scholarly journals Well-Aerated Southern Appalachian Forest Soils Demonstrate Significant Potential for Gaseous Nitrogen Loss

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1155
Author(s):  
Peter Baas ◽  
Jennifer D. Knoepp ◽  
Jacqueline E. Mohan
Keyword(s):  
Forest Soils ◽  
Nitrogen Loss ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Southern Appalachian ◽  
Nitrifier Denitrification ◽  
Gaseous N Losses

Understanding the dominant soil nitrogen (N) cycling processes in southern Appalachian forests is crucial for predicting ecosystem responses to changing N deposition and climate. The role of anaerobic nitrogen cycling processes in well-aerated soils has long been questioned, and recent N cycling research suggests it needs to be re-evaluated. We assessed gross and potential rates of soil N cycling processes, including mineralization, nitrification, denitrification, nitrifier denitrification, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) in sites representing a vegetation and elevation gradient in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Experimental Forest, Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in southwestern North Carolina, USA. N cycling processes varied among sites, with gross mineralization and nitrification being greatest in high-elevation northern hardwood forests. Gaseous N losses via nitrifier denitrification were common in all ecosystems but were greatest in northern hardwood. Ecosystem N retention via DNRA (nitrification-produced NO3 reduced to NH4) ranged from 2% to 20% of the total nitrification and was highest in the mixed-oak forest. Our results suggest the potential for gaseous N losses through anaerobic processes (nitrifier denitrification) are prevalent in well-aerated forest soils and may play a key role in ecosystem N cycling.

Response of N cycling to nutrient inputs in forest soils across a 1000–3000 m elevation gradient in the Ecuadorian Andes

Ecology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 749-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelica P. Baldos ◽  
Marife D. Corre ◽  
Edzo Veldkamp
Keyword(s):  
Forest Soils ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
Nutrient Inputs

Long- and short-term temperature differences affect organic and inorganic nitrogen availability in forest soils

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Boczulak ◽  
B. J. Hawkins ◽  
D. G. Maynard ◽  
R. Roy
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Forest Soils ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Microbial Communities ◽  
Temperature Response ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Soil Microbial

Boczulak, S. A., Hawkins, B. J., Maynard, D. G. and Roy, R. 2015. Long- and short-term temperature differences affect organic and inorganic nitrogen availability in forest soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 95: 77–86. Soil microbial activity determines rates of decomposition and is strongly influenced by temperature. Soil microbial communities may be adapted to site characteristics, including temperature, through physiological modification of microbial populations or changes in species composition; however, response to short-term changes in temperature may also occur. We searched for evidence of short- and long-term temperature response of microbial communities involved in soil nitrogen (N) cycling by measuring the relative availability of organic and inorganic N forms in forest soils from a high and a low elevation site, incubated at 10, 16 and 20°C for 16 wk. By week 16, ammonium concentrations were greater in soils incubated at 16 and 20°C than at 10°C, and in soil from the low elevation site, compared with high elevation. Nitrate concentrations increased in soil from the low elevation site incubated at 16 and 20°C, but changed little in other treatments. Assessment of autotrophic nitrification potential showed gross nitrification in soil from the low elevation site was likely from classical chemolithotrophic nitrifiers. Organic N concentration increased over time in the 16 and 20°C incubations of soil from the low elevation site, but only increased in the 20°C treatment for soil from the high elevation site. Long-lasting site effects were indicated by the more active microbial community in soil from low elevation, which could be related to site temperature. Evidence of short-term temperature response of N cycling processes was observed in soils from both elevations.

scholarly journals In-depth analysis of N2O fluxes in tropical forest soils of the Congo Basin combining isotope and functional gene analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Gallarotti ◽  
Matti Barthel ◽  
Elizabeth Verhoeven ◽  
Engil Isadora Pujol Pereira ◽  
Marijn Bauters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Forest Soils ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Microbial Reduction ◽  
Functional Gene ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Gaseous N Losses

AbstractPrimary tropical forests generally exhibit large gaseous nitrogen (N) losses, occurring as nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O) or elemental nitrogen (N2). The release of N2O is of particular concern due to its high global warming potential and destruction of stratospheric ozone. Tropical forest soils are predicted to be among the largest natural sources of N2O; however, despite being the world’s second-largest rainforest, measurements of gaseous N-losses from forest soils of the Congo Basin are scarce. In addition, long-term studies investigating N2O fluxes from different forest ecosystem types (lowland and montane forests) are scarce. In this study we show that fluxes measured in the Congo Basin were lower than fluxes measured in the Neotropics, and in the tropical forests of Australia and South East Asia. In addition, we show that despite different climatic conditions, average annual N2O fluxes in the Congo Basin’s lowland forests (0.97 ± 0.53 kg N ha−1 year−1) were comparable to those in its montane forest (0.88 ± 0.97 kg N ha−1 year−1). Measurements of soil pore air N2O isotope data at multiple depths suggests that a microbial reduction of N2O to N2 within the soil may account for the observed low surface N2O fluxes and low soil pore N2O concentrations. The potential for microbial reduction is corroborated by a significant abundance and expression of the gene nosZ in soil samples from both study sites. Although isotopic and functional gene analyses indicate an enzymatic potential for complete denitrification, combined gaseous N-losses (N2O, N2) are unlikely to account for the missing N-sink in these forests. Other N-losses such as NO, N2 via Feammox or hydrological particulate organic nitrogen export could play an important role in soils of the Congo Basin and should be the focus of future research.

scholarly journals Foliar Urea with N-(n-butyl) Thiophosphoric Triamide for Sustainable Yield and Quality of Pineapple in a Controlled Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6880
Author(s):  
Mohammad Amdadul Haque ◽  
Siti Zaharah Sakimin ◽  
Phebe Ding ◽  
Noraini Md. Jaafar ◽  
Mohd Khanif Yusop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Loss ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Urea Solution ◽  
Urease Inhibitor ◽  
N Losses ◽  
N Accumulation ◽  
Yield And Quality

In agricultural production, nitrogen loss leads to economic loss and is a high environmental risk affecting plant growth, yield, and quality. Use of the N fertilizer with a urease inhibitor is thus necessary to minimize N losses and increase the efficiency of N. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N-(n-butyl) Thiophosphoric Triamide (NBPT) on the growth, yield, and quality of pineapple. The experiment involved two foliar fertilizer treatments: 1% (w/v) urea solution with NBPT (2.25 mL kg−1 urea) was treated as NLU (NBPT Liquid Urea), and the same concentration of urea without NBPT served as the control. Both were applied 12 times, starting 1 month after planting (MAP) and continuing once a month for 12 months. The application of urea with NBPT notably increased the above-ground dry biomass per plant (20% and 10% at 8 and 12 MAP, respectively), leaf area per plant (23% and 15% at 8 and 12 MAP, respectively), N accumulation per plant (10%), PFPN (Partial Factor Productivity) (13%), and average fruit weight (15%) compared to the treatment with urea alone (control). The analysis of quality parameters indicated that urea with NBPT improves TSS (Total Soluble Solids) (19%), ascorbic acid (10%), and sucrose (14%) but reduces the total organic acid content (21%) in pineapple. When using urea with a urease inhibitor (NBPT), there was a significant improvement in growth, yield, quality, and nitrogen use efficiency, with the additional benefit of reduced nitrogen losses, in combination with easy handling. Hence, urea with a urease inhibitor can be used as a viable alternative for increasing pineapple yield by boosting growth with better fruit quality.

Stopover Site Fidelity by Tennessee Warblers at a Southern Appalachian High-elevation Site

2012 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
David F. Vogt ◽  
Mark E. Hopey ◽  
G. Rad Mayfield ◽  
Eric C. Soehren ◽  
Laura M. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Stopover Site ◽  
Southern Appalachian ◽  
High Elevation Site

Elevational gradients of bryophyte diversity, life forms, and community assemblage in the southern Appalachian Mountains

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 2164-2174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Stehn ◽  
Christopher R. Webster ◽  
Janice M. Glime ◽  
Michael A. Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Canopy Openness ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Elevational Gradients ◽  
Community Assemblage

We investigated the influence of fine-scale elevational gradients and overstory disturbance on bryophyte distribution, diversity, and community composition. Bryophyte species cover and richness were sampled across 60 randomly selected plots within high-elevation spruce–fir ( Picea – Abies ) forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ordination and regression analyses revealed a fine-scale elevation gradient (700 m) in bryophyte community composition. Observed changes in bryophyte diversity and community composition were also associated with variation in deciduous basal area and thus litter composition, the prevalence of herbaceous plants, and the degree of canopy openness resulting from balsam woolly adelgid ( Adelges piceae Ratz.) infestation. Although overstory disturbances, such as those caused by the adelgid, create suitable substrate for bryophyte colonization, the corresponding increase in light availability and deciduous basal area may alter bryophyte diversity and community assemblages.

scholarly journals Home range and habitat use of the Vulnerable Virginia northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus in the Central Appalachian Mountains, USA

Oryx ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Menzel ◽  
W. Mark Ford ◽  
John W. Edwards ◽  
Tamara M. Terry
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Kernel Method ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Glaucomys Sabrinus ◽  
Ecosystem Research ◽  
Flying Squirrel ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Northern Flying Squirrel

The Virginia northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus is a Vulnerable sciurid that has experienced a 90% reduction of suitable high elevation boreal montane forest habitat over the last century in the central Appalachians of West Virginia and Virginia, USA. Using radiotelemetry and GIS analyses we examined the species' home range size and habitat use in the Monongahela National Forest, Kumbrabow State Forest and the MeadWestvaco Ecosystem Research Forest in West Virginia during the summers of 2000–2003. The mean home range sizes of male and female squirrels were 54.2 and 15.3 ha, respectively, based on the adaptive kernel method. Euclidean distance analysis indicated the squirrels used spruce, mixed spruce-northern hardwood, and open habitats more than was available across the landscape. Selection of spruce and mixed spruce-northern hardwood habitats indicates that forest management activities designed to restore and increase these types in the central Appalachian landscape are required to conserve and increase this Vulnerable species.

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