Authors:
Markus Hartman, Hannamaria Potila, Tytti Sarjala and Pekka Pietilàˆinen
Book:
After Wise Use – The Future of Peatlands, Proceedings of the 13th International Peat Congress: Peatland Forestry
Keywords:
botanical-residues, humification, nitrogen, temperature-sum
Documentfile:
Hartman et al. 2008: Soil N and humification in three drained peatland
Summary:
The most important nutrient for forest trees is nitrogen (N). Most peat N is in an organic form, which is unavailable for mycorrhizae and tree roots. Only a small fraction of the N pool is mineralised to compounds that are available for uptake by the trees. A sufficient and lasting source of soil N is a prerequisite for timber production. In this study we will present and discuss some aspects of how the soil N availability is reflected in different peat soils and stand characteristics, such as peat decomposition, botanical residues in peat as well as stand volume and growth.