Nitrogen availability in Norway spruce forest floor — the effect of forest defoliation induced by bark beetle infestation

We measured in situ mineral N availability using ion exchange resin bags, net N mineralization, and N concentrations in microbial biomass in soils of control and infested (bark beetle) plots in the Bohemian Forest. The forest defoliation after the bark beetle attack resulted in a higher N availability and increased net N mineralization rates in soils due to a rapid decomposition of litter with low C:N ratios.