Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dissolved carbon and nitrogen losses from forests of the Oregon Cascades over a successional gradient

  • Regular Article
  • Published:
Plant and Soil Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ecologists have long used stream water chemistry records to infer hillslope processes, although a great deal of biogeochemical processing of soil water is known to occur both downslope and in-stream. We report the effects of forest succession on C and N export in the west central Cascades of Oregon, a region of low anthropogenic N input. In a previous study, watersheds with forests of differing ages showed a number of significant differences in stream nutrient export. This study was intended to establish whether differences in stream chemistry were due to variation in N retention by forests of different ages, and thus we measured C and N in lysimeter water draining 12 forest plots, which were categorized into four different stages of successional development. Mean total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) concentrations in deep soil solutions were 2.5 times higher than stream water TDN observed in the previous study, suggesting that denitrification and/or N uptake occurred in the streams or the riparian zone. Although there was a trend for highest soil solution N concentrations in the second youngest (stem exclusion) stage, this trend was significant only for NH4-N. We previously found that streamwater NO3-N concentrations averaged 46% of TDN export and was significantly higher in the young than in the older watersheds, however, soil solution NO3-N concentration averaged 2% of TDN concentration and did not vary with succession. Although NH4-N concentrations were very low (~5 μg L−1) in stream water, NH4-N in lysimeter samples averaged 35% of TDN. While stream water dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations averaged 30% of TDN concentrations, soil solution DON concentrations averaged 64% of TDN concentration; neither varied with succession. Even with sharp differences in both forest floor and mineral soil C:N ratios and C contents among plots, no measure of N export from the forest stands was significantly related to forest floor or mineral soil characteristics. This is most likely because forest floor C:N ratios all greatly exceeded the reported low C:N ratios required to allow significant N leakage. Taken together, these results suggest that riparian dynamics, in-stream processing, or perhaps even the presence of near-stream alders significantly alter concentrations of all N species between the soil solution and stream water.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aber JD, Ollinger SV, Driscoll CT (1997) Modeling nitrogen saturation in forest ecosystems in response to land use and atmospheric deposition. Ecol Modell 101:61–78 doi:10.1016/S0304-3800(97)01953-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agee JK (1993) Fire ecology of pacific northwest forests. Island, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashkenas LR, Johnson SL, Gregory SV, Tank JL, Wollheim WM (2004) A stable isotope tracer study of nitrogen uptake and transformation in an old-growth forest stream. Ecology 85:1725–1739 doi:10.1890/03-0032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernhardt ES, Robert J, Hall O, Likens GE (2002) Whole-system estimates of nitrification and nitrate uptake in streams of the Hubbard Brook experimental forest. Ecosystems (N Y, Print) 5:419–430 doi:10.1007/s10021-002-0179-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernhardt ES, Likens GE, Hall RO, Buso DC, Fisher SG, Burton TM, Meyer JL, McDowell WH, Mayer MS, Bowden WB, Findlay SEG, Macneale KH, Stelzer RS, Lowe WH (2005) Can't see the forest for the stream? In-stream processing and terrestrial nitrogen exports. Bioscience 55:219–230 doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[0219:ACSTFF]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binkley D, Kimmins JP, Feller MC (1982) Water chemistry profiles in an early- and mid-successional forest in coastal British Columbia. Can J For Res 12:240–248

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boulton AJ, Findlay S, Valett HM (1998) The functional significance of the hyporheic zone in streams and rivers. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 29:59–81 doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.29.1.59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns DA (1998) Retention of NO3— in an upland stream environment: a mass balance approach. Biogeochemistry 40:73–96 doi:10.1023/A:1005916102026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cairns MA, Lajtha K (2005) Effects of succession on nitrogen export in the west-central cascades, Oregon. Ecosystems (N Y, Print) 8:583–601 doi:10.1007/s10021-003-0165-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Compton JE, Church MR, Larned ST, Hogsett WE (2003) Nitrogen export from forested watersheds in the Oregon coast range: the role of N2-fixing red alder. Ecosystems (N Y, Print) 6:773–785 doi:10.1007/s10021-002-0207-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Currie WS (1999) The responsive C and N biogeochemistry of the temperate forest floor. Trends Ecol Evol 14:316–320 doi:10.1016/S0169-5347(99)01645-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dise NB, Matzner E, Gundersen P (1998) Synthesis of nitrogen pools and fluxes from European forest ecosystems. Water Air Soil Pollut 105:143–154 doi:10.1023/A:1005068501864

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dodds WK, Lopez AJ, Bowden WB, Gregory S, Grimm NB, Hamilton SK, Hershey AE, Marti E, McDowell WH, Meyer JL, Morrall D, Mulholland PJ, Peterson BJ, Tank JT, Valett HM, Webster JR, Wollheim W (2002) N uptake as a function of concentration in streams. J N Am Benthol Soc 21:206–220 doi:10.2307/1468410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erway MM, Motter K, Baxter K (2001) Quality assurance plan Willamette research station analytical laboratory. Unpublished report. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Corvallis (OR): Western ecology division

  • Franklin JF, Forman RTT (1987) Creating landscape patterns by forest cutting: ecological consequences and principles. Landscape Ecol 1:5–18 doi:10.1007/BF02275261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franklin JF, Dyrness CT (1988) Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodale CL, Aber JD (2001) The long-term effects of land-use history on nitrogen cycling in northern hardwood forests. Ecol Appl 11:253–267 doi:10.1890/1051-0761(2001)011[0253:TLTEOL]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenland D (1994) The Pacific Northwest regional context of the climate of the H.J. Andrews experimental forest long-term ecological research site. Northwest Sci 69:81–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Gundersen P, Emmett BA, Kjønaas OJ, Koopmans CJ, Tietema A (1998) Impact of nitrogen deposition on nitrogen cycling in forests: a synthesis of NITREX data. For Ecol Manage 101:37–56 doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(97)00124-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harmon ME, Cromack K Jr, Smith BG (1987) Coarse woody debris in mixed-conifer forests, Sequoia national park, California. Can J For Res 17:1265–1272 doi:10.1139/x87-196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harmon ME, Sexton J (1996) Guidelines for measurements of woody detritus in forest ecosystems. Publication No. 20. U.S. LTER Network Office: University of Washington, Seattle, WA

    Google Scholar 

  • Harr RD (1981) Some characteristics and consequences of snowmelt during rainfall in western Oregon. J Hydrol (Amst) 53:277–304 doi:10.1016/0022-1694(81)90006-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hedin LO, Armesto JJ, Johnson AH (1995) Patterns of nutrient loss from unpolluted, old-growth temperate forests: evaluation of biogeochemical theory. Ecology 76:493–509 doi:10.2307/1941208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill AR, Labadia CF, Sanmugadas K (1998) Hyporheic zone hydrology and nitrogen dynamics in relation to the streambed topography of a N-rich stream. Biogeochemistry 42:285–310 doi:10.1023/A:1005932528748

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hong B, Swaney DP, Woodbury PB, Weinstein DA (2005) Long-term nitrate export pattern from Hubbard Brook Watershed 6 driven by climatic variation. Water Air Soil Pollut 160:293–326 doi:10.1007/s11270-005-2831-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hornbeck JW, Bailey SW, Buso DC, Shanley JB (1997) Streamwater chemistry and nutrient budgets for forested watersheds in New England: variability and management implications. For Ecol Manage 93:73–89 doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(96)03937-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson RB, Sperry JS, Dawson TE (2000) Root water uptake and transport: using physiological processes in global predictions. Trends Plant Sci 5:482–488 doi:10.1016/S1360-1385(00)01766-0

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • James ME (1977) Rock weathering in the central western Cascades. M.S. thesis. University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson RJ, Raines GL (1995) Major Bedrock Lithologic Units for the PNW. Open File Report 95–680. USDI-USGS

  • Jones JA, Grant GE (1996) Peak flow responses to clear-cutting and roads in small and large Perkins, R.M. 1997. Climatic and physiographic controls on peakflow generation in the western Cascades, Oregon. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR PhD dissertation

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalbitz K, Glaser B, Bol R (2004) Clear-cutting of a Norway spruce stand: implications for controls on the dynamics of dissolved organic matter in the forest floor. Eur J Soil Sci 55:401–413 doi:10.1111/j.1351-0754.2004.00609.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellman L (2004) Nitrate removal in a first-order stream: reconciling laboratory and field measurements. Biogeochemistry 71:89–105 doi:10.1007/s10533-004-4318-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kovářová M, Vacek S (2003) Mountain Norway spruce forests: needle supply and its nutrient content. J. For Sci 49:327–332

    Google Scholar 

  • Koroleff F (1983) Simultaneous oxidation of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds by persulfate. In: Grasshoff K, Eberhardt M & Kremling K (Eds) Methods of Seawater Analysis (pp. 168–169). Weinheimer (FRG): Verlag Chemie

  • Kortelainen P, Saukkonen S, Mattsson T (1997) Leaching of nitrogen from forested catchments in Finland. Global Biogeochem Cycles 11:627–638 doi:10.1029/97GB01961

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lajtha K, Crow S, Yano Y, Kaushal S, Sulzman E, Sollins P, Spears J (2005) Detrital controls on soil solution N and dissolved organic matter in soils: a field experiment. Biogeochemistry 76:261−281 doi:10.1007/s10533-005-5071-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langridge RW (1987) Soil survey of Linn county area, Oregon. US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Legard HA, Meyer LC (1973) Willamette national forest soil resource inventory. USFS Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR

    Google Scholar 

  • Likens GE (2004) Some perspectives on long-term biogeochemical research from the Hubbard Brook ecosystem study. Ecology 85:2355–2362 doi:10.1890/03-0243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Likens GE, Bormann FH (1995) Biogeochemistry of a forested ecosystem. Springer-Verlag, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin CW, Harr RD (1989) Logging of mature Douglas-fir in western Oregon has little effect on nutrient output budgets. Can J For Res 19:35–43 doi:10.1139/x89-005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClain ME, Boyer EW, Dent CL, Gergel SE, Grimm NB, Groffman PM, Hart SC, Harvey JW, Johnston CA, Mayorga E, McDowell WH, Pinay G (2003) Biogeochemical hot spots and hot moments at the interface of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Ecosystems (N Y, Print) 6:301–312 doi:10.1007/s10021-003-0161-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGuire KJ, McDonnell JJ, Weiler M, Kendall C, McGlynn BL, Welker JM, Seibert J (2005) The role of topography on catchment-scale water residence time. Water Resour Res 41:W05002 doi:10.1029/2004WR003657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Means JE, MacMillan PC, Cromack K Jr (1992) Biomass and nutrient content of Douglas-fir logs and other detrital pools in an old-growth forest, Oregon, U.S.A. Can J For Res 22:1536–1546 doi:10.1139/x92-204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Merriam JL, McDowell WH, Tank JL, Wollheim WM, Crenshaw CL, Johnson SL (2002) Characterizing nitrogen dynamics, retention and transport in a tropical rainforest stream using an in situ N-15 addition. Freshw Biol 47:143–160 doi:10.1046/j.1365-2427.2002.00785.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morrison PH, Swanson FJ (1990) Fire history and pattern in a cascade range landscape. General technical. report PNW-GTR-254. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR

    Google Scholar 

  • Motter K (2000) Standard operating procedures for the digestion and analysis of fresh water samples for total nitrogen and total phosphorus. WRS 34A.0. Unpublished report. Corvallis, OR: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Western Ecology Division

  • Mulholland PJ, Tank JL, Sanzone DM, Webster JR, Wollheim WM, Peterson BJ, Meyer JL (2001) Ammonium and nitrate uptake lengths in a small forested stream determined by 15N tracer and short-term nutrient enrichment experiments. Proceedings- International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology 27:1320–1325

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver CD, Larson BC (1990) Forest stand dynamics. McGraw-Hill, Inc., NY, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Parfitt RL, Salt GJ, Hill LF (2002) Clear-cutting reduces nitrate leaching in a pine plantation of high natural N status. For Ecol Manage 170:43–53 doi:10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00760-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piirainen S, Finer L, Mannerkoski H, Starr M (2002) Effects of forest clear-cutting on the carbon and nitrogen fluxes through podzolic soil horizons. Plant Soil 239:301–311 doi:10.1023/A:1015031718162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson BJ, Wollheim WM, Mulholland PJ, Webster JR, Meyer JL, Tank JL, Marti E, Bowden WB, Valett HM, Hershey AE, McDowell WH, Dodds WK, Hamilton SK, Gregory S, Morrall DD (2001) Control of nitrogen export from watersheds by headwater streams. Science 292:86–90 doi:10.1126/science.1056874

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qualls RG (1989) The biogeochemical properties of dissolved organic matter in a hardwood forest ecosystem: their influence on the retention of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon. University of Georgia, Athens PhD dissertation

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS (SAS Institute, Inc. 1989–1996) (1996) Cary, NC, USA

  • Sherrod DR, Smith JG (1989) Preliminary map of upper eocene to holocene volcanic and related rocks of the cascade range, Oregon. Open-File Report 89-14. U.S. Geological Survey, Corvallis, OR

    Google Scholar 

  • SHRD (Sweet Home Ranger District) (1995) South Santiam watershed analysis. Sweet home ranger district, Willamette national forest, USDA Forest Service, Eugene, OR

    Google Scholar 

  • Sollins P, Cline SP, Verhoeven T, Sachs D, Spycher G (1987) Patterns of log decay in old-growth Douglas-fir forests. Can J For Res 17:1585–1595 doi:10.1139/x87-243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) (1998) Carbon/Nitrogen Elemental Analysis. TERA SOP Number 3.01, Version 2.00, Corvallis, OR

    Google Scholar 

  • USFS (1995) Synopsis of the South Santiam watershed analysis. U.S. Forest Service, Willamette National Forest, Sweet Home Ranger District. April 1995

  • USGS (United States Geological Survey) (1992 and 1994) Digital orthophoto quadrangles. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA Web access: www-nmd.usgs.gov/pub/dog_html/standards_dog.html

  • Van Breeman N, Boyer EW, Goodale CL, Jaworski NA, Paaustian K, Seitzinger SP, Lajtha K, Mayer B, Van Dam D, Howarth RW, Nadelhoffer KJ, Eve M, Billen G (2002) Where did all the nitrogen go? Fate of nitrogen inputs to large watersheds in the northeastern USA. Biogeochemistry 57:267–293 doi:10.1023/A:1015775225913

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanderbilt KL, Lajtha K, Swanson FJ (2003) Biogeochemistry of unpolluted forested watersheds in the Oregon cascades: temporal patterns of precipitation and stream nitrogen fluxes. Biogeochemistry 62:87–117 doi:10.1023/A:1021171016945

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Wagner CE (1968) The line intersect method in forest fuel sampling. For Sci 14:20–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitousek PM, Reiners WA (1975) Ecosystem succession and nutrient retention: a hypothesis. Bioscience 25:376–381 doi:10.2307/1297148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warren WG, Olsen PF (1964) A line transect technique for assessing logging waste. For Sci 10:267–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Williard K, Dewalle D, Edwards P (2005) Influence of bedrock geology and tree species composition on stream nitrate concentrations in mid-Appalachian forested watersheds. Water Air Soil Pollut 160:55–76 doi:10.1007/s11270-005-3649-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yano Y, Lajtha K, Sollins P, Caldwell BA (2004) Chemical and seasonal controls on the dynamics of dissolved organic matter in a coniferous old-growth stand in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Biogeochemistry 71:197–223 doi:10.1007/s10533-004-8130-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Many thanks are due to Candace Banners, Tammi Connolly, Susan Crow, Joe Greene, Gail Heine, Steven Jett, Mark Johnson, Kambra Morris, Kathy Motter, Jason Myers, Dana Nagy, Gail Oberst, Lela Rangan, Christine Redmond, Sue Reitel, Cristy Rodriguez, Tamotsu Shiroyama, Allen Solomon, Dave Tingey, and Trevor Wright for their hard work in helping to collect and analyze soil, water and wood samples. Particular praise is due to Jana Compton, Denise Hoffert-Hay, and Ray Seidler for their sampling assistance as well as their endless hours of time spent consulting on this project. Finally, we thank the staffs at the Willamette National Forest Service Sweet Home Ranger District and Cascade Timber Consultants, Inc. for plot access permission and sharing forest stand histories.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA

    Michael A. Cairns & Peter A. Beedlow

  2. Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Kate Lajtha

  3. Watershed Enhancement Strategies, 593 E Street, Independence, OR, 97351, USA

    Michael A. Cairns

Authors
  1. Michael A. Cairns
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kate Lajtha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peter A. Beedlow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael A. Cairns.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Herbert Johannes Kronzucker.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cairns, M.A., Lajtha, K. & Beedlow, P.A. Dissolved carbon and nitrogen losses from forests of the Oregon Cascades over a successional gradient. Plant Soil 318, 185–196 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9828-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-008-9828-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation