AN ESTIMATE OF THE ‘COST’ OF NUTRIENT LEACHING FROM FOREST CANOPIES BY RAIN

Abstract

Inorganic and organic substances are leached from forest canopies by rain. Estimates have been made of the percentage of net carbon assimilation associated with providing energy for both uptake and assimilation of substances leached from the canopy by rain. While leaching of nutrients from the canopy is a very significant component of nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems, it appears from the present calculations that it is generally only a minor factor in the energy (C) cycle. Energy losses associated with increased leaching as a result of rain acidification will probably cause only small reductions in forest productivity, unless they are the result of specific nutrient deficiencies. Copyright © 1986, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved