Nitrogen deficiency is the primary form of nutrient limitation experienced by vegitation in western Montana. However, an examination of the quantity of available N in soil will not provide a comprehensive view of nutrient limitation status due to the complex nutrient requirements of plant species. Rather an analysis of the ratio of plant available N to plant available phosphorus (P) provides a more precise characterization of the nutrient status of the soil. Limited research has examined the role of natural fire intervals on the stoichiometric relationship between these nutrients in this system. We identified seven clustered sites in wilderness areas that represent stands that have been exposed to fire 0, 1, 2, or 3 or more times in the last 120 years across three wilderness areas in the Inland Northwest. The sites with three or more fires represent a fire return interval similar to what is thought to be natural. Mineral soil samples were collected from each of the seven sites and analyzed for total C, N and P, potentially mineralizable N (PMN), NH4+, NO3- and PO43-. Forest litter and foliage samples were also collected and analyzed for total C, N and P. Discussion of the relationship between fire return interval and soil nutrient stoichiometry follows.
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