Investigation on the base cation variations in throughfall and litterflow of Acer velutinum in the Caspian forest

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of chemical (calcium, (Ca2+), sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+)) of the canopy and litter leaching of Velvet maple (Acer velutinum Boiss) during a year against those nutrients in rainfall (RF). Measurements were carried out in mixed stands, located in district one offorest research station of Gorgan University, the eastern Caspian forests of Iran. In order to perform the research, three Velvet mapletrees were selected in 0.5 ha stand and throughfall (TF) (405 samples) and litterflow (LF) (243 samples) were sampled after each RF within a year from (2012/02/03) to (2013/02/03). The nutrients amounts in TF, LF and RF as well as monthly nutrient dynamics of TF and LF, were compared using t-test analysis and one way variance analysis at the 95 of confidence level. Results showed that the amounts of K+ and Ca2+ in TF were 134.83 and 0.19 kg ha-1 year-1, respectively, significantly higher than those in RF, however, the amount of Na+ was 52.27 kg ha-1 year-1, significantly lower than RF (p<0.05). Also, amounts of Na+ and Ca2+ in LF were 91.9 and 1.68 kg ha-1 year-1, respectively, significantly lower than those in RF. We found out that nutrient leaching of TF and LF was significantly different in several months. Velvet mapletrees can usefully improve the potassium contained in the soils. In order to select suitable species for afforestation, soil fertility improvement and forest management, we need to know more about leaching process information along with other characteristics of trees.