Throughfall Chemistry of Persian Maple (Acer velutinim) and Turkish Pine (Pinus brutia) Plantations in East of Mazandaran

Changes in the quality of water reaching forest floor are of the most important consequences of native and exotic tree species plantations for rehabilitating the derelict areas of the Caspian forests. The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition of throughfall in plantations of Persian maple (Acer velutinim Bioss) and Turkish Pine (Pinus brutia Ten) in Darabkola Forest, Sari. The amount of gross rainfall and throughfall were measured using six and twenty plastic collectors, respectively, from May 15, 2012 to 15 March, 2013. To compare the concentration of Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium of the throughfall, four throughfall and rainfall samples were monthly taken from each stand. The results showed that the average of EC in growing season in Persian maple stand (170 µs/cm) was significantly higher than in Turkish pine stand (135 µs/cm) and in rainfall (55 µs/cm). Mean concentration of Potassium (Acer: 6.15, Pine 5.63 mg.l-1), Calcium (Acer: 0.53, Pine: 0.83 mg.l-1) and Magnesium (Acer: 0.59, Pine: 0.55 mg.l-1) were not significantly different between Acer and Pine stands. Mean concentration of potassium and magnesium in Persian maple stand (K: 6.15, Mg: 0.59 mg.l-1) and Turkish pine (K: 5.63, Mg: 0.55 mg.l-1) was significantly higher than the rainfall (K: 0.24, Mg: 0.32 mg.l-1). We concluded that the plantations change the water quality reaching the forest floor. It is needed to examine the effects of all endemic and exotic tree species on chemical composition of throughfall in future studies.