Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in different compartments of a healthy and a declining Picea abies forest in the Fichtelgebirge,NE Bavaria |
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Authors: | G Gebauer E -D Schulze |
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Institution: | (1) Lehrstuhl Pflanzenökologie, Universität Bayreuth, Postfach 101251, W-8580 Bayreuth, Federal Republic of Germany |
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Abstract: | Summary Natural carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were measured in different compartments (needles and twigs of different ages and crown positions, litter, understorey vegetation, roots and soils of different horizons) on 5 plots of a healthy and on 8 plots of a declining Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest in the Fichtelgebirge (NE Bavaria, Germany), which has recently been described in detail (Oren et al. 1988a; Schulze et al. 1989). The 13C values of needles did not differ between sites or change consistently with needle age, but did decrease from the sun-to the shade-crown. This result confirms earlier conclusions from gas exchange measurements that gaseous air pollutants did no long-lasting damage in an area where such damage was expected. Twigs (13C between-25.3 and-27.8) were significantly less depleted in 13C than needles (13C between-27.3 and-29.1), and 13C in twigs increased consistently with age. The 15N values of needles ranged between-2.5 and-4.1 and varied according to stand and age. In young needles 15N decreased with needle age, but remained constant or increased in needles that were 2 or 3 years old. Needles from the healthy site were more depleted in 15N than those from the declining site. The difference between sites was greater in old needles than in young ones. This differentiation presumably reflects an earlier onset of nitrogen reallocation in needles of the declining stand. 15N values in twigs were more negative than in needles (-3.5 to-5.2) and showed age- and stand-dependent trends that were similar to the needles. 15N values of roots and soil samples increased at both stands with soil depth from-3.5 in the organic layer to +4 in the mineral soil. The 15N values of roots from the mineral soil were different from those of twigs and needles. Roots from the shallower organic layer had values similar to twigs and needles. Thus, the bulk of the assimilated nitrogen was presumably taken up by the roots from the organic layer. The problem of separation of ammonium or nitrate use by roots from different soil horizons is discussed. |
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Keywords: | 13C" target="_blank">gif" alt="delta" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">13C 15N" target="_blank">gif" alt="delta" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">15N Nitrogen assimilation Forest decline Picea abies Stable isotopes |
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