Litter effects of two co-occurring alpine species on plant growth, microbial activity and immobilization of nitrogen

We measured the litter chemistry of two co‐dominant alpine species, Acomastylis rossii, a forb characterized by a low growth rate and N uptake capacity, and Deschampsia caespitosa, a grass characterized by a high growth rate and N uptake capacity, and examined the effect litter of these two species had on the growth of Deschampsia phytometers in a greenhouse. We also examined the influence of litter from the two species on microbial respiration and immobilization of N, in two separate laboratory microcosm experiments and in the field. We hypothesized that Acomastylis litter would reduce plant growth more than Deschampsia litter, corresponding with either 1) suppression of microbial activity and thus a decrease in N mineralization, or 2) by stimulation of microbial biomass and increasing microbial immobilization of N. Relative to Deschampsia litter, Acomastylis litter had higher total water soluble organic carbon (DOC), and higher total phenolic concentration. Deschampsia litter had 30 times higher carbohydrate (primarily glucose and fructose) concentrations than Acomastylis litter. Soil respiration, microbial biomass N, and consumption of DOC and N were higher with the Acomastylis litter treatment than the Deschampsia litter treatment in experimental microcosms, and both respiration and microbial biomass N were higher in field soils under canopies dominated by Acomastylis relative to those dominated by Deschampsia. These results indicate that phenolics in Acomastylis are a C source for soil microorganisms, rather than an inhibitor of microbial activity. Deschampsia phytometers grew significantly less, had higher root: shoot biomass ratios, and acquired less nitrogen in the Acomastylis litter treatment relative to the control and Deschampsia litter treatments. The results of these experiments indicate that Acomastylis litter influences soil N cycling by increasing microbial activity and N immobilization, which may influence N supply to neighboring plants. This mechanism has the potential to influence competitive interactions between Acomastylis and its neighbors.     

植被类型与坡位对喀斯特土壤氮转化速率的影响

土壤氮素转化对于植物氮素营养具有重要作用,尤其是对于受氮素限制的喀斯特退化生态系统。选取植被恢复过程中4种典型喀斯特植被类型(草丛、灌丛、次生林、原生林)和3个坡位(上、中、下坡位)表层土壤(0—15cm)为对象,利用室内培养的方法,研究不同植被类型和坡位下土壤氮素养分与氮转化速率(氮净矿化率、净硝化率和净氨化率)的特征及其影响因素。结果表明,植被类型对土壤硝态氮含量、无机氮含量、氮净矿化率、净硝化率和净氨化率均有显著影响(P0.01),即随着植被的正向演替(草丛—灌丛—次生林—原生林),土壤硝态氮含量、无机氮含量、土壤氮净矿化速率和净硝化速率整体上呈增加趋势,而坡位以及坡位与植被类型的交互作用对上述土壤氮素指标无显著影响(P0.05)。冗余分析结果表明凋落物氮含量、凋落物C∶N比和硝态氮含量对土壤氮转化速率有显著影响,其中凋落物氮含量是影响土壤氮转化速率的主要因子(F=35.634,P=0.002)。可见,尽管坡位影响喀斯特水土再分配过程,但植被类型决定的凋落物质量(如凋落物氮含量等)对喀斯特土壤氮素转化速率的作用更为重要。因此,在喀斯特退化生态系统植被恢复初期,应注重植被群落的优化配置(如引入豆科植物)和土壤质量的改善(如降低土壤C∶N),促进土壤氮素转化及氮素的有效供给。     

Effects of understory removal, N fertilization, and litter layer removal on soil N cycling in a 13-year-old white spruce plantation infested with Canada bluejoint grass

Canada bluejoint grass [Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv., referred to as bluejoint below] is a competitive understory species widely distributed in the boreal region in North America and builds up a thick litter layer that alters the soil surface microclimate in heavily infested sites. This study examined the effects of understory removal, N fertilization, and litter layer removal on litter decomposition, soil microbial biomass N (MBN), and net N mineralization and nitrification rates in LFH (the sum of organic horizons of litter, partially decomposed litter and humus on the soil surface) and mineral soil (0–10 cm) in a 13-year-old white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench.) Voss] plantation infested with bluejoint in Alberta, Canada. Removal of the understory vegetation and the litter layer together significantly increased soil temperature at 10 cm below the mineral soil surface by 1.7 and 1.3°C in summer 2003 and 2004, respectively, resulting in increased net N mineralization (by 1.09 and 0.14 mg N kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ in LFH and mineral soil, respectively, in 2004) and net nitrification rates (by 0.10 and 0.20 mg N kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ in LFH and mineral soil, respectively, in 2004). When the understory vegetation was intact, nitrification might have been limited by NH₄ ⁺ availability due to competition for N from bluejoint and other understory species. Litter layer removal increased litter decomposition rate (percentage mass loss per month) from 2.6 to 3.0% after 15 months of incubation. Nitrogen fertilization did not show consistent effects on soil MBN, but increased net N mineralization and nitrification rates as well as available N concentrations in the soil. Clearly, understory removal combined with N fertilization was most effective in increasing rates of litter decomposition, net N mineralization and nitrification, and soil N availability. The management of understory vegetation dominated by bluejoint in the boreal region should consider the strong effects of understory competition and the accumulated litter layer on soil N cycling and the implications for forest management.     

Species effects on resource supply rates: do they influence competitive interactions?

We examined two ways in which species effects on nitrogen supply rates could influence species competitive interactions and lead to coexistence between species with very different patterns of resource use. First, through differential effects on the rates of resource cycling, species may modify resources in divergent directions to better tolerate neighbors under self-modified conditions (tolerance modification). Second, plant-induced shifts in resource supply could enhance the degree to which species can suppress individuals (suppression modification). We addressed these hypothesized mechanisms in the non-successional moist meadow alpine tundra, which is codominated by Acomastylis rossii, a slow-growing roseaceous forb with high nutrient retention that is associated with slow rates of nitrogen supply, and Deschampsia caespitosa, a graminoid with rapid growth potential that is associated with fast rates of nitrogen (N) supply. Neighbors inhibited Acomastylis transplants (the species with high N retention) less than Deschampsia transplants (the species with rapid potential growth) in both neighborhood types, and hence neighborhood type did not influence species tolerance to neighbors. Likewise, Acomastylis neighborhoods inhibited transplant growth more than Deschampsia neighborhoods regardless of transplant species identity. When N supply rates were enhanced through repeated N additions in the two neighborhood types or in the presence of each species’ litter, the inhibitory effects associated with Acomastylis were offset to a greater degree than those associated with Deschampsia, as predicted by the suppression modification. These effects appeared to be density or size-dependent, with few effects observed at low density. Our results suggest that species effects on supply rates may influence competitive interactions, particularly if these effects are complemented by other sources of temporal or spatial variation such as pulses in resource availability. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nitrogen preferences and plant-soil feedbacks as influenced by neighbors in the alpine tundra

Plant resource partitioning of chemical forms of nitrogen (N) may be an important factor promoting species coexistence in N-limited ecosystems. Since the microbial community regulates N-form transformations, plant partitioning of N may be related to plant–soil feedbacks. We conducted a ¹⁵N tracer addition experiment to study the ability of two alpine plant species, Acomastylis rossii and Deschampsia caespitosa, to partition organic and inorganic forms of N. The species are codominant and associated with strong plant–soil feedbacks that affect N cycling. We manipulated interspecific interactions by removing Acomastylis or Deschampsia from areas where the species were codominant to test if N uptake patterns varied in the presence of the other species. We found that Deschampsia acquired organic and inorganic N more rapidly than Acomastylis, regardless of neighbor treatment. Plant N uptake—specifically ammonium uptake—increased with plant density and the presence of an interspecific neighbor. Interestingly, this change in N uptake was not in the expected direction to reduce niche overlap and instead suggested facilitation of ammonium use. To test if N acquisition patterns were consistent with plant–soil feedbacks, we also compared microbial rhizosphere extracellular enzyme activity in patches dominated by one or the other species and in areas where they grew together. The presence of both species was generally associated with increased rhizosphere extracellular enzyme activity (five of ten enzymes) and a trend towards increased foliar N concentrations. Taken together, these results suggest that feedbacks through the microbial community, either in response to increased plant density or specific plant neighbors, could facilitate coexistence. However, coexistence is promoted via enhanced resource uptake rather than reduced niche overlap. The importance of resource partitioning to reduce the intensity of competitive interactions might vary across systems, particularly as a function of plant-soil feedbacks.     

Nitrogen mineralization in heathland ecosystems dominated by different plant species

Net N mineralization rates were measured in heathlands still dominated by ericaceous dwarf shrubs (Calluna vulgaris or Erica tetralix) and in heathlands that have become dominated by grasses (Molinia caerulea or Deschampsia flexuosa). Net N mineralization was measuredin situ by sequential soil incubations during the year. In the wet area (gravimetric soil moisture content 74–130%), the net N mineralization rates were 4.4 g N m^–2 yr^–1 in the Erica soil and 7.8 g N m^–2 yr^–1 in the Molinia soil. The net nitrification rate was negligibly slow in either soil. In the dry area (gravimetric soil moisture content 7–38%), net N mineralization rates were 6.2 g N M-2 yr^–1 in the Calluna soil, 10.9 g N m^–2 yr^–1 in the Molinia soil and 12.6 g N m^–2 yr^–1 in the Deschampsia soil. The Calluna soil was consistently drier throughout the year, which may partly explain its slower mineralization rate. Net nitrification was 0.3 g N m^–2 yr^–1 in the Calluna soil, 3.6 g N m^–2 yr^–1 in the Molinia soil and 5.4 g N m^–2 yr^–1 in the Deschampsia soil. The net nitrification rate increased proportionally with the net N mineralization rate suggesting ammonium availability may control nitrification rates in these soils. In the dry area, the faster net N mineralization rates in sites dominated by grasses than in the site dominated by Calluna may be explained by the greater amounts of organic N in the soil of sites dominated by grasses. In both areas, however, the net amount of N mineralized per gram total soil N was greater in sites dominated by Molinia or Deschampsia than in sites dominated by Calluna or Erica. This suggests that in heathlands invaded by grasses the quality of the soil organic matter may be increased resulting in more rapid rates of soil N cycling.     

Influence of the phenolic compound bearing species Ledum palustre on soil N cycling in a boreal hardwood forest

The effects of the understory shrub Ledum palustre on soil N cycling were studied in a hardwood forest of Interior Alaska. This species releases high concentrations of phenolic compounds from green leaves and decomposing litter by rainfall. Organic and mineral soils sampled underneath L. palustre and at nearby non-Ledum sites were amended with L. palustre litter leachates and incubated at controlled conditions. We aimed to know (i) whether L. palustre presence and litter leachate addition changed net N cycling rates in organic and mineral soils, and (ii) what N cycling processes, including gross N mineralization, N immobilization and gross N nitrification, were affected in association with L. palustre. Our results indicate that N transformation rates in the surface organic horizon were not affected by L. palustre presence or leachate addition. However, mineral soils underneath L. palustre as well as soils amended with leachates had significantly higher C/N ratios and microbial respiration rates, and lower net N mineralization and N-to-C mineralization compared to no Ledum and no leachates soils. No nitrification was detected. Plant presence and leachate addition also tended to increase both gross N mineralization and immobilization. These results suggest that soluble C compounds present in L. palustre increased N immobilization in mineral soils when soil biota used them as a C source. Increases in gross N mineralization may have been caused by an enhanced microbial biomass due to C addition. Since both plant presence and leachate addition decreased soil C/N ratio and had similar effects on N transformation rates, our results suggest that litter leachates could be partially responsible for plant presence effects. The lower N availability under L. palustre canopy could exert negative interactions on the establishment and growth of other plant species.     

Nitrogen cycling in a northern hardwood forest: Do species matter?

To investigate the influence of individual tree species on nitrogen (N) cycling in forests, we measured key characteristics of the N cycle in small single-species plots of five dominant tree species in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. The species studied were sugar maple (Acer saccharum), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), and red oak (Quercus rubra). The five species varied markedly in N cycling characteristics. For example, hemlock plots consistently showed characteristics associated with "slow" N cycling, including low foliar and litter N, high soil C:N, low extractable N pools, low rates of potential net N mineralization and nitrification and low NO ₃ ^– amounts trapped in ion-exchange resin bags buried in the mineral soil. Sugar maple plots had the lowest soil C:N, and the highest levels of soil characteristics associated with NO ₃ ^– production and loss (nitrification, extractable NO ₃ ^– , and resin bag NO ₃ ^– ). In contrast, red oak plots had near-average net mineralization rates and soil C:N ratios, but very low values of the variables associated with NO ₃ ^– production and loss. Correlations between soil N transformations and litter concentrations of N, lignin, lignin:N ratio, or phenolic constituents were generally weak. The inverse correlation between net nitrification rate and soil C:N that has been reported in the literature was present in this data set only if red oak plots were excluded from the analysis. This study indicates that tree species can exert a strong control on N cycling in forest ecosystems that appears to be mediated through the quality of soil organic matter, but that standard measures of litter quality cannot explain the mechanism of control.     

Nitrogen mineralization in upland Precambrian Shield catchments: Contrasting the role of lichen-covered bedrock and forested areas

The upland boreal forest at the Experimental Lakes Area (northwestern Ontario, Canada) is characterized by treed soil islands interspersed within lichen and moss-covered bedrock outcrops. N mineralization was 2.5-fold and net nitrification was 13-fold higher on an areal basis over bedrock surfaces because of high mineralization rates under lichen and moss patches. The higher average soil temperature in lichen and moss patches could not account for the difference in mineralization rates. Lichens did not provide a significant additional source of N because they did not fix atmospheric N. A refractory conifer litter with a high C:N probably favours the immobilization of N in forest islands. Buried bag and in situ core incubations yielded similar net N mineralization rates but core incubations underestimated net nitrification rates. Both methods did not adequately measure dissolved organic N (DON) production rates because soil disturbance caused high initial DON concentrations. The higher export of mineral N from bedrock surfaces is probably a combination of the lower retention of N in precipitation and leaching of mineralized N from lichen and moss patches.     

Plant carbon substrate supply regulated soil nitrogen dynamics in a tallgrass prairie in the Great Plains,USA: results of a clipping and shading experiment

Aims Land use management affects plant carbon (C) supply and soil environments and hence alters soil nitrogen (N) dynamics, with consequent feedbacks to terrestrial ecosystem productivity. The objective of this study was to better identify mechanisms by which land-use management (clipping and shading) regulates soil N in a tallgrass prairie, OK, USA.Methods We conducted 1-year clipping and shading experiment to investigate the effects of changes in land-use management (soil microclimates, plant C substrate supply and microbial activity) on soil inorganic N (NH 4 + ? N and NO 3 ? ? N), net N mineralization and nitrification in a tallgrass prairie.Important findings Land-use management through clipping and/or shading significantly increased annual mean inorganic N, possibly due to lowered plant N uptake and decreased microbial N immobilization into biomass growth. Shading significantly increased annual mean mineralization rates (P < 0.05). Clipping slightly decreased annual mean N nitrification rates whereas shading significantly increased annual mean N nitrification rates. Soil microclimate significantly explained 36% of the variation in NO 3 ? ? N concentrations (P = 0.004). However, soil respiration, a predictor of plant C substrate supply and microbial activity, was negatively correlated with NH 4 + ? N concentrations (P = 0.0009), net N mineralization (P = 0.0037) and nitrification rates (P = 0.0028) across treatments. Our results suggest that change in C substrate supply and microbial activity under clipping and/or shading is a critical control on NH 4 + ? N, net N mineralization and nitrification rates, whereas clipping and shading-induced soil microclimate change can be important for NO 3 ? ? N variation in the tallgrass prairie.     

Geostatistical analysis of soil properties in a secondary tropical dry forest,St. Lucia,West Indies

Spatial variability of soil properties directly influences forest growth. However, spatial variation in soil properties has not been studied within tropical dry forests. As such, it is unclear whether soil properties, like moisture and N availability, display spatial variation at scales similar to that of other ecosystems. To gain insight into this variation, we established a 56 × 56 m sampling grid in tropical dry forest on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Samples collected at 4-m intervals were analyzed for forest floor mass, soil texture, pH, organic C, net N mineralization, net nitrification and available P. Geostatistical procedures were used to determine spatial autocorrelation of the aforementioned properties and processes. Semivariogram parameters were used in a block kriging procedure to produce spatial maps of soil properties. At the scale of our study, most soil properties exhibited spatial autocorrelation at distances of 24 m or less. Varying degrees of similarity were found between patterns of forest floor mass, organic C, net N mineralization, net nitrification and available P. No similarity was found between soil texture or pH and other properties. Fine-scale spatial patterns of net N mineralization and net nitrification are likely driven by overstory litter inputs, rather than variation in soil texture and water availability.     

不同土地利用类型对丹江口库区土壤氮矿化的影响

氮(N)素是陆地生态系统净初级生产力的重要限制因子, 土地利用类型的变化对生态系统氮循环过程有着重要的影响。采用PVC顶盖埋管原位培养的方法, 对丹江口库区清塘河流域相邻的侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)人工林、人工种植灌木林地和农田3种土地利用类型的氮素矿化和硝化作用进行了研究。结果表明, 侧柏人工林、灌木林地和农田的NH₄⁺-N浓度(mg·kg^-1)依次为1.33 ± 0.20、1.67 ± 0.17和1.62 ± 0.13, 不同土地利用类型间的NH₄⁺-N浓度无显著性差异; 而3种土地利用类型下土壤NO₃^--N浓度(mg·kg^-1)差异显著, 农田NO₃^--N浓度(9.00 ± 0.73)显著高于侧柏人工林(1.27 ± 0.18)和灌木林地(3.51 ± 0.11)。NO₃^--N在灌木林地和农田中分别占土壤无机氮库的67.8%和84.8%, 是土壤无机氮库的主要存在形式; 而侧柏人工林中NO₃^--N和NH₄⁺-N浓度则基本相等。土壤硝化速率(mg·kg^-1·30 d^-1)从农田(7.13 ± 2.19)、灌木林地(2.56 ± 1.07)到侧柏人工林(0.85 ± 0.10)显著性降低。侧柏人工林、灌木林地和农田的矿化速率(mg·kg^-1·30 d^-1)依次为0.98 ± 0.12、2.52 ± 1.25和6.58 ± 2.29。矿化速率和硝化速率显著正相关, 但是矿化速率在不同的土地利用类型间差异不显著。培养过程中灌木林地和农田NH₄⁺-N的消耗大于积累, 氨化速率为负值, 导致灌木林地和农田矿化速率小于硝化速率。氮素的矿化和硝化作用受土壤含水量和土壤温度的影响, 并对土壤含水量更为敏感。土壤C:N与土壤矿化和硝化速率显著负相关。研究结果表明: 土地利用类型的变化会改变土壤微环境和土壤C:N, 进而会影响到土壤氮循环过程。     

Relationships between soil microbial properties and aboveground stand characteristics of conifer forests in Oregon

Eight forest sites representing a large range of climate, vegetation, and productivity were sampled in a transect across Oregon to study the relationships between aboveground stand characteristics and soil microbial properties. These sites had a range in leaf area index of 0.6 to 16 m² m^–2 and net primary productivity of 0.3 to 14 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1.Measurements of soil and forest floor inorganic N concentrations and in situ net N mineralization, nitrification, denitrification, and soil respiration were made monthly for one year. Microbial biomass C and anaerobic N mineralization, an index of N availability, were also measured. Annual mean concentrations of NH ₄ ⁺ ranged from 37 to 96 mg N kg^–1 in the forest floor and from 1.7 to 10.7 mg N kg^–1 in the mineral soil. Concentrations of NO ₃ ^– were low ( < 1 mg N kg^–1) at all sites. Net N mineralization and nitrification, as measured by the buried bag technique, were low on most sites and denitrification was not detected at any site. Available N varied from 17 to 101 mg N kg^–1, microbial biomass C ranged from 190 to 1230 mg Ckg^–1, and soil respiration rates varied from 1.3 to 49 mg C kg^–1 day^–1 across these sites. Seasonal peaks in NH ₄ ⁺ concentrations and soil respiration rates were usually observed in the spring and fall.The soils data were positively correlated with several aboveground variables, including leaf area index and net primary productivity, and the near infrared-to-red reflectance ratio obtained from the airborne simulator of the Thematic Mapper satellite. The data suggest that close relationships between aboveground productivity and soil microbial processes exist in forests approaching semi-equilibrium conditions.Abbreviations IR infrared - LAI leaf area index - k _c proportion of microbial biomass C mineralized to CO₂ - NPP net primary productivity - TM Thematic Mapper     

Original Articles: Nitrogen Mineralization in Two Unpolluted Old-Growth Forests of Contrasting Biodiversity and Dynamics

Studies in unpolluted, old-growth forests in the coastal range of southern Chile (42°30′S) can provide a baseline for understanding how forest ecosystems are changing due to the acceleration of nitrogen (N) inputs that has taken place over the last century. Chilean temperate forests, in contrast to their northern hemisphere counterparts, exhibit extremely low losses of inorganic N to stream waters. The objectives of this study were (a) to determine whether low inorganic N outputs in these forests were due to low rates of N mineralization or nitrification, and (b) to examine how biodiversity (defined as number of dominant tree species) and forest structure influence N mineralization and overall patterns of N cycling. Studies were conducted in a species-poor, conifer-dominated (Fitzroya cupressoides) forest with an even-aged canopy, and in a mixed-angiosperm (Nothofagus nitida) forest with a floristically more diverse and unstable canopy. Nitrogen mineralization rates measured in laboratory assays varied seasonally, reaching 6.0 μg N/g DW/day in both forests during late summer. Higher values were related to higher microbial activity, larger pools of labile inorganic N, and increased fine litter inputs. Field assays, conducted monthly, indicated positive net flux from N mineralization mainly from December to January in both forests. Annual net flux of N from mineralization varied from 20 to 23 kg/ha/year for the Fitzroya forest and from 31 to 37 kg/ha/year for the Nothofagus forest. Despite low losses of inorganic N to streams, N mineralization and nitrification are not inhibited in these forests, implying the existence of strong sinks for NO₃ ⁻ in the ecosystem. Field N mineralization rates were two times higher in the Nothofagus forest than in the Fitzroya forest, and correlated with greater N input via litterfall, slightly higher soil pH, and narrower carbon (C)–nitrogen ratios of soils and litter in the former. Differences in N mineralization between the two forest types are attributed to differences in biotic structure, stand dynamics, and site factors. Median values of net N mineralization rates in these southern hemisphere forests were lower than median rates for forests in industrialized regions of North America, such as the eastern and central USA. We suggest that these high N mineralization rates may be a consequence of enhanced atmospheric N deposition.     

晋西北不同年限小叶锦鸡儿灌丛土壤氮矿化和硝化作用

利用PVC管顶盖埋管法研究了晋西北黄土高原区小叶锦鸡儿人工灌丛不同定植年限(5,10,20,30,40a)土壤氮矿化与硝化速率的动态和净矿化与硝化总量。结果表明,⑴小叶锦鸡儿灌丛土壤无机氮主要以NO_-~3-N形式存在,不同生长年限相同月份的土壤硝态氮(NO-3-N)含量分别是铵态氮(NH+4-N)含量的1.5—15.4倍;⑵土壤氮素硝化速率和矿化速率随生长年限延长而加快,30年生时达到高峰,数值达40.2,44.1 mg m~(-2)d~(-1)。从季节性变化看,7—8月份是硝化速率和矿化速率快速增长期,30年生小叶锦鸡儿灌丛土壤硝化速率和矿化速率分别达到86.9,93.1 mg m~(-2)d~(-1),显著高于其它生长年限(P0.05);(3)土壤氮素硝化与矿化总量同样随小叶锦鸡儿生长年限延长而增加,30年生时达到最高,与5年生相比,分别增加了3.7和3.1倍。(4)5—10月份小叶锦鸡儿生长期内,各年限土壤全氮量的2.3%被矿化成无机氮,其中87%最终被转化成NO-3-N形式存在于土体中。     

Soil characteristics of Rocky Mountain National Park grasslands invaded by Melilotus officinalis and M. alba

Aim Invasion of nitrogen‐fixing non‐native plant species may alter soil resources and impact native plant communities. Altered soils may be the driving mechanism that provides a suitable environment to facilitate future invasions and decrease native biodiversity. We hypothesized that Melilotus invasion would increase nitrogen availability and produce soil microclimate and biochemical changes, which could in turn alter plant species composition in a montane grassland community. Location Our research addressed the effects of white and yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis and M. alba) invasion on soil characteristics and nitrogen processes in the montane grasslands in Rocky Mountain National Park. Methods We sampled soil in replicate sites of Melilotus‐invaded and control (non‐invaded) patches within disturbed areas in montane grassland habitats. Soil composites were analysed for available nitrogen, net nitrogen mineralization, moisture, carbon/nitrogen (C : N ratio), texture, organic matter and pH. Data were recorded at three sample dates during the growing seasons of 1998 and 1999. Results Contrary to our expectations, we observed lower nitrogen availability and mineralization in invaded patches, and differences in soil moisture content and soil C : N. Soil C : N ratios were higher in invaded plots, in spite of the fact that Melilotus had the lowest C : N ratios of other plant tissue analysed in this study. Main conclusions These findings provide land managers of natural areas with a better perspective on the possibilities of nitrogen‐fixing species impact on soil nutrient levels.     

亚热带不同林分土壤矿质氮库及氮矿化速率的季节动态

以亚热带地区天然林、格氏栲人工林和杉木人工林为对象,采取PVC管原位培养连续取样法,对不同林分土壤净氨化速率、净硝化速率及净氮矿化速率进行为期一年(2014年9月—2015年8月)的研究,分析林分类型和季节动态对土壤矿质氮库和净氮矿化速率的影响.结果表明: 硝态氮是该地区土壤矿质氮库的主要存在形式,天然林和杉木人工林土壤硝态氮含量分别占总土壤矿质氮库的55.1%～87.5%和56.1%～79.1%,林分间土壤铵态氮含量差异不显著,硝态氮含量差异显著,其中格氏栲人工林土壤硝态氮含量显著低于天然林和杉木人工林.土壤硝态氮库和矿质氮库在不同月份间差异显著,在植物非生长季节(10月至次年2月)较大,在植物生长季节(3—9月)较小.各林分全年土壤净硝化速率均较低,净氨化速率是净氮矿化速率的主要存在形式,林分类型对土壤净氨化速率有显著影响,其中杉木人工林显著低于天然林和格氏栲人工林.月份对土壤净氨化速率有显著影响,各林分土壤净氨化速率变化规律不一致,但均在11月和2月达到一年中的最低值.重复测量方差分析显示,林分类型和季节动态对土壤矿质氮库及氮矿化速率均有显著影响.温度和水分是影响土壤矿质库及氮矿化速率的重要因素,凋落物对土壤氮矿化速率的影响主要是通过质量控制而非数量控制.     

Variation in Aboveground Cover Influences Soil Nitrogen Availability at Fine Spatial Scales Following Severe Fire in Subalpine Conifer Forests

Following fire, fine-scale variation in early successional vegetation and soil nutrients may influence development of ecosystem structure and function. We studied conifer forests burned by stand-replacing wildfire in Greater Yellowstone (Wyoming, USA) to address two questions: (1) How do the variability and spatial structure of aboveground cover and soil nitrogen availability change during the first 4 years following stand-replacing fire? (2) At fine scales (2–20 m), are postfire soil inorganic N pools and fluxes related to aboveground cover? Aboveground cover, soil N pools, and annual net N transformations were measured from 2001 to 2004 using a spatially explicit sampling design in four 0.25-ha plots that burned during summer 2000. Within-stand variability (coefficient of variation) in postfire live vegetative cover declined with time since fire, whereas variability in bare mineral soil, charred litter and fresh litter was greatest 2-3 years postfire. The soil nitrate pool was more variable than the soil ammonium pool, but annual net nitrification was less variable than annual net N mineralization. Spatial structure (quantified by semivariograms) was observed in some aboveground cover variables (for example, graminoids and fresh litter), but there was little spatial structure in soil N variables and no obvious congruence in spatial scales of autocorrelation for soil N and aboveground cover. Significant Spearman correlations (at the sample point) indicated that aboveground cover and soil N were coupled following severe fire, and the dominant influence was from aboveground cover to soil N, rather than from soil N to vegetation. Initial patterns of fire severity and re-vegetation contributed to fine-scale heterogeneity in soil N availability for at least 4 years after severe fire.     

氮添加对樟子松人工林氮转化及相关功能基因丰度的影响

土壤氮(N)的有效性是影响土壤微生物群落结构以及土壤氮循环的重要因子。为探索N添加对樟子松人工林氮素转化及N功能基因(NFGs)表达的影响及其作用机制,该文以塞罕坝千层板林场的樟子松人工林为研究对象,进行了2年的氮添加处理,设置4个不同氮添加水平0、1、5、10 g N·m^-2·a^-1,分别记作N0、N1、N5、N10,采用功能基因微阵GeoChip 5.0系统及室内土壤培养法,探讨了土壤NFGs对氮添加的反应及其对氮转化过程的影响。结果表明:(1)与N0相比,中低N添加处理(N1、N5)促进了氨化(ureC、nirA、nrfA)、硝化(amoA)和反硝化(norB)相关基因的相对丰度,高N处理(N10)则抑制了所有NFGs的表达。(2)相关分析表明,N1、N5的促进作用与土壤有机碳(SOC)、硝态氮(NO₃^--N)和微生物生物量碳(MBC)显著相关,N10处理显著降低了所有氮转化过程NFGs的相对丰度,这种负面影响与溶解性有机碳(DOC)、MBC含量的减少有关。(3)与氮转化基因丰度规律趋势相似,N1和N5处理显著增加了净N硝化、净N矿化以及N₂O的排放速率,但N10促进作用不明显,表明氮添加对氮转化的促进作用存在阈值。(4)多元回归分析进一步表明,amoA-AOB和MBC是影响净N硝化的关键因素,ureC、nirK和MBC是影响净氮矿化的关键因素,narG、nirS是影响N₂O排放的关键因素。综上,N添加可提高促进樟子松人工林的氮转化及提高部分特定酶功能基因的相对丰度,但氮添加水平存在阈值,当施用10 g N·m^-2·a^-1时,氮转化受到抑制,添加5 g N·m^-2·a^-1是促进樟子松人工林土壤N转化的较佳水平。     

Response of nitrogen cycling to simulated climate change: differential responses along a subalpine ecotone

In situ nitrogen (N) transformations and N availability were examined over a four‐year period in two soil microclimates (xeric and mesic) under a climate‐warming treatment in a subalpine meadow/sagebrush scrub ecotone. Experimental plots that spanned the two soil microclimates were exposed to an in situ infrared (IR) climate change manipulation at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, near Crested Butte, Colorado. Although the two microclimates did not differ significantly in their rates of N transformations in the absence of heating, they differed significantly in their response to increased IR. Under a simulated warming in the sagebrush‐dominated xeric microclimate, gross N mineralization rates doubled and immobilization rates increased by up to 60% over the first 2 years of the study but declined to predisturbance rates by the fourth year. This temporal pattern of gross mineralization rates correlated with a decline in SOM. Concurrently, rates of net mineralization rates in the heated plots were 60% higher than the controls after the first year. There were no differences in gross or net nitrification rates with heating in the xeric soils. In contrast to the xeric microclimate, there were no significant effects of heating on any N transformation rates in the mesic microclimate. The differing responses in N cycling rates of the two microclimate to the increased IR is most certainly the result of differences in initial soil moisture conditions and vegetation type and cover.