Larch litter and nitrogen availability in mixed larch–spruce stands. II. A comparison of larch and spruce litters as a nitrogen source for Sitka spruce seedlings

Abstract

On deep peat sites where available N levels are low, the growth and N status of Sitka spruce are improved when the species is grown in mixed larch–spruce (75/25%) stands. It has been suggested that larch litter mineralizes more readily than other coniferous litters, thereby increasing N availability in mixed stands. However, while larch litter was demonstrated to release N more readily than spruce litter, the amount of N contained in larch litter fall seems too low to be of quantitative importance.