Chemical characteristics and temporal variations of nutrients in throughfall and stemflow of three species in Mediterranean holm oak forest

In this study on chemistry of throughfall and stemflow of three dominant species in a Spanish holm oak forest few significant differences were detected in the ion concentrations between Quercus ilex, Arbutus unedo and Phillyrea media. Comparison of annual average concentration of throughfall, stemflow and bulk deposition indicated nitrate and hydrogen uptake by the plants. At the same time, the data show the importance of precipitation as a source of nutrients.