scholarly journals Effects of long-term nitrogen addition on soil respiration and its components in a boreal forest

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guancheng Liu ◽  
Tong Liu ◽  
Guoyong Yan ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Xiaochun Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in boreal forest ecosystems increased gradually with the development of industry and agriculture, but the effects of N input on soil CO2 fluxes in these ecosystems were rarely reported in previous studies. To evaluate the effect of N addition on soil respiration is of great significance for understanding the distribution of soil carbon (C) on the N gradient in forest ecosystems.Results In this study, four treatment levels of N addition (0, 25, 50, 75 kg N ha− 1 yr− 1) were applied to natural Larix gmelinii forest in Greater Khingan Mountains of northeast China. We focused mainly on the dynamics of soil respiration (Rs), heterotrophic respiration (Rh), autotrophic respiration (Ra), microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN) and fine root biomass (FRB) in a growing season. We found that low N addition significant increased Rs, Rh and Ra, but with the increase of N addition, the promotion effect was gradually weakened. Medium N increased the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of Rs and Rh components, while medium N and high N significantly reduced the Q10 of Ra. Ra was positively correlated with FRB; Rh was positively correlated with soil MBC and MBN; and RS was probably driven by Ra from May to July, while by Rh in August and September.Conclusions Long-term N addition alleviated microbial N limitation, promoted soil respiration and accelerated soil C and N cycle in boreal forest ecosystems.

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1451-1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Lu ◽  
F. S. Gilliam ◽  
G. Yu ◽  
L. Li ◽  
Q. Mao ◽  
...  

Abstract. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays a critical role in the carbon (C) cycle of forest soils, and has been recently connected with global increases in nitrogen (N) deposition. Most studies on effects of elevated N deposition on DOC have been carried out in N-limited temperate regions, with far fewer data available from N-rich ecosystems, especially in the context of chronically elevated N deposition. Furthermore, mechanisms for excess N-induced changes of DOC dynamics have been suggested to be different between the two kinds of ecosystems, because of the different ecosystem N status. The purpose of this study was to experimentally examine how long-term N addition affects DOC dynamics below the primary rooting zones (the upper 20 cm soils) in typically N-rich lowland tropical forests. We have a primary assumption that long-term continuous N addition minimally affects DOC concentrations and effluxes in N-rich tropical forests. Experimental N addition was administered at the following levels: 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively. Results showed that seven years of N addition significantly decreased DOC concentrations in soil solution, and chemo-physical controls (solution acidity change and soil sorption) rather than biological controls may mainly account for the decreases, in contrast to other forests. We further found that N addition greatly decreased annual DOC effluxes from the primary rooting zone and increased water-extractable DOC in soils. Our results suggest that long-term N deposition could increase soil C sequestration in the upper soils by decreasing DOC efflux from that layer in N-rich ecosystems, a novel mechanism for continued accumulation of soil C in old-growth forests.


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 3931-3941 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Lu ◽  
F. S. Gilliam ◽  
G. Yu ◽  
L. Li ◽  
Q. Mao ◽  
...  

Abstract. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays a critical role in the carbon (C) cycle of forest soils, and has been recently connected with global increases in nitrogen (N) deposition. Most studies on effects of elevated N deposition on DOC have been carried out in N-limited temperate regions, with far fewer data available from N-rich ecosystems, especially in the context of chronically elevated N deposition. Furthermore, mechanisms for excess N-induced changes of DOC dynamics have been suggested to be different between the two kinds of ecosystems, because of the different ecosystem N status. The purpose of this study was to experimentally examine how long-term N addition affects DOC dynamics below the primary rooting zones (the upper 20 cm soils) in typically N-rich lowland tropical forests. We have a primary assumption that long-term continuous N addition minimally affects DOC concentrations and effluxes in N-rich tropical forests. Experimental N addition was administered at the following levels: 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively. Results showed that seven years of N addition significantly decreased DOC concentrations in soil solution, and chemo-physical controls (solution acidity change and soil sorption) rather than biological controls may mainly account for the decreases, in contrast to other forests. We further found that N addition greatly decreased annual DOC effluxes from the primary rooting zone and increased water-extractable DOC in soils. Our results suggest that long-term N deposition could increase soil C sequestration in the upper soils by decreasing DOC efflux from that layer in N-rich ecosystems, a novel mechanism for continued accumulation of soil C in old-growth forests.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 8359-8391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Deng ◽  
G. Zhou ◽  
J. Liu ◽  
S. Liu ◽  
H. Duan ◽  
...  

Abstract. Global climate change in the real world always exhibited simultaneous changes in multiple factors. Prediction of ecosystem responses to multi-factor global changes in a future world strongly relies on our understanding of their interactions. However, it is still unclear how nitrogen (N) deposition and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] would interactively influence forest floor soil respiration in the subtropical China. We assessed the main and interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and nitrogen addition on soil respiration by growing tree seedlings in ten large open-top chambers under CO2 [ambient CO2 and 700 μmol mol−1] and nitrogen (ambient and 100 kg N ha−1 yr−1) treatments. Soil respiration, soil temperature and soil moisture were measured for 30 months, as well as root biomass and soil organic matter. Results showed that soil respiration displayed strong seasonal patterns with higher values observed in the wet season (April–September) and lower values in the dry season (October–March) in all treatments. Significant exponential relationships between soil respiration rates and soil temperatures, as well as significant linear relationships between soil respiration rates and soil moistures (below 15%) were found. Both CO2 and N treatments significantly affected soil respiration, and there was significant interaction between elevated [CO2] and N addition (p<0.001, p=0.003, and p=0.006, respectively). We also observed that the stimulatory effect of individual elevated [CO2] (about 28% increased) was maintained throughout the experimental period. The positive effect of N addition was found only in 2006 (9.91% increased), and then had been weakened over time. The combined effect of them on soil respiration (about 50% increased) was greater than the impact of either one alone. Mean value of annual soil respiration was 5.24±0.10, 4.47±0.06, 3.62±0.05 and 3.51±0.03 kg CO2 m−2 yr−1 in the chambers exposed to elevated [CO2] and high N deposition (CN), elevated [CO2] and ambient N deposition (CC), ambient [CO2] and high N deposition (NN), and ambient [CO2] and ambient N deposition (CK as a control), respectively. The greater root biomass was obtained in the CN, CC and NN treatments, and higher soil organic matter was observed only in the CN treatment. In conclusion, the combined effect of elevated [CO2] and N addition on soil respiration was apparent interaction. They should be evaluated in combination in subtropical forest ecosystems in China where the atmospheric CO2 and N deposition have been increasing simultaneously and remarkably.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 315-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Deng ◽  
G. Zhou ◽  
J. Liu ◽  
S. Liu ◽  
H. Duan ◽  
...  

Abstract. Global climate change in the real world always exhibits simultaneous changes in multiple factors. Prediction of ecosystem responses to multi-factor global changes in a future world strongly relies on our understanding of their interactions. However, it is still unclear how nitrogen (N) deposition and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] would interactively influence forest floor soil respiration in subtropical China. We assessed the main and interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and N addition on soil respiration by growing tree seedlings in ten large open-top chambers under CO2 (ambient CO2 and 700 μmol mol−1) and nitrogen (ambient and 100 kg N ha−1 yr−1) treatments. Soil respiration, soil temperature and soil moisture were measured for 30 months, as well as above-ground biomass, root biomass and soil organic matter (SOM). Results showed that soil respiration displayed strong seasonal patterns with higher values observed in the wet season (April–September) and lower values in the dry season (October–March) in all treatments. Significant exponential relationships between soil respiration rates and soil temperatures, as well as significant linear relationships between soil respiration rates and soil moistures (below 15%) were found. Both CO2 and N treatments significantly affected soil respiration, and there was significant interaction between elevated [CO2] and N addition (p<0.001, p=0.003, and p=0.006, respectively). We also observed that the stimulatory effect of individual elevated [CO2] (about 29% increased) was maintained throughout the experimental period. The positive effect of N addition was found only in 2006 (8.17% increased), and then had been weakened over time. Their combined effect on soil respiration (about 50% increased) was greater than the impact of either one alone. Mean value of annual soil respiration was 5.32 ± 0.08, 4.54 ± 0.10, 3.56 ± 0.03 and 3.53 ± 0.03 kg CO2 m−2 yr−1 in the chambers exposed to elevated [CO2] and high N deposition (CN), elevated [CO2] and ambient N deposition (CC), ambient [CO2] and high N deposition (NN), and ambient [CO2] and ambient N deposition (CK as a control), respectively. Greater above-ground biomass and root biomass was obtained in the CN, CC and NN treatments, and higher soil organic matter was observed only in the CN treatment. In conclusion, the combined effect of elevated [CO2] and N addition on soil respiration was apparent interaction. They should be evaluated in combination in subtropical forest ecosystems in China where the atmospheric CO2 and N deposition have been increasing simultaneously and remarkably.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Taylor ◽  
Victoria Janes-Bassett ◽  
Gareth Phoenix ◽  
Ben Keane ◽  
Iain Hartley ◽  
...  

&lt;p&gt;In ecosystems where nitrogen (N) limits plant productivity, N deposition can stimulate plant growth, and consequently, promote carbon (C) sequestration by increasing input of detrital C and other forms of plant C to the soil. However, other forms of nutrient limitation such as phosphorus (P) limitation and N-P co-limitation are widespread and may increase in prevalence with N deposition. Our understanding of how terrestrial ecosystem C, N and P cycling may be affected by N deposition when N is not the sole limiting resource is fairly limited. In this work, we investigate the consequences of enhanced N addition on C, N and P cycling in grasslands that exhibit contrasting forms of nutrient limitation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We do so by collecting data from a long-term nutrient manipulation experiment on two N-P co-limited grasslands; an acidic grassland of stronger N-limitation and a calcareous grassland of stronger P limitation, and integrating this into a mechanistic C, N and P cycling model (N14CP). To simulate the experimental grasslands and explore the role of P access mechanisms in determining ecosystem state, we allowed P access to vary, and compared the outputs to plant-soil C, N and P data. Combinations of organic P access and inorganic P availability most closely representing data were used to simulate the grasslands and quantify their temporal response to nutrient manipulation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The modelled grasslands showed contrasting responses to simulated N deposition. In the acidic grassland, N addition greatly increased C stocks by stimulating biomass productivity, but the same N treatments reduced the organic C pool in the calcareous grassland. Nitrogen deposition exacerbated P limitation in the calcareous grassland by reducing the size of the bioavailable P pool to plants, reducing biomass input to the soil C pool. Plant acquisition of organic P played an important role in determining the nutrient conditions of the grasslands, as both simulated grasslands increased organic P uptake to meet enhanced P demand driven by N deposition. Greater access to organic P in the acidic grassland prevented a shift to P limitation under elevated levels of N deposition, but organic P access was too low in the calcareous grassland to prevent worsening P limitation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We conclude that grasslands of differing limiting nutrients may respond to N deposition in contrasting ways, and stress that as N deposition shifts ecosystems toward P limitation, a globally important carbon sink risks degradation.&lt;/p&gt;


Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiwei Li ◽  
Zhouping Shangguan ◽  
Lei Deng

Forests associating with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi may have distinct belowground carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycle processes. However, there are little available data providing evidence for the effects of trees associating with mycorrhizal type on belowground C and N cycling in forest ecosystems in China. Here, we collected a database of 26 variables related to belowground C and N cycling from 207 studies covering 209 sampling sites in China, to better understand the variations in belowground C and N cycling between the two mycorrhizal types in forest ecosystems along a climatic gradient. The AM forests had significantly lower soil total C and N contents, and soil microbial biomass C and N, than ECM forests, probably due to differences in litter quality (N and C/N) between AM and ECM forest types. In contrast, AM forests had significantly higher litter input, litter decomposition and soil respiration than ECM forests. Temperature and precipitation had significant positive effects on litter input and decomposition, soil total C and N contents, and soil respiration in AM and ECM forests. Overall, our results indicated that mycorrhizal type strongly affected belowground C and N cycle processes in forest ecosystems. Moreover, AM forests are likely more sensitive and ECM forests have a greater ability to adapt to global climate change.


Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Guoyong Yan ◽  
Yajuan Xing ◽  
Qinggui Wang ◽  
Changcheng Mu

The short legacy effects of growing season nitrogen (N) addition and reduced precipitation on nongrowing season soil respiration (Rs), autotrophic respiration (Ra), and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) are still unclear. Therefore, a field manipulative experiment to determine the responses of nongrowing season Rs and its components to growing season N addition and reduced precipitation was conducted in a temperate forest. The results show that growing season N addition and reduced precipitation significantly increased nongrowing season Rs by regulating the response of Ra and Rh. The combination of N addition and reduced precipitation also showed a much stronger effect on Rs and its components, but the magnitude and direction largely depended on the snowpack thickness. The effects of growing season N addition and reduced precipitation on nongrowing season Rs and its components were mediated by different sampling periods. N addition significantly decreased Rs by decreasing Rh in early winter and significantly increased Rs by increasing Ra in deep winter and late winter. All treatments decreased temperature sensitivity (Q10) of Rs and Rh. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of how nongrowing season Rs and its components will change under growing season N addition and reduced precipitation and could improve predictions of the future states of the soil C cycle in response to climate change.


Ecosystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1423-1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Forsmark ◽  
Annika Nordin ◽  
Nadia I. Maaroufi ◽  
Tomas Lundmark ◽  
Michael J. Gundale

AbstractNitrogen (N) deposition can change the carbon (C) sink of northern coniferous forests by changing the balance between net primary production and soil respiration. We used a field experiment in an N poor Pinus sylvestris forest where five levels of N (0, 3, 6, 12, and 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1, n = 6) had been added annually for 12–13 years to investigate how litter C inputs and soil respiration, divided into its autotrophic and heterotrophic sources, respond to different rates of N input, and its subsequent effect on soil C storage. The highest N addition rate (50 kg N ha−1 yr−1) stimulated soil C accumulation in the organic layer by 22.3 kg C kg−1 N added, increased litter inputs by 46%, and decreased soil respiration per mass unit of soil C by 31.2%, mainly by decreasing autotrophic respiration. Lower N addition rates (≤ 12 kg N ha−1 yr−1) had no effect on litter inputs or soil respiration. These results support previous studies reporting on increased litter inputs coupled to impeded soil C mineralization, contributing to enhancing the soil C sink when N is supplied at high rates, but add observations for lower N addition rates more realistic for N deposition. In doing so, we show that litter production in N poor northern coniferous forests can be relatively unresponsive to low N deposition levels, that stimulation of microbial activity at low N additions is unlikely to reduce the soil C sink, and that high levels of N deposition enhance the soil C sink by increasing litter inputs and decreasing soil respiration.


Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Zhao ◽  
Yan Geng ◽  
Jing Cao ◽  
Lu Yang ◽  
Xiuhai Zhao

Increasing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has profound effects on carbon (C) cycling in forest ecosystems. As an important part of belowground C dynamics, soil respiration is potentially affected by changing N availability. However, the responses of total soil respiration (RST) and its three components, soil respiration derived from plant roots (RSR), root-free soil (RSS) and the litter layer (RSL), to such N enrichment remains poorly understood. To assess the effects of N enrichment on soil respiration components, three levels of N addition, namely low (LN, 50 kg N ha−1 year−1), medium (MN, 100 kg N ha−1 year−1) and high (HN, 150 kg N ha−1 year−1), were conducted over five growing seasons from 2011 to 2015 in a temperate Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) forest in northern China. A control plot without N addition (CK) was also established. The five-year mean annual rate of RST was 2.18 ± 0.43 μmol m−2 s−1, and the contributions of RSR, RSS and RSL were 8.8 ± 3.1%, 82.2 ± 4.5% and 9.0 ± 5.5%, respectively. Compared with CK, RST was significantly increased by 16.5% in the HN plots, but not in the LN or MN treatments. RSS was significantly decreased by 18.1%, 26.6% and 18.4% in the LN, MN and HN plots, respectively, due to the reduction of both microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and enzyme activity. In contrast, RSR was increased by more than twice under the MN treatment, which promoted root growth and activity (higher fine root biomass and N concentration). A significant elevation in RSL was only detected in the HN plots, where the increased litter input enhanced litter decomposition and hence RSL. Our findings clearly demonstrated that N addition of different intensities had different effects on soil components. In particular, the above- and belowground components of heterotrophic respiration, RSL and RSR, showed contrasting responses to high level addition of N. Thus, we highlight that the response of soil respiration components to N addition should be examined individually. Our results may contribute to a better understanding of soil respiration dynamics under future N scenarios, and have important implications in forest management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 293 ◽  
pp. 01001
Author(s):  
Si Chen ◽  
Tianpeng Gao ◽  
Tianxiang Hao ◽  
Kaihui Li ◽  
Xuejun Liu

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has increased dramatically due to increased human activities since the industrial revolution. However, it is still unclear what the responses of soil nitrous oxide (N2O) is to long-term elevated N deposition in a temperate grassland. Here, we conducted an in situ field experiment to investigate these responses to long-term high N addition on a temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia, China, from April 2017 to October 2018. Soil N2O emissions significantly increased by long-term N addition, use of structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that topsoil (0-5 cm) NH4+-N content was the most important limiting factor for N2O emission. Our results indicate that long-term high N addition showed a significantly increase in N2O emission in this temperate grassland.


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