The fate of15N enriched throughfall in two coniferous forest stands at different nitrogen deposition levels

The stable isotope¹⁵N was added as (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ to throughfall water for one year, to study the fate of the deposited nitrogen at different levels of N deposition in two N saturated coniferous forests ecosystems in the Netherlands. The fate of the¹⁵N was followed at high-N (44–55 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1) 1) and low-N (4–6 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1) deposition in plots established under transparent roofs build under the canopy in a Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest.The applied¹⁵N was detectable in needles and twigs, the soil and soil water leaching below the rooting zone (90 cm depth). Total¹⁵N recovery in major ecosystem compartments was 71–100% during two successive growing seasons after the start of a year-round¹⁵N application to throughfall-N. Nine months after the year-round¹⁵N application, the¹⁵N assimilated into tree biomass was 29–33% of the¹⁵N added in the Douglas fir stand and less than 17% in the Scots pine stand. At the same time total¹⁵N retention in the soil (down to 70 cm) of the high-N plots was about 37% of the deposited¹⁵NH₄-N, whereas 46% and 65% of the¹⁵N was found in the soil of the low-N deposition plots at the Douglas fir and Scots pine stand, respectively. The organic layers accounted for 60% of the¹⁵N retained in the soil. The total N deposition exceeded the demand of the vegetation and microbial immobilization. Total¹⁵N leaching losses within a year (below 90 cm) were 10–20% in the high-N deposition plots in comparison to 2–6% in the lowered nitrogen input plots. Relative retention in the soil and vegetation increased at lower N-input levels.Species differences in uptake and tree health seem to contribute to lower¹⁵N recoveries in the Scots pine trees compared to the Douglas fir trees. The excessive N deposition and resulting N saturation lead to conditions were the health and functioning of biota were negatively influenced. At decreased N deposition, lower leaching losses together with increased soil and plant retention indicated a change in the fate of the¹⁵N deposited. This may have resulted from changes in ecosystem processes, and thus a shift along the continuum of N saturation to N limitation.