Concentration of Nitrogen in a Forested Headwater Stream in Japan

Authors: Sakura Yoshii, Kana Sekiguchi, Akihiro Iijima

Abstract:

The balance between nitrogen loading and runoff in the forested headwater streams of the Kanna River was estimated to elucidate the current status of nitrogen saturation in a forested watershed. NO3-N concentration in the study area was far higher than the average value in Japan. Estimated nitrogen runoff accounted for 55–57% of nitrogen loading; suggesting that the forest-s nitrogen retention capacity is most likely in decline. Since the 1970s, Japan-s forestry industry has been declining due to the decrease in lumber demand and increase in cheap imported materials. Thus, this decline will contribute significantly to further reducing nitrogen saturation in forest ecosystems.

Keywords: Dissolved inorganic nitrogen species, Forest management, Nitrogen Saturation, Watershed.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1082131

References:

[1] M. Yoh, E. Konohira, and K. Yagi, "Regional distribution of natural stream nitrate in central Japan," Water Air Soil Pollut., vol. 130, pp. 655-660, 2001.
[2] Z. Zhang, T. Fukushima, P. Shi, F. Tao, Y. Onda, T. Gomi, S. Mizugaki, Y. Asano, K. Kosugi, S. Hiramatsu, H. Kitahara, K. Kuraji, T. Terajima, and K. Matsushige, "Seasonal changes of nitrate concentrations in baseflow headwaters of coniferous forest in Japan: A significant indicator for N saturation," Catena, vol. 76, pp. 63-69, 2008.
[3] Z. Zhang, T. Fukushima, P. Shi, F. Tao, Y. Onda, T. Gomi, S. Mizugaki, Y. Asano, K. Kosugi, S. Hiramatsu, H. Kitahara, K. Kuraji, T. Terajima, and K. Matsuhige, "Baseflow concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in forested headwaters in Japan," Sci. Tot. Environ., vol. 402, pp. 113-122, 2008.
[4] P. M. Vitousek and R.W. Howarth, "Nitrogen limitation on land and in the sea: How can it occur?" Biogeochemistry, vol. 13, pp. 87-115, 1991.
[5] W. T. Peterjohn, M. B. Adams, and F. S. Gilliam, "Symptoms of nitrogen saturation in two central Appalachian hardwood forest ecosystems," Biogeochemistry, vol. 35, pp. 507-522, 1996.
[6] J. D. Aber, K. J. Nadelhoffer, P. Steudler, and J. M. Mellilo, "Nitrogen saturation in northern forest ecosystems," Bioscience, vol. 38, pp. 378-386, 1989.
[7] K. Hasegawa and S. Kobatake, "Characteristics of nitrate concentration of headwater streams located in the northwest of Tokyo Metropolitan Area," J. Jpn. For. Soc., vol. 88, pp. 534-540, 2006.
[8] G. K. Phoenix, W. K. Hicks, S. Cinderby, J. C. I. Kuylenstierna, W. D. Stock, F. J. Dentener, K. E. Giller, A. T. Austin, R. B. Lefroy, B. S. Gimeno, M. R. Ashmoress, and P. Ineson, "Atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the world biodiversity hotspots: the need for a greater global perspective in assessing N deposition impacts," Global Change Biology, vol. 12, pp. 1-7, 2006.
[9] J. N. Galloway, J. D. Aber, J. W. Erisman, S. P. Seitzinger, R. W. Howarth, E. B. Cowling, and B. J. Cosby, "The nitrogen cascade," Bioscience, vol. 53, pp. 341-356, 2003.
[10] M. Watanabe, Newsletter of National Institute for Environmental Studies, vol. 27, Ibaraki, Tsukuba: National Institute for Environmental Studies, 2008, pp. 6-8.
[11] K. Kumagai, H. Tago, A. Iijima, K. Kozawa, and K. Sakamoto, "Chemical composition and seasonal characteristics of fine particles in the plain and mountain are of Gunma," J. Jpn. Soc. Atmos. Environ., vol. 45, pp. 10-20.
[12] T. Aoi, "Nitrogen pollution in the upper basin of Tone river without artificial sources," Global Environ. Res., vol. 15, pp. 145-152, 2010.
[13] K. Itadera, "Estimation of evapotranspiration amount in Hakone Sengokubara district, Kanagawa Prefecture," Annu. Rep. of Hot Springs Res. Inst. of Kanagawa Pref., vol. 37, pp. 51-56, 2005.
[14] R. Hatano, T. Nagumo, H. Hata, and K. Kuramochi, "Impact of nitrogen cycling on stream water quality in a basin associated with forest, grassland, and animal husbandry, Hokkaido, Japan," Ecol. Eng., vol. 24, pp. 509-515, 2005.
[15] Forestry Agency, Japan, Annual Report on Forest and Forestry in Japan (FY 2011), Minato-ku, Tokyo: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, 2012.