Large scale impacts of acid deposition on forests and forest soils in the Netherlands

Effects of elevated sulphur and nitrogen deposition on soil solution chemistry are mainly manifested by increased concentrations of toxic aluminium associated with increased concentrations of sulphate and nitrate. Elevated nitrogen deposition also affected the forest nutrient status and caused large changes in forest vegetation. About half of the Dutch forests have foliar nitrogen contents exceeding a critical limit. Field evidence of a relationship between soil acidification and nutrient imbalances in the soil and the foliage on the one hand and the vitality of forests (mainly expressed by defoliation class) on the other hand is, however, lacking