DISTURBANCE EFFECTS ON NUTRIENT LOSSES FROM PINE BARREN ECOSYSTEMS IN NORTHEASTERN NEW YORK

Oligotrophic Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) Barren ecocsystems with thin, organic soils occupy sandstone pavements in isolated stands in Northeastern New York. Losses of nitrate and phosphate were evaluated following disturbance by the ice storm of 1998 with or without subsequent restoration harvesting. Event-level bulk precipitation was compared with concurrent surface groundwater seep chemistry throughout the summer of 2001. Precipitation nitrate was retained to below detection limits in both undisturbed and disturbed watersheds. Event-level phosphate loss was greater in ice storm impacted sites and greater still following restoration harvesting. This study was supported by the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Program.