Possible mitigation of nitrate losses associated with clearcuts through harvesting smaller gaps was tested in a high-elevation forest of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.). We measured concentrations of ammonium and nitrate after 6-week buried bag incubations of forest floor and mineral soil samples in replicated plots of uncut forest and gaps of 10, 1.0, and 0.1 ha and single-tree removal for 7 years after harvest. Nitrate concentrations in forest floor and mineral soil were elevated 3–7 years after harvesting in gaps of 0.1 ha and larger. Removal of the same proportion of trees as single trees did not result in increased nitrate concentrations, suggesting that nitrate losses could be reduced by harvesting single trees rather than creating gaps. Greater N availability was not associated with faster rates of decomposition of litter and forest floor, which were similar in gaps of all sizes (0–10 ha). Reciprocal transplant of forest floor and soil from the 10-ha gaps and the uncut forests indicated that changes in the nature of the forest floor or soil following harvest had a greater influence on nitrate concentrations than the changes in environmental conditions in the gaps.

The rate of mass loss of three standard substrates (pine needle litter, aspen leaf litter, and forest floor material) was measured in forests and adjacent clearcuts at 21 sites throughout British Columbia, to test the hypotheses that (i) rates of mass loss are greater in clearcuts than in forests and (ii) clear-cutting would stimulate decomposition most in colder zones. Mass loss ranged from 53 to 75% after four years in pine needles, 49 to 70% after 3 years in aspen leaves, and 11 to 20% after 4 years in forest floor material. Mass loss from pine needles was significantly slower in clearcuts throughout the 4-year incubation. Aspen leaf litter and forest floor material lost mass at similar rates in forests and clearcuts. The effect of clear-cutting did not vary between relatively cold and warm sites. The effect of clear-cutting was not related to the size of the clearcuts, which ranged from 1 to 97 ha.

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Cedar–hemlock forests on Vancouver Island are primarily nitrogen limited and characterized by an under story dominated by the ericaceous shrub salal (Gaultheria shallon Pursh.). In 1984, an experiment was established on regenerating cedar–hemlock forests to determine the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus (N + P) fertilization and vegetation control on conifer growth. It was hypothesized that these treatments would not only stimulate tree growth, but also improve nutrient supply, stand productivity, and site quality. To test this hypothesis, tree height growth, canopy closure, salal biomass, foliar and forest floor N and P concentrations, and seedling growth on forest floor were measured 10–13 years after treatment. Both salal control and fertilization increased tree growth and canopy cover, and reduced salal biomass. However, only fertilized plots showed changes in site quality measurable 10–13 years following N + P application. Hemlock foliar P concentrations, forest floor total N and P levels, and hemlock height increments were higher in these plots. Forest floors from the fertilized plots also supported greater growth of conifer seedlings. These results suggest that sustained changes to site quality may be achieved with N + P fertilization of cedar–hemlock forests.