Abstract
Element budgets of a heavily damaged Norway spruce ecosystem at Hohe Matzen in the Fichtel Mountains/FRG were studied over 3 years. The trees show severe symptoms of decline and Mg deficiency. The soil is a typic Dystrochrept derived from granite with sandy texture, high stone content, and low base saturation. The budgets show high releases of N, S and Al from the ecosystem as a result of input, buffering and turnover processes. After an increase of proton fluxes in the organic surface layer, a strong reduction of protons in the B horizon was found. This process was accompanied by the release of Al, whereas reactive Al(OH)3 was exhausted in the A horizon. The low ANC is also shown in pH-stat.-titrations. The data indicate a strong mineralisation in the humus layer, which results in a net release of NH4, SO4 and TOC. Nitrification takes place mainly in the A horizon. With respect to the N-budget, the ecosystem is approaching the state of N saturation. The processes of N turnover lead to an internal proton production exceeding the atmospheric input, and thus contributing to soil acidification.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams J A 1986 Nitrification and ammonification in acid forest litter and humus as affected by peptone and ammonium-N amendment. Soil Biol. Biochem. 18, 45–51.
AG Bodenkunde 1982 Bodenkundliche Kartieranleitung. Hannover. 331 p.
FBW (Forschungsbeirat Waldschäden/Luftverunreinigungen) 1989 Dritter Bericht. Karlsuhe. 611 p.
David M B and Zech W 1990 Adsorption of dissolved organic carbon and sulfate by acid forest soils in the Fichtelgebirge, FRB. Z. Pflanzenernaehr. Bodenkd. 153, 379–384.
Glatzel G 1989 Internal proton generation in forest ecosystems as influenced by historic land-use and modern forestry. In Internationaler Kongress Waldschadens-forschung: Wissensstand und Perspektiven. Ed. B Ulrich. Vol. I, pp 335–349. Friedrichschafen, 2.-6.10.1989.
Gobran G R and Nilsson S I 1988 Effects of forest floor leachate on sulfate retention in a Spodosol soil. J. Environ. Qual. 17, 235–239.
Gundersen P and Beier C 1988 Aluminium sulphate solubility in acid forest soils in Denmark. Water Air Soil Pollut. 39, 247–261.
Gundersen P and Rasmussen L 1990 Nitrification in forest soils: Effects from nitrogen deposition on soil acidification and aluminium release. Rev. Envrion. Contam. Toxicol. 113, 1–45.
Hantschel R 1987 Wasser-under Elementbilanz von geschädigten, gedüngten Fichtenökosystemen im Fichtelgebirge unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der physikalischen und chemischen Bodenheterogenität. Bayreuther Bodenkundl. Ber. 3. 219 p.
Hauhs M and Wright R F 1986 Regional pattern of acid deposition and forest decline along a cross section through Europe. Water Air Soil Pollut. 31, 463–474.
Hüttl R F 1991 Die Nährelementversorgung geschädigter Wälder in Europa und Nordamerika. Freiburger Bodenkundl. Abh. 28. 440 p.
Kaupenjohann M 1989 Chemischer Bodenzustand und Nährelementversorgung NO-Bayerischer Fichtenbestände. Bayreuther Bodenkundl. Ber. 9. 202 p.
Kaupenjohann M, Schneider B U, Hantschel R, Zech W and Horn R 1988 Sulfuric acid rain treatment of Picea abies (Karst. L.): Effects on nutrient solution, throughfall chemistry, and tree nutrition. Z. Pflazenernaehr. Bodenkd. 151, 123–126.
Killham K 1990 Nitrification in coniferous forest soils. Plant and Soil 128, 31–44.
Kreutzer K 1991 The effect of management on the degree of nitrogen saturation in forest ecosystems. In Effects of Forest-Management on the Nitrogen-Cycle with Respect to Changing Environmental Conditions. Eds. R Hantschel and F Beese. pp 165–182. GSF-Bericht 43/91.
Liu J C 1988 Ernährungskundliche Auswertung von diagnostischen Düngunsversuchen in Fichtenbeständen (Picea abies Karst.) Südwestdeutschlands. Friburger Bodenkundl. Abh. 21, 193 p.
Mälkönen E 1990 Estimation of nitrogen saturation on the basis of long-term fertilization experiments. Plant and Soil 128, 75–82.
Malanchuk J L and Nilsson J (Eds.) 1989 The role of nitrogen in the acidifiction of soils and surface waters. Nordic Council of Ministers. Kopenhagen, Denmark. NORD 1992:92.
Marschner H 1989: Effect of soil acidification on root growth, nutrient and water uptake. In Internationaler Kongress Waldschadensforschung: Wissensstand und Perspektiven. Ed. B Ulrich. Vol. I, pp 381–401. Friedrichshafen, 2.-6.10.1989.
Matzner E 1988 Stoffumsatz zweier Waldökosysteme im Solling. Berichte des Forschungszentrums Waldökosysteme/Waldsterben, A 40, 1–217.
Matzner E 1991 Report of the Rapporteur. In Effects of Forest-Management on the Nitrogen-Cycle with Respect to Changing Environmental Conditions. Eds. R Hantschel and F Beese. pp 25–28. GSF-Bericht 43/91.
Meyer F H 1985 Einfluß des Stickstoff-Faktors auf den Mykorrhizabesatz von Fichtensämlingen im Humus einer Waldschadensfläche. Allgem. Forstzeitschr. 9/10, 208–219.
Mulder J, van Grinsven J J M and van Breemen N 1987 Impacts of acid atmospheric deposition on woodland soils in the Netherlands. III. Aluminium chemistry. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 51, 1640–1646.
Nilsson S I and Bergkvist B 1983 Aluminium chemistry and acidification processes in a shallow Podzol on the Swedish westcoast. Water Air Soil Pollut 20, 311–329.
Nilsson J 1988 Critical loads for sulphur and nitrogen. In Air Pollution and Ecosystems. Ed. P Mathy. pp 85–91. D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
Nilsson SI, Berdén M and Popovic B 1988 Experimental work related to nitrogen deposition, nitrification and soil acidification — a case study. Environ. Pollut. 54, 233–248.
Oren R and Schulze E-D 1989 Nutritional disharmony and forest decline: A conceptual model. In Forest Decline and Air Pollution. Eds. E-D Schulze, O L Lange and R Oren. pp 425–443. Ecological Studies Vol. 77. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Schaaf W 1992 Elementbilanz eines stark geschädigten Fichtenökosystems und deren Beeinflussung durch neuartige basische Magnesiumdünger. Bayreuther Bodenkundl. Ber. 23, 169 p.
Schaaf W 1991 Fallstudie Hohe Matzen: Düngung mit Magnesit und Magnesium-hydroxid unterschiedlicher Löslichkeit. In Magnesiummangel in mitteleuropäischen Waldökosystemen. Eds. G Glazel et al. pp 142–151. Forstl. Schriftenreihe Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Band 5.
Schaaf W, Kaupenjohann M und Zech W 1991 Nitrogen output of declining Norway spruce stands in NE Bavaria. In Effects of Forest-Management on the Nitrogen-Cycle with Respect to Changing Environmental Conditions. Eds. R Hantschel and F Beese. pp 152–156. GSF-Bericht 43/91.
Schaaf W and Zech W 1991 Einfluß unterschiedlicher Löslichkeit von Düngern. Allgem. Forst-zeitschr. 15, 766–768.
Schulze E-D, Hantschel R, Werk K S and Horn R 1989 Water relations of two Norway spruce stands at different stages of decline. In Forest Decline and Air Pollution. Eds. E-D Schulze, O L Lang and R Oren. pp 341–351. Ecological Studies Vol. 77. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Simon B, Feger K-H und Zöttl H W 1989 Mikrobielle N-und S-Umsetzungen im Auflagehumus und oberen Mineralboden von Schwarzwaldböden. In Immissionbelastung des Waldes und seiner Böden — Gefahr für die Gewässer? Ed. H-M Brechtel. pp 157–165. DVWK-Mitteilungen 17.
Tietema A, Duysings J J H M, Verstraten J M and Westerveld J W 1990 Estimation of actual nitrification rates in an acid forest soil. In Nutrient Cycling in Terrestrial Ecosystems. Eds. A F Harrison, P Ineson and O W Heal. pp 190–197. Elsevier, London.
Türk T 1992 Die Untersuchung der Wasser- und Stoffedynamik in zwei unterschiedlich geschädigten, bewaldeten Einzugsgebieten im Fichtelgebirge. Bayreuther Bodenkundl. Ber. 22, 203 p.
Ulrich B 1983 Interactions of forest canopies with atmospheric constituents. SO2, alkali and earth alkali cations and chloride. In Effects of Accumulation of Air Pollutants in Forest Ecosystems. Eds. B Ulrich and J Pankrath. pp 33–45. D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
Ulrich B 1989 Effects of acid precipation on forest ecosystems in Europe. In Acid Precipitation, Vol. 2: Biological and Ecological Effects. Eds. D C Adriano and A H Johnson. pp 189–272. Springer-Verlag, New York.
Van Breemen N 1991 Nitrogen losses to ground water from forest soils in natural systems and as influenced by human factors. In Effects of Forest-Management on the Nitrogen-Cycle with Respect to Changing Environmental Conditions. Eds. R Hantschel and F Beese. pp 139–147. GSF-Bericht 43/91.
Vonk J W, Barug D and Bosma T N P 1988 Fate of mineral nitrogen in acid heathland and forest soils. In Air Pollution and Ecosystems. Ed. P Mathy. pp 835–840. D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
Whitehead D C, Dibb H and Hartley R D 1983 Bound phenolic compounds in water extracts of soils, plant roots and leaf litter. Soil Biol. Biochem. 15, 133–136.
Zöttl H W 1990 Remarks on the effects of nitrogen deposition to forest ecosystems. Plant and Soil 128, 83–89.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schaaf, W., Zech, W. Element turnover in a heavily damaged Norway spruce ecosystem influenced by N deposition. Plant Soil 152, 277–285 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029098
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029098