NUTRIENT FLUXES IN PRECIPITATION,THROUGHFALL, AND STEMFLOW IN AN OAK-HICKORY FOREST1 |
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Authors: | G. L. Rolfe M. A. Akhtar L. E. Arnold |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT: Nutrient fluxes in precipitation, throughfall, and stemflow were studied in an oak-hickory forest in southern Illinois for a three-year period beginning in 1973. Nutrient inputs in these water related pathways were approximately one-half those of litterfall; a major nutrient return mechanism. Considering these water carried nutrients (116 kg/ha/yr), 38% was contributed by precipitation, 35% by throughfall and approximately 27% by stemflow. Although the total nutrient input is only one-half that of litterfall, the net impact on short-term nutrient requirements is considerable because of their immediate availability. Nutrient inputs in litter represent a delayed return mechanism because of the relatively slow decomposition process. |
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Keywords: | precipitation throughfall stemflow nitrogen phosphorus nutrients nutrient cycles |
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