Photosynthesis,nutrient, growth and soil investigations of a declining Norway spruce (Picea abies) stand in the coastal region of Northern Germany

The research site, Wingst Compartment 123B, is a 68-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (Karst.)) stand located in the coastal area of northern Germany. This area receives high atmospheric inputs of ammonium and also has relatively high ozone concentrations (0.061 mg m⁻³).Ten trees were categorized as healthy to slightly damaged (3–29% needle loss) or severely damaged (49–71% needle loss). Apparent net photosynthetic rates were measured on detached branches at light saturation (1000 μE m⁻² s⁻¹). Needles were analyzed for chlorophyll, N, C, Ca, Mg, K, Zn, Mn and Fe.When compared to the healthy-to-slightly-damaged trees, the severely damaged trees tended to have higher rates of net apparent photosynthesis in the 1 and 2-year-old needles and similar rates in the current-year needles. All three needle ages from the severely damaged trees had higher average stomatal conductances to water vapor (g_s. Although the damaged trees had significantly less total chlorophyll in all needle ages sampled, there was no statistically significant difference in the chlorophyll a:b ratio between the healthy and severely damaged trees.Nitrogen contents of the current-year needles were slightly lower in the severely damaged trees. Carbon and calcium levels did not significantly differ between the damage classes, although the average Ca content of all younger needles was generally under the recommended sufficiency levels. The current-year needles of the severely damaged trees had significantly less magnesium (0.42–0.46 mg Mg g⁻¹) than those of the healthy trees, and all trees had Mg values in the deficiency range (< 0.7 mg g⁻¹). The severely damaged trees also had lower average potassium levels in the older needles.The annual volume increment per unit crown surface area declined with increasing crown damage. Trees with a 50% needle loss showed a 62% loss of volume increment.Soil investigations revealed conditions of high soil acidity and poor nutrient capacity. The low pH values (pH < 3.8) in 64% of all samples indicated a high risk of acid toxicity for plant roots in the investigated area.The significance of these results relative to the current ideas concerning forest decline is discussed.