Inventory and budget of nutrients in managed German forest stands — a method for sustainable nutrient management

Abstract

The biomass production and the nutrient accumulation in trees was measured and calculated in northwest German pine and oak stands for tree compartments and whole stands. Biomass and the nutrient export were modelled for different harvesting procedures. Ca and Mg budgets calculated from fluxes with atmospheric deposition, silicate weathering and seepage output were negative. Ca and Mg export by harvesting is increasing this deficit. For the oak stand the effect of two harvesting intensities are compared with respect to Ca export. The necessity of recompensing measures such as Ca fertilisation is discussed.