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Effect of stand composition and season on chemistry of throughfall and stemflow of ponderosa pine forests

Journal Article · · For. Sci.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6940349

A 3-year study was conducted in the Arizona ponderosa pine forest to determine the influence of several forest stand conditions on input and cycling of seven major nutrients by precipitation, throughfall, and stemflow. Timber stand conditions studied included dense 54-year old saplings and small poles, large poles, and thinned large poles. Stand conditions significantly influenced both the concentration and amount of nutrients transferred in throughfall and stemflow. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen and NO/sub 3/-N were absorbed from incident rainfall by sapling and small pole stands while throughfall of all stands gained in Ca, Mg, and K. Gain of Ca and Mg in throughfall was greatest in large pole stands. Concentration of stemflow nutrients was greatest for large pole stands, but amount of stemflow nutrients was greatest in sapling and small pole stands. The pattern for amount of nutrients transferred was strongly seasonal with the largest amount delivered in midsummer, probably by leaching from leaves and bark. The seasonal pattern for concentration of nutrients was less regular than for amount of nutrients and more strongly affected by dry fallout.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Arizona, Tucson
OSTI ID:
6940349
Journal Information:
For. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: For. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 29:4; ISSN FOSCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English