Factors affecting release of nitrogen from peat and the effect of nitrogen on tree growth

Nitrogen concentration in peat is an indicator of the peatland's tree growth potential

Peat properties, ground vegetation and the effect of fertilisation were studied on afforested mires with different nutrient levels. The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and iron in peat correlated positively with one another and also with the amount of Carex peat.

This implies that sites rich with nitrogen are less susceptible to leaching of fertiliser phosphorus than nitrogen-poor areas. The results supported the suggestion made in earlier studies that the peat total nitrogen is one possible method to estimate potential production capacity of the site.

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