Ecological developments during Holocene age and high atmospheric depositions since industrialization have changed the N dynamics of temperate forest ecosystems. A number of different parameters are used to indicate whether the forests are N‐saturated or not, most common among them is the occurrence of nitrates in the seepage water below the rooting zone. The use of different definitions to describe N saturation implies that th...

A network of long‐term monitoring sites on nitrogen (N) input and output of forests across Germany showed that a number of Germany's forests are subject to or are experiencing N saturation and that spruce ( Picea abies ) stands have high risk. Our study was aimed at (1) quantifying the changes in gross rates of microbial N cycling and retention processes in forest soils along an N enrichment gradient and (2) relating the chang...