A comparison of litterfall and element fluxes in even aged Norway spruce,sitka spruce and beech stands in Denmark

Litterfall was investigated in three even-aged Norway spruce (Picea abies), sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) stands on a nutrient poor-soil in Southern Denmark. Dry weights and N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca, Na, Al, and Fe concentrations and fluxes were examined in litterfall fractions. Foliage litter amounted to 90% of total litterfall. The tree stands showed a similar mean annual litterfall. In the spruce stands, annual litterfall was correlated negatively with the current year increment and positively with the previous year increment. Annual litterfall in beech was constant during the 6 study years whereas Norway spruce and sitka spruce showed large fluctuations between years caused by drought, spruce aphid infestations and probably sea salt stress. Norway spruce responded with a long lasting elevated needle loss. Sitka spruce responded to infestations with premature needle loss during short periods. The presence of a large syrphid (Coccinellidae) population was important in regulating aphid (Elatobium abietinum) population density. The between-year variation in element concentrations of litterfall was small whereas variations during the year were large. Interspecific levels were recognized: Norway spruce>beech>sitka spruce. High concentrations in Norway spruce were ascribed to a combination of drought, sea salt stress and elevated transpiration. In sitka spruce, aphid infestations reduced the litterfall N content. Sitka spruce showed the smallest amount of base cation fluxes with litterfall. In contrast, spruce and beech exhibited even litterfall element fluxes. Litterfall studies revealed reduced vitality in the non-native spruce stands and underlined the perception of a healthy stand of native beech.     

Carbon and nitrogen in forest floor and mineral soil under six common European tree species

The knowledge of tree species effects on soil C and N pools is scarce, particularly for European deciduous tree species. We studied forest floor and mineral soil carbon and nitrogen under six common European tree species in a common garden design replicated at six sites in Denmark. Three decades after planting the six tree species had different profiles in terms of litterfall, forest floor and mineral soil C and N attributes. Three groups were identified: (1) ash, maple and lime, (2) beech and oak, and (3) spruce. There were significant differences in forest floor and soil C and N contents and C/N ratios, also among the five deciduous tree species. The influence of tree species was most pronounced in the forest floor, where C and N contents increased in the order ash = lime = maple < oak = beech ? spruce. Tree species influenced mineral soil only in some of the sampled soil layers within 30 cm depth. Species with low forest floor C and N content had more C and N in the mineral soil. This opposite trend probably offset the differences in forest floor C and N with no significant difference between tree species in C and N contents of the whole soil profile. The effect of tree species on forest floor C and N content was primarily attributed to large differences in turnover rates as indicated by fractional annual loss of forest floor C and N. The C/N ratio of foliar litterfall was a good indicator of forest floor C and N contents, fractional annual loss of forest floor C and N, and mineral soil N status. Forest floor and litterfall C/N ratios were not related, whereas the C/N ratio of mineral soil (0–30 cm) better indicated N status under deciduous species on rich soil. The results suggest that European deciduous tree species differ in C and N sequestration rates within forest floor and mineral soil, respectively, but there is little evidence of major differences in the combined forest floor and mineral soil after three decades.     

Nutrients in litterfall,forest floor and mineral soils in two adjacent forest ecosystems in Greece

The fluxes of masses and the nutrients Ca,Mg,K,N,P and S were determined in the litterfall of two adjacent forest ecosystems of Hungarian oak(Quercus frainetto L.)and European beech(Fagus sylvatica L.)in a mountainous area of northeastern Greece in 2010–2015.The foliar litterfall for both species reached about 70%of the total litterfall,and was significantly higher from the other two fractions(woody and rest litterfall).The fluxes of masses and nutrients were compared between ecosystems for each fraction separately.Only one significant statistical difference was found,that of K in the woody litterfall.In addition,the stocks of masses and nutrients were calculated in the forest floors and mineral soils of the two ecosystems.Likewise,the stocks of nutrients in the forest floors and mineral soils were compared between ecosystems.In the L horizon of the forest floors,statistical differences,as a result of species effect,were found for the stocks of Ca and N.In the FH horizons,the masses and all the nutrient stocks differed significantly,as the beech plot had much higher quantities of organic matter and nutrients.These higher quantities were probably due to low soil temperatures(microclimate)and high acidity in the beech plot(species effect)that slowed down decomposition.In the mineral soils,the propagation of random error derived from random errors of the individual soil layers was an important factor in the statistical comparisons.Because of the soil acidity in the beech plot,the stocks of exchangeable base cations were significantly higher in the oak plot,whereas the other nutrient stocks did not differ.     

Canopy composition as a measure to identify patterns of nutrient input in a mixed European beech and Norway spruce forest in central Europe

The influence of canopy composition on litterfall and throughfall was investigated in a mixed spruce beech forest in central Germany. We hypothesised that different parts of the mixed canopy created distinct patterns of element inputs via litterfall and throughfall. The investigation was carried out in two plots, representing the most contrasting cases of mixed forests: a stand greatly dominated by spruce (SDP) and a stand greatly dominated by beech (BDP). The canopies of the two plots were classified in four categories: pure beech, pure spruce, mixed canopy and gap. Amounts of throughfall water were lower and major element fluxes were higher under spruce than under beech in both plots, indicating that the nutrient inputs under the canopies of individual trees are driven by species-specific properties of the canopies and are quite independent of the degree of admixture. With the exception of K⁺, mixed canopies showed intermediate element inputs via throughfall, compared with pure canopy classes. The K⁺ input was significantly greater under mixed canopies, and these differences were more pronounced in the SDP than in the BDP. Results suggest that individual spruce trees in the BDP induce greater spatial heterogeneity of throughfall input than individual beech trees in the SDP. Nutrient inputs via foliar litterfall were similar among the different canopy classes, but the Mg input was lower under spruce canopy. This effect was balanced by higher Mg input via spruce throughfall. In our study, throughfall was the main source of heterogeneity in nutrient inputs, while foliar litterfall had a homogenising effect.     

Litterfall and litter chemistry change over time in an old-growth temperate forest, northeastern China

? Litterfall and litter chemistry are key factors for the assessment of forest floor properties. A long-term study on litterfall, litter chemistry and forest basal areas was carried out in an old-growth temperate forest, northeastern China.

? The objective of this study was to test whether forest floor properties in the old-growth forest remain relatively constant.

? Litterfall increased significantly over the past 27 y but litterfall of various litter components showed different temporal trends. Changes in proportions of various litter components, combined with the inherent chemistry differences among them, made litter carbon (C): nitrogen (N) and lignin:N ratios increase at an average rate of 0.19 and 0.16 per year, respectively, suggesting a decreasing trend in the forest floor C and N cycling rates. Changes in dominant tree species biomass significantly affected their corresponding foliar litter production and proportions in the total litterfall and therefore played a dominant role in regulating the developing trends of litter chemistry and quantity in this forest floor.

? Our study indicated that forest floor properties in the old-growth forest still showed a directional change and this was mainly caused by the intrinsic changes rather than yearly climatic fluctuation.

     

Comparison of litterfall production in three forest types in Jeju Island,South Korea

Litterfall, which is influenced by physical and biological factors, is a major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to investigate monthly litterfall production in three forests in Jeju Island differentiated by forest composition and precipitation: Cheongsu(Quercus glauca as the dominant species;low precipitation), Seonheulb(Q. glauca as the dominant species;high precipitation), and Seonheulm(Q. glauca and Pinus thunbergii as the dominant species;high precipitation). Litterfall was collected monthly from April to December 2015 and divided into leaf litter, twig, bark, seeds, and unidentified materials.Seasonal patterns of litterfall production varied across stands according to their species composition. However,the amount of leaf litterfall and total litterfall were comparable among stands, ranging from 362 to 375 g m-2 for leaf litter and 524 g m-2 to 580 g m-2 for total litterfall.Oak leaf litter in May was the highest in all stands, while needle litter was the highest in December in Seonheulm.High twig litterfall in July may be attributable to high rainfall with strong winds and storms during the rainy season. Although forest type and climate factor had no influence on litterfall amounts in this study, the pattern of litterfall production was species dependent, suggesting diverse effects on carbon and nutrient cycling in these forests.     

Seasonal and spatial variation of nitrogen dynamics in the litter and surface soil layers on a tropical dry evergreen forest slope

Seasonal and spatial variability of litterfall and NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ leaching from the litter layer and 5-cm soil depth were investigated along a slope in a tropical dry evergreen forest in northeastern Thailand. Using ion exchange resin and buried bag methods, the vertical flux and transformation of inorganic nitrogen (N) were observed during four periods (dry, early wet, middle wet, and late wet seasons) at 15 subplots in a 180-m × 40-m rectangular plot on the slope. Annual N input via litterfall and inorganic N leached from the litter layer and from 5-cm depth soil were 12.5, 6.9, and 3.7 g N m⁻² year⁻¹, respectively, whereas net mineralization and the inorganic N pool in 0–5-cm soil were 7.1 g N m⁻² year⁻¹ and 1.4 g N m⁻², respectively. During the early wet season (90 days), we observed 82% and 74% of annual NO₃⁻ leaching from the litter layer and 5-cm soil depth, respectively. Higher N input via leaf litterfall in the dry season and via precipitation in the early wet season may have led to higher NO₃⁻ leaching rate from litter and surface soil layers during the early wet season. Large spatial variability in both NO₃⁻ vertical flux and litterfall was also observed within stands. Small-scale spatial patterns of total N input via litterfall were significantly correlated with NO₃⁻ leaching rate from the surface soil layer. In tropical dry evergreen forests, litterfall variability may be crucial to the remarkable seasonal changes and spatial variation in annual NO₃⁻ vertical flux in surface soil layers.     

Relation Between Defoliation and Litterfall in Some Danish Picea Abies and Fagus Sylvatica Stands

Assessing defoliation and measuring litterfall are two different ways of estimating the shedding of needles and leaves from the forest canopy. Both variables can be said to reflect the crown condition, but the two methods have rarely been compared. In this study the visual observations of defoliation of individual trees were compared with sampled litterfall data for the two main tree species in Denmark, Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies. Defoliation assessments and litterfall measurements were performed in seven level II plots. Six of the stands were 40 yrs old and the remaining stand was 81 yrs old. Both a positive and a negative correlation, which were not significant, were observed between defoliation and total leaf litterfall on the beech sites. Similarly, no significant correlation was observed between defoliation and the yearly needle litterfall on the younger Norway spruce plots. However, the defoliation and the yearly needle litterfall at the old stand at Klosterhede were positively correlated on a 10% significance level. A positive correlation was also apparent at the younger stands between the defoliation and the needle litterfall from the period April-July of the same year in which defoliation was assessed. The absence of a clear connection between the two assessments is discussed. The two assessments are apparently of widely different origin, which makes comparison difficult.     

Spatiotemporal distribution of aboveground litter in a Cryptomeria japonica plantation

We assessed the vertical distribution of litter and its seasonal patterns in the canopy and on the forest floor (soil), as well as litterfall (the flux of litter from the canopy to the soil) in a 33-year-old plantation of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don). The masses of total litter, dead leaves, and dead branches in the canopy of C. japonica trees averaged 34.09, 19.53, and 14.56 t dry wt ha⁻¹, respectively, and were almost constant during the study period. The total masses of the annual litterfall were 4.17 and 5.88 t dry wt ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in the two consecutive years of the study. The mass of the soil litter averaged 7.95 t dry wt ha⁻¹ during the same period. All relationships between the mass of canopy litter and tree-size parameters (diameters at breast height and at the lowest living branch) were linear in a log-linear regression. Compared with the results for this plantation at a younger stage (16 years old), our results suggest that the total mass of dead leaves attached to each tree increases markedly with increasing age, but that the trajectory of this increase as a function of tree size may change from an exponential to a saturation curve with increasing stand age.     

Influence of slope position, stand type and rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) on litter decomposition rates of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) and spruce [Picea orientalis (L.) Link]

Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) and Oriental spruce [Picea orientalis (L.) Link] are the two most common tree species in northeast Turkey. Their distribution, stand type and understorey species are known to be influenced by topographical landforms. However, little information is available as to how these changes affect litter decomposition rates of these two species. Here, we investigated the effects of slope positions (top 1,800 m, middle 1,500 m and bottom 1,200 m), stand type (pure and mixed stands) and purple-flowered rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) on litter decomposition rates of Oriental beech and spruce for 4 years using the litterbag technique in the field. Among these three factors, stand type had the strongest influence on litter decomposition (P < 0.001, F = 58.8), followed by rhododendron (P < 0.001, F = 46.8) and slope position (P < 0.05, F = 11.6). Litter decomposition was highest under mixed beech/spruce forest, followed by pure beech and spruce forest. Beech and spruce litter decomposed much faster in mixed bags (beech–spruce) than they did separately under each stand type. Purple-flowered rhododendron significantly reduced litter decomposition of Oriental beech and spruce. Beech and spruce litter decomposed much slower at top slope position than at either bottom or middle position. Differential litter decomposition of Oriental beech and spruce was mainly due to adverse conditions in spruce forest and the presence of rhododendron on the ground which was associated with lower soil pH. Higher elevations (top slope position) slowed down litter decomposition by changing environmental conditions, most probably by decreasing temperature as also other factors are different (pH, precipitation) and no detailed investigations were made to differentiate these factors. The adverse conditions for litter decomposition in spruce forest can be effectively counteracted by admixture of beech to spruce monoculture and by using the clear-cutting method for controlling rhododendron.     

亚高山暗针叶林凋落物的分解过程

凋落物是森林生态系统的重要组成部分,其分解过程是森林生态系统养分循环的重要环节。准确测定凋落物的分解动态,对研究森林生态系统的格局和过程非常重要。本文的工作在贡嘎山高山生态系统观测试验站开展,对海拔3 000 m的峨眉冷杉(Abies fabri)林进行定位观测,并对峨眉冷杉林凋落物分解过程进行了长期测定。研究结果表明:(1)凋落物的分解速率是阔叶>针叶>枯枝,峨眉冷杉林的阔叶、针叶和枯枝等凋落物分解一半所需要的时间分别为6.8年、10.5年和14.5年,分解95%所需时间分别为29.3年、45.6年和63.1年;(2)无论阔叶还是针叶、枯枝,其有机碳含量均随着时间的推移而下降,而有机碳分解率均随着时间而增高;利用指数衰减模型,获得凋落物有机碳的分解系数是阔叶>针叶>枯枝;(3)在每年凋落物输入峨眉冷杉林林地时,其中的阔叶、针叶和枯枝已经开始分解,当年可释放的有机碳分别为52.18 kg·hm^-2、4.32 kg·hm^-2和0.67 kg·hm^-2,各类凋落物每年有机碳释放总量为61.13 kg·hm^-2,占凋落时有机碳量的6.58%。     

Does tree species composition control soil organic carbon pools in Mediterranean mountain forests?

We compared soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and stability under two widely distributed tree species in the Mediterranean region: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) at their ecotone. We hypothesised that soils under Scots pine store more SOC and that tree species composition controls the amount and biochemical composition of organic matter inputs, but does not influence physico-chemical stabilization of SOC. At three locations in Central Spain, we assessed SOC stocks in the forest floor and down to 50 cm in the mineral in pure and mixed stands of Pyrenean oak and Scots pine, as well as litterfall inputs over approximately 3 years at two sites. The relative SOC stability in the topsoil (0-10 cm) was determined through size-fractionation (53 μm) into mineral-associated and particulate organic matter and through KMnO₄-reactive C and soil C:N ratio.Scots pine soils stored 95-140 Mg ha⁻¹ of C (forest floor plus 50 cm mineral soil), roughly the double than Pyrenean oak soils (40-80 Mg ha⁻¹ of C), with stocks closely correlated to litterfall rates. Differences were most pronounced in the forest floor and uppermost 10 cm of the mineral soil, but remained evident in the deeper layers. Biochemical indicators of soil organic matter suggested that biochemical recalcitrance of soil organic matter was higher under pine than under oak, contributing as well to a greater SOC storage under pine. Differences in SOC stocks between tree species were mainly due to the particulate organic matter (not associated to mineral particles). Forest conversion from Pyrenean oak to Scots pine may contribute to enhance soil C sequestration, but only in form of mineral-unprotected soil organic matter.     

Nutrient supply at the local tree level in mixed forests of sessile oak and beech

In mixed-species forests, tree species composition can affect nutrient return through litter fall. This in turn is expected to have an effect on soil available nutrients, which could influence the nutrient status at the local tree level. Using ion-exchange resins, we estimated resin available soil nutrients at two depths beneath target trees of sessile oak and beech in the Belgian Ardennes. First we tested whether resin available nutrients were related to tree nutrition, using foliar nutrient concentrations as a proxy. In a second step, we tested whether local litter fall, through total nutrient return or litter species composition, affected resin available nutrients. In a final stage, we tested the impacts of local stand composition, as an integrated proxy of above- and belowground processes, and compared them to those of litter composition. With the exception of P for oak, nutrient supply was only poorly related to foliar nutrient concentrations for both target species. The effects of litter fall on nutrient supply were driven by litter species composition and not by total nutrient inputs. Litter composition and local stand composition effects were in close agreement. Our results show that nutrient supply to target trees in mixed-species stands is affected by local neighbourhoods, yet to a limited extent. Direct translation of resin available nutrients into foliar concentrations is probably hampered by complex capture patterns.     

The impact of black cottonwood on soil fertility in coastal western hemlock forest

Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa Torr. and Gray) is a deciduous tree species that extends from Alaska through coastal regions of western Canada into the northwestern United States and as far south as Baja California. We examined the influence of black cottonwood on soil fertility within a forest dominated by Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziessi (Mirb.) Franco], western hemlock [Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg], and western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex. D. Don.). Six circular 0.008 ha plots with a single cottonwood tree in the center of conifers were paired with six conifer plots (of the same size) without cottonwood. Litterfall, litter decomposition, properties of forest floor and mineral soil, and N mineralization were compared between plot types. Cottonwood litter had higher concentrations of almost all elements relative to conifer litter. Mass loss did not differ between cottonwood and fir/hemlock litter on cottonwood sites. Twice the amount of mull-like humus form (vermimull and mullmoder, 56%) was found in cottonwood plots compared to 28% in conifer plots. Higher pH (4.4) was found in the forest floor under cottonwood compared to conifer (3.9). Total N concentration (3.33 g/kg) and base saturation (68%) were higher in the mineral soil under cottonwood compared to conifers (2.98 g/kg total N and 50% base saturation). Net ammonification and net mineralization were both lower under cottonwood. These results suggest a variable effect of cottonwood on soil fertility within coastal western hemlock forests with some soil variables changed in a favourable direction and some in an unfavourable direction.     

Biomass, diversity and composition of epiphytic macrolichens in primary and secondary forests in the subtropical Ailao Mountains, SW China

Epiphytic macrolichen litterfall was collected over 3 years from primary evergreen broad-leaved forests (PF), Populus bonatii secondary forests (PBSF), middle-aged oak secondary forests (MOSF) and old-aged oak secondary forests (OOSF) of the Ailao Mountains in SW China. To assess changes in the epiphyte communities of the subtropical forests, we compared the differences in biomass, species diversity and community structure of epiphytic lichens from the four forest types. A total of 51 species were recorded in this study. Species richness was highest in the PF, while α-diversity was highest in the MOSF. Lichen biomass differed markedly across the four forest types and was highest in the MOSF. The contribution of each dominant species to total biomass, except Nephromopsis ornata, was significantly different among forest types. Moreover, the percent contribution of foliose chlorolichens to litterfall tended to be higher in later-succession forest types, whereas the contributions of cyanolichens and fruticose chlorolichens were lower in these forest types. Compared to the PF, the lichen community structure in secondary forests differed significantly, implying that at least a few hundred years were needed for the restoration of these lichen communities. In particular, nineteen lichens were suggested as indicators, and eleven of them were present in the MOSF. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that the observed differences were mainly attributed to canopy openness and the size of the largest tree, which represented an environmental gradient from exposed to sheltered habitats. The diversity of host tree species was also important in determining the composition and distribution of macrolichens. Our findings support the idea that the maintenance of the forest landscape mosaic of heterogeneous forest types may be an important management practice to maintain or promote the epiphytic lichen community of the subtropical Ailao Mountains.     

The impact of atmospheric deposition and climate on forest growth in European monitoring plots: An individual tree growth model

In the climate change discussion, the possibility of carbon sequestration of forests plays an important role. Therefore, research on the effects of environmental changes on net primary productivity is interesting. In this study we investigated the influence of changing temperature, precipitation and deposition of sulphur and nitrogen compounds on forest growth. The database consisted of 654 plots of the European intensive monitoring program (Level II plots) with 5-year growth data for the period 1994–1999. Among these 654 plots only 382 plots in 18 European countries met the requirements necessary to be used in our analysis. Our analysis was done for common beech (Fagus sylvatica), oak (Quercus petraea and Q. robur), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). We developed an individual tree growth model with measured basal area increment of each individual tree as responding growth factor and tree size (diameter at breast height), tree competition (basal area of larger trees and stand density index), site factors (soil C/N ratio, temperature), and environmental factors (temperature change compared to long-term average, nitrogen and sulphur deposition) as influencing parameters. Using a mixed model approach, all models for the tree species show a high goodness of fit with Pseudo-R² between 0.33 and 0.44. Diameter at breast height and basal area of larger trees were highly influential variables in all models. Increasing temperature shows a positive effect on growth for all species except Norway spruce. Nitrogen deposition shows a positive impact on growth for all four species. This influence was significant with p < 0.05 for all species except common beech. For beech the effect was nearly significant (p = 0.077). An increase of 1 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ corresponds to an increase in basal area increment between 1.20% and 1.49% depending on species. Considering an average total carbon uptake for European forests near 1730 kg per hectare and year, this implies an estimated sequestration of approximately 21–26 kg carbon per kg nitrogen deposition.     

Patterns of litterfall and return of nutrients across anthropogenic disturbance gradients in three subalpine forests of west Himalaya, India

The study was conducted to improve our understanding of the effects of forest disturbance on litterfall and patterns of nutrient return in three subalpine forest ecosystems (i.e. Betula utilis-dominated, Abies pindrow-dominated, and Acer mixed broadleaf) of Indian west Himalaya. Total litterfall (t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) ranged between 2.6–3.6 and 2.1–2.6 for pristine and degraded stands, respectively. Whereas total litterfall decrease from pristine to degraded stand was about 25–30% in B. utilis and Acer mixed-broadleaf forests, the level of disturbance did not affect total litterfall in A. pindrow (coniferous) forest. Nutrient (N, P, and K) concentrations in litter components of the forests studied also varied across forest types and disturbance intensities. For pristine stands, among all the forests, return of total nutrients via litterfall was higher. The study revealed that patterns of litterfall and nutrient return in the forests studied were sensitive to intensity of disturbance, although sensitivity varied among forest types and nutrient contents. Increased intensity of disturbance greatly affected the total annual amount of nutrient return in broadleaf forests. Maximum impact was recorded in B. utilis forest with a significant decline in nutrient return from pristine to degraded stands (i.e. 64% for N, 38% for P, and 67% for K). Corresponding values for decline in Acer mixed forest were 17, 13, and 33% for N, P, and K, respectively, whereas in A. Pindrow forest N return was 15% higher and P return was 33% lower. This study indicates that the litterfall and litter nutrient concentrations in these forests are sensitive to the intensity of disturbance, which affects the amount of nutrient return. This will have a strong bearing on forest nutrient cycling.     

Effects of enhanced nitrogen deposition on foliar chemistry and physiological processes of forest trees at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine

Effects of enhanced nitrogen deposition on nutrient foliar concentrations and net photosynthesis of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh) and red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) were evaluated at the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine (BBWM). The BBWM is a paired-watershed forest ecosystem study with one watershed treated since 1989 with bimonthly dry ammonium sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) additions at a rate of 25.2 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, while the other watershed serves as a reference. The (NH₄)₂SO₄ treatment resulted in significant increases in foliar N concentrations for all three species and significant reductions in foliar Ca, Mg and Zn concentrations for American beech and red spruce. Treatment effects on foliar concentrations of other nutrients were not significant in any species. Despite higher N concentrations in all species, only treated sugar maple showed significantly higher photosynthetic rates. The non-response in net photosynthesis to higher foliar N in American beech and red spruce might be attributed to their low foliar Ca and/or Mg concentrations. Higher net photosynthetic rates in sugar maple might be explained by the higher foliar N and by the ability of this species to maintain an adequate Ca and Mg supply. Results suggested that nutrient imbalances due to inadequate supply of Ca and Mg might have counteracted a potential increase in net photosynthesis induced by higher N concentrations in American beech and red spruce.     

Stocks and dynamics of soil organic carbon and coarse woody debris in three managed and unmanaged temperate forests

The effect of forest conservation on the organic carbon (C) stock of temperate forest soils is hardly investigated. Coarse woody debris (CWD) represents an important C reservoir in unmanaged forests and potential source of C input to soils. Here, we compared aboveground CWD and soil C stocks at the stand level of three unmanaged and three adjacent managed forests in different geological and climatic regions of Bavaria, Germany. CWD accumulated over 40–100 years and yielded C stocks of 11 Mg C ha^?1 in the unmanaged spruce forest and 23 and 30 Mg C ha^?1 in the two unmanaged beech–oak forests. C stocks of the organic layer were smaller in the beech–oak forests (8 and 19 Mg C ha^?1) and greater in the spruce forest (36 Mg C ha^?1) than the C stock of CWD. Elevated aboveground CWD stocks did not coincide with greater C stocks in the organic layers and the mineral soils of the unmanaged forests. However, radiocarbon signatures of the O _e and O _a horizons differed among unmanaged and managed beech–oak forests. We attributed these differences to partly faster turnover of organic C, stimulated by greater CWD input in the unmanaged forest. Alternatively, the slower turnover of organic C in the managed forests resulted from lower litter quality following thinning or different tree species composition. Radiocarbon signatures of water-extractable dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the top mineral soils point to CWD as potent DOC source. Our results suggest that 40–100 years of forest protection is too short to generate significant changes in C stocks and radiocarbon signatures of forest soils at the stand level.     

Thirteen-year monitoring of liming and PK fertilization effects on tree vitality in Norway spruce and European beech stands

The chemical fertility of the forest soils in the Belgian Ardenne is threatened by acidifying and eutrophying deposition and by the nutrient removal due to timber harvesting. Experiments were launched to evaluate the ability of liming and fertilization to improve foliar nutrition, maintain or restore crown condition and promote tree growth. In 1995, 10 liming and fertilization trials were installed in even-aged stands of European beech (5) and Norway spruce (5) distributed throughout the Ardenne. In each stand, two treatments were tested: liming with 3,000 kg ha⁻¹ of dolomitic limestone and liming plus fertilization with 0 to 800 kg ha⁻¹ of rock phosphate and 0 to 350 kg ha⁻¹ of K₂SO₄. Between 1995 and 2006, the foliar Ca and Mg status of spruce and beech trees improved in the limed stands, which limited significantly but did not prevent the decline in crown condition triggered by the summer drought in 2003. For spruce, liming also increased the increment in basal area. The additional fertilization increased the foliar nutrition in P but had no significant effects on soil chemistry and tree vitality.