Plant biomass, primary production and mineral cycling were studied in a mixed deciduous forest
(Quercus robur L., Tilia cordata L. and Corylus avellana L.) in southern Sweden. Plant biomass
amount above and below ground was 201 and 37 t∙ha−1, respectively. Primary production above
and below ground was an estimated 13.3 and 2.3 t∙ha−1, respectively. Carbon was the dominant
element in the forest ecosystem, comprising 133 t∙ha−1. Other major elements were: N > Ca > K >
Si > Mg > S > Mn > P > Fe and Na (range 1123 to 18 kg∙ha−1), followed by some trace elements.
Yearly litterfall restored 6.0 t∙ha−1 organic matter or 2.3 t∙ha−1 carbon. Approximately 45% decomposed
and returned to the soil during the year. Monitoring of other elements revealed that the
ecosystem received inputs through dry and wet deposition, in particular 34.4 kg∙ha−1 S and 9.4
kg∙ha−1 of N yearly as throughfall. Determination of yearly biomass increase showed that the oak
forest ecosystem was still in an aggradation or accumulation phase.