Endogenous versus exogenous nutrient control over decomposition and mineralization in North Carolina peatlands

We examined the relative importance of exogenous (pH, water table, soil nutrient and cation availability) and endogenous (carbon quality, nutrient and cation concentrations of litter) controls on litter decay over both the short term (1 yr) and intermediate term (3 yr) in four freshwater peatland communities that occur along a P and N availability gradient in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Four litter types were reciprocally transplanted into each community. Additionally, the effects of exogenous nutrient availability and low pH on decomposition dynamics were examined by fertilizing and liming plots in the most nutrient-deficient community, the short pocosin. Both exogenous and endogenous factors were important in controlling decay rates and nutrient mineralization-immobilization dynamics. The most important site factor controlling decay rates was water table, with greater rates of decomposition in drained sites. High initial soluble phenolic concentrations and a low holocellulose quotient (% holocellulose / % lignocellulose) in litter inhibited decay rates. Despite the extremely low nutrient availability in the pocosins and low soil pH in all three communities, both the cross-community comparison and the amendment experiment in the short pocosin demonstrated that exogenous nutrient availability, endogenous nutrient concentrations in litter, and low soil pH do not inhibit decomposition in these sites. In contrast, immobilization-mineralization dynamics of N and P were largely driven by a source-sink relationship, with greatest immobilization found with high exogenous nutrient availability and low initial endogenous nutrient concentrations. We suggest a conceptual model of nutrient control over decomposition as a function of carbon quality of litter.     

Nitrogen supply differentially affects litter decomposition rates and nitrogen dynamics of sub-arctic bog species

High-latitude peatlands are important soil carbon sinks. In these ecosystems, the mineralization of carbon and nitrogen are constrained by low temperatures and low nutrient concentrations in plant litter and soil organic matter. Global warming is predicted to increase soil N availability for plants at high-latitude sites. We applied N fertilizer as an experimental analogue for this increase. In a three-year field experiment we studied N fertilization effects on leaf litter decomposition and N dynamics of the four dominant plant species (comprising >75% of total aboveground biomass) in a sub-arctic bog in northern Sweden. The species were Empetrum nigrum (evergreen shrub), Eriophorum vaginatum (graminoid), Betula nana (deciduous shrub) and Rubus chamaemorus (perennial forb). In the controls, litter mass loss rates increased in the order: Empetrum < Eriophorum < Betula < Rubus. Increased N availability had variable, species-specific effects: litter mass loss rates (expressed per unit litter mass) increased in Empetrum, did not change in Eriophorum and Betula and decreased in Rubus. In the leaf litter from the controls, we measured no or only slight net N mineralization even after three years. In the N-fertilized treatments we found strong net N immobilization, especially in Eriophorum and Betula. This suggests that, probably owing to substantial chemical and/or microbial immobilization, additional N supply does not increase the rate of N cycling for at least the first three years.     

Carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry and nitrogen cycling rates in streams

Stoichiometric analyses can be used to investigate the linkages between N and C cycles and how these linkages influence biogeochemistry at many scales, from components of individual ecosystems up to the biosphere. N-specific NH₄⁺ uptake rates were measured in eight streams using short-term ¹⁵N tracer additions, and C to N ratios (C:N) were determined from living and non-living organic matter collected from ten streams. These data were also compared to previously published data compiled from studies of lakes, ponds, wetlands, forests, and tundra. There was a significant negative relationship between C:N and N-specific uptake rate; C:N could account for 41% of the variance in N-specific uptake rate across all streams, and the relationship held in five of eight streams. Most of the variation in N-specific uptake rate was contributed by detrital and primary producer compartments with large values of C:N and small values for N-specific uptake rate. In streams, particulate materials are not as likely to move downstream as dissolved N, so if N is cycling in a particulate compartment, N retention is likely to be greater. Together, these data suggest that N retention may depend in part on C:N of living and non-living organic matter in streams. Factors that alter C:N of stream ecosystem compartments, such as removal of riparian vegetation or N fertilization, may influence the amount of retention attributed to these ecosystem compartments by causing shifts in stoichiometry. Our analysis suggests that C:N of ecosystem compartments can be used to link N-cycling models across streams.     

15000年以来若尔盖高原泥炭地发育及其碳动态

高海拔泥炭地是维护高原气候环境稳定的重要生态系统,由于其兼具高海拔和高寒的特点,对气候变化尤为敏感。若尔盖高原泥炭地是中国高海拔泥炭地集中分布区,碳储量丰富,由于方法学差异及数据缺乏,其碳储量估算仍存在一定程度的不确定性,对长时间尺度碳通量的模拟研究还较为匮乏。因此,以若尔盖高原泥炭地为研究对象,基于若尔盖高原泥炭地每千年的面积变化和碳累积速率重新评估若尔盖高原泥炭地碳储量,并利用泥炭分解模型和碳通量重建模型探讨了15000年以来若尔盖高原泥炭地碳通量动态。研究结果表明,若尔盖高原泥炭地约从15000年开始发育,发育高峰期在12000-10000年和7000-5000年,泥炭累积速率范围为0.22-1.31 mm/a,平均值为0.56 mm/a;碳累积速率范围为13.4-77.2 g C m^-2 a^-1,平均碳累积速率为33.5 g C m^-2 a^-1,3000年至今碳累积速率最高,7000-6000年是碳累积速率次峰值时期;15000年以来若尔盖高原泥炭地碳储存量达1.4 Pg（1 Pg=10¹⁵ g）,碳累积输入和碳累积释放分别为5.6 Pg和4.2 Pg;净碳平衡平均值为0.087 Tg（1 Tg=10¹² g）C/a,峰值出现在11000-10000年为0.295 Pg;在6000-2000年若尔盖泥炭地出现微弱碳源,最大值出现在5000-4000年,约为-0.034 Pg,净碳平衡在15000-11000年和4000年至今呈现上升趋势,而10000-4000年整体呈现下降趋势。总体而言,若尔盖高原泥炭地碳储量丰富,是青藏高原东部重要的陆地生态系统碳库和碳汇,本研究将为我国高海拔泥炭地碳库保育提供一定的理论和数据支撑。     

Litter quality and decomposition in Danthonia richardsonii swards in response to CO2 and nitrogen supply over four years of growth

Litter quality parameters of Danthonia richardsonii grown under CO₂ concentrations of ≈ 359 & ≈ 719 μL L^{? 1} at three mineral N supply rates (2.2, 6.7 & 19.8 g m^{? 2} y^{? 1}) were determined. C:N ratio was increased in senesced leaf (enhancement ratios, R_e/c, of 1.25–1.67), surface litter (1.34–1.64) and root (1.13–1.30) by CO₂ enrichment. After 3 years of growth, nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations were reduced in senesced leaf lamina (avg. R_e/c= 0.84) but not in root in response to CO₂ enrichment. Cellulose concentrations increased slightly in senesced leaf (avg. R_e/c= 1.07) but not in root in response to CO₂ enrichment. Lignin and polyphenolic concentrations in senesced leaf and root were not changed by CO₂ enrichment. Decomposition, measured as cumulative respiration in standard conditions in vitro, was reduced in leaf litter grown under CO₂ enrichment. Root decomposition in vitro was lower in the material produced under CO₂ enrichment at the two higher rates of mineral N supply. Significant correlations between decomposition of leaf litter and initial %N, C:N ratio and lignin:N ratio were found. Decomposition in vivo, measured as carbon disappearance from the surface litter was not affected by CO₂ concentration. Arbuscular mycorrhizal infection was not changed by CO₂ enrichment. Microbial carbon was higher under CO₂ enrichment at the two higher rates of mineral N supply. Possible reasons for the lack of effect of changes in litter quality on in‐sward decomposition rates are discussed.     

Aboveground decomposition dynamics in riparian depression and slope wetlands of central Pennsylvania

We examined two types of groundwater-fed wetlands (riparian depressions and slopes) classified using the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) system. These wetland types had previously been shown to differ hydrologically. Our first objective was to determine if HGM was a useful structuring variable when examining aboveground decomposition dynamics (rate of mass loss and rate of nitrogen loss). Our second objective was to determine what soil variables were related to any differences in aboveground decomposition dynamics we might find regardless of HGM subclass. We used the litterbag field bioassay technique, and employed a standard litter type (Phalaris arundinacea) across all wetlands. Our results indicated that HGM would not readily serve as an adequate structuring variable for aboveground decomposition in riparian depressions and slope wetlands of central Pennsylvania. Discriminant analysis and classification and regression tree (CART) modeling found soil cation exchange capacity, soil pH, soil organic matter, and soil % nitrogen to be potentially important soil variables related to mass loss, and soil % nitrogen and soil pH to be potentially important variables related to nitrogen loss rate.     

Water and nitrogen dynamics in an arid woodland

Arid environments are characterized by spatial and temporal variation in water and nitrogen availability. differences in ¹⁵N and D of four co-occurring species reveal contrasting patterns of plant resource acquisition in response to this variation. Mineralization potential and nitrogen concentration of surface soils associated with plant canopies were greater than inter-canopy locations, and values decreased with increasing depth in both locations. Mineralization potential and nitrogen concentration were both negatively correlated with soil ¹⁵N. The spatial variation in soil ¹⁵N caused corresponding changes in plant ¹⁵N such that plant ¹⁵N values were negatively correlated with nitrogen concentration of surface soils. Plants occurring on soils with relatively high nitrogen concentrations had lower ¹⁵N, and higher leaf nitrogen concentrations, than plants occurring on soils with relatively low nitrogen concentrations. Two general temporal patterns of water and nitrogen use were apparent. Three species (Juniperus, Pinus andArtemisia) relied on the episodic availability of water and nitrogen at the soil surface. ¹⁵N values did not vary through the year, while xylem pressure potentials and stem-water D values fluctuated with changes in soil moisture at the soil surface. In contrast,Chrysothamnus switched to a more stable water and nitrogen source during drought. ¹⁵N values ofChrysothamnus increased throughout the year, while xylem pressure potentials and stem-water D values remained constant. The contrasting patterns of resource acquisition have important implications for community stability following disturbance. Disturbance can cause a decrease in nitrogen concentration at the soil surface, and so plants that rely on surface water and nitrogen may be more susceptible than those that switch to more stable water and nitrogen sources at depth during drougnt.     

Production,decomposition, and nitrogen dynamics ofMyrica gale litter

Summary Myrica gale litter deposition and decomposition were studied in a central Massachusetts peatland to determine the amount of N made available to the ecosystem by these processes. Leaf litter added 114–140 g biomass m^–2 annually and contained 2.12–2.59 g N m^–2 returning about 70% as much N to the ecosystem as was fixed annually byMyrica gale. During the first five years of decomposition, the leaf liter lost only 40% of its initial biomass and released only 10% of its initial N content. About 60% of its original N mass was still present when the litter reached the permanently waterlogged zone, and thus was effectively lost to the vegetation. The low decomposition rate was due primarily to the chemical content of the litter because similarly low rates were observed in an upland forest where the native litter decayed rapidly. The initial lignin content (40%) ofM. gale litter may be largely responsible for its slow decomposition in spite of its relatively high (1.69%) initial N content.M. gale litter decayed substantially more slowly and had a much higher initial lignin content than the litter of other woody N₂-fixing plants which have been examined.     

Insights into nitrogen and carbon dynamics of ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi from isotopic evidence

The successful use of natural abundances of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes in the study of ecosystem dynamics suggests that isotopic measurements could yield new insights into the role of fungi in nitrogen and carbon cycling. Sporocarps of mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi, vegetation, and soils were collected in young, deciduous-dominated sites and older, coniferous-dominated sites along a successional sequence at Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. Mycorrhizal fungi had consistently higher δ¹⁵N and lower δ¹³C values than saprotrophic fungi. Foliar δ¹³C values were always isotopically depleted relative to both fungal types. Foliar δ¹⁵N values were usually, but not always, more depleted than those in saprotrophic fungi, and were consistently more depleted than in mycorrhizal fungi. We hypothesize that an apparent isotopic fractionation by mycorrhizal fungi during the transfer of nitrogen to plants may be attributed to enzymatic reactions within the fungi producing isotopically depleted amino acids, which are subsequently passed on to plant symbionts. An increasing difference between soil mineral nitrogen δ¹⁵N and foliar δ¹⁵N in later succession might therefore be a consequence of greater reliance on mycorrhizal symbionts for nitrogen supply under nitrogen-limited conditions. Carbon signatures of mycorrhizal fungi may be more enriched than those of foliage because the fungi use isotopically enriched photosynthate such as simple sugars, in contrast to the mixture of compounds present in leaves. In addition, some ¹³C fractionation may occur during transport processes from leaves to roots, and during fungal chitin biosynthesis. Stable isotopes have the potential to help clarify the role of fungi in ecosystem processes. Received: 7 January 1998 / Accepted: 9 November 1998     

Foliar and fine root nitrate reductase activity in seedlings of four forest tree species in relation to nitrogen availability

Summary Seedlings of red maple, white pine, pitch pine and red pine were fertilized with nutrient solutions containing 4 levels of nitrate or ammonium additions. These levels corresponded to approximately 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 times normal availability of nitrogen in northeastern forests. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was assayed in roots and leaves. Red maples treated with nitrate showed much higher leaf activities and higher ratios of leaf NR activity to root NR activity than any other species. Ammonium additions to red maple and white pine appeared to inhibit NR activity in leaves. With high nitrate additions, NR activity was induced in roots and leaves of pine species, but activity in roots remained much higher than in leaves.     

高山森林溪流冬季不同时期凋落物分解中水溶性氮和磷的动态特征

为了解高山森林溪流凋落物冬季分解过程中水溶性氮和磷的变化过程,采用凋落叶分解袋法,以川西高山森林典型乔木(四川红杉、方枝柏)和灌木(高山杜鹃、康定柳)凋落叶为研究对象,研究冬季不同时期(冻结初期、冻结期、融化期)溪流、河流、河岸带以及林下凋落叶水溶性氮和磷的动态特征.结果表明:经过一个冬季的分解,4种凋落物在不同生境下各时期的水溶性氮含量无显著变化.水溶性磷含量除林下外在其他生境均显著降低,表现出河流＜溪流＜河岸带＜林下的规律.高山森林凋落叶分解过程中水溶性磷含量与平均温度、正积温、负积温和流速呈显著负相关,水溶性氮含量与正积温呈显著正相关,物种显著影响凋落物分解过程中水溶性氮和磷的含量.高山森林凋落物冬季分解过程中水溶性磷更易随河流和溪流等水体的流动而流失,而水溶性氮受冬季水环境的影响相对较小.     

Copper nutrition of wheat in relation to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization

Summary In a pot culture study, copper addition to soil increased the crop yield only in presence of nitrogen. The latter increased the utilization of both native as well as applied copper but more that of applied. It also minimised the adverse effect of applied phosphorus on copper utilization. Phosphorus at the rate 45 ppm had the tendency of decreasing copper uptake by wheat if applied without nitrogen or with its low level.     

日本中部10种树木叶片中氮和磷的季节变化及其转移

从叶完全展开到生长季结束,对常绿阔叶树种日本米储、具柄冬青、铁冬青、红楠和海桐及落叶阔叶树种袍栎、栓皮栎、日本朴、银杏和日本树五加的叶N和P含量进行了测定．结果表明,在整个生长季中,常绿阔叶树种中的日本米储和铁冬青的新叶和老叶的N和P含量呈现初期高、中期较低、后期上升的趋势;具柄冬青和海桐新叶的N和P含量的变化趋势与日本米储和铁冬青相似,而其老叶的N和P含量随季节推移而逐渐下降;红楠新叶和老叶的N含量呈现上升的趋势,其新叶和老叶的P含量则呈下降趋势;落叶阔叶树种的叶N和P含量随着时间的推移不断减少．各树种的N转移率为43％～75％,P为62％～84％．常绿阔叶树种的N平均转移率与落叶阔叶树种相似,而其P平均转移率大于落叶阔叶树种．所有树种的N平均转移率小于P平均转移率．     

Ectomycorrhizal community composition and function in a spruce forest transitioning between nitrogen and phosphorus limitation

Nitrogen is the main limiting nutrient in boreal ecosystems, but studies in southwest Sweden suggest that certain forests approach phosphorus (P) limitation driven by nitrogen (N) deposition. We added N, P or N + P to a Norway spruce forest in this region, to push the system to N or P limitation. Tree growth and needle nutrient concentrations indicated that the trees are P limited. EMF biomass was reduced only by N + P additions. Soil EMF communities responded more strongly to P than to N. Addition of apatite to ingrowth meshbags altered EMF community composition and enhanced the abundance of Imleria badia in the control and N plots, but not when P was added. The ecological significance of this species is discussed. Effects on tree growth, needle chemistry, and EMF communities indicate a dynamic interaction between EMF fungi and the nutrient status of trees and soils.     

The effect of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on the growth,reproduction, and nutrient dynamics of two ericaceous shrubs

Summary Aboveground growth, reproduction, and foliar nitrogen and phosphorus contents of two ericaceous shrub species were compared over two seasons in (a) an undisturbed shrub bog (pocosin), and (b) a factorial fertilization design in which three levels each of nitrogen and phosphorus were added in all possible combinations. One species, Zenobia pulverulenta, is deciduous whereas the other species, Lyonia lucida, is evergreen. In the nutrient-poor undisturbed pocosin the two species exhibited similar foliar nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and aboveground growth rates. Neither species flowered. In response to nutrient-addition Zenobia increased growth rates more than Lyonia. Foliar phosphorus concentrations of both species increased in response to enhanced phosphorus availability. in the first season neither species flowered in any treatment. In the second season Zenobia flowered only in the fertilized plots, with the most flowering in the high phosphorus treatments. I conclude that, by virtue of high growth rates and efficient use of nutrients and despite differences in leaf phenology and morphology, both Lyonia and Zenobia are successful in a competitive community under conditions of extremely low phosphorus availability. However, unlike Lyonia, Zenobia can take advantage of temporarily increased nutrient availability, which occurs following fire in the pocosin, to increase growth and reproduction.     

Implications of floristic and environmental variation for carbon cycle dynamics in boreal forest ecosystems of central Canada

Abstract. Species composition, detritus, and soil data from 97 boreal forest stands along a transect in central Canada were analysed using Correspondence Analysis to determine the dominant environmental/site variables that differentiate these forest stands. Picea mariana stands were densely clustered together on the understorey DCA plot, suggesting a consistent understorey species composition (feather mosses and Ericaceae), whereas Populus tremuloides stands had the most diverse understorey species composition (ca. 30 species, mostly shrubs and herbs). Pinus banksiana stands had several characteristic species of reindeer lichens (Cladina spp.), but saplings and Pinus seedlings were rare. Although climatic variables showed large variation along the transect, the CCA results indicated that site conditions are more important in determining species composition and differentiating the stand types. Forest floor characteristics (litter and humus layer, woody debris, and drainage) appear to be among the most important site variables. Stands of Picea had significantly higher average carbon (C) densities in the combined litter and humus layer (43530 kg‐C.ha^‐1) than either Populus (25 500 kg‐C.ha^‐1) or Pinus (19 400 kg‐C.ha^‐1). The thick surface organic layer in lowland Picea stands plays an important role in regulating soil temperature and moisture, and organic‐matter decomposition, which in turn affect the ecosystem C‐dynamics. During forest succession after a stand‐replacing disturbance (e.g. fires), tree biomass and surface organic layer thickness increase in all stand types as forests recover; however, woody biomass detritus first decreases and then increases after ca. 80 yr. Soil C densities show slight decrease with ages in Populus stands, but increase in other stand types. These results indicate the complex C‐transfer processes among different components (tree biomass, detritus, forest floor, and soil) of boreal ecosystems at various stages of succession.     

Nitrogen and carbon dynamics in C3 and C4 estuarine marsh plants grown under elevated CO2 in situ

Summary Carbon dioxide concentrations were elevated in three estuarine communities for an entire growing season. Open top chambers were used to raise CO₂ concentrations ca. 336 ppm above ambient in monospecific communities of Scirpus olneyi (C₃) and Spartina patens (C₄), and a mixed community of S. olneyi, S. patens and Distichlis spicata (C₄). Nitrogen and carbon concentration (% wt) of aboveground tissue was followed throughout growth and senescence. Green shoot %N was reduced and %C was unchanged under elevated CO₂ in S. olneyi. This resulted in a 20%–40% increase in tissue C/N ratio. There was no effect of CO₂ on either C₄ species. Maximum aboveground N (g/m²) was unchanged in S. olneyi, indicating that increased productivity under elevated CO₂ was dependent on reallocation of stored N. There was no change in the N recovery efficiency of S. olneyi in pure stand and a decrease in the mixed community. Litter C/N ratio was not affected by elevated CO₂ suggesting that decomposition and N mineralization rates will also remain unchanged. Continued growth responses to elevated CO₂ could, however, be limited by the ability of S. olneyi to increase the total aboveground N pool.     

模拟冻融环境下亚高山森林凋落物分解速率及有机碳动态

森林凋落物分解是森林生态系统物质循环的重要环节,季节性冻融交替是影响凋落物分解的重要环境因素之一,但不同林型的凋落物对冻融响应的差异性很少被量化。为了解冻融环境对森林凋落物分解进程的影响,以川西亚高山森林地区阔叶林、针叶林和针阔混交林3种典型林型的凋落物为实验材料,从凋落物基质质量、冻融环境等影响凋落分解的因素着手,采用模拟冻融循环过程（-5-5℃）,研究了冻融循环中3种林型凋落物分解速率和有机碳含量的动态变化。结果发现,3中典型林型凋落物经过不同冻融处理后,其质量损失、质量损失速率均存在显著差异（P<0.05）。混交林凋落物和针叶林凋落物的分解速率呈慢-快-慢的趋势,而阔叶林凋落物的分解速率逐渐减小。在冻融循环处理下,3种林型的凋落物碳绝对含量呈波动下降的趋势,说明微生物固定外源碳和凋落物释放碳间存在动态平衡。相同林型的凋落物在不同冻融处理下,有机碳释放有显著差异（P<0.05）。其中,冻融环境显著（P<0.05）促进了混交林凋落物和针叶林凋落物有机碳的释放,但是对阔叶林凋落物有机碳的释放没有起到促进作用。这表明全球气候变暖情景下,亚高山森林土壤冻融事件频发将加快凋落物的分解,但变化程度受到凋落物质量控制。     

Short- and Long-term Tannin Induced Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Dynamics in Corsican Pine Litter

Pine litter amended with either tannic acid (TA) or condensed tannins (CTs) was studied to assess the effects on C, N and P mineralization in relation to the fate of tannins by incubation experiments during various time intervals. TA induced a rapid short-term effect resulting in high C respiration and net N and P immobilisation. After one week of incubation, TA was decomposed and net C, N and P mineralization and net nitrification resembled that of the control (non-amended litter). CTs exhibited effects on net mineralization on longer terms, i.e. after several weeks of incubation until the end of the experiment (84 days). While net N and P mineralization were greatly reduced, net nitrification was only slightly affected. Most likely CTs formed complexes with organic N of the substrate thereby reducing net N mineralization, while such complexes were not involved in net nitrification processes. The reduction of net P mineralization is due to the lack of need for P by microbes when they cannot get access to N. The fact that decreasing amounts of extractable CTs were accompanied by increasing effects on mineralization processes with incubation time strongly suggests that CTs were incorporated into the litter in such a way that they were inextricable by the common solvents needed to measure tannins, such as for the Folin–Ciocalteu and HCl–butanol assays.