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NUTRIENT FLUXES IN PRECIPITATION, THROUGHFALL, AND STEMFLOW IN AN OAK‐HICKORY FOREST 1
Author(s) -
Rolfe G. L.,
Akhtar M. A.,
Arnold L. E.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1978.tb02259.x
Subject(s) - throughfall , stemflow , nutrient , environmental science , precipitation , plant litter , hydrology (agriculture) , litter , nutrient cycle , acid rain , interception , biogeochemical cycle , ecology , soil water , chemistry , soil science , environmental chemistry , geography , geology , biology , meteorology , geotechnical engineering
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.