Cycling and status of boron in two forest types in Greece

Abstract

The status and cycling of boron (B) were examined in two forest types in Greece, a maquis and a mountainous fir forest. In the hydrological cycle, in both forest types, the B concentration in the bulk deposition was significantly lower than that in throughfall implying dry deposition. It was also shown that some long-range transfer of B took place in the atmosphere above both forests. The total B in soils was higher in the maquis forest reflecting the chemical composition of the parent material but also the proximity of the maquis forest to the sea. Likewise, the B concentration in the holm oak leaves in the maquis forest was higher than that in the fir needles. These facts affected the B concentrations in the soil solution and fluxes in the hydrological cycle and litterfall of both forests. In soils, the available B correlated significantly with the organic carbon and the ratio of C/N in both forests but not with the total B. The residence time of B in the forest floor was lower in the maquis plot, which means faster cycling. The low temperatures in the mountain fir plot contributed to this fact.