Growth and foliar nutrient status of black spruce and tamarack in relation to depth of water table in some Alberta peatlands

Foliar nutrient status and growth rates of black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and tamarack (Larixlaricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) were assessed at 21 peatland locations where the water table was affected by roadbed construction. On one side of the road the peatland may have been drained while the other side may have been flooded or unaffected by the road. For both black spruce and tamarack, concentrations of foliar N and S, needle length, and periodic annual increment in basal area were positively correlated with depth to water table. Analysis of pairs of sites (from each side of the road) showed that trees from the site with greater depth to water table had higher concentrations of foliar N and S and greater basal area increment. Foliar concentration of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Al, and Fe were not correlated with depth to water table or growth rate.