Gewählte Publikation:

Forstner, SJ; Wechselberger, V; Muller, S; Keibinger, KM; Diaz-Pines, E; Wanek, W; Scheppi, P; Hagedorn, F; Gundersen, P; Tatzber, M; Gerzabek, MH; Zechmeister-Boltenstern, S.
(2019): Vertical Redistribution of Soil Organic Carbon Pools After Twenty Years of Nitrogen Addition in Two Temperate Coniferous Forests
ECOSYSTEMS. 2019; 22(2): 379-400. FullText FullText_BOKU

Abstract:

Nitrogen (N) inputs from atmospheric deposition can increase soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in temperate and boreal forests, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of anthropogenic CO2 emissions on global climate. However, direct evidence of N-induced SOC sequestration from low-dose, long-term N addition experiments (that is, addition of<50kgNha(-1)y(-1) for>10years) is scarce worldwide and virtually absent for European temperate forests. Here, we examine how tree growth, fine roots, physicochemical soil properties as well as pools of SOC and soil total N responded to 20years of regular, low-dose N addition in two European coniferous forests in Switzerland and Denmark. At the Swiss site, the addition of 22kgNha(-1)y(-1) (or 1.3 times throughfall deposition) stimulated tree growth, but decreased soil pH and exchangeable calcium. At the Danish site, the addition of 35kgNha(-1)y(-1) (1.5 times throughfall deposition) impaired tree growth, increased fine root biomass and led to an accumulation of N in several belowground pools. At both sites, elevated N inputs increased SOC pools in the moderately decomposed organic horizons, but decreased them in the mineral topsoil. Hence, long-term N addition led to a vertical redistribution of SOC pools, whereas overall SOC storage within 30cm depth was unaffected. Our results imply that an N-induced shift of SOC from older, mineral-associated pools to younger, unprotected pools might foster the vulnerability of SOC in temperate coniferous forest soils.

Autor*innen der BOKU Wien:

Diaz-Pines Eugenio

Forstner Stefan

Gerzabek Martin

Keiblinger Katharina

Müller Stefanie

Tatzber Michael

Wechselberger Viktoria

Zechmeister-Boltenstern Sophie

Find related publications in this database (Keywords)

carbon sequestration

carbon mineralization

nitrogen deposition

nitrogen saturation

fine roots

exchangeable cations

soil carbon

soil pH

Norway spruce

Altmetric:

© BOKU Wien • Impressum