Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Concept of Forest Ecosystem Stability and of Acid Deposition as Driving Force for Destabilization

  • Chapter
Effects of Accumulation of Air Pollutants in Forest Ecosystems

Abstract

A theory is proposed which explains the acidification and alcalinization of soils, respectively, as consequence of the discoupling of the ion cycle in the ecosystem. Under the assumption that the ecosystem tends to minimize net proton production or consumption in order to keep the chemical soil state in optimal conditions for growth, the characteristic features of stable forest ecosystems showing high resilience are deduced. A sequence of ecosystem states is described; aggradation phase, stability range I (high resilience), destabilization phase I (humus disintegration), stability range II (low resilience), destabilization phase II (build up of decomposer refuge, podzolization). A continuous input of acidity exceeding the rate of base cation release by silicate weathering within the root zone forces forest ecosystems from the stability ranges into the transition states (destabilization phases). The concept of stress and strain is used to deduce how acid deposition superimposes natural stress factors and may trigger forest damages connected with climatical extremes and pests.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Literature

  1. Rosenquist, I.Th. (1977): Sur jord - surt vann. Ingenioerforlaget A/S, Oslo, 123 p.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ulrich, B. (1980): In T.C. Hutchinson and M. Havas (eds.): Effects of Acid Precipitation on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Plenum Press New York, pp. 255–282.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ulrich, B. (1981): Z.Pflanzenernähr. Bodenk. 144, 647–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Driscoll, Ch.T. (1980): Chemical characterization of some dilute acidified lakes and streams in the Adirondack region of New York State. Ph.D.Thesis Cornell Univ.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Andersson, F.T., T. Fagerström and S.I. Nilsson (1980): see 2., pp. 319–334

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sollins, P., C.C. Grier, F.M. McCarison, K. Cormack and R. Royel (1980): Ecological Monographs 50, 261–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bormann, F.H. and G.E. Likens (1979): Pattern and Process in a forested ecosystem. Springer Verlag New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  8. Ulrich, B., R. Mayer und P.K. Khanna (1979): Schriften Forstl. Fak.,Univ. Göttingen 58, 291 p., Sauerländer Verlag Frankfurt

    Google Scholar 

  9. Matzner, E. und B. Ulrich (1981): Z.Pflanzenernähr.Bodenk. 144, 660–681

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Nye, P.H. and P.B. Tinker (1977): Solute movement in the soil-root system. Blackwell Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  11. Straughan, I.R., A.A. Elseewi and A.L. Page (1981): An over-view of acid deposition and its impacts on soils. Paper given at the Conference on Heavy metals in the environment, Amsterdam, Sept. 1981

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ulrich, B. (1981): Forstarchiv 52, 165–170

    Google Scholar 

  13. Alexander, M. (1961): Introduction to soil microbiology. Wiley New York

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ellenberg, H. (1978): Vegetation Mitteleuropas mit den Alpen. Ulmer Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ulrich, B. (1980): Forstwiss.Centralbl. 99,376–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Scheffer, F. und B. Ulrich (1960): Morphologie, Biologie, Chemie und Dynamik des Humus. Enke Verlag Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  17. Ulrich, B. (1981): Forstwiss.Centralbl. 100, 228–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Cole, D.W. (1958): Soil Sci.85, 293–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Hetsch, W., F. Beese und B. Ulrich (1979): Z.Pflanzenernahr. Bodenk. 142, 69–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Crawford, R.L. (1981): Lignin biodegradation and transformation. Wiley New York

    Google Scholar 

  21. Swift, M.J., O.W. Heal and J.M. Anderson (1979): Decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Blackwell Oxford, chapter 4.3.3

    Google Scholar 

  22. Gimmingham, C.A. (1972): Ecology of heathlands. Chapmann and Hall London

    Google Scholar 

  23. Matzner, E. and B. Ulrich (1980): Z. Pflanzenernähr.Bodenk. 143, 666–678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Wiedemann, E. (1923): Zuwachsrückgang und Wuchsstockungen der Fichte. Laux Tharandt

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kraus, G., F. Müller, G. Gärtner und H. Schanz (1939): Thar.Forstl.Jahrb. 20, 483–709

    Google Scholar 

  26. Ulrich, B., R. Mayer and P.K. Khanna (1980): Soil Sci. 130, 193–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Levitt, J. (1980): Responses of plants to environmental stresses. II. Water, radiation, salt and other stresses. Academic Press New York

    Google Scholar 

  28. Lunderstädt, J. (1980): Z.Pflanzenernähr.Bodenk. 143,412–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Wallace, A. (1982): Soil Sci. 133, 319–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Mayer, R. und H. Heinrichs (1981): Z.Pflanzenernähr.Bodenk. 144, 637–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Schütt, P. (1981): Forstwiss.Centralbl. 100, 174–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Blaschke, H. (1981): Forstwiss.Centralbl. 100, 190–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Brill, H., E. Bock und J. Bauch (1981): Forstwiss.Centralbl. 100, 195–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Bazzigher, G. und P.Schmidt (1969): Schweiz.Zeitschr.f. Forstwesen 120, Nr. 10

    Google Scholar 

  35. Matzner, E., P.K. Khanna, K.J. Meiwes, M. Lindheim, J. Prenzel und B. Ulrich (1982): Elementflüsse in Waldökosystemen im Soiling - Datendokumentation. Göttinger Bodenkundl.Ber.71, 1–267

    Google Scholar 

  36. Jacobsen, J.S. (1980): see 2., pp. 151–160

    Google Scholar 

  37. Spedding, D.J., I. Ziegler, R. Hampp and H. Ziegler (1980): Z.Pflanzenphysiol. 96 351–364

    Google Scholar 

  38. Cates, R.G. (1980): Oecologia 46, pp. 22–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Haukioja, E. (1980): Oikos 35, pp. 202–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Schoonhoven, L.M. (1982): Ent.exp. & appl. 31, pp. 57–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Bodenkunde und Waldernährung der Universität, D-3400, Göttingen, Büsgenweg 2, Germany

    B. Ulrich

Authors
  1. B. Ulrich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Bodenkunde und Waldernährung der Universität Göttingen, West Germany

    B. Ulrich

  2. Umweltbundesamt, Berlin (West), Germany

    J. Pankrath

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 D. Reidel Publishing Company

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ulrich, B. (1983). A Concept of Forest Ecosystem Stability and of Acid Deposition as Driving Force for Destabilization. In: Ulrich, B., Pankrath, J. (eds) Effects of Accumulation of Air Pollutants in Forest Ecosystems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6983-4_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6983-4_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-6985-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-6983-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation