Impact of tree species on nutrient stocks in the forest floors of a temperate forest ecosystem.

To investigate the effect of silvicultural methods on forest floor C, N and elements stocks an experiment was carried out by sampling the forest floors of a 100-120-years-old species including beech, Norway spruce and mixed beech-spruce at the Solling forest, Germany. While the stocks of carbon and nitrogen in the forest floors of pure beech and spruce were significantly influenced by species specific differences of litter quality (p < 0.001), no significant differences were detected between pure and mixed species stands.

Heavy metal release from different ashes during serial batch tests using water and acid.

Most ashes contain a significant amount of heavy metals and when released from disposed or used ash materials, they can form a major environmental concern for underground waters. The use of water extracts to assess the easily mobilisable content of heavy metals may not provide an appropriate measure. This study describes the patterns of heavy metal release from ash materials in context with results from the German standard extraction method DIN-S4 (DIN 38 414 S4).

Leaching of dissolved organic carbon and carbon dioxide emission after compost application to six nutrient-depleted forest soils.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of compost application on soil respiration and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) output of nutrient-depleted forest soils. An amount of 6.3 kg m(-2) mature compost was applied to the forest floor of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.