The effects of clear-cut on net nitrogen mineralization and nitrogen losses in a grey alder stand

The total annual NNM did not intensify in the CC area: in the upper 0-20 cm soil layer the NNM was 169.9 and 157.0 kg ha−1 in the (GAS) and in the CC, respectively. In both cases, the share of nitrification was 100% and NNM intensity was the highest in July. During the snow-melt in April, both in the GAS and in the CC site the leaching of total N was up to 25 kg N month−1, whereas in the rest of study period it was negligible in both sites. Harvesting slightly decreased N2O emission, however, it was low at both study sites (−0.55 to 19.75 and −0.77 to 7.43 kg N2O ha−1 yr−1 in the GAS and the CC, respectively). Management of grey alder stands by traditional silvicultural methods (clear-cuts) did not to increased hazardous N losses through leaching.