Sampling and analysis protocols and project description for the Integrated Forest Study

Abstract

The principal objective of the Integrated Forest Study is to determine the effects of atmospheric deposition of major ions on forest nutrient cycling. The research has been conducted at forested sites in the northwestern, northeastern, and southeastern United States and in Canada and Norway. The sites selected for this study represent a range of conditions in climate, air quality, soils, and vegetation, which will facilitate testing hypotheses about the effects of atmospheric deposition on forest nutrient cycles. Research in the Integrated Forest Study is divided into two major sections: atmospheric deposition and forest nutrient dynamics. To assure comparability among data sets collected at each site, we developed a common set of protocols, which are described in detail in this report. 31 refs., 12 figs., 9 tabs.