Impacts of nitrogen and sulfur deposition on the growth of red spruce and sugar maple in the United States

Abstract

Total nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) deposition in forest systems can have either positive or negative impacts on tree growth. The growth of many forests in North America is limited by N availability. Therefore, N fertilization is often a key component of forest management, and in areas of N deposition, tree growth may be stimulated. However, N additions can sometimes be greater than what trees require and can negatively impact tree health and growth. Systems where atmospheric deposition of N and S is greater than the critical load may be examples of such forest conditions. When critical loads are exceeded, tree health and growth may be compromised both directly and indirectly due to soil nutrient imbalances caused by leaching of base cations from the soil.

Parent Publication

• Moving from status to trends: Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) symposium 2012

Citation

Phelan, Jennifer N.; Sinha, Paramita; Van Houtven, George; Deerhake, Marion; Waite, Randall G.; Rea, Anne W.; Tennant, Ginger M. 2012. Impacts of nitrogen and sulfur deposition on the growth of red spruce and sugar maple in the United States. In: Morin, Randall S.; Liknes, Greg C., comps. Moving from status to trends: Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) symposium 2012; 2012 December 4-6; Baltimore, MD. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-105. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. [CD-ROM]: 367-370.