We explored how N,
S, P, Ca, K, Mg, Zn and Mn concentrations in percolation water (PW) and organic
layer (OL) are reflected in the respective element concentrations in Scots pine
and Norway spruce current needles. For both tree species, N and Ca had the
highest covariation ( R _adj² = 0.73) between nutrient
concentrations in the OL and in the needles. Mean N, S, P, K, Zn and Mn
concentrations in PW significantly explained the variation in the respective
needle concentrations on the spruce plots, and of K, Zn, and Mn in PW on the
pine plots. The annual variation in needle element concentrations did not
account for the respective variation in PW. Our results suggest that plant
metabolism regulates the nutrient concentrations in the current needles more
strongly in pine than in spruce, whereas the supply of soil nutrients is more
clearly reflected in the nutrient concentrations of spruce.