18 soil attributes at the topmost surface than at the subsurface. This could be due to the accumulation of external C inputs and nutrients by crop residues and PL application as well as the retaining effects of no-tillage on less mobile nutrient components. Because of their high mobility and volatile nature, total nitrogen(N), ammonia-N(NH_4~+-N), and nitrate-N(NO_3~--N) levels varied greatly(high standard deviations), showing no consistent patterns among the treatments. Compared to the soybean cropping system, corn, especially with the wheat cover crop, contributed more to the total carbon(C) and sulfur(S) in the topmost surface soils(0–5 cm). Poultry litter application greatly increased pH, cation exchange capacity(CEC), base saturation, magnesium(Mg), phosphorus(P), calcium(Ca),sodium(Na), potassium(K), manganese(Mn), copper(Cu), and zinc(Zn) in both soil layers. Contrast comparisons revealed that PL application had more of an effect on these soil chemical properties than no-tillage and cropping systems. These results will shed light on developing better nutrient management practices while reducing their runoff potentials.     

埃塞俄比亚罗毕高原含铬雏形土地区凋落物饲喂的白蚁(Macrotermes spp)的化学性质及其生化活动的研究

Termite(Macrotermes spp.) mounds are complex biological habitats originated by the termite activity and possessing peculiar physical, chemical and biochemical properties. In this study we examined the concentration of nutrients and the biochemical activity of abandoned soil and mounds colonized by termites of the genera Macrotermes located in the Borana District, Ethiopia. To elucidate the magnitude and persistence of the termite-induced effects, we also studied an abandoned mound, previously colonized by termites of the same genera formed on the same soil. Results confirmed that termite-colonized mounds are ‘hot spots' of nutrient concentration and microbial activity in tropical soils. This is due to the termite driven litter input and decomposition. The abandoned mounds showed higher microbial biomass and activity and displayed a nutrient redistribution and a greater microbial activity than the adjacent soils. These findings allowed us to hypothesize a model of nutrient cycling in colonized soils and a partition of the relative roles of termites and soil microorganisms in nutrient location and turnover in tropical soils. These results may be also useful for the optimal management of termite-colonized soils.     

轮作体系下冬油菜养分利用效率的区域研究

Fertilization is essential for oilseed rape because it is sensitivity to nutrient deficiency, especially for winter oilseed rape(Brassica napus L.). To investigate regional nutrient efficiency and nutrient uptake-yield relationship of winter oilseed rape in an intensive cropping system, this study used data from 619 site-year on-farm experiments carried out in the winter oilseed rape planting area of the Yangtze River Basin, China from 2005 to 2010, with large yield in the range of 179–4 470 kg ha~(-1). Currently recommended application rates of N, P and K fertilizers increased rapeseed yield at different levels of soil indigenous nutrient supply(INS) in this region. Boundary values of plant nutrient uptake were established to analyze the nutrient uptake-yield relationship of winter oilseed rape(internal nutrient efficiency), i.e., 128 kg N ha~(-1), 24 kg P ha~(-1), and 122 kg K ha~(-1). The internal nutrient efficiency declined by 48.2%–64.1% when nutrient uptake exceeded the boundary value, resulting in excessive nutrient uptake(i.e., low yield response with high nutrient uptake), especially for K. In the intensive cropping system, agronomic efficiencies of N, P, and K were 5.9, 3.4, and3.6 kg kg~(-1), and recovery efficiencies of N, P, and K were 35.6%, 24.1%, and 36.8%, respectively. These findings showed that the fertilization rate should be optimized by considering INS, nutrient status, and nutrient efficiency of winter oilseed rape. In this study,considering the lower yield improvement to high K uptake levels and low K fertilizer efficiency, application rate of K fertilizer should be reduced since soil K deficiency has already been mitigated.     

小麦和燕麦两种作物镁吸收和坡缕石转化能力研究

Weathering of clay minerals is a source of nutrients to plants. Palygorskite is a Mg-rich fibrous clay mineral that commonly occurs in the soils and sediments of arid regions. Although many studies have examined the environmental conditions required for the formation and stability of palygorskite, information on the transformation of this mineral in the root zone (or rhizosphere) of agricultural crops is limited. This study explored the possibility of palygorskite transformation in the rhizosphere of wheat and oat and compared the ability of these crops to extract structural Mg from palygorskite. The crops were cultivated in pots consisting of a mixture of sand from Hamadan region, Iran and Florida palygorskite, irrigated with distilled water, and treated with either complete or Mg-free nutrient solutions. After 100 d, Mg uptake by the crops was measured. Clay-sized particles in each pot were also separated from the sand and were analyzed through X-ray diffraction (XRD). The X-ray pattern of the particles was compared with that of the pure palygorskite particles (before cultivation). The results showed that palygorskite could provide sufficient Mg for the growth of wheat in the pots supplied with Mg-free nutrient solution. In spite of the magnesium uptake by both plants from the palygorskite structure, no detectable peaks indicating the transformation of palygorskite were recognized by XRD. A decrease of 1.05 nm in peak intensity was more obvious for the pots containing palygorskite and irrigated with Mg-free nutrient solution than for the pots irrigated with complete nutrient solution. Although the decrease in peak intensity was greater for oat than wheat, indicating greater palygorskite weathering by oat, Mg uptake by oat was low, as evidenced by the deficiency symptoms observed.     

Dust deposition and particle size in Mali, West Africa

Dust deposition samples were collected during April and May (1990) at four sites on the inland delta region of Mali in West Africa. High dust deposition rates were measured and characterised by considerable variations between sites. A major dust plume passed over the area, following a dust storm near Gao, 500 km to the east, however the contribution of this plume to overall deposition was surprisingly small.Dust particle-size characteristics indicate mixing of dusts from three sources. Long-distance dust deposition producing fine deposits (mainly < 5 μm); dust from regional sources producing deposits mainly in the size range 20–40 μm; and local dust arising from human activities, particularly vehicle and livestock movements, producing relatively coarse material in the size range 50–70 μm, plus some fines. Local dusts appear to have made the greatest contribution to deposition, with a moderate (though less than expected) contribution from the plume and a minor contribution from long-distance dusts.These results have implications for dust deposition studies aimed at quantifying dust contributions to soils. Although these Mali dust deposition rates are high (2.5–28.6 t⁻¹ km⁻² day⁻¹), the significant proportion of locally derived dust means that new dust inputs to the soils of the Inland Delta region of Mali are small.     

Dust characteristics and source-sink relations in eastern West Africa (SW-Niger and Benin) and South America (Argentinean Pampas)

In order to quantify dust input and to describe its characteristics under different environmental conditions, and to get information on source-sink relation, dust was collected monthly with bulk deposition samplers (open bucket type) in 2 and 4 m height over a 2—3 years period at different sites in West Africa (SW-Niger and Benin) and in the semi-arid Argentinean Pampas. Dust input, mineralogy (bulk and clay), chemical properties including total element content and particle-size distribution showed a clear seasonal pattern in eastern West Africa. Far-transported Saharan dust in the dry season could be distinguished from local material transported in the rainy season. In Argentina, high sand content of the samples pointed to an important participation of local components in the collected material. This was supported by higher contents of seaborne salts at the coastal sites, and the highest amounts of collected dust at the site of highest wind velocities. Due to the lack of seasonal differences in dust amount and its characteristics, and the aeolian genesis of the Pampas soils, a separation of local material and long-range dust was not possible.     

Do UK crops and grassland require greater inputs of sulphur fertilizer in response to recent and forecast reductions in sulphur emissions and deposition?

UK emissions of sulphur dioxide decreased by 94% between 1970 and 2010 and are projected to decrease by another 50% by 2020 as coal fired power stations are decommissioned. We used the Community Multiscale Air Quality model to create maps of sulphur (S) deposition to assess the impact of these forecast decreases in S emissions on net S deposition to crops in England and Wales. Currently, average S deposition, net of S leaching, varies little between the UK regions, being greatest in Yorkshire and Humberside (Y&H), at ca. 5–6 kg/ha S, and least in Wales, at ca. 3–4 kg/ha S. However, even in Y&H S deposition is no more than 25% of S uptake by cereals and only ca. 10% of S uptake by oilseed rape (OSR). By 2020, net S deposition is predicted to decrease by between 30 and 60% and will be no more than 15% of S uptake by cereal crops and <10% of S uptake by OSR. We conclude that, with the exception of a few localities, net S deposition is currently making only a minor contribution to crop S requirements and this small contribution will continue to decline. We recommend S be applied at the rates currently advised, as either mineral fertilizer or livestock manures (or a combination of both), to all crops and grass grown on sandy soils or in areas of >375‐mm overwinter rainfall. The need for S fertilizer appears to be greatest for grass swards cut more than once.     

Bias in grain size distribution of deposited atmospheric dust due to the collection of particles in sediment catchers

This study investigates how dust deposition samplers affect the grain size characteristics of the sediment they catch. Sediment samplers act as obstacles in the flow and their collection efficiency varies with the grain size and other factors. Some particle fractions are collected more efficiently than others, resulting in a modification of the original grain size distribution of the sediment. This paper presents wind tunnel results for five dust deposition samplers and five wind velocities ranging from 1 to 5 m s^− 1. The catcher's effect on the grain size was apparent in all experiments. Dust accumulated in a catcher is finer than undisturbed dust. For the dust used in the tests the difference (in median grain diameter) was of the order of 10–20%, but differences up to 40% and more were observed. In general, the error is higher when the catcher is less aerodynamically shaped. The study concludes that grain size data on sediment collected by a catcher should be interpreted with care, as they do not necessarily reflect the characteristics of the original sediment.     

重庆缙云山酸沉降背景下针阔混交林水化学特征初步研究

选取三峡库区缙云山小流域针阔混交林作为研究对象,对其大气降水、穿透雨、树干茎流、地表径流等水文过程中的pH值及Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+等离子含量进行研究,结果表明:(1)大气降水pH值为5.31,呈酸性,已属于酸雨范围(pH<5.65)。相对于大气降水,针阔混交林穿透雨和树干茎流离子含量均大幅增加。穿透雨和树干茎流中,Mg、Cu元素的变异系数均小于大气降水,而K、Zn和Mn均大于大气降水。地表径流中Ca元素含量最高,为16.416mg/L,Mn元素含量最低,几乎检测不到。各元素含量排序为:Ca>K>Na>Mg>Zn>Fe>Cu>Mn。地下径流中,Ca元素是含量增加最多的养分元素,各元素含量排序为:Ca>K>Na>Mg>Zn>Cu>Fe=Mn。(2)Cu元素在穿透雨和树干茎流中均出现了负淋溶,其余各元素浓度均有所增加。如果林木长期处于酸雨逆境下,将会导致部分营养元素大量流失,并最终造成林木营养亏损且影响其生长。     

黄土高原天然草地3种优势物种细根分解及养分释放对模拟氮沉降的响应

细根分解是草地土壤有机质和养分的主要来源,全球N沉降背景下细根分解动态变化对生态系统碳和养分循环具有重要意义。采用埋袋法研究黄土高原天然草地3个优势物种细根分解速率和养分释放规律及其对模拟N沉降(10g·N/(m2·a))的响应。结果表明:细根分解过程分为快速(0~60d)和慢速分解(60~719d)2个阶段。大针茅、甘青针茅和白莲蒿细根分解60d的质量残留率分别为86.3%,86.2%,90.7%,分解719d的质量残留率分别为58.1%,64.7%,70.5%,表明细根分解速率大小为大针茅甘青针茅白莲蒿。相关分析表明,细根分解常数与细根初始N含量、N/P值呈显著的正相关关系,与初始C含量、C/N值呈显著的负相关关系。随着根系分解,3种细根C元素表现为直接释放,N元素表现为N富集,P元素表现为富集-释放模式,整体呈波动式下降。模拟N沉降显著抑制了3种植物细根的分解,使大针茅、甘青针茅和白莲蒿细根分解系数分别显著降低了21.3%,26.8%,47.4%。模拟N沉降使大针茅、甘青针茅和白莲蒿分解末期C元素分别增加了26.8%,20.7%,16.6%,N元素分别增加了18.2%,17.0%,13.4%,而对P残留率均没有显著影响。综上,未来氮沉降的增加会抑制黄土高原封育草地优势物种的细根分解速率,减慢其细根分解向土壤输入C和N养分的过程。     

Effects of reduced atmospheric deposition on soil solution chemistry and elemental contents of spruce needles in NE—Bavaria,Germany

The decrease in anthropogenic deposition, namely SO₄^2— and SO₂, in European forest ecosystems during the last 20 years has raised questions concerning the recovery of forest ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the long term data of element concentrations at the Fichtelgebirge (NE‐Bavaria, Germany) monitoring site indicates a relationship between the nutrient content of needles and the state of soil solution acidity. The soil at the site is very acidic and has relatively small pools of exchangeable Ca and Mg. The trees show medium to severe nutrient deficiency symptoms such as needle loss and needle yellowing. The Ca and Mg concentrations in throughfall decreased significantly during the last 12 years parallel to the significant decline in the throughfall of H⁺ and SO₄^2— concentrations. Soil solution concentrations of SO₄^2—, Ca and Mg generally decreased while the pH value remained stable. Aluminum concentrations decreased slightly, but only at a depth of 90 cm. Simultaneously a decrease in the molar Ca/Al and Mg/Al ratios in the soil solution was observed. Ca and Mg contents in the spruce needles decreased, emphasizing the relevance of soil solution changes for tree nutrition. The reasons for the delay in ecosystem recovery are due to a combination of the following two factors: (1) the continued high concentrations of NO₃^— and SO₄^2— in the soil solution leading to high Al concentrations and low pH values and, (2) the decreased rates of Ca and Mg deposition cause a correlated decrease in the concentration of Ca and Mg in the soil solution, since little Ca and Mg is present in the soil's exchangeable cation pools. It is our conclusion that detrimental soil conditions with respect to Mg and Ca nutrition as well as to Al stress are not easily reversed by the decreasing deposition of H⁺ and SO₄^2—. Thus, forest management is still confronted with the necessity of frequent liming to counteract the nutrient depletion in soils and subsequent nutrient deficiencies in trees.     

不同梯度氮沉降对亚热带甜槠林凋落物及养分的影响

[目的]分析不同梯度氮沉降作用下亚热带常绿阔叶甜槠(Castanopsis eyrei)林凋落物量及养分变化规律,从而为亚热带地区氮沉降研究提供数据参考与理论依据。[方法]对安徽省仙寓山地区设置不同梯度施氮对照试验,长期实地监测甜槠林凋落物量及其养分的响应状况。[结果]凋落物量大小顺序为:高氮加磷(HN+P)低氮(LN)高氮(HN)对照CK,不同处理间的差异未达到显著水平;但是落叶量LN与CK之间差异显著(p=0.023)。各处理凋落物量的月变化模式均呈双峰型,分别在4和11月达到峰值;凋落物中各组分所占比例从大到小均为:叶果枝碎屑花皮;施肥处理不同程度上改变了落果量的比重:HN+P(27%)HN(25%)CK=LN(23%)。甜槠林C,N,P,K,Ca,Mg这6种大量元素的养分年归还量共计:HN+P 4.62t/(hm2·a)CK 4.44t/(hm2·a)HN 4.17t/(hm2·a)LN 3.96t/(hm2·a);不同处理各养分(K除外)归还量均表现为上述关系,且HN+P与CK之间的N,P的养分归还量差异显著(p=0.047;0.023)。对于各组分而言,落叶的养分归还量占年养分归还量的52%~58%。[结论]模拟不同梯度的氮沉降处理在一定程度上改变了甜槠林凋落物总量的大小及其组成比例,且影响到其他养分的吸收及归还量。     

Effects of vegetation type on mercury concentrations and pools in two adjacent coniferous and deciduous forests

Vegetation type and ecosystem structure affect major aspects of the mercury (Hg) cycle in terrestrial ecosystems which serve as important storage pools for a long‐term legacy of natural and anthropogenic Hg release to the environment. The goal of this study was to evaluate the integrated effects of 80 y of different vegetative type on Hg accumulation and partitioning in terrestrial ecosystems by comparing Hg concentrations and pools of two adjacent forests: a coniferous Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and a deciduous red alder (Alnus rubra) stand. These stands grew for > 80 y in close proximity (200 m) with identical site histories, soil parent materials, and atmospheric exposure. Results showed that the Douglas fir stand was characterized by significantly higher Hg concentrations and Hg : C ratios in aboveground biomass compared to the deciduous red alder forest. For foliage, higher Hg concentrations (plus 43 μg kg^–1) were expected due to foliage age, but Hg concentrations also were higher in woody tissues (by 2 to 18 μg kg^–1) indicating increased uptake of atmospheric Hg by coniferous tissues. These differences were reflected—and further increased—in litter horizons where Hg‐concentration differences increased in highly decomposed litter to > 200 μg kg^–1. In soils, no difference in concentrations of Hg was observed, but Hg : C ratios were consistently higher in the coniferous Douglas fir. Estimation of pool sizes of C and Hg in soils and at the whole ecosystem level showed that considerably smaller C pools in the coniferous stand as a result of faster C turnover and lower productivity did not lead to corresponding declines in Hg‐pool sizes. The partitioning of Hg among ecosystem components—including distribution between aboveground and belowground components and distribution through the soil profile—was largely unaffected by forest type. Methyl‐Hg concentrations observed in litter layers were also significantly higher in litter of Douglas fir, along with a higher proportion of methylated Hg of total Hg. In soils, methyl‐Hg concentrations were similar in both stands. Comparison of these adjacent forest stands highlights that vegetation type affects concentrations of total Hg in otherwise equivalent sites and that differences also exist in respect to methylated Hg.