Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of acidic precipitation, fertilization and liming on the ground vegetation in coniferous forests of southern Germany

  • Special Section
  • Effects of Air Pollution on Forest Soils
  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Repeated vegetation surveys in non-fertilized Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands with virtually constant light regimes show an increase in species number over the last 2 to 4 decades. More nitrophilic, but acid-tolerant species (e.g. Deschampsia flexuosa) have expanded mainly on loamy soils. Positive changes have also been observed with bryophytes, being indicators of better humus forms (e.g. Polytrichum attenuatum). An average decrease of cover or constancy was detected for two dwarf shrubs (Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and some epigeic lichens. The vegetation changes were compared with N fertilizer effects. Recovery processes after abandonment of litter removal (or grazing) and increased N-deposition are taken to be the main reasons for this change.

The effects of simulated H2SO4 rain and liming on ground vegetation of an N-“saturated” Norway spruce (Picea abies) stand have been analyzed since the summer of 1983. The herb species Oxalis acetosella on the control plots showed very limited growth, which was removed by liming. Simulated H2SO4 rain (pH 2.7 to 2.8) further impaired the Ca-nutrition and growth of Oxalis and lethally damaged dominant moss species (e.g. Thuidium tamariscinum). Only a few acid-tolerant bryophytes e. g. Lophocolea heterophylla, Hypnum cupressiforme) utilized the vacated niches and increased their frequency. Liming was able to moderate or delay the acid rain effects and resulted in a slow colonization by vascular species, which are indicators of higher pH-values and increased nitrification.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrahamsen, G., Björ, K., Horntvedt, R. and Tveite, B.: 1976, SNSF-Project, Oslo, Research report 6, 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baum, U.,: 1979, Forstw. Cbl. 98, 245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bäuml, S.,: 1989, “Pflanzensoziologische Untersuchungen in Oberpfälzer Kiefernbeständen unter dem Aspekt depositionsbedingter Veränderungen”, Diplomarbeit, Univ. of Munich.

  • Böcker, R., Kowarik, I., Bornkamm, R.: 1983, Verh. Ges. Ökol. XI., 35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg, H.: 1979, Scripta Geobotanica 9, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellenberg, H. jun.: 1985, Schweiz. Z. Forstwes. 136, 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foerster, W.: 1990, Forstl. Forschungsber. München 105, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folkeson, L.: 1984, Ambio 13, 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gigon, A. and Rorison, J. H. 1972, Journ. Ecol. 60, 93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerhardt, K. and Kellner, O. 1986, Medd. fran Växtbiol. Inst. 1, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, A. G. and Gorham, E. 1963, Can. J. Bot. 41, 1063.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hertel, H.: 1989, “Vegetationskundliche Untersuchungen an der Wald-vegetation des Forstamtsbezirks Waldsassen und seiner Umgebung unter dem Aspekt zeitlicher Veränderungen zwischen 1946 und 1987 und immissionsbedingter Einflüsse”, Diplomarbeit, Univ. of Munich

  • Högberg, P., Granström, A., Johansson, T., Lundmark-Thelin, A. and Näsholm, T.: 1986, Canad. J. of Forest Research 16, 1165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, G.: 1972, Beitr. Forstwirtsch. 4, 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, G., Heinsdorf, D. and Krauss, H. H.: 1990, Beitr. Forstwirtsch. 24, 59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hueser, R. and Rehfuess, K.-E.: 1988, Forstl. Forschungsber. München 86, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, T. C., Dixon, M. and Scott, M.: 1986, Water, Air and Soil Pollution 31, 409.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jahn, G.: 1980, “Ökologische Artengruppen”, in Arbeitskreis Standortskartierung in der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Forsteinrichtung, Forstliche Standortsaufnahme, Landwirtschaftsverlag, Münster-Hiltrup, pp. 116–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kools, J. P. and Ehrenburg, A.: 1988, “Changes in vascular plant vegetation over the past decades”, in N. van Breemen, W. F. J. Visser and Th. Pape (eds.), Biogeochemistry of an oak-woodland ecosystem in the Netherlands affected by acid atmospheric deposition, Pudoc, Wageningen, pp. 41–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreutzer, K., Reiter, H., Schierl, R. and Göttlein, A.: 1989, Water, Air and Soil Pollution 48, 111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreutzer, K. and Schmidt, A.: 1975, Forstw. Cbl. 94, 301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, N., Amiet, R. and Hufschmid, N.: 1987, Allg. Forst- u. J. Ztg. 158, 77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liljelund, L.-E. and Torstensson, P.: 1988, “Critical load of nitrogen with regards to effects on plant composition”, in J. Nilsson and P. Grennfelt (eds.), Critical loads for sulphur and nitrogen, Nordic Council of Ministers Miljorapport, Copenhagen 15, pp. 363–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Makeschin, F., Francke, S., Rehfuess, K.-E. and Rodenkirchen, H.: 1985,: Der Forst- u. Holzwirt, 40, 499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson, H.: 1981, Vegetatio 46, 181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preising, E.: 1950, “Überblick über die Wald- und Forstgesellschaften im Forstamtsbezirk Waldsassen und seiner Umgebung”, Zentralstelle für Vegetationskartierung Stolzenau, 1.

  • Preuhsler, T. and Rehfuess, K.-E.: 1982, Forstw. Cbl. 101, 388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodenkirchen, H. 1982, Forstl. Forschungsber. München 53, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodenkirchen, H. 1984, Zeitschr. Pflanzenernähr. u. Bodenk. 147, 6, 716.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodenkirchen, H. 1986, Forstw. Cbl. 105, 338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodenkirchen, H. 1990, Proc. XIX IUFRO World Congress 1, 419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodenkirchen, H. 1991 a, Forstwiss. Forsch. 38, (In press)

  • Rodenkirchen, H. 1991 b, Mitt. d. Dt. Bodenk. Ges., (In press)

  • Rodenkirchen, H. and Forster, E.: 1991, Forstwiss. Forsch. 38, (In press)

  • Roelofs, J. G. M.: 1986, Experentia 42, 372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sauter, U.: 1991, Forstw. Cbl. 110, (In press)

  • Seibert, P.: 1980, “Verband Dicrano-Pinion Libb. 33, ein.”, Manuscript.

  • Steubing, L. and Buchwald, K.: 1989, Natur und Landschaft 64, 100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tüxen, R. and Ellenberg, H.: 1937, Mitt. flor.-soz. Arbeitsgem. Niedersachsen 3, 171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, G.: 1987, Flora 179, 165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiger, H.: 1986, Forstl. Forschungsber. 76, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm, R.: 1990, “Ein vegetationskundlicher, produktionsökologischer und nährstoffanalytischer Zeitvergleich zwischen 1977 und 1987 auf einem Meliorationsversuch zu Kiefer in der Oberpfalz”, Diplomarbeit, Univ. of Munich

  • Wilmanns, O., Bogenrieder, A. and Müller, W. H.: 1986, Natur und Landschaft 61, 415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wirth, V. and Fuchs, M.: 1980, Schriftenr. Natursch. und Landschaftspfl. 12, 29.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Soil Science, University of Munich, Amalienstr. 52, D-8000, München 40, Federal Republic of Germany

    H. Rodenkirchen

Authors
  1. H. Rodenkirchen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Dedicated to Prof. Dr. P. Seibert on the occasion of his 70th birthday

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rodenkirchen, H. Effects of acidic precipitation, fertilization and liming on the ground vegetation in coniferous forests of southern Germany. Water Air Soil Pollut 61, 279–294 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00482611

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00482611

Keywords

Search

Navigation