Base Cation Losses from a Coniferous Catchment in Central Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Long-term monitoring of a predominantlyconiferous catchment (PC-1) in central Ontario has enabledmass budgets of base cations to be estimated between 1983and 1998. During this period, sulphur deposition decreasedby approximately 30%, although this region still receivesacid deposition that exceeds the critical load with respectto acidity for forest soils. Between 1983 and 1998 therewas a net loss of 76.3 kg ha-1 Ca and 13.7 kg ha-1Mg from PC-1, and a net retention of K of 55.7 kg ha-1. A net loss of Ca and Mg occurred every year during the studyperiod (except 1986/87 for Mg), although annual losses of Caand Mg have been generally lower in recent years. On anannual basis, net losses of Ca and Mg were extremelyvariable and were strongly related to export of SO4,which in turn appeared to be strongly influenced by climatefactors. Measured losses of Ca and Mg over the 16-yearperiod represented 37% and 59% of their respectiveexchangeable pools measured in the upland soils in 1983.These values probably overestimate base cation losses fromthe upland however, because losses from organic soils in thecatchment were proportionately greater during yearsfollowing El Nino events. There was no change in basal areabetween 1983 and 1998, although there was a shift towardless nutrient-demanding species (white pine, hemlock). Pools of Ca and Mg in tree biomass are approximately doubletheir exchangeable pools in podzols, and so losses from soilmay be offset by changes in forest structure (size,composition) in the short-term (decades). If net losses ofCa and Mg continue due to harvesting and/or acid depositionand estimates of weathering and exchangeable pools arecorrect, then the long-term sustainability of the uplandforest at PC-1 must be in doubt.