Evaluation of streamwater composition changes in the Vosges Mountains (NE France): 1955-2005.

In 1995, in the southwestern Vosges Mountains (NE France), 158 of 395 streams (40%) had a pH lower than 5.5 at baseflow. As elsewhere in Europe, acid deposition has decreased since the seventies, as has base cation deposition. In order to assess the response of streamwater to decreasing deposition, we compared their present chemical composition to their former composition. All comparisons showed a decrease in sulphate concentration, which was greater on granite than on sandstone. In addition calcium, magnesium and aluminium concentrations generally decreased. Acidity in streams draining granite decreased in spring, especially during the eighties; decreases were not observed on sandstone. Continuous monitoring of 5 streams since 1998 confirmed that Al concentrations decreased while changes in pH were small. Chemical trends in streams from the Vosges massif fell between those measured in Northern Europe and Central Europe. This study provides the first broad-scale overview of surface water acidification and recovery in France and emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring to assess long-term changes in aquatic ecosystems.

Present forest biodiversity patterns in france related to former Roman agriculture.

Combined archaeological and ecological investigations in a large ancient oak forest in Central France have revealed a dense network of ancient human settlements dating from the Roman period. We demonstrate a strong correlation between present-day forest plant diversity patterns and the location of Roman farm buildings. Plant species richness strongly increases toward the center of the settlements, and the frequency of neutrophilous and nitrogen-demanding species is higher. This pattern is paralleled by an increase in soil pH, available P, and delta(15)N, indicating the long-term impact of former agricultural practices on forest biogeochemical cycles. These extensive observations in a forested region on acid soils complement and confirm previous results from a single Roman settlement on limestone. Ancient Roman agricultural systems are increasingly being identified in contemporary French forests; the broad extent and long-lasting effects of previous cultivation shown in this study require that land-use history be considered as a primary control over biodiversity variations in many forest landscapes, even after millennia of abandonment.

Fate of nitrogen released from 15N-labeled litter in European beech forests.

The decomposition and fate of 15N-labeled beech litter was monitored in three European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests (Aubure, France; Ebrach, Germany; and Collelongo, Italy) for 3 years. Circular plots around single beech trees were isolated from roots of neighboring trees by soil trenching, and annual litterfall was replaced by 15N-labeled litter. Nitrogen was continuously released from the decomposing litter. However, over a 2-year period, this release was balanced by the incorporation of exogenous N. Released N accumulated mainly at the soil surface and in the topsoil. Microbial biomass remained almost constant during the experiment at all sites except for considerably lower values at Ebrach. The 15N enrichment of the microbial biomass increased strongly during the first year and then remained stable. The 15N released from the decomposing litter was rapidly detected in roots and leaves of the beech trees, increasing regularly and linearly over the course of the experiment. The uptake of litter-released 15N by the trees was reduced under conditions that reduced tree growth. Under these conditions, leaves and fine roots were the dominant N sinks, and little N was allocated to other plant parts. By contrast, N uptake and N allocation from leaves to stem and bark tissues increased when tree growth was enhanced. Budgets for 15N showed that 2 to 4% of litter-released N was incorporated into the trees, about 35% remained in the litter and about 50% reached the topsoil.

Decomposition of 15N-labelled beech litter and fate of nitrogen derived from litter in a beech forest.

The decomposition and the fate of 15N- labelled beech litter was monitored in a beech forest (Vosges mountains, France) over 3 years. Circular plots around beech trees were isolated from neighbouring tree roots by soil trenching. After removal of the litter layer, 15N-labelled litter was distributed on the soil. Samples [labelled litter, soil (0-15 cm depths], fine roots, mycorrhizal root tips, leaves) were collected during the subsequent vegetation periods and analysed for total N and 15N concentration. Mass loss of the 15N-labelled litter was estimated using mass loss data from a litterbag experiment set up at the field site. An initial and rapid release of soluble N from the decomposing litter was balanced by the incorporation of exogenous N into the litter. Fungal N accounted for approximately 35% of the N incorporation. Over 2 years, litter N was continuously released and rates of N and mass loss were equivalent, while litter N was preferentially lost during the 3rd year. Released 15N accumulated essentially at the soil surface. 15N from the decomposing litter was rapidly (i.e. in 6 months) detected in roots and beech leaves and its level increased regularly and linearly over the course of the labelling experiment. After 3 years, about 2% of the original litter N had accumulated in the trees. 15N budgets indicated that soluble N was the main source for soil microbial biomass. Nitrogen accumulated in storage compounds was the main source of leaf N, while soil organic N was the main source of mycorrhizal N. Use of 15N-labelled beech litter as decomposing substrate allowed assessment of the fate of litter N in the soil and tree N pools in a beech forest on different time scales.

δ15N of forest soil and understorey vegetation reflect the former agricultural land use.

Since the middle of the 19th century, the area covered by forests in France has doubled. These new forests grow on previous agricultural lands. We have studied the influence of this agricultural history on the 15N abundance of present-day forests planted on farmlands in the Vosges mountains (north-eastern France) between 1898 and 1930. Different types of land use were identified from old cadastres (1814-1836) of 16 farms. Ancient forests adjacent to farmlands were used as controls. Former pastures, meadows, croplands, gardens and ancient forests were compared for soil δ15N (fraction <50 µm and total soil), C/N, P and N content and fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) δ15N. The mean δ15N of soil increased in the order ancient forests (+0.0‰)