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The effect of forest type on throughfall deposition and seepage flux: a review

  • Ecosystem Ecology
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Abstract

Converting deciduous forests to coniferous plantations and vice versa causes environmental changes, but till now insight into the overall effect is lacking. This review, based on 38 case studies, aims to find out how coniferous and deciduous forests differ in terms of throughfall (+stemflow) deposition and seepage flux to groundwater. From the comparison of coniferous and deciduous stands at comparable sites, it can be inferred that deciduous forests receive less N and S via throughfall (+stemflow) deposition on the forest floor. In regions with relatively low open field deposition of atmospheric N (<10 kg N ha−1 year−1), lower NH +4 mean throughfall (+stemflow) deposition was, however, reported under conifers compared to deciduous forest, while in regions with high atmospheric N pollution (>10 kg N ha−1 year−1), the opposite could be concluded. The higher the open field deposition of NH +4 , the bigger the difference between the coniferous and deciduous throughfall (+stemflow) deposition. Furthermore, it can be concluded that canopy exchange of K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ is on average higher in deciduous stands. The significantly higher stand deposition flux of N and S in coniferous forests is reflected in a higher soil seepage flux of NO −3 , SO 2−4 , K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Al(III). Considering a subset of papers for which all necessary data were available, a close relationship between throughfall (+stemflow) deposition and seepage was found for N, irrespective of the forest type, while this was not the case for S. This review shows that the higher input flux of N and S in coniferous forests clearly involves a higher seepage of NO −3 and SO 2−4 and accompanying cations K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Al(III) into the groundwater, making this forest type more vulnerable to acidification and eutrophication compared to the deciduous forest type.

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Acknowledgements

The fourth author was granted a postdoctoral fellowship of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). This paper is connected to the activities of the EFI Project Centre CONFOREST.

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  1. Laboratory of Forestry, Ghent University, Geraardsbergse Steenweg 267, 9090, Gontrode (Melle), Belgium

    An De Schrijver, Guy Geudens, Jeroen Staelens, Jan Mertens, Karen Wuyts, Leen Gielis & Kris Verheyen

  2. UMR–TCEM, INRA–Bordeaux, 71 avenue Edouard Bourlaux, 33883, Villenave d’Ornon Cedex, France

    Laurent Augusto

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  1. An De Schrijver
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  2. Guy Geudens
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  3. Laurent Augusto
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Correspondence to An De Schrijver.

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Communicated by Hermann Heilmeier.

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De Schrijver, A., Geudens, G., Augusto, L. et al. The effect of forest type on throughfall deposition and seepage flux: a review. Oecologia 153, 663–674 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-007-0776-1

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