Role of stormflow in reducing N retention in a suburban forested watershed, western Japan

Abstract

To evaluate the role of stormflow in reducing N retention in forested watersheds, we investigated the inorganic N budget of a Japanese suburban forested watershed for 4 years where the proportion of direct flow to precipitation is considerably high (mean is 33%; range is 25–42%). Soil net N mineralization and net nitrification were also measured at middle and lower positions of a slope within the watershed to evaluate nitrate (NO 3 − ) pool size. Annual mean N deposition via throughfall plus stemflow was 15.5 kg N ha −1 yr −1 (13.6–17.1 kg N ha −1 yr −1 ), which exceeded the threshold value to potentially induce N leaching from forested watersheds. Net nitrification at the middle position was comparable with the lower position. This suggests that the NO 3 − rich area is large, which could be partly caused by comparable soil moisture conditions with the lower position due to rising groundwater levels during storm events. Annual mean N export was 10.4 kg N ha −1 yr −1 (7.8–12.5 kg N ha −1 yr −1 ), and subsequent N retention was distinctly low 33% (12–53%). Stormflow accounted for more than 80% of total annual N export. Furthermore, N retention was lower (12 and 27%) in years with higher proportions of direct flow than in years with lower proportions (36 and 53%). Therefore, stormflow is a significant factor in reducing N retention in forested watersheds. The effect of stormflow observation on the comparison of N budgets in other watersheds with different climate and/or hydrologic conditions is discussed.