Municipal Wastewater Effects On Nitrogen Cycling In A Mature Hardwood Forest

Author : Lucas Emil Nave
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 89 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (27 download)

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Download or read book Nitrogen Cycling in the Northern Hardwood Forest written by Lucas Emil Nave and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 89 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: Nitrogen (N) is the nutrient most limiting to plant growth (NPP) in temperate forests. In N-limited temperate forests, most of the N required for NPP is recycled between soil and plant N pools by the microbial process of N-mineralization (Nmin). However, human activities have increased atmospheric N deposition (Ndep) to forests in the last 50-100 years, and this surplus N may increase NPP. But, forest responses to Ndep are not satisfactorily understood, and depend on how atmospheric N inputs are partitioned between soils and plants. From my field data collection at a mature forest site, I estimated that NPP required 51 kg N ha−1 yr−1, most of which was used for fine root and leaf production (62% and 31%, respectively). Each year, Nmin supplied 87% of Nreq, and Ndep contributed an additional 13%, 4% of which was due to canopy retention of Ndep (Ncr). Data from my mesocosm 15N-labelling experiment suggested that very little (10%) of Ncr observed in the field was actually taken up by trees, and the majority of Ndep (85%) was assimilated into soil pools. These results suggest that Ndep could not have significantly increased forest NPP at UMBS over the time scale of my studies. My greenhouse experiment corroborated this conclusion, with tree seedlings showing no significant increase in photosynthesis or growth in response to Ndep at ambient rates. However, Ndep to forest ecosystems has been occurring for decades in industrialized regions, and most of the N inputs have been incorporated into soil organic matter (SOM). Research across temperate forests has suggested that forests exposed to large N inputs over time exhibit decreased soil C/N ratios, which are associated with faster Nmin rates. Using meta-analysis, I verified this pattern in the literature, and discovered novel relationships between forest soil properties and their responses to N inputs. My results demonstrated a long-term, quantitative relationship between Ndep and Nmin, and suggest that NPP may increase in temperate forests affected by Ndep.