Simulation study of nitrogen supply in boreal forests using model of soil organic matter dynamics ROMUL

Abstract

A set of model simulations was performed to quantify the effects of environmental factors and soil properties on available nitrogen pool and dynamics in European boreal forests. The results of simulation of the effect of soil temperature and moisture show a maximum of available nitrogen in times of optimal soil temperature and moisture. The increasing of nitrogen and ash content in forest litter has also positive influence on a production of available nitrogen in forest soils. If a soil has a well-developed surface organic horizon (forest floor in Moder and Raw humus), then the majority of available nitrogen is produced in the organic layer. The results of this simulation supports the important role played by forest floor in the soil nutrition of boreal forest ecosystems.