Spatial variability in nutrient deposition under an oak/beech canopy

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Abstract
Nutrient deposition in throughfall and stemflow were measured on a two‐weekly basis in an oak/beech forest in the eastern part of the Netherlands. The large number of sampling points (11 throughfall and 8 stemflow collectors) enabled an analysis of the spatial variability in ion deposition.Spatial variability of ion depositions in throughfall revealed wide variation both between dissolved constituents as between seasons for single dissolved constituents. On a two weekly basis coefficients of variation ranged from 20–72% with highest values generally occurring for ortho‐P and H and during spring. In contrast coefficients of variation based upon annual deposition totals ranged from 9–31%. Ion depositions in stemflow showed a much higher spatial variability with coefficients of variation for annual totals ranging from 46–115% with highest values again reported for ortho‐P and H.The results on the ion‐depositions in throughfall are summarized in a scheme in which for a given dissolved constituent and a desired accuracy interval, the needed number of sampling points is indicated.