Changes in aboveground primary production and carbon and nitrogen pools accompanying woody plant encroachment in a temperate savanna

When woody plant abundance increases in grasslands and savannas, a phenomenon widely observed worldwide, there is considerable uncertainty as to whether aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and ecosystem carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools increase, decrease, or remain the same. We estimated ANPP and C and N pools in aboveground vegetation and surface soils on shallow clay and clay loam soils undergoing encroachment by Prosopis glandulosa in the Southern Great Plains of the United States. Aboveground Prosopis C and N mass increased linearly, and ANPP increased logarithmically, with stand age on clay loam soils; on shallow clays, Prosopis C and N mass and ANPP all increased linearly with stand age. We found no evidence of an asymptote in trajectories of C and N accumulation or ANPP on either soil type even following 68 years of stand development. Production and accumulation rates were lower on shallow clay sites relative to clay loam sites, suggesting strong edaphic control of C and N accumulation associated with woody plant encroachment. Response of herbaceous C mass to Prosopis stand development also differed between soil types. Herbaceous C declined with increasing aboveground Prosopis C on clay loams, but increased with increasing Prosopis C on shallow clays. Total ANPP (Prosopis+herbaceous) of sites with the highest Prosopis basal area were 1.2 × and 4.0 × greater than those with the lowest Prosopis basal area on clay loam and shallow clay soils, respectively. Prosopis ANPP more than offset declines in herbaceous ANPP on clay loams and added to increased herbaceous ANPP on shallow clays. Although aboveground C and N pools increased substantially with Prosopis stand development, we found no corresponding change in surface soil C and N pools (0–10 cm). Overall, our findings indicate that Prosopis stand development significantly increases ecosystem C and N storage/cycling, and the magnitude of these impacts varied with stand age, soil type and functional plant traits     

Trade‐offs between savanna woody plant diversity and carbon storage in the Brazilian Cerrado

Incentivizing carbon storage can be a win‐win pathway to conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. In savannas, however, the situation is more complex. Promoting carbon storage through woody encroachment may reduce plant diversity of savanna endemics, even as the diversity of encroaching forest species increases. This trade‐off has important implications for the management of biodiversity and carbon in savanna habitats, but has rarely been evaluated empirically. We quantified the nature of carbon‐diversity relationships in the Brazilian Cerrado by analyzing how woody plant species richness changed with carbon storage in 206 sites across the 2.2 million km² region at two spatial scales. We show that total woody plant species diversity increases with carbon storage, as expected, but that the richness of endemic savanna woody plant species declines with carbon storage both at the local scale, as woody biomass accumulates within plots, and at the landscape scale, as forest replaces savanna. The sharpest trade‐offs between carbon storage and savanna diversity occurred at the early stages of carbon accumulation at the local scale but the final stages of forest encroachment at the landscape scale. Furthermore, the loss of savanna species quickens in the final stages of forest encroachment, and beyond a point, savanna species losses outpace forest species gains with increasing carbon accumulation. Our results suggest that although woody encroachment in savanna ecosystems may provide substantial carbon benefits, it comes at the rapidly accruing cost of woody plant species adapted to the open savanna environment. Moreover, the dependence of carbon‐diversity trade‐offs on the amount of savanna area remaining requires land managers to carefully consider local conditions. Widespread woody encroachment in both Australian and African savannas and grasslands may present similar threats to biodiversity.     

Net changes in regional woody vegetation cover and carbon storage in Texas Drylands, 1937–1999

Although local increases in woody plant cover have been documented in arid and semiarid ecosystems worldwide, there have been few long‐term, large‐scale analyses of changes in woody plant cover and aboveground carbon (C) stocks. We used historical aerial photography, contemporary Landsat satellite data, field observations, and image analysis techniques to assess spatially specific changes in woody vegetation cover and aboveground C stocks between 1937 and 1999 in a 400‐km² region of northern Texas, USA. Changes in land cover were then related to topo‐edaphic setting and historical land‐use practices. Mechanical or chemical brush management occurred over much of the region in the 1940–1950s. Rangelands not targeted for brush management experienced woody cover increases of up to 500% in 63 years. Areas managed with herbicides, mechanical treatments or fire exhibited a wide range of woody cover changes relative to 1937 (?75% to + 280%), depending on soil type and time since last management action. At the integrated regional scale, there was a net 30% increase in woody plant cover over the 63‐year period. Regional increases were greatest in riparian corridors (33%) and shallow clay uplands (26%) and least on upland clay loams (15%). Allometric relationships between canopy cover and aboveground biomass were used to estimate net aboveground C storage changes in upland (nonriparian) portions of regional landscapes. Carbon stocks increased from 380 g C m^?2 in 1937 to 500 g C m^?2 in 1999, a 32% net increase across the 400 km² region over the 63‐year period. These plant C storage change estimates are highly conservative in that they did not include the substantial increases in woody plant cover observed within riparian landscape elements. Results are discussed in terms of implications for ‘carbon accounting’ and the global C cycle.     

Shrub expansion stimulates soil C and N storage along a coastal soil chronosequence

Expansion of woody vegetation in grasslands is a worldwide phenomenon with implications for C and N cycling at local, regional and global scales. Although woody encroachment is often accompanied by increased annual net primary production (ANPP) and increased inputs of litter, mesic ecosystems may become sources for C after woody encroachment because stimulation of soil CO₂ efflux releases stored soil carbon. Our objective was to determine if young, sandy soils on a barrier island became a sink for C after encroachment of the nitrogen‐fixing shrub Morella cerifera, or if associated stimulation of soil CO₂ efflux mitigated increased litterfall. We monitored variations in litterfall in shrub thickets across a chronosequence of shrub expansion and compared those data to previous measurements of ANPP in adjacent grasslands. In the final year, we quantified standing litter C and N pools in shrub thickets and soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (TN) and soil CO₂ efflux in shrub thickets and adjacent grasslands. Heavy litterfall resulted in a dense litter layer storing an average of 809 g C m^?2 and 36 g N m^?2. Although soil CO₂ efflux was stimulated by shrub encroachment in younger soils, soil CO₂ efflux did not vary between shrub thickets and grasslands in the oldest soils and increases in CO₂ efflux in shrub thickets did not offset contributions of increased litterfall to SOC. SOC was 3.6–9.8 times higher beneath shrub thickets than in grassland soils and soil TN was 2.5–7.7 times higher under shrub thickets. Accumulation rates of soil and litter C were highest in the youngest thicket at 101 g m^?2 yr^?1 and declined with increasing thicket age. Expansion of shrubs on barrier islands, which have low levels of soil carbon and high potential for ANPP, has the potential to significantly increase ecosystem C sequestration.     

Woody overstorey effects on soil carbon and nitrogen pools in South African savanna

Abstract Woody plant encroachment in savannas may alter carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools over the long‐term, which could have regional or global biogeochemical implications given the widespread encroachment observed in the vast savanna biome. Soil and litter %C and %N were surveyed across four soil types in two encroached, semi‐arid savanna landscapes in northern South Africa. Litter at sampling points with a woody component had a higher %N and lower C : N ratio than litter at solely herbaceous points. Severely encroached areas had lower C : N ratios throughout the soil profile than less encroached areas. Soil %C and %N were highly influenced by soil texture but were also influenced by the presence of a woody overstorey, which increased surface soil %C on three soil types but decreased it on the most heavily encroached soil type. Soil C sequestration may initially increase with bush encroachment but then decline if bush densities become so high as to inhibit understorey grass growth.     

Shifts in functional traits elevate risk of fire‐driven tree dieback in tropical savanna and forest biomes

Numerous predictions indicate rising CO₂ will accelerate the expansion of forests into savannas. Although encroaching forests can sequester carbon over the short term, increased fires and drought‐fire interactions could offset carbon gains, which may be amplified by the shift toward forest plant communities more susceptible to fire‐driven dieback. We quantify how bark thickness determines the ability of individual tree species to tolerate fire and subsequently determine the fire sensitivity of ecosystem carbon across 180 plots in savannas and forests throughout the 2.2‐million km² Cerrado region in Brazil. We find that not accounting for variation in bark thickness across tree species underestimated carbon losses in forests by ~50%, totaling 0.22 PgC across the Cerrado region. The lower bark thicknesses of plant species in forests decreased fire tolerance to such an extent that a third of carbon gains during forest encroachment may be at risk of dieback if burned. These results illustrate that consideration of trait‐based differences in fire tolerance is critical for determining the climate‐carbon‐fire feedback in tropical savanna and forest biomes.     

元江干热河谷稀树灌草丛植被碳储量及净初级生产力

稀树灌草丛作为干热河谷区特殊的植被类型,其碳储量等一直缺乏必要的研究。以元江干热河谷稀树灌草丛植被为对象,利用典型样地法研究该区稀树灌草丛植被的碳储量与净初级生产力。结果表明:元江稀树灌草丛植被的碳储量为32.13 t C/hm~2,其中乔木、灌木和草本各层次的碳储量为26.70、4.04、1.40 t C/hm~2,分别占到总碳储量的83.02%、12.57%、4.4%。乔木层中地上部分碳储量占到66.70%。另外,元江稀树灌草丛的净初级生产力为3.88 t C hm~(-2)a~(-1),其中林分的净初级生产力为1.90 t C hm~(-2)a~(-1),凋落物量为1.98 t C hm~(-2)a~(-1);林下植被层对林分净初级生产力的贡献达到了46.92%。说明元江稀树灌草丛具有较高的碳储量和碳汇能力。结果为稀树灌草丛碳循环及碳汇功能研究提供了基础,同时也为干热河谷区植被的保育与可持续经营提供了科学依据。     

The input and fate of new C in two forest soils under elevated CO2

The aim of this study was to estimate (i) the influence of different soil types on the net input of new C into soils under CO₂ enrichment and (ii) the stability and fate of these new C inputs in soils. We exposed young beech–spruce model ecosystems on an acidic loam and calcareous sand for 4 years to elevated CO₂. The added CO₂ was depleted in ¹³C, allowing to trace new C inputs in the plant–soil system. We measured CO₂‐derived new C in soil C pools fractionated into particle sizes and monitored respiration as well as leaching of this new C during incubation for 1 year. Soil type played a crucial role in the partitioning of C. The net input of new C into soils under elevated CO₂ was about 75% greater in the acidic loam than in the calcareous sand, despite a 100% and a 45% greater above‐ and below‐ground biomass on the calcareous sand. This was most likely caused by a higher turnover of C in the calcareous sand as indicated by 30% higher losses of new C from the calcareous sand than from the acidic loam during incubation. Therefore, soil properties determining stabilization of soil C were apparently more important for the accumulation of C in soils than tree productivity. Soil fractionation revealed that about 60% of the CO₂‐derived new soil C was incorporated into sand fractions. Low natural ¹³C abundance and wide C/N ratios show that sand fractions comprise little decomposed organic matter. Consistently, incubation indicated that new soil C was preferentially respired as CO₂. During the first month, evolved CO₂ consisted to 40–55% of new C, whereas the fraction of new C in bulk soil C was 15–23% only. Leaching of DOC accounted for 8–23% of the total losses of new soil C. The overall effects of CO₂ enrichment on soil C were small in both soils, although tree growth increased significantly on the calcareous sand. Our results suggest that the potential of soils for C sequestration is limited, because only a small fraction of new C inputs into soils will become long‐term soil C.     

东北次生杨桦林土壤碳氮动态特征

土壤分级组分是研究其碳氮动态的基础,次生杨桦林作为东北地区主要的天然林类型,目前相关数据的欠缺状态要求对此进行深入研究。为此,采集0—10cm、10—20cm、20—30cm长白山次生杨桦林土壤,通过土壤颗粒组分物理化学分级方法,将土壤分成5种组分:沙和稳定团聚体土壤组分(SA)、酸不溶土壤组分(AI)、易氧化土壤组分(EO)、颗粒态土壤组分(P)和可溶性土壤组分(S),进而分析了不同组分的质量分数、碳氮含量、碳氮分配比例及红外光谱5类官能团相对含量,旨在探讨次生杨桦林土壤固碳、氮供应机制。结果显示,接近90%的土壤质量集中在稳定组分AI(66.21%)和SA(22.11%)上,导致稳定组分中碳截获量最大(占土壤总碳量的2/3),而且其C/N比活跃组分(P和EO)大2—9倍;与碳不同,由于活跃组分中N含量比稳定组分大4—80倍,致使活跃组分P和EO氮的分配比例最大,分别占土壤总氮的33.1%和26.0%;除了占土壤质量很少的P和S外,组分间以及组分内的碳氮间多具有显著相关关系。这种土壤碳、氮在不同组分间贮存方式的差异使得土壤碳储存稳定性更高、而N肥力供应更快速。伴随不同组分碳氮储存的变化,不同组分间红外官能团存在显著差异,AI组分中绝大多数官能团相对含量均最低,而P和S组分中绝大多数官能团相对含量均较高,绝大多数官能团相对含量与碳含量、氮含量呈现显著的正相关关系,反映了官能团具有维持土壤碳氮的功能。同时,官能团与土壤C/N具有显著相关关系,反映出组分官能团相对含量的高低具有指示组分化学活性高低的作用。研究发现对于林分土壤的碳截获与氮供应的机制阐明具有重要的科学意义,这为深入了解东北次生杨桦林碳氮动态及对未来气候的响应提供基础数据。     

河南封丘县域农田土壤固碳速率空间变异特征及其影响因素

农田土壤固碳速率是评价土壤固碳效应和潜力的重要指标,精确估算区域农田土壤固碳速率对土壤地力及环境效应均具有重要意义.本研究选取黄淮海平原典型潮土区河南省封丘县为研究区域,按照土壤利用-土壤类型联合单元布点法,于2011年采集了70个耕层土样,测定了土壤有机碳含量、机械组成、容重、pH,并与全国第二次土壤普查(1981年)数据进行对比分析,结合地统计方法和GIS技术研究了该地区近30年农田土壤固碳速率的空间变异特征,利用显著性检验、回归分析、方差分析等方法定量分析了该区域农田土壤固碳速率的影响因素.结果表明: 近30年封丘县域土壤固碳速率平均值为0.33 t C·hm^-2·a^-1,变异系数为74%,属于中等变异性;土壤固碳速率的变化在东西方向上表现为西高东低、中部高南北低,呈片状分布,区域结构性因素是引起农田土壤固碳速率空间分布差异的主导因素,如土壤类型、机械组成、容重、pH,可解释空间变异的59.5%,其次是随机性因素,如秸秆还田量、施肥量,可解释空间变异的40.5%.     

Effects of straw carbon input on carbon dynamics in agricultural soils: a meta‐analysis

Straw return has been widely recommended as an environmentally friendly practice to manage carbon (C) sequestration in agricultural ecosystems. However, the overall trend and magnitude of changes in soil C in response to straw return remain uncertain. In this meta‐analysis, we calculated the response ratios of soil organic C (SOC) concentrations, greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission, nutrient contents and other important soil properties to straw addition in 176 published field studies. Our results indicated that straw return significantly increased SOC concentration by 12.8 ± 0.4% on average, with a 27.4 ± 1.4% to 56.6 ± 1.8% increase in soil active C fraction. CO₂ emission increased in both upland (27.8 ± 2.0%) and paddy systems (51.0 ± 2.0%), while CH₄ emission increased by 110.7 ± 1.2% only in rice paddies. N₂O emission has declined by 15.2 ± 1.1% in paddy soils but increased by 8.3 ± 2.5% in upland soils. Responses of macro‐aggregates and crop yield to straw return showed positively linear with increasing SOC concentration. Straw‐C input rate and clay content significantly affected the response of SOC. A significant positive relationship was found between annual SOC sequestered and duration, suggesting that soil C saturation would occur after 12 years under straw return. Overall, straw return was an effective means to improve SOC accumulation, soil quality, and crop yield. Straw return‐induced improvement of soil nutrient availability may favor crop growth, which can in turn increase ecosystem C input. Meanwhile, the analysis on net global warming potential (GWP) balance suggested that straw return increased C sink in upland soils but increased C source in paddy soils due to enhanced CH₄ emission. Our meta‐analysis suggested that future agro‐ecosystem models and cropland management should differentiate the effects of straw return on ecosystem C budget in upland and paddy soils.     

Holocene boundary dynamics of a northern Australian monsoon rainforest patch inferred from isotopic analysis of carbon, (14C and δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in soil organic matter

Abstract Soil organic matter (SOM) was sampled from lateritic soil profiles across an abrupt eucalypt savanna–monsoon rainforest boundary on the north coast of Croker Island, northern Australia. Accelerator mass spectrometry dating revealed that SOM that had accumulated at the base of these 1.5 m profiles had a radiocarbon age of about 5000 years. The mean carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition of SOM from 10 cm deep layers from the surface, middle and base of three monsoon rainforest soil profiles was significantly different from the means for these layers in three adjacent savanna soil profiles, suggesting the isotopic ‘footprint’ of the vegetation boundary has been stable since the mid Holocene. Although there were no obvious environmental discontinuities associated with the boundary, the monsoon rainforest was found to occur on significantly more clay rich soils than the surrounding savanna. Tiny fragments of monsoon rainforest and abandoned ‘nests’ (large earthen mounds) of the orange‐footed scrubfowl, an obligate monsoon rainforest species, occurred in the savanna, signalling that the rainforest was once more extensive. Despite episodic disturbances, such as tropical storm damage and fires, the stability of the boundary is probably maintained because clay rich soils enable monsoon rainforest tree species to grow rapidly and achieve canopy closure, thereby excluding grass and reducing the risk of fire. Conversely, slower tree growth rates, grass competition and fire on the savanna soils would impede the expansion of the rainforest although high rainfall periods with shorter dry seasons may enable rainforest trees to grow sufficiently quickly to colonize the savanna successfully.     

Carbon dioxide exchange and biomass productivity of the herbaceous layer of a managed tropical humid savanna ecosystem in western Kenya

Aims Humid savannas, as a result of high precipitation amounts, are highly productive. They are also hotspots for land use change and potential sources of carbon dioxide (CO₂) due to the large soil carbon (C) stocks. Understanding how ecosystem CO₂ exchange is influenced by changes arising from agricultural land use is vital in future management of these ecosystems and in responding to the ongoing shifts in management and climate. The aim of this study was to identify how ecosystem CO₂ exchange and biomass productivity of the herbaceous layer of a humid savanna in Kenya respond to current management practices.Methods We used flux chambers to quantify CO₂ fluxes, while monthly harvests were undertaken to determine biomass development of the herbaceous layer of three sites that were (i) fenced to exclude livestock grazing, (ii) subjected to grazing by livestock and (iii) abandoned after being cultivated for maize production and also open to grazing by livestock.Important findings The peak aboveground biomass ranged between 380 and 1449g m ?2 and biomass production was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the grazed and abandoned plots. The maximum gross primary production (GPP) and net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) ranged between 21.8±1.3 to 32.5±2.7 and ?9.6±0.7 to^-17.9±4.8 μmol m ?2 s^-1, respectively. Seasonal NEE fluctuations ranged between 10 and 21 μmol m ?2 s^-1, while spatial (among sites) differences ranged between 2 and 10 μmol m ?2 s^-1. Ecosystem respiration (R eco) fluctuated between 5 and 10 μmol m ?2 s^-1 during the growing season. R eco was, however, not significantly different among the sites. Unlike in other similar ecosystems where ecosystem respiration is determined by the ambient temperature, we did not find any relationship between R eco and temperature in this savanna. Instead, soil moisture accounted for 38–88% of the spatial and seasonal fluctuations in ecosystem CO₂ fluxes and aboveground biomass production. Management influenced the maximum GPP and NEE rates through modification of soil moisture, plant species composition and aboveground biomass. We concluded that soil moisture is the key determinant of ecosystem CO₂ exchange and productivity in this tropical savanna. Management, however, significantly modifies C fluxes and productivity through its influence on soil moisture, plant species composition and aboveground green biomass and should be taken into consideration in future similar studies.     

1940—2002年长江中下游平原乡村景观区域中土地利用覆被及其土壤有机碳储量变化

过去60a来,长江中下游平原的乡村地区发展迅速,引起土地利用覆被及其土壤有机碳储量明显地变化。通过选取区域代表性样方、基于1942年航片和2002年IKONOS影像研究小尺度土地利用覆被变化、土壤取样和收集1965年前土壤有机碳历史数据,用尺度推绎和蒙特卡洛不确定性分析方法,评价了19402002年长江中下游平原人口密集的乡村景观区域中土地利用覆被的面积及其030cm土壤(或底泥)有机碳储量的变化。结果表明:近60a来,在86×103km2的区域中有47%的面积发生土地利用覆被转化,其中耕地转化为非耕地的面积为21%(18×103km2)。土地利用覆被类型转化及其有机碳密度的变化导致该区域土壤有机碳储量的净增加。该区域稻田和闲置水域面积分别减少了21.5%(18.5×103km2)和6.7%(5.7×103km2),导致其土壤(或底泥)有机碳储量分别减少41.8TgC和12.9TgC;而水产养殖、非渗漏表面为主的建筑用地、种植木本作物和种植1年生作物的水浇地面积分别增加了14.2%(12.2×103km2)、7.7%(6.7×103km2)、3.5%(3.0×103km2)和2.0%(1.7×103km2),使其土壤(或底泥)有机碳储量分别增加32.2TgC、22.2TgC、12.2TgC和6.5TgC。近60a来,整个区域030cm土壤有机碳的储量增加了18.2TgC,其净增加的可能性为75%,形成了弱碳汇。这主要是由于区域稻田土壤有机碳密度增加了17%,使区域土壤有机碳储量增加了22.2TgC(其净增加的可能性为92%);而且,稻田转化为种植木本作物和种植1年生作物的水浇地也使区域土壤有机碳储量分别增加了1.3TgC(净增加的可能性为86%)和0.3TgC(净增加的可能性为70%);此外,闲置水域转化为水产养殖也使区域土壤有机碳储量增加1.3TgC(净增加的可能性为77%)。但是,稻田转化为水产养殖和非渗漏表面为主的建筑用地导致区域土壤有机碳储量损失6.3TgC和0.6TgC。因稻田土壤有机碳密度增加及稻田转化类型的土壤有机碳储量变化的影响,使整个区域形成弱碳汇,但如果稻田继续减少的话,很可能变成碳源。通过选取区域代表性样方、研究小尺度土地利用覆被变化、土壤取样和收集土壤历史数据,采用尺度推绎方法,研究揭示了19402002年长江中下游平原人口密集的乡村景观区域中土地利用覆被的面积及其土壤有机碳储量的变化。     

Stimulation of both photosynthesis and respiration in response to warmer and drier conditions in a boreal peatland ecosystem

Peatland ecosystems have been consistent carbon (C) sinks for millennia, but it has been predicted that exposure to warmer temperatures and drier conditions associated with climate change will shift the balance between ecosystem photosynthesis and respiration providing a positive feedback to atmospheric CO₂ concentration. Our main objective was to determine the sensitivity of ecosystem photosynthesis, respiration and net ecosystem production (NEP) measured by eddy covariance, to variation in temperature and water table depth associated with interannual shifts in weather during 2004–2009. Our study was conducted in a moderately rich treed fen, the most abundant peatland type in western Canada, in a region (northern Alberta) where peatland ecosystems are a significant landscape component. During the study, the average growing season (May–October) water depth declined approximately 38 cm, and temperature [expressed as cumulative growing degree days (GDD, March–October)] varied approximately 370 GDD. Contrary to previous predictions, both ecosystem photosynthesis and respiration showed similar increases in response to warmer and drier conditions. The ecosystem remained a strong net sink for CO₂ with an average NEP (± SD) of 189 ± 47 g C m^?2 yr^?1. The current net CO₂ uptake rates were much higher than C accumulation in peat determined from analyses of the relationship between peat age and cumulative C stock. The balance between C addition to, and total loss from, the top 0–30 cm depth (peat age range 0–70 years) of shallow peat cores averaged 43 ± 12 g C m^?2 yr^?1. The apparent long‐term average rate of net C accumulation in basal peat samples was 19–24 g C m^?2 yr^?1. The difference between current rates of net C uptake and historical rates of peat accumulation is likely a result of vegetation succession and recent increases in tree establishment and productivity.     

The response of stocks of C,N, and P to plant invasion in the coastal wetlands of China

The increasing success of invasive plant species in wetland areas can threaten their capacity to store carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (C, N, and P). Here, we have investigated the relationships between the different stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC), and total C, N, and P pools in the plant–soil system from eight different wetland areas across the South‐East coast of China, where the invasive tallgrass Spartina alterniflora has replaced the native tall grasses Phragmites australis and the mangrove communities, originally dominated by the native species Kandelia obovata and Avicennia marina. The invasive success of Spartina alterniflora replacing Phragmites australis did not greatly influence soil traits, biomass accumulation or plant–soil C and N storing capacity. However, the resulting higher ability to store P in both soil and standing plant biomass (approximately more than 70 and 15 kg P by ha, respectively) in the invasive than in the native tall grass communities suggesting the possibility of a decrease in the ecosystem N:P ratio with future consequences to below‐ and aboveground trophic chains. The results also showed that a future advance in the native mangrove replacement by Spartina alterniflora could constitute a serious environmental problem. This includes enrichment of sand in the soil, with the consequent loss of nutrient retention capacity, as well as a sharp decrease in the stocks of C (2.6 and 2.2 t C ha^‐1 in soil and stand biomass, respectively), N, and P in the plant–soil system. This should be associated with a worsening of the water quality by aggravating potential eutrophication processes. Moreover, the loss of carbon and nutrient decreases the potential overall fertility of the system, strongly hampering the reestablishment of woody mangrove communities in the future.     

Elevated [CO2], temperature increase and N supply effects on the accumulation of below-ground carbon in a temperate grassland ecosystem

The effects of elevated [CO₂] (700 μl l⁻¹ [CO₂]) and temperature increase (+3 °C) on carbon accumulation in a grassland soil were studied at two N-fertiliser supplies (160 and 530 kgN ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) in a long-term experiment (2.5 years) on well established ryegrass swards (Lolium perenne L.,) supplied with the same amounts of irrigation water. For all experimental treatments, the C:N ratio of the top soil organic matter fractions increased with their particle size. Elevated CO₂ concentration increased the C:N ratios of the below-ground phytomass and of the macro-organic matter. A supplemental fertiliser N or a 3 °C increase in elevated [CO₂] reduced it. At the last sampling date, elevated [CO₂] did not affect the C:N ratio of the soil organic matter fractions, but increased significantly the accumulation of roots and of macro-organic matter above 200 μm (MOM). An increased N-fertiliser supply stimulated the accumulation of the non harvested plant phytomass and of the OM between 2 and 50 μm, without positive effect on the macro-organic matter >200 μm. Elevated [CO₂2] increased C accumulation in the OM fractions above 50 μm by +2.1 tC ha⁻¹, on average, whereas increasing the fertiliser N supply led to an average supplemental accumulation of +0.8 tC ha⁻¹. There was no significant effect of a 3 °C temperature increase under elevated [CO₂] on C accumulation in the OM fractions above 50 μm. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Net landscape carbon balance of a tropical savanna: Relative importance of fire and aquatic export in offsetting terrestrial production

The magnitude of the terrestrial carbon (C) sink may be overestimated globally due to the difficulty of accounting for all C losses across heterogeneous landscapes. More complete assessments of net landscape C balances (NLCB) are needed that integrate both emissions by fire and transfer to aquatic systems, two key loss pathways of terrestrial C. These pathways can be particularly significant in the wet–dry tropics, where fire plays a fundamental part in ecosystems and where intense rainfall and seasonal flooding can result in considerable aquatic C export (ΣF_aq). Here, we determined the NLCB of a lowland catchment (~140 km²) in tropical Australia over 2 years by evaluating net terrestrial productivity (NEP), fire‐related C emissions and ΣF_aq (comprising both downstream transport and gaseous evasion) for the two main landscape components, that is, savanna woodland and seasonal wetlands. We found that the catchment was a large C sink (NLCB 334 Mg C km^?2 year^?1), and that savanna and wetland areas contributed 84% and 16% to this sink, respectively. Annually, fire emissions (?56 Mg C km^?2 year^?1) and ΣF_aq (?28 Mg C km^?2 year^?1) reduced NEP by 13% and 7%, respectively. Savanna burning shifted the catchment to a net C source for several months during the dry season, while ΣF_aq significantly offset NEP during the wet season, with a disproportionate contribution by single major monsoonal events—up to 39% of annual ΣF_aq was exported in one event. We hypothesize that wetter and hotter conditions in the wet–dry tropics in the future will increase ΣF_aq and fire emissions, potentially further reducing the current C sink in the region. More long‐term studies are needed to upscale this first NLCB estimate to less productive, yet hydrologically dynamic regions of the wet–dry tropics where our result indicating a significant C sink may not hold.