ABSTRACT:Nutrient fluxes in precipitation, throughfall, and stemflow were studied in an oak‐hickory forest in southern Illinois for a three‐year period beginning in 1973. Nutrient inputs in these water related pathways were approximately one‐half those of litterfall; a major nutrient return mechanism. Considering these water carried nutrients (116 kg/ha/yr), 38 was contributed by precipitation, 35 by throughfall and approximately 27 by stemflow. Although the total nutrient input is only one‐half that of litterfall, the net impact on short‐term nutrient requirements is considerable because of their immediate availability. Nutrient inputs in litter represent a delayed return mechanism because of the relatively slow decompositio
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