Assessments of impacts of nitrogen deposition on beech forests: results from the Pan-European Monitoring Programme.
The article reviews effects of nitrogen (N) deposition on beech forest ecosystems in Europe. On the basis of beech plots of the Pan-European Monitoring Programme of ICP Forests and the EU, the deposition of N compounds as well as input-output budgets are listed and compared with studies in North America. The authors also discuss the critical threshold for N leaching. At present, N is leached in 10% of the plots evaluated. An in-depth evaluation of a beech plot in central Germany is presented. The high N leaching results in a considerable increase (four times higher N content in 2000 compared to 1965) in the export of nitrate from the beech forests from a nearby source. Finally, ecophysiological indicators (N content in beech leaves, fine root system, N content, root/shoot ratios) are discussed as a result of high N input.
Eichhorn
J
J
Hessen Forst FIV, Münden, Germany. joeichhorn@gmx.de
Haussmann
T
T
Paar
U
U
Reinds
G J
GJ
de Vries
W
W
D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis; D000641:Ammonia / Q000032:analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D029964:Fagus; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry; D005858:Germany; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000737:chemistry; D014197:Trees
D009566:Nitrates; D000641:Ammonia; D000535:Aluminum; D009584:Nitrogen