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Precipitation and Streamwater Chemistry in an Undisturbed Forested Watershed in New Hampshire
Author(s) -
Martin C. Wayne
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1936465
Subject(s) - biogeochemistry , deciduous , watershed , experimental forest , precipitation , nutrient , nitrate , hydrology (agriculture) , streams , weathering , environmental science , biogeochemical cycle , cycling , nutrient cycle , ecology , chemistry , environmental chemistry , geology , forestry , geography , biology , computer network , geotechnical engineering , geomorphology , machine learning , meteorology , computer science
Precipitation and streamwater from the Bowl, a watershed in central New Hampshire, were analyzed chemically during 1973 and 1974. The Bowl, covered by a northern hardwood forest with spruce and fir at higher elevations, has never been logged or otherwise disturbed by humans. Calcium, sulfate, and nitrogen ions dominated stream chemistry. The biogeochemistry of the cations seemed to be regulated more by precipitation, soil—water movement, and chemical weathering reactions than by forest succession. Nitrate concentrations remained nearly constant, at °2.5 mg/l throughout the study, with no apparent seasonal fluctuations; in contrast, nitrate concentrations in the stream draining a nearby 55—yr—old forest definitely declined during the growing season. Nitrate budgets indicated a net loss of this important plant nutrient from both watersheds. However, a net accumulation of ammonium was sufficient to give a net increase of total N in both watersheds. These data do not support the hypothesis of Vitousek and Reiners that old—growth forests may reach a point of no net growth and no net uptake of nutrients. Mixed deciduous—coniferous forests in New England, free from human disturbances, may reach an age where they become prone to natural disturbances that create a mosaic of similar—aged group of trees, each group having differing abilities to accumulate nutrients.