Nutrient release capability in Nordic and Baltic forest soils determined by dilute nitric acid extraction – Relationships with indicators for soil quality, pH and sustainable forest management

•Phosphorus (P) pool in 23 forest soils was 0–4 Mg ha−1 by dilute HNO3 extraction.•Soil texture and pH were ambiguous predictors for nutrient release.•In Al-Fe oxide buffered soils base cation loss is not reflected by a clear pH decline.•Soil test methods can predict the ability to recover from P and base cation depletion.•Mapping of soils can aid the monitoring of sustainable biomass harvest and regrowth.