LAUSR

Concerns are on the rise over the impact of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on forest ecosystems in the tropical and subtropical areas. This study used the conventional rainwater collection method and the ion-exchange resin (IER) method to measure through fall N deposition over time in the Picea abies forests in the Tibet Plateau. The results were compared, and their applicability in determining the atmospheric N deposition was analyzed. The results indicated a strong correlation between the IER method and the conventional method in determining the NH4-N and NO3-N content (R=0.47 and R=0.75, P<0.001). However, the NH4-N content measured with the IER method was generally lower, while the NO3-N was generally higher. The total mineral N deposition in through fall measured with both methods was about the same. Therefore, we can use the IER method instead of the conventional method for determining the total inorganic N deposition in forests at the Tibet Plateau.