We observed a high degree of variability in foliar elements among years in mature eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), but a time series of foliar elements in this species is unknown (to my knowledge), so any trends that may exist are difficult to explain. Norway spruce may be the best comparison, and has been extensively studied. If you know of particular manuscripts that show elemental concentrations in Norway spruce needles across years, please send me the references. Thank you.
I cannot list many specific publications as the subject is not the focus of my current research, but I will give a couple of author's names that you can search:
Helja-Sisko Helmisaari (she has published on this subject but if I remember correctly mostly on Scots pine. For example: Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research - SCAND J FOREST RES. 01/1990; 5(1):177-193. )
Leena Finér's early publications may have useful data in their appendixes, but I am not totally sure whether in addition to needle age classes sampling was repeated across years or not. For example: Finér, L. 1989. Biomass and nutrient cycle in fertilized and unfertilized pine, mixed birch and pine and spruce stands on a drained mire. Acta Forestalia Fennica 208: 1–63. might have useful data in the very extensive appendixes. I have used these data in my own work: Aphalo, P.J., Schoettle, A.W. & Lehto T. 2002. Leaf lifespan and the mobility of non-mobile’’ mineral nutrients – the case of boron in conifers. Silva Fennica 36(3): 671–680, which you may also find of interest.
A. Wyttenbach has several papers on Norway spruce, but those which I am familiar with are mostly comparisons of age classes, although they are very interesting because they also include micronutrients.
I hope this helps to some extent.
Thank you Pedro. Yes, that is helpful and I will be looking up some of these!
Kathryn
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