Canopy openness rather than tree species determines atmospheric deposition into forests.

Atmospheric nutrient deposition plays a crucial role in supplying nutrients to forests on poor soils, making it a key factor in maintaining nutrient stocks and forest productivity. We compared total atmospheric deposition in production forests of European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) by measuring bulk deposition and throughfall while accounting for canopy exchange. We assessed the differences in total deposition resulting from forest management practices such as high-thinning, shelterwood and clearcutting, on forest structure for both macronutrients and micronutrients in areas exposed to high nutrient deposition.