A comparison of forest soils exhibiting various degrees of nitrogen availability: Do tree species matter and which nutrients are limiting in nitrogen rich environments

Regions downwind of industrial and agricultural pollution receive high amounts of nitrogen (N) deposition. Some forested regions now exhibit symptoms on N saturation, which is N availability in excess of biotic demand. This assumption and the evidence that trees alter soil is the basis of my research. My thesis consists of three parts: Testing the association between tree species and soil properties: Can larger-scale patterns be found under individual trees? Phosphomonesterase activity in violets (Viola rotundifolia) found in watersheds exhibiting varying levels of nitrogen availability: What lies beyond nitrogen saturation? Nutrient limitation in soils exhibiting differing nitrogen availabilities: A greenhouse- and field-Tree species are associated with soil fertility based assessment.