Abstract
Nitrogen cycling in two Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) ecosystems in the ARINUS experimental watershed areas Schluchsee and Villingen (Black Forest, SW Germany) and initial effects of a (NH4)2SO4 treatment are discussed. Although N reserves in the soils are similar and atmospheric N input is the same low to moderate level characteristic for many forested areas in SW Germany, N export by both seepage and streamwater differs considerably. At Villingen, deposited N is almost totally retained in the ecosystem, whereas at Schluchsee N export is the order of the input. This is explained by differences in forest management history. The Villingen site had been subject to excessive biomass export (e.g., litter raking) leading to unfavorable microbial transformations in the soil. In contrast, as a ‘relic’ of the former beech stand, the Schluchsee site is characterized by high biological activity in the soil with vigorous nitrification despite low pH values. Accordingly, the two ecosystems responded differently to the additional N input (150 kg NH4 + -N ha−1 as (NH4)2SO4). Nitrification starting immediately in the Schluchsee soils led to continued Al mobilization and leaching of basic cations and NO3 −. The availability of Mg, already deficient before treatment, further decreased due to Mg leaching and marked N uptake by the stand. In contrast, most of the added N in Villingen was immobilized in the soil. Hence, uptake by the stand and leaching of NO3 − and cations was correspondingly lower than at Schluchsee. The results emphasize the problems associated with the definition of generally applicable values for ‘critical loads’ of N deposition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adam, K.; Evers, F.H. and Littek, T.: 1987, KfK/PEF-Berichte 24, 122 p.
Brahmer, G.: 1990, Freiburger Bodenkundl. Abh. 25, 259 p.
Brahmer, G. and Feger, K.H.: 1990, VDI-Bericht 837 (in press).
Büttner, G.; Lamersdorf, N.; Schultz, R. and Ulrich, B.:(1986): Berichte des Forschungszentrums Waldökosysteme/Waldsterben Reihe B 1, 172 p.
Feger, K.H.: 1986, Freiburger Bodenkundl. Abh. 17, 253 p.
Feger, K.H. and Brahmer, G.: 1990, ‘Studies of element budgets in the Black Forest (Germany) on experimental watersheds with different treatments’. In: Hooghart, J.C.; C.W.S. Posthumus and P.M.M. Warmerdam (Eds.): “Hydrological research basins and the environment”, International Conference Wageningen, The Netherlands, 24–28 September, 1990. Proceedings and Information of the TNO Committee on Hydrological Research (The Hague, The Netherlands) 44, pp 207–216.
Feger, K.H., Brahmer, G., and Zöttl, H.W.: 1988, Wasser und Boden 40, 574.
Feger, K.H.; Brahmer, G. and Zöttl, H.W.: 1990a: J. Hydrol. 115, 116.
Feger, K.H.; Brahmer, G. and Zöttl, H.W.: 1990b: Water, Air, Soil Poll. (in press).
Feger, K.H.; Zöttl, H.W. and Brahmer, G.: 1990c, Fertilizer Research (in press).
Ferraz, J.: 1985, Freiburger Bodenkundl. Abh. 14, 224 p.
Führer, H.-W., Brechtel, H.-M, Ernstberger, H., and Erpenbeck, C.: 1988, DVWK-Mitteilungen 14, 142 p.
Hüser, R. and Rehfuess, K.E.: 1988, Forstl. Forschungsber. München 86, 153 p.
Hüttl, R.F.: 1988, ‘Forest decline and nutritional disturbances. Proceedings 18th IUFRO World Congress Ljubljana (Jugoslavia) 7–21 Sept. 1986, Div. 1, Vol. II, 774.
Kreutzer, K.: 1989, DVWK-Mitteilungen 17, 121.
Malcolm, D.C. and Garforth, M.F.: 1977, Plant and Soil 47, 89.
Mies, E.: 1987, Freiburger Bodenkundl. Abh. 18, 247 p.
Munch, D.: 1989, ‘Bioelementinventur und Waldnutzungsgeschichte eines 45jährigen Fichtenbestandes (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) auf Bärhaldegranit im Südschwarzwald’, Diplom Thesis (unpublished), Institute of Soil Science and Forest Nutrition, Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg i.Br., 107 p.
Münch, D.; Feger, K.-H.; Zöttl, H.W.: 1990, AFJZ 161, 210.
Nihlgard, B.: 1985, Ambio 14, 2.
Prietzel, J., Baur, S., and Feger, K.H.: 1989, Mitteilgn. Dtsch. Bodenkundl. Gesellsch. 59/I, 453.
Raspe, S. and Feger, K.H.: 1990, Air Pollution Report Commission of the European Communities (in press).
Raspe, S., Feger, K.H., and Zöttl, H.W.: 1989, Angew. Botanik 63, 145.
Rehfuess, K.E.: 1987, Forestry 60, 1.
Roberts, T.M., Skeffington, R.A., and Blank, L.W.: 1989, Forestry 62, 179.
Roelofs, J.G.M.: Kempers, A.J.; Houdijk, A.L.F.M. and Jansen, J.: 1985, Plant and Soil 84, 45.
Rothfuβ, I.: 1988, ‘Menschlicher Einfluβ auf den Villinger Stadtwald’ Diplom Thesis (unpublished), Institute of Soil Science and Forest Nutrition, Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg i.Br., 137 p.
Schmid, M.: 1988, ‘Oberirdische Biomasse- und Elementvorräte eines 100jährigen Fichtenreinbestandes (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) auf Buntsandstein-Braunerde im Stadtwald Villingen’. Diplom Thesis (unpublished), Institute of Soil Science and Forest Nutrition, Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg i.Br., 151 p.
Skeffington, R.A. and Wilson, E.J.: 1988, Environmental Pollution 54, 159.
Van Breemen, N.; Burrough, P.A.; Velthorst, E.J.; van Dobben, H.F.; Toke de Wit, T.B.; Ridder, T.B. and Reijnders, H.F.R.: 1982, Nature 299, 548.
Zöttl, H.W.: 1964, Cbl. ges. Forstwesen 81, 1.
Zöttl, H.W.: 1988, ‘Remarks on the effects of nitrogen deposition to forest ecosystems’. Proc. Workshop European Science Foundation “Changes in Nitrogen Status in European Forest Ecosystems”, Aberdeen.
Zöttl. H.W.; Feger, K.H. and Brahmer, G.: 1987, KfK/PEF-Berichte 12 (1), 269.
Zöttl, H.W.: Feger, K.H.; Simon, B.: 1989, KfK/PEF-Berichte 55, 119.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Feger, K.H. Nitrogen cycling in two Norway spruce (Picea abies) ecosystems and effects of a (NH4)2SO4 addition. Water Air Soil Pollut 61, 295–307 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00482612
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00482612