No abstract

This study tests relationships between, on the one hand, field‐saturated infiltration rate into the uppermost sloping soil layer (Kfsi and field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity in soil horizons (Kfsh) and, on the other hand, in situ determined macropore sizes in soil profile descriptions. It was carried out at six locations along a transect on a slope with loamy soils. The macropores were classified into representative size indices based on pore diameters (Ptd) and pore areas (Pta). A strong relationship was found between Kfsi and Pta, and between Kfsh and Ptd. The approach is promising and the methodology could be further developed with the aim of generalizing the functional relationships, so that Kfs can be estimated in areas where soil survey databases contain information on pore size abundance but lack Kfs values.

The input of acidity to Swedish forest soils through forestry between 1955 and 2010 is compared with the acid input from atmospheric deposition. Depending on region, input of acidity from forestry was the minor part (25–45%) of the study period’s accumulated acid input but is now the dominating source (140–270 molc ha−1 year−1). The net uptake of cations due to the increase in standing forest biomass, ranged between 35 and 45% of the forestry related input of acidity while whole-tree harvesting, introduced in the late 1990s, contributed only marginally (< 2%). The geographical gradient in acid input is reflected in the proportion of acidified soils in Sweden but edaphic properties contribute to variations in acidification sensitivity. It is important to consider the acid input due to increases in standing forest biomass in acidification assessments since it is long-term and quantitatively important.