Recovery of Scots pine ecosystems in eastern Germany from long-term acid and alkaline dust deposition : Forest Ecosystem Restoration

2000

S. 235-240

2 Abb., 2 Tab., 7 Lit.

Unselbständiges Werk

200072966

To investigate the effects of high and long-term pollution with SO2 and alkaline dust, we studied the water and element budgets of three 40- to 60-year-old Scots pine stands along a deposition gradient since 1993. A further objective was to study the reaction of these differently impacted sites to drastic reductions in deposition rates after German unification. With respect to these reductions in emissions the project can be seen as "roof experiment without a roof". The sites show clear differences in soil chemistry that can be attributed to the deposition history. Especially for Ca and S, large amounts stemming from high atmospheric inputs over decades are stored in the soil at Roesa and to a lower extent at Taura. The two main storage compartments are the organic surface layer and the lower mineral soil horizon (Bw.) After the reduction of atmogenic input loads, large amounts of these "historic" stores are released and leached from the soils. The results of our study underline that elevated levels of SO4¬® (and Ca¬) concentrations in the soil solution may persist long after deposition decreases.