Nutrient Fluxes in Precipitation, Throughfall, and Stemflow in an Oak‐hickory Forest¹

Nutrient fluxes in precipitation, throughfall, and stemflow were studied in an oak‐hickory forest in southern Illinois for a three‐year period beginning in 1973. Nutrient inputs in these water related pathways were approximately one‐half those of litterfall; a major nutrient return mechanism. Considering these water carried nutrients (116 kg/ha/yr), 38% was contributed by precipitation, 35% by throughfall and approximately 27% by stemflow. Although the total nutrient input is only one‐half that of litterfall, the net impact on short‐term nutrient requirements is considerable because of their immediate availability. Nutrient inputs in litter represent a delayed return mechanism because of the relatively slow decomposition process.