Assessment of tree nutrition and identification of key factors/processes affecting its spatial and temporal variation in eastern Canadian forests

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High levels of acidic atmospheric deposition for many decades have had some significant negative impacts on the soil environment on many sites in eastern Canada. As a result, the mineral nutrition of some species is becoming marginally sufficient for good growth and acid soil tolerant species are gaining dominance. Soil acidification can affect soil fertility in two ways: 1. by decreasing the availability of some nutrients primarily through soil leaching and 2. by increasing the solubility of some metals that can reach toxic levels in some soil horizons. The formation of toxic layers of soil could force nutrient demanding and acid sensitive species to restrict their rooting to soil horizons less affected by soil acidification, and in the process, exacerbate the effect of reduced nutrient availability.