scholarly journals Long-term nitrogen addition decreases carbon leaching in nitrogen-rich forest ecosystems

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1451-1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Lu ◽  
F. S. Gilliam ◽  
G. Yu ◽  
L. Li ◽  
Q. Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Rooting Zone ◽  
C Cycle

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.

scholarly journals Long-term nitrogen addition decreases carbon leaching in a nitrogen-rich forest ecosystem

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 3931-3941 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Lu ◽  
F. S. Gilliam ◽  
G. Yu ◽  
L. Li ◽  
Q. Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Rooting Zone ◽  
C Cycle

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.

scholarly journals Nitrogen deposition accelerates soil carbon sequestration in tropical forests

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (16) ◽  
pp. e2020790118
Author(s):  
Xiankai Lu ◽  
Peter M. Vitousek ◽  
Qinggong Mao ◽  
Frank S. Gilliam ◽  
Yiqi Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Sink Strength ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C Cycle ◽  
C Stocks ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Soil C Sequestration ◽  
N Additions

Terrestrial ecosystem carbon (C) sequestration plays an important role in ameliorating global climate change. While tropical forests exert a disproportionately large influence on global C cycling, there remains an open question on changes in below-ground soil C stocks with global increases in nitrogen (N) deposition, because N supply often does not constrain the growth of tropical forests. We quantified soil C sequestration through more than a decade of continuous N addition experiment in an N-rich primary tropical forest. Results showed that long-term N additions increased soil C stocks by 7 to 21%, mainly arising from decreased C output fluxes and physical protection mechanisms without changes in the chemical composition of organic matter. A meta-analysis further verified that soil C sequestration induced by excess N inputs is a general phenomenon in tropical forests. Notably, soil N sequestration can keep pace with soil C, based on consistent C/N ratios under N additions. These findings provide empirical evidence that below-ground C sequestration can be stimulated in mature tropical forests under excess N deposition, which has important implications for predicting future terrestrial sinks for both elevated anthropogenic CO2 and N deposition. We further developed a conceptual model hypothesis depicting how soil C sequestration happens under chronic N deposition in N-limited and N-rich ecosystems, suggesting a direction to incorporate N deposition and N cycling into terrestrial C cycle models to improve the predictability on C sink strength as enhanced N deposition spreads from temperate into tropical systems.

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C And N

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.

scholarly journals Nitrogen input <sup>15</sup>N-signatures are reflected in plant <sup>15</sup>N natural abundances of sub-tropical forests in China

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geshere Abdisa Gurmesa ◽  
Xiankai Lu ◽  
Per Gundersen ◽  
Yunting Fang ◽  
Qinggong Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest

Abstract. Natural abundance of 15N (δ15N) in plants and soils can provide integrated information on ecosystem nitrogen (N) cycling, but it has not been well tested in warm and humid sub-tropical forests. In this study, we examined the measurement of δ15N for its ability to assess changes in N cycling due to increased N deposition in an old-growth broadleaved forest and a secondary pine forest in a high N deposition area in southern China. We measured δ15N of inorganic N in input and output fluxes under ambient N deposition, and N concentration (N %) and δ15N of major ecosystem compartments under ambient and after decadal N addition at 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1. Our results showed that the N deposition was δ15N-depleted (−12 ‰) mainly due to high input of depleted NH4&amp;plus;-N. Plant leafs in both forest were also δ15N-depleted (−4 to −6 ‰). The old-growth forest had higher plant and soil N %, and was more 15N-enriched in most ecosystem compartments relative to the pine forest. Nitrogen addition did not significantly affect N % in both forests, indicating that the ecosystem pools are already N-rich. Soil δ15N was not changed significantly by the N addition in both forests. However, the N addition significantly increased the δ15N of plants toward the 15N signature of the added N (~ 0 ‰), indicating incorporation of added N into plants. Thus, plant δ15N was sensitive to ecosystem N input manipulation although N % was unchanged in these N-rich sub-tropical forests. We interpret the depleted δ15N values of plants as an imprint from the high and δ15N-depleted N deposition. The signal from the input (deposition or N addition) may override the enrichment effects of fractionation during the steps of N cycling that are observed in most warm and humid forests. Thus, interpretation of ecosystem δ15N values from high N deposition regions need to include data on the deposition δ15N signal.

Carbon storage in phosphorus limited grasslands may decline in response to elevated nitrogen deposition: a long term field manipulation and modelling study 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Taylor ◽  
Victoria Janes-Bassett ◽  
Gareth Phoenix ◽  
Ben Keane ◽  
Iain Hartley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
N Deposition ◽  
Calcareous Grassland ◽  
Organic P ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Soil C ◽  
P Limitation ◽  
P Cycling ◽  
Nutrient Manipulation ◽  
N And P Cycling

&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;

scholarly journals Different Molecular Characterization of Soil Particulate Fractions under N Deposition in a Subtropical Forest

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 914
Author(s):  
Jing Geng ◽  
Shulan Cheng ◽  
Huajun Fang ◽  
Jie Pei ◽  
Meng Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Chemical Structure ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Subtropical Forest ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Pyrolysis Gas ◽  
C Cycle ◽  
N Treatment

Key Findings: Combining physical fractionation and pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS) technique can help better understand the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM). Background and Objectives: SOM plays a critical role in the global carbon (C) cycle. However, its complexity remains a challenge in characterizing chemical molecular composition within SOM and under nitrogen (N) deposition. Materials and Methods: Three particulate organic matter (POM) fractions within SOM and under N treatments were studied from perspectives of distributions, C contents and chemical signatures in a subtropical forest. N addition experiment was conducted with two inorganic N forms (NH4Cl and NaNO3) applied at three rates of 0, 40, 120 kg N ha−1 yr−1. Three particle-size fractions (>250 μm, 53–250 μm and <53 μm) were separated by a wet-sieving method. Py-GC/MS technique was used to differentiate between chemical composition. Results: A progressive proportion transfer of mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) to fine POM under N treatment was found. Only C content in fine POM was sensitive to N addition. Principal component analyses (PCA) showed that the coarse POM had the largest plant-derived markers (lignins, phenols, long-chain n-alkanes, and n-alkenes). Short-chain n-alkanes and n-alkenes, benzofurans, aromatics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons mainly from black carbon prevailed in the fine POM. N compounds and polysaccharides from microbial products dominated in the MAOM. Factor analysis revealed that the degradation extent of three fractions was largely distinct. The difference in chemical structure among three particulate fractions within SOM was larger than treatments between control and N addition. In terms of N treatment impact, the MAOM fraction had fewer benzofurans compounds and was enriched in polysaccharides, indicating comparatively weaker mineralization and stronger stabilization of these substances. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of chemical structure in SOM pools and help to understand the influence of N deposition on SOM transformation.

Long-term impact of nitrogen addition on the carbon balance of a boreal pine forest in Northern Sweden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zhao ◽  
Jinshu Chi ◽  
Mats Nilsson ◽  
Mikaell Ottosson.Lofvenius ◽  
Sune Linder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Gross Primary Production ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Sequestration Potential

&lt;p&gt;Nitrogen (N) added through atmospheric deposition or as fertilizer in boreal forests may alter their carbon (C) sequestration potential and sensitivity to climatic changes. While previous studies have primarily explored the responses of individual ecosystem components such as stem biomass production and soil carbon changes following N addition, the long-term impacts of N addition on the ecosystem-scale C balance of boreal forests still remain unclear. Here, we use data from eddy-covariance measurements in a fertilized Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest (i.e. 16 ha receiving 100 and 50 kg N ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; since 2006 and 2012, respectively) and an adjacent unfertilized control stand in boreal Sweden to investigate how one decade of N addition affected the net ecosystem productivity (NEP), gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) over five fertilization years (2015-2019). Results showed that N fertilization increased GPP in all five years with by 18% at average to 1183&amp;#177;41 g C m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; in the N-fertilized stand compared to 1003&amp;#177;56 g C m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; in the control stand. ER was also increased from 744&amp;#177;29 g C m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; in the control stand to 875&amp;#177;37 g C m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; in the fertilized stand. As a result, fertilization increased NEP from 259&amp;#177;28 g C m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; in the control stand to 308&amp;#177;20 g C m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; yr&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; in the N-fertilized stand. Our results further suggested that the annual NEP was similar between stands during years with normal weather conditions (2015-2016) while NEP diverged due to a larger reduction in the control stand in years with environmental constraints (i.e. a cool summer in 2017 and droughts in 2018 and 2019). These findings indicate that enhanced N input to boreal forests increases and stabilizes their C sequestration potential under future climate conditions.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Short Legacy Effects of Growing Season Nitrogen Addition and Reduced Precipitation alter Soil Respiration during Nongrowing Season

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Guoyong Yan ◽  
Yajuan Xing ◽  
Qinggui Wang ◽  
Changcheng Mu
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Legacy Effects ◽  
Manipulative Experiment ◽  
Soil C ◽  
C Cycle

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.

scholarly journals Initial shifts in nitrogen impact on ecosystem carbon fluxes in an alpine meadow: patterns and causes

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Song ◽  
Jian Sun ◽  
Qingping Zhou ◽  
Ning Zong ◽  
Shuli Niu
Keyword(s):  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Microbial Respiration ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
N Saturation ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Soil Microbial Respiration ◽  
C Cycle ◽  
Plant Respiration

Abstract. The rising nitrogen (N) deposition could increase ecosystem net carbon (C) sequestration by stimulating plant productivity. However, how net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and its components respond dynamically to rising N deposition is far from clear. Using an N addition gradient experiment (six levels: 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 gN m−2 year−1) in an alpine meadow on the Tibetan Plateau, we explored the responses of different ecosystem C fluxes to an increasing N loading gradient and revealed mechanisms underlying the dynamic responses. Results showed that NEE, ecosystem respiration (ER), and gross ecosystem production (GEP) all increased linearly with N addition rates in the first year of treatment, but shifted to N saturation responses in the second year with the highest NEE (−7.77 ± 0.48 µmol m−2 s−1) occurring under N addition rate of 8 gN m−2 year−1. The saturation responses of NEE and GEP were caused by N-induced accumulation of standing litter, which limited light availability for plant growth, under high N addition. The saturation response of ER was mainly due to decreases in aboveground plant respiration and soil microbial respiration under high N addition, while the N-induced reduction in soil pH caused declines in soil microbial respiration. We also found that various components of ER, including aboveground plant respiration, soil respiration, root respiration, and microbial respiration, responded differentially to the N addition gradient. The results reveal temporal dynamics of N impacts and the rapid shift of ecosystem C cycle from N limitation to N saturation. These findings are helpful for better understanding and model projection of future terrestrial C sequestration under rising N deposition.

scholarly journals Impacts of long-term nitrogen addition on nitrous oxide in a temperate grassland

2021 ◽  
Vol 293 ◽  
pp. 01001
Author(s):  
Si Chen ◽  
Tianpeng Gao ◽  
Tianxiang Hao ◽  
Kaihui Li ◽  
Xuejun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Temperate Grassland ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
N Addition

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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