This study compared the variability in nitrogen (N) export as a function of (i) vegetation types, (ii) soil types, and (iii) both vegetation and soil types using the least square estimation method for two coastal-forested watersheds in southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Nitrogen exports estimated using both vegetation and soil types were found to be more accurate than those estimated by either vegetation or soil types alone. Results showed that forested wetlands had the highest N exports ranging from 0.16 to 0.98kgha −1 year −1 for ammonium-N (NH 4 -N), from 0.27 to 2.95kgha −1 year −1 for nitrate-N (NO 3 -N) and from 3.48 to 5.61kgha −1 year −1 for total N (TN). Young forests had the lowest N exports ranging from 0.03 to 0.74kgha −1 year −1 for NH 4 -N, from 0.01 to 0.21kgha −1 year −1 for NO 3 -N and from 0.57 to 1.03kgha −1 year −1 for TN. Duric Dystric Brunisols had the highest N exports, 2.78kgha −1 year −1 of TN and Orthic Ferro-Humic Podzols had the lowest, 1.54kgha −1 year −1 of TN. A Hoerl curve described the response of N export rates to the change of forest ages well. Average TN export decreased from 4.00kgha −1 year −1 for forest regeneration to 0.75kgha −1 year −1 for young forests and then increased from 1.28kgha −1 year −1 for mature forests to 1.74kgha −1 year −1 for old-growth forests. Using watershed protection, as an example, that will eventually convert all the current forests into old-growth forests, an even area distribution of forest ages from regeneration to mature will reduce N export from forested lands to streams by up to 37% in Sooke Lake watershed.