IntroductionForest edges have received much attention in ecology andecosystem management, since they represent a transition zonebetween the forest habitat and adjacent ecosystems. Surround-ing areas such as pasture and cropland can trigger changes in thespecies composition and nutrient cycles across edges (Murcia 1995;Ries et al. 2004; Harper et al. 2005). Additionally, differences inmicroclimate occur between the two sides of the edge, which canalso lead to changes in the rate of decomposition and nutrientmobilization (Murcia 1995). Edges are also subjected to the influxof chemical compounds from the atmosphere or via drift fromsurrounding land (Thimonier et al. 1992; Wuyts et al. 2008). There-fore, increased deposition of potentially acidifying and eutrophyingammonium, nitrate and sulphate depositions at the edge has beenreported (Wuyts et al. 2008). Such influences result in differences in