SOIL CARBON AND NITROGEN BUDGET IN SCOTS PINE (PINUS-SYLVESTRIS L) STANDS ALONG AN AIR-POLLUTION GRADIENT IN EASTERN GERMANY

Litterfall, bio- and necromass of the forest floor vegetation, decompo sition of recent organic material soil respiration and humus stocks we re examined in 3 Scots pine stands along an air pollution gradient in eastern Germany. High nitrogen loads and increased pH values due to Ca deposition caused shifts in the vegetation structure, and higher biom ass production of the forest floor vegetation, whereas needle litter p roduction was not impacted. Simultaneously, decomposition rates of the recently harvested forest floor vegetation decreased with increasing pollutant loads, hut needle litter and soil organic matter decompositi on rates did not differ between the sites. Consequently, soil carbon a nd nitrogen stocks increased with increasing pollutant input.