Energy control of matter fluxes through land-water ecotones in an agricultural landscape

Ecotones play and important role in control of matter input into water bodies. The impacts of shelterbelt and meadow ecotones on ground water passage from cultivated fields to pond were studied. The reduction of water flux due to evapotranspiration by shelterbelts and meadows on slopes of different steepness were estimated. The horizontal passage of heat energy between cultivated fields and ecotones, which enhances evaporation in shelterbelts and meadows was demonstrated. The reduction of ground water flux by a ten meter wide shelterbelt or meadow surrounding a pond can reach as much as 100 per cent when the slope is about 1 degree, during a sunny day. Shelterbelts are a more effective measure for control of cycling matter than meadows. The greater the slope of the water table and the more intensive the radiation and advective processes, the more distinct the differences between shelterbelt and meadow impacts on groundwater flow are.     

Nitrogen removal in subsurface water by narrow buffer strips in the intensive farming landscape of the Po River watershed, Italy

In many countries buffer strips have become an important management tool widely accepted for controlling the diffuse pollution and supporting the development of more sustainable agriculture. However, there is the need to investigate their role in intensive farming systems where a realistic and shareable proposal to realize buffer strips can only foresee the use of a limited space. We evaluated the nitrogen buffering capacities of two narrow riparian strips (5-8 m) along irrigation ditches located in a typical flat agricultural watershed of the alluvial plain of the River Po (Northern Italy). Subsurface water level and nutrient concentrations were monitored along transects of piezometers installed from crop fields to ditches in two different areas. Spatial and temporal variation in water chemistry and hydrology were investigated to individuate the main processes (biological or physical) leading to groundwater nitrate depletion related to fertilization, pluviometric regime and seasonal variation. The results obtained indicate an elevated nitrate removal efficiency in both riparian areas. Compared to the high mean concentrations measured at the exit of the crop fields (10-90 mg l⁻¹ N-NO₃⁻), nitrate levels within riparian sites can be very low, completely disappearing below the ditches. The patterns of some chemical species (O₂, SO₄²⁻ and HCO₃⁻) and the potential denitrification rates suggest that denitrification plays a predominant role in the N-NO₃⁻ depletion observed in the first few meters of the herbaceous strip. The key factors in the system are the elevated groundwater residence time and the effect of the evapotranspiration. The water uptake by woody vegetation affects the subsurface water to flow through the riparian zone and, at the same time, it contributes to completely remove the nitrate from the groundwater.Our findings also suggest the double role of riparian vegetation both in ecohydrological and biological terms. In fact the water uptake by trees affects the subsurface flow pattern and contributes to completely remove the nitrate in the riparian zone.     

Decomposition of leaves of huisache (Acacia tortuoso) and mesquite (Prosopis spp) in soil of the central highlands of Mexico

In the central highlands of Mexico, mesquite (Prosopis spp) and huisache (Acacia tortuoso), N₂ fixing trees or shrubs, dominate the vegetation and are used in an alley cropping system to prevent erosion and restore soil fertility. We investigated how much the leaves of both trees contribute to dynamics of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in soil by adding leaves of both species to soil sampled under the canopy of mesquite and huisache, outside their canopy and from fields cultivated with maize at three different sites and monitoring microbial biomass C, production of carbon dioxide (CO₂), and dynamics of inorganic N (ammonium and nitrate) in an aerobic incubation. The soluble fraction and N content of the mesquite leaves were larger than in the huisache leaves, but lignin and polyphenol content were lower. Evolution of CO₂ increased 2.7-times when mesquite and 2.4-times when huisache leaves were added to soil. During all stages of decomposition and in all treatments, C mineralization of leaves from mesquite was greater than from huisache leaves. Mesquite leaves induced an increase in mineral N of 25.6 mg N kg^–1 soil after 56 days and those of huisache 9.8 mg N kg^–1. Twenty-six percent of N from mesquite leaves and 11% of huisache was mineralized, if no priming effect was considered. Nitrogen release from the leaves was greater when the soil organic matter content was lower. It was found that soil under the canopy of mesquite and huisache effectively accumulated organic material, micro-organisms and valuable nutrients. In an alley cropping system huisache might be a better choice than mesquite as huisache grows faster than mesquite and sheds its leaves twice a year while mesquite only once, although the amount of N mineralized was larger from mesquite leaves than from those of huisache.     

Nitrogen in interstitial waters in the Sahel; Natural Baseline, Pollutant or Resource?

Nitrate in the unsaturated zone between the soil surface and the water table was studied in agroforestry Parklands in north western Senegal by examination of samples obtained by hand auger. Depending on location, water tables existed at depths between 10 and 35m below ground. Previous studies of groundwater in this region had found that large concentrations of nitrate were unconnected with anthropogenic activity. The objective of this study was to determine whether nitrogen fixing vegetation had a role in groundwater nitrate accumulation and whether roots of trees were located deeply enough to access the nitrate. Accordingly, sample profiles were augered close to stems of nitrogen fixing trees, non-nitrogen fixing trees and also in adjacent areas that were unaffected by tree presence. These adjacent areas were typically open pasture or cultivated fields. Tree fine roots were quantified in the samples and examined for the presence of mycorrhizas. Similarly, sand/soil samples were examined and tested for the presence of nitrogen fixing rhizobia that were capable of forming functional nodules on appropriate host plants. Concentrations of nitrate were greatest in soils beneath nitrogen fixing trees and nitrate was more plentiful in profiles augered beneath nitrogen fixing crops than it was elsewhere suggesting that N-fixation was the source of the nitrate. The concentrrations of nitrate that were found in the unsaturated zone were greatly in excess of the WHO recommended limit for nitrate in drinking water. High NO₃-N/Cl ratios confirm insitu production of nitrate, and indicate that this is a natural baseline occurrence related to N-fixation. The nitrate is moving down the profile and impacts the groundwater unless it can be intercepted by plant roots. NO₃-N amounts in solution in the soil profile varied between 75 and 1000kg ha^–1 beneath trees and between 120 and 400kg ha^–1 in areas outwith tree crowns. Although these quantities of N occupy the lower end of the range of N values obtained in north American deserts, they comprise a considerable dryland resource where amounts of organic fertilizer are limited and where cost prohibits the use of commercial fertilizers. Roots of both nitrogen fixing and non-nitrogen fixing trees were deep enough to access the nitrate but the small amounts of available water at intermediate depths suggest that large scale uptake of nitrate will only be possible in the wetter zones located close to the water table. Shallow roots tended to be more heavily colonized by mycorrhizas than deeper roots but mycorrhizas were recovered from roots located 22m below ground. Tree roots and rhizobia had similar patterns of distribution. They were commonest close to the soil surface, less frequent at intermediate depths and tended to increase in frequency close to the water table.     

Biogeochemical processes in the groundwater discharge zone of urban streams

The influence of biogeochemical processes on nitrogen and organic matter transformation and transport was investigated for two urban streams receiving groundwater discharge during the dry summer baseflow period. A multiple lines of evidence approach involving catchment-, and stream reach-scale investigations were undertaken to describe the factors that influence pore water biogeochemical processes. At the catchment-scale gaining stream reaches were identified from water table mapping and groundwater discharge estimated to be between 0.1 and 0.8 m³ m^?2 d^?1 from baseflow analysis. Sediment temperature profiles also suggested that the high groundwater discharge limited stream water infiltration into the sediments. At the stream reach-scale, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations were higher in stream water than in groundwater. However, DOC and DON concentrations were greatest in sediment pore water. This suggests that biodegradation of sediment organic matter contributes dissolved organic matter (DOM) to the streams along with that delivered with groundwater flow. Pore water ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) was closely associated with areas of high pore water DOM concentrations and evidence of sulfate (SO₄ ^2?) reduction (low concentration and SO₄:Cl ratio). This indicates that anoxic DOM mineralization was occurring associated with SO₄ ^2? reduction. However the distribution of anoxic mineralization was limited to the center of the streambed, and was not constrained by the distribution of sediment organic matter which was higher along the banks. Lower sediment temperatures measured along the banks compared to the center suggests, at least qualitatively, that groundwater discharge is higher along the banks. Based on this evidence anoxic mineralization is influenced by groundwater residence time, and is only measurable along the center of the stream where groundwater flux rates are lower. This study therefore shows that the distribution of biogeochemical processes in stream sediments, such as anoxic mineralization, is strongly influenced by both the biogeochemical conditions and pore water residence time.     

Groundwater Capture Using Hybrid Poplar Trees: Evaluation of a System in Ogden,Utah

A phytoremediation system was installed in 1996 in Ogden, Utah, with the objective of controlling groundwater containing petroleum hydrocarbons. Hybrid poplar trees were deeply and densely planted in rows oriented perpendicular to the direction of groundwater flow, and the stand was never irrigated. Piezometers were installed to measure water table elevation and contaminant levels upgradient, within, and down-gradient of the trees. In 1998, an analysis of the root structure of a representative tree indicated that roots had extended down to the saturated zone, approximately 6 ft below ground surface. The rate of water use by the stand during 1998 was estimated from reference evapotranspiration (ET_o), leaf area, and a water use multiplication factor ($tH) specific to poplar trees. Sap velocity data were collected to measure actual water use by the stand in late summer of 1998. Estimated and measured values compared favorably, with measured values averaging 2.8 gallons day^-1 tree^-1 (1.7 mm day^-1 tree^-1). Water use by the stand in 1999 averaged an estimated 445 gallons day^-1 (6.9 mm day^-1 for the stand). Although the trees transpired a volume of water equivalent to a 10-ft thickness of the saturated zone, water table elevation data collected in 1999 did not indicate a depression in the water table.     

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice paddy fields as affected by nitrogen fertilisers and water management

Methane and N₂O emissions affected by nitrogen fertilisers were measured simultaneously in rice paddy fields under intermittent irrigation in 1994. Ammonium sulphate and urea were applied at rates of 0 (control), 100 and 300 kg N ha^-1. The results showed that CH₄ emission, on the average, decreased by 42 and 60% in the ammonium sulphate treatments and 7 and 14% in the urea treatments at rates of 100 and 300 kg N ha^-1, respectively, compared to the control. N₂O emission increased significantly with the increase in the nitrogen application rate. N₂O emission was higher from ammonium sulphate treatments than from the urea treatments at the same application rate. A trade-off effect between CH₄ and N₂O emission was clearly observed. The N₂O flux was very small when the rice paddy plots were flooded, but peaked at the beginning of the disappearance of floodwater. In contrast, the CH₄ flux peaked during flooding and was significantly depressed by mid-season aeration (MSA). The results suggest that it is important to evaluate the integrative effects of water management and fertiliser application for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in order to attenuate the greenhouse effect contributed by rice paddy fields.     

Riparian nitrogen dynamics in two geomorphologically distinct tropical rain forest watersheds: subsurface solute patterns

Nitrate, ammonium, dissolved organic N, and dissolved oxygen were measured in stream water and shallow groundwater in the riparian zones of two tropical watersheds with different soils and geomorphology. At both sites, concentrations of dissolved inorganic N (DIN; NH₄ ⁺- and NO₃ ⁻-N) were low in stream water (< 110 ug/L). Markedly different patterns in DIN were observed in groundwater collected at the two sites. At the first site (Icacos watershed), DIN in upslope groundwater was dominated by NO₃ ⁻-N (550 ug/L) and oxygen concentrations were high (5.2 mg/L). As groundwater moved through the floodplain and to the stream, DIN shifted to dominance by NH₄ ⁺-N (200–700 ug/L) and groundwater was often anoxic. At the second site (Bisley watershed), average concentrations of total dissolved nitrogen were considerably lower (300 ug/L) than at Icacos (600 ug/L), and the dominant form of nitrogen was DON rather than inorganic N. Concentrations of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻ were similar throughout the riparian zone at Bisley, but concentrations of DON declined from upslope wells to stream water. Differences in speciation and concentration of nitrogen in groundwater collected at the two sites appear to be controlled by differences in redox conditions and accessibility of dissolved N to plant roots, which are themselves the result of geomorphological differences between the two watersheds. At the Icacos site, a deep layer of coarse sand conducts subsurface water to the stream below the rooting zone of riparian vegetation and through zones of strong horizontal redox zonation. At the Bisley site, infiltration is impeded by dense clays and saturated flow passes through the variably oxidized rooting zone. At both sites, hydrologic export of nitrogen is controlled by intense biotic activity in the riparian zone. However, geomorphology appears to strongly modify the importance of specific biotic components.     

Differences in nitrate and ammonium uptake between Scots pine and European larch

In forest soils, ammonium is usually the predominant form of inorganic nitrogen. However, the capacity of trees to utilize both NO₃ ^- and NH₃ ⁺ may provide greater flexibility in responding to changes of nitrogen supply from the environment. Such capacity has been studied in seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) grown in the presence or absence of either nitrate or ammonium. Nitrate-induced plants showed a higher nitrate uptake rate than non-induced plants; this difference was almost negligible after 24 h of exposure to NO₃ ^-. Ammonium uptake in both species was consistently higher than that of nitrate, regardless of prior nitrogen provision. In both nutrient conditions, larch showed a more efficient transport system in comparison with Scots pine, with higher ammonium and nitrate uptake rates in both induced and non-induced plants. This was consistent also with the activity of nitrate reductase, measured in vivo in roots and leaves. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nitrogen fertilization enhances water‐use efficiency in a saline environment

Effects of salinity and nutrients on carbon gain in relation to water use were studied in the grey mangrove, Avicennia marina, growing along a natural salinity gradient in south‐eastern Australia. Tall trees characterized areas of seawater salinities (fringe zone) and stunted trees dominated landward hypersaline areas (scrub zone). Trees were fertilized with nitrogen (+N) or phosphorus (+P) or unfertilized. There was no significant effect of +P on shoot growth, whereas +N enhanced canopy development, particularly in scrub trees. Scrub trees maintained greater CO₂ assimilation per unit water transpired (water‐use efficiency, WUE) and had lower nitrogen‐use efficiency (NUE; CO₂ assimilation rate per unit leaf nitrogen) than fringe trees. The CO₂ assimilation rates of +N trees were similar to those in other treatments, but were achieved at lower transpiration rates, stomatal conductance and intercellular CO₂ concentrations. Maintaining comparable assimilation rates at lower stomatal conductance requires greater ribulose 1·5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity, consistent with greater N content per unit leaf area in +N trees. Hence, +N enhanced WUE at the expense of NUE. Instantaneous WUE estimates were supported by less negative foliar δ¹³C values for +N trees and scrub control trees. Thus, nutrient enrichment may alter the structure and function of mangrove forests along salinity gradients.     

The use of different soil nitrogen sources by young Norway spruce plants

 Three-year-old Norway spruce trees were planted into a low-nitrogen mineral forest soil and supplied either with two different levels of mineral nitrogen (NH₄NO₃) or with a slow-release form of organic nitrogen (keratin). Supply of mineral nitrogen increased the concentrations of ammonium and nitrate in the soil solution and in CaCl₂-extracts of the rhizosphere and bulk soil. In the soil solution, in all treatments nitrate concentrations were higher than ammonium concentrations, while in the soil extracts ammonium concentrations were often higher than nitrate concentrations. After 7 months of growth, ¹⁵N labelled ammonium or nitrate was added to the soil. Plants were harvested 2 weeks later. Keratin supply to the soil did not affect growth and nitrogen accumulation of the trees. In contrast, supply of mineral nitrogen increased shoot growth and increased the ratio of above-ground to below-ground growth. The proportion of needle biomass to total above-ground biomass was not increased by mineral N supply. The atom-% ¹⁵N was higher in younger needles than in older needles, and in younger needles higher in plants supplied with ¹⁵N-nitrate than in plants supplied with ¹⁵N-ammonium. The present data show that young Norway spruce plants take up nitrate even under conditions of high plant internal N levels. Received: 1 April 1998 / Accepted: 9 October 1998     

城市小型景观水体溶存N2O浓度及排放通量特征

淡水生态系统是大气中N₂O的重要排放源,受到国内外广泛关注。城市小型景观水体作为区域淡水系统的重要组成,具有环境容量小,受人类活动干扰强烈,其N₂O排放特征及影响机制并不清楚。选择重庆大学城8个典型景观水体和2个城市外围的自然水体（对照）作为研究对象,利用顶空法和漂浮箱法对水体溶存N₂O浓度及排放通量进行季节性监测,并通过分析生境特征及水环境特征,探究城市小型景观水体N₂O排放特征及关键影响因素。结果表明：1）小型景观水体TN、NO₃^--N、NH₄⁺-N、NO₂^--N含量总体偏低但变异性极强（变化范围分别为0.31-1.47 mg/L、0.05-0.79 mg/L、0.03-0.14 mg/L、0.00-0.04 mg/L）,硝态氮是主要的氮形态;景观水体氮丰度远高于外围的自然水体;2）10个小型水体N₂O浓度范围为16.51-158.96 nmol/L,平均为（47.60±21.47） nmol/L,均处于过饱和状态;漂浮箱法实测8个景观水体N₂O排放通量均值为（0.13±0.05）mmol m^-2 d^-1,是对照水体的1.3-5.2倍,高于大部分已有研究结果,是大气N₂O的排放热源;3）景观水体N₂O排放通量与水体各形态氮含量呈显著的正相关关系,较高的N负荷和强烈的氮转化过程是导致景观水体成为N₂O排放热源的主要因子,水体N含量可以作为景观水体N₂O排放强度的有效指示因子;同时水生植物分布对水体N₂O排放影响显著,有植物分布的水域比开敞水域高1.4倍;4）漂浮箱法和边界层模型法对小型景观水体N₂O排放通量的监测结果呈较好的线性关系,但不同季节仍存在着一定差异,需要进一步优化模型估算方法;5）水体N₂O排放通量对温度的季节性变化较为敏感,呈夏季最高,春、秋季次之,冬季最低的季节模式。本研究强调,城市小型景观水体具有较高的N₂O排放速率,在区域氮循环及全球淡水系统温室气体排放清单中具有不可忽视的作用,在未来研究中应得到更多关注。     

Remediation of Nitrogen-Contaminated Sediment Using Bioreactive,Thin-layer Capping with Biozeolite

In situ amendment of nitrogen-contaminated sediment using bioreactive, thin-layer capping (BTC) with biozeolite (i.e., zeolite with heterotrophic nitrifiers as well as aerobic denitrifiers attached) was studied herein. BTC with biozeolite for nitrogen-contaminated sediment management was evaluated through long-term (170 days) sediment incubation laboratory experiments. The results showed that BTC with relatively small dose rates (<10 kg m^?2) of biozeolite reduced the total nitrogen (TN) concentration in overlying water by over 90%, so it was effective in reducing the amount of N released from sediment. Higher-dose rates of biozeolite capping achieved an even higher removal efficiency. With the DO concentration of 1.5 ～ 6.5 mg L^?1 in overlying water, the reduction efficiency of TN in overlying water using BTC was higher than that less than 1 mg L^?1. In BTC systems, biological regeneration (i.e., heterotrophic nitrifiers attached to zeolite can regenerate the zeolite ion exchange capacity for ammonium) occurred in biozeolite which was saturated with ammonium during the nitrification period. In addition, TN contents in surface sediment in BTC systems were reduced at different levels after the experiment. These findings indicate that the BTC can be a feasible remedial approach to reduce N in overlying water and sediment in eutrophic water bodies. In the BTC, N load was reduced by the added biozeolite through adsorbing ammonium (NH₄⁺-N), converting NH₄⁺-N into nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^?-N) and nitrogen gas (N₂), and assimilating inorganic nitrogen.     

Does nitrogen availability control rates of litter decomposition in forests?

The effects of increased exogenous N availability on rates of litter decomposition were assessed in several field fertilization trials. In a jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) forest, needle litter decomposed at the same rate in control plots and in plots fertilized with urea and ammonium nitrate (1350 kg N ha^-1) with or without P and K. Mixed needle litter of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) incubated in plots recently amended with sewage sludge (500 kg N ha^-1) lost less weight during 3 years than did litter in control plots. Forest floor material also decomposed more slowly in plots amended with sewage sludge. Paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) leaf litter placed on sewage sludge (1000 kg N ha^-1), pulp sludge, or sewage-pulp sludge mixtures decomposed at the same rate as leaf litter in control plots. These experiments demonstrate little effect of exogenous N availability on rates of litter decomposition.The influence of endogenous N availability on rates of litter decomposition was examined in a microcosm experiment. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm.) needle litter collected from N-fertilized trees (525 kg N ha^-1 in ammonium nitrate) were 5 times richer in N than needles from control trees (1.56% N versus 0.33% N in control trees), but decomposed at the same rate. Green needles from fertilized trees contained twice as much N as needles from control trees (1.91% N versus 0.88% N), but decomposed at the same rate. These experiments suggest that N availability alone, either exogenous or endogenous, does not control rates of litter decomposition. Increased N availability, through fertilization or deposition, in the absence of changes in vegetation composition, will not alter rates of litter decomposition in forests.     

Nitrogen dynamics in the hyporheic zone of a forested stream during a small storm, Hokkaido, Japan

Water and dissolved nitrogen flows through the hyporheic zone of a 3rd-order mountain stream in Hokkaido, northern Japan were measured during a small storm in August 1997. A network of wells was established to measure water table elevations and to collect water samples to analyze dissolved nitrogen concentrations. Hydraulic conductivity and the depth to bedrock were surveyed. We parameterized the groundwater flow model, MODFLOW, to quantify subsurface flows of both stream water and soil water through the hyporheic zone. MODFLOW simulations suggest that soil water inflow from the adjacent hill slope increased by 1.7-fold during a small storm. Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ) in soil water from the hill slope were the dominant nitrogen inputs to the riparian zone. DON was consumed via mineralization to NH ₄ ⁺ in the hyporheic zone. NH ₄ ⁺ was the dominant nitrogen species in the subsurface, and showed a net release during both base and storm flow. Nitrate appeared to be lost to denitrification or immobilized by microorganisms and/or vegetation in the riparian zone. Our results indicated that the riparian and hyporheic system was a net source of NH ₄ ⁺ to the stream.     

Cultivation, nitrogen fertilization, and set-aside effects on methane uptake in a drained marsh soil in Northeast China

To evaluate the effect of cultivation, nitrogen fertilizer, and set aside on CH₄ uptake after drained marshland was converted into agricultural fields, CH₄ fluxes and CH₄ concentrations in soil gas were in situ measured in a drained marsh soil, a set‐aside cultivated soil, and cultivated soils in Sanjiang Plain of Northeast China in August 2001. Over the measuring period, the highest CH₄ uptake rate was 120.7±6.2 μg CH₄ m^?2 h^?1 in the drained marsh soil and the lowest was 29.5±4.9 μg CH₄ m^?2 h^?1 in the set‐aside cultivated soil, showing that there was no significant recovery of CH₄ uptake ability 5 years after cultivation activity was stopped. CH₄ uptake rates were significantly less in the cultivated soils than in the drained marsh soil by 30.1–74.6%, which resulted mainly from cultivation and partly from nitrogen addition. A significantly negative correlation between CH₄ flux and bulk density in the cultivated soils tilled by machine suggests that cultivation reduced CH₄ uptake through compaction, because of the enhanced diffusion resistance for CH₄ and O₂. Nitrogen fertilization slowly reduced but persistently affected CH₄ uptake even after long‐term application of nitrogen.     

Identification of subpopulations of North American elk (Cervus elaphus L.) using multiple lines of evidence: habitat use, dietary choice, and fecal stable isotopes

We used multiple lines of evidence to assess habitat selection, dietary choice, and nutritional outcomes for a population of North American elk (Cervus elaphus), confined to a relatively small and isolated landscape of public and private land in south-central Great Plains, USA. The area of suitable elk habitat was a topographically diverse matrix of mature oak savannah, C₄-dominated grasslands, and C₃-dominated agricultural fields surrounded by unsuitable lowlands fragmented by anthropogenic activities. We hypothesized that such disparity in habitat availability and quality resulted in subpopulation differences in the overall elk population. We used 3 methods to evaluate this premise: radiotelemetry to determine home range and habitat use, microhistology of plant fragments in feces to determine dietary selection, and fecal nitrogen (N) and stable isotope ratios of nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and carbon (δ¹³C) to assess nutritional outcomes of habitat use and dietary choice. By comparing these 3 approaches, we wanted to determine if fecal indices alone could efficiently and accurately identify subpopulation structuring. Compositional analyses from radiotelemetry observations of 21 female elk identified 2 subpopulations that occupied relatively disjunct areas and showed differential preferences for forested and cultivated fields in summer but comparable preferences for cultivated fields in winter. A third unmarked subpopulation of elk was known to be largely confined to an adjacent wildlife refuge. Microhistological analyses of feces collected in all 3 areas highlighted distinct diets, outcomes of habitat occupation by the 3 subpopulations. Increased use of cultivated forages in winter was evident for 2 of the subpopulations, but the extent of use by elk was dependent on availability of cultivated forages in areas they occupied. The refuge subpopulation had no access to cultivated forage. Fecal N, fecal δ¹³C, and fecal δ¹⁵N supported the premise that the subpopulation with the greatest access to cultivated forages was on a higher nutritional plane than the other 2 subpopulations. Changes in fecal N, fecal δ¹³C, and fecal δ¹⁵N paralleled percentages of cultivated forages in the diets highlighting the utility of such fecal indices as supplemental to or surrogates for traditional methods of habitat use and dietary selection in free-ranging ungulates.     

Water sources accessed by arid zone riparian trees in highly saline environments,Australia

The flow regimes of arid zone rivers are often highly variable, and shallow groundwater in the alluvial aquifers can be very saline, thus constraining the availability and quality of the major water sources available to riparian trees—soil water, shallow groundwater and stream water. We have identified water sources and strategies used by riparian trees in more highly saline and arid conditions than previously studied for riparian trees of arid zone rivers. Our research focused on the riparian species Eucalyptus coolabah, one of the major riparian trees of ephemeral arid zone rivers in Australia. The water sources available to this riparian tree were examined using δ¹⁸O isotope data from xylem, soil water, groundwater and surface water. Additionally, soil chloride and matric potential data were used to infer zones of water availability for root uptake. Despite the saline conditions, the trees used a mixture of soil water and groundwater sources, but they did not use surface water directly. The study identified three strategies used to cope with typically high groundwater and soil water salinities. Firstly, the trees preferentially grow in zones of most frequent flushing by infiltrating streamflow, such as the bank-tops of channels. Secondly, the trees limit water use by having low transpiration rates. Thirdly, the trees are able to extract water at very low osmotic potentials, with water uptake continuing at chloride concentrations of at least 20,000–30,000 mg L⁻¹.     

Production of N2 through Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation Coupled to Nitrate Reduction in Marine Sediments

In the global nitrogen cycle, bacterial denitrification is recognized as the only quantitatively important process that converts fixed nitrogen to atmospheric nitrogen gas, N₂, thereby influencing many aspects of ecosystem function and global biogeochemistry. However, we have found that a process novel to the marine nitrogen cycle, anaerobic oxidation of ammonium coupled to nitrate reduction, contributes substantially to N₂ production in marine sediments. Incubations with ¹⁵N-labeled nitrate or ammonium demonstrated that during this process, N₂ is formed through one-to-one pairing of nitrogen from nitrate and ammonium, which clearly separates the process from denitrification. Nitrite, which accumulated transiently, was likely the oxidant for ammonium, and the process is thus similar to the anammox process known from wastewater bioreactors. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation accounted for 24 and 67% of the total N₂ production at two typical continental shelf sites, whereas it was detectable but insignificant relative to denitrification in a eutrophic coastal bay. However, rates of anaerobic ammonium oxidation were higher in the coastal sediment than at the deepest site and the variability in the relative contribution to N₂ production between sites was related to large differences in rates of denitrification. Thus, the relative importance of anaerobic ammonium oxidation and denitrification in N₂ production appears to be regulated by the availability of their reduced substrates. By shunting nitrogen directly from ammonium to N₂, anaerobic ammonium oxidation promotes the removal of fixed nitrogen in the oceans. The process can explain ammonium deficiencies in anoxic waters and sediments, and it may contribute significantly to oceanic nitrogen budgets.     

Effect of water table drawdown on peatland nutrient dynamics: implications for climate change

It is anticipated that a lowering of the water table and reduced soil moisture levels in peatlands may increase peat decomposition rates and consequently affect nutrient availability. However, it is not clear if patterns will be consistent across different peatland types or within peatlands given the natural range of ecohydrological conditions within these systems. We examined the effect of persistent drought on peatland nutrient dynamics by quantifying the effects of an experimentally lowered water table position (drained for a 10-year period) on peat KCl-extractable total inorganic nitrogen (ext-TIN), peat KCl-extractable nitrate (ext-NO₃ ^?), and water-extractable ortho-phosphorus (ext-PO₄ ^3?) concentrations and net phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification rates at natural (control) and drained microforms (hummocks, lawns) of a bog and poor fen near Québec City, Canada. Drainage (water table drawdown) decreased net nitrification rates across the landscape and increased ext-NO₃ ^? concentrations, but did not affect net N and P mineralization rates or ext-TIN and ext-PO₄ ^3? concentrations. We suggest that the thick capillary fringe at the drained peatland likely maintained sufficient moisture above the water table to limit the effects of drainage on microbial activity, and a 20 cm lowering of the water table does not appear to have been sufficient to create a clear difference in nutrient dynamics in this peatland landscape. We found some evidence of differences in nutrient concentrations with microforms, where concentrations were greater in lawn than hummock microforms at control sites indicating some translocation of nutrients. In general, the same microtopographic differences were not observed at drained sites. The general spatial patterns in nutrient concentrations did not reflect net mineralization/immobilization rates measured at our control or drained peatlands. Rather, the spatial patterns in nutrient availability may be regulated by differences in vegetation (mainly Sphagnum moss) cover between control and drained sites and possibly differences in hydrologic connection between microforms. Our results suggest that microform distribution and composition within a peatland may be important for determining how peatland nutrient dynamics will respond to water table drawdown in northern peatlands, as some evidence of microtopographic differences in nutrient dynamics was found.