Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Acidification Sources In Red Alder And Douglas-Fir Soils -- Importance Of Nitrification, H. Van Miegroet, D. W. Cole

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Precipitation, throughfall, forest floor, and soil leachate samples were monitored continuously in 1981 and 1982 in a N-poor Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] forest and a red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) forest growing adjacently on a glacial soil in western Washington. The purpose of the study was to quantify the relative importance of atmospheric vs. natural sources of H+ input to forest soil acidification, and to determine the role of N transformation processes in the overall H+ balance of soils with different N status. Rainwater samples had an avg pH of 4.7 and annual H+ deposition via precipitation averaged 320 …