Affiliation:
1. University of Forestry
Abstract
An assessment of processes in forest stands requires the monitoring of many parameters. The annual dynamics and composition of precipitation show the impact of atmospheric depositions on ecosystems. Throughfall depositions play a significant role not only in the dynamics of canopy processes but also influence soil conditions through the interception processes and element changes in canopies. The study was carried out in two permanent sample plots located at different altitudes in the Western Stara Planina in Bulgaria. The Petrohan site is a part of the Long-Term Ecological Research Network and is located at 1480 m above sea level. Another site, Barzia, is located 634 m above sea level. The obtained results show a higher concentration of base ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+) and a lower concentration of acidic ions (NH4 -, NO3 -, SO4 2-) at higher altitude. The concentration of toxic lead and cadmium ions were higher at highland ecosystem, which is affected more by anthropogenic influence on a certain extent. The amount of throughfall precipitation was greater in a higher mountainous site than in a lowland. The corresponding levels of most of deposited elements were higher at the Petrohan site than at the Barzia site. pH of throughfall precipitations indicates no risk of acidification of both stand and soils.