Nitrogen cycling in Pinus sylvestris stands exposed to different nitrogen inputs

The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of high nitrogen (N) inputs on N cycling in a 35 - 45-yr-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest. Nitrogen was added annually (single doses) as NH4NO3 in doses of 0 (N0), 30 (N1) and 90 (N2) kg N ha(-1) yr(-1). The only N input to the N0 plots was atmospheric deposition of 10 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1). The N cycle in these plots was tight, with almost complete retention of the incoming N. In the N1 plots the N retention was 83% after 9 yrs of N addition. The trees were the major sink, but the soil also contributed to the N retention. In the N2 plots the N retention was 63%, being mainly accounted for by accumulation in the soil. The leaching of N from the N2 stands was as high as 35 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1). The N2 system was N saturated.