Nutrient Dynamics through Water Transports in Natural Deciduous Forests in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province

The amounts and nutrient compositions in precipitation, throughfall, stemflow and soil solution of natural deciduous forests (Quercus variabilis and Q. mongolica) were examined in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. The proportion to gross precipitation was for throughfall, for stem flow, for Ao horizon soil solution, for A horizon soil solution, and $ for B horizon soil solution, respectively. pH and K concentration increased in throughfall and only K concentration increased in stemflow. Canopy leaching appeared to influence these changes. pH, and Ca and Mg concentrations increased significantly in the Ao horizon soil solution, and Ca concentration was higher in the B horizon than in the A horizon. However, there were no significant differences in pH and other nutrient concentrations between A and B horizons. Litter decomposition and leaching from Ao horizon might explain the changes. K, Mg and Cl concentrations in throughfall and soil solution decreased with precipitation. Nutrient contents increased in the transports from precipitation, through throughfall, to Ao horizon soil solution, while they decreased in the transport from A to B horizon soil solution. Stemflow contained less than of total (throughfall plus stemflow) nutrient contents.