Plant Biol (Stuttg) 1999; 1(4): 471-481
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-978541
Original Papers

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Nitrogen Deposition: Results of a Temporal-Spatial Analysis of Deciduous Forests in South Sweden

M. Diekmann1 , J. Brunet2 , Å. Rühling3 , U. Falkengren-Grerup3
  • 1Department of Mathematics, Natural and Computer sciences, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden and Department of Plant Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • 2Department of Conservation Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
  • 3Plant Ecology, Lund University, Ecology Building, Lund, Sweden
Further Information

Publication History

1998

1999

Publication Date:
19 April 2007 (online)

Abstract

We studied permanent plots in deciduous forests in two provinces of South Sweden, Skåne (127 plots) and Småland (116 plots). Vegetation data were sampled in 1983 and 1993 and used to calculate weighted averages of Ellenberg indicator values for light, reaction (pH) and nitrogen. Soil samples were collected from all plots in 1993 for determination of pH, organic matter content and potential net nitrogen mineralization (minN). Data on minN were also available for 66 plots in Skåne from 1983. Nitrogen deposition is considerably higher in Skåne than in Småland. The same holds true for total minN, minNH4 +, minNO3 -, and the proportion of total minN due to nitrate (nitrification ratio). According to the comparison of average Ellenberg indicator values between 1983 and 1993, the stands had become darker (not in the heavily managed plots), more acid and nitrogen rich, except at the most acid sites where only minor changes could be observed. The nitrification ratio was significantly higher in 1993 than in 1983. Mean soil nitrification ratios were determined for the most common species in both regions. The means were higher in Skåne than in Småland. It is likely that nitrogen deposition causes an increase in nitrification rate and nitrification ratio. This ratio is a significant determinant of the species composition in deciduous forests.