Analysis of the climate aridity impact on macronutrient concentration in European beech leaves (Fagus sylvatica L.), using climate indices

The aim of this study is to analyse the affect of climate aridity impact, through to the climate indices - Forest Aridity Index (FAI) and Ellenberg climate quotient (EQ), on the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) content and N/P, N/K ratio in leaves of European beech in Serbia. The analysis of the macroelements concentration in the leaves shows that beech leaves contain: N - 9.82-19.62 mg/g, P - 0.82-1.53 mg/g, K - 4.83-11.11 mg/g. N/P ratio is 8.61-16.39 and N/K ratio 0.95-2.81. FAI index was in a range of values 3.19-7.10, and EQ quotient was in a range of values 15.27-30.24. Based on the research of the macronutrient content in beech leaves and the FAI and EQ at different altitudes, it can be concluded that FAI and EQ were statistically significant correlated with N and P content, and with N/K, respectively. An increase in indices values linearly causes a decrease in the concentration of key macronutrients N and P. The only parameter examined on which warmer and drier climate (through to the FAI and EQ index), did not have a statistically significant effect was the concentration of K.