Nutritional Status of Major Forest Tree Species in Germany

Inge Dammann,Karl Heinz Mellert,Karl Josef Meiwes,Martin Kohler,Axel Göttlein,Ulrike Talkner,Winfried Riek

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-15734-0_9

Inge Dammann, Karl Heinz Mellert + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15734-0_9

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Abstract

Conclusions about the current nutritional status of trees can be derived based on contents of elements in leaves and needles. This information can also be used as an indicator of the exposure of forest ecosystems to atmospheric pollutants. Chemical foliar analyses are a significant component of the National Forest Soil Inventory in Germany. In this chapter, we evaluated the foliar contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, potassium and lead in four tree species: Norway spruce, Scots pine, European beech as well as pedunculate and sessile oak (pooled together).

Highlights

Element contents and ratios in assimilation organs of trees are an essential component of a comprehensive forest condition diagnosis
Following from the noticeable phenomena found on the National Forest Soil Inventory (NFSI) II plots (Fig. 9.1), the aim of this chapter is to test the following hypotheses: 1. Foliar N contents are related to atmospheric N deposition
The findings at the National Forest Soil Inventory II (NFSI II) plots showed that liming of sites that are sensitive to soil acidification can contribute to sufficient and balanced foliar Mg content of Norway spruce, Scots pine, European beech as well as pedunculate and sessile oak

Summary

Introduction

Element contents and ratios in assimilation organs of trees are an essential component of a comprehensive forest condition diagnosis. While soil chemical properties indicate the nutrient supply, foliar element contents reflect the nutritional status of the tree itself. Chemical foliar analyses are a substantial part of the National Forest Soil Inventory (NFSI) in Germany They reveal the current nutritional status of the forests. More than half of Scots pine and oak and more than a quarter of Norway spruce and European beech plots showed foliar N contents above the normal range. 2. Foliar P contents of European beech are related to the acidification status of the soil and atmospheric N deposition. 6. The nutritional diagnosis for conifers is improved by considering the ratios between foliar element contents of 2- (Scots pine) or 3- (Norway spruce) yearold needles and current-year needles

Foliar Nitrogen Nutrition

Foliar Phosphorus Nutrition of European Beech

Foliar Sulphur Nutrition

Effects of Liming

Effectiveness of Air Quality Control Measures with Respect to Lead

Ratios of Nutrient Contents from Needles of Different Ages (Norway Spruce and Scots Pine)

Findings

Conclusions