Influence of Former Agricultural Land Use on Net Nitrae Production in Forest Soils

In the absence of external inputs, nitrate is only leached from forest soils if it is produced. Despite extensive research investigating the diverse factors that influence nitrification, no accurate techniques have been developed for predicting nitrification activity based on ecosystem characteristics. Roughly 50% of present forest area in France was under agricultural management in 1850. Findings from analyses indicated that previous cultivation may play a significant role in nitrogen availability in forest soils. Scientists utilized laboratory incubation procedures to compare net production of ammonium and nitrate in soils from formerly manured lands planted with conifers some 70-100 years ago with that for soils in adjacent ancient coniferous forest.