However, we saw no significant difference in C:N ratios between pasture and broadleaf plantations or between conifer and broadleaf plantations, though the difference between vegetation types in the Broadleaf–Conifer pairs was almost significant (P = 0.0505). The depth-dependent relationship present in the Broadleaf– Conifer plots but not in the Pasture–Broadleaf plots, while unusual, may have to do with the fact that on average the forest stands in Broadleaf–Conifer plots were older (mean Broadleaf age = 27 years, mean Conifer age = 28 years), whereas the mean age of Broadleaf stands in the Pasture–Broadleaf plantations was 18 years. We speculate that the greater stratification of carbon and nitrogen may be due to processes operating over the greater length of time since forest establishment