TY - JOUR
T1 - The natural abundance of 15N in litter and soil profiles under six temperate tree species
T2 - N cycling depends on tree species traits and site fertility
AU - Callesen, Ingeborg
AU - Nilsson, Lars Ola
AU - Schmidt, Inger Kappel
AU - Vesterdal, Lars
AU - Ambus, Per Lennart
AU - Christiansen, Jesper Riis
AU - Högberg, Peter
AU - Gundersen, Per
PY - 2013/7
Y1 - 2013/7
N2 - Aims: We investigated the influence of tree species on the natural 15N abundance in forest stands under elevated ambient N deposition. Methods: We analysed δ15N in litter, the forest floor and three mineral soil horizons along with ecosystem N status variables at six sites planted three decades ago with five European broadleaved tree species and Norway spruce. Results: Litter δ15N and 15N enrichment factor (δ15Nlitter-δ15Nsoil) were positively correlated with N status based on soil and litter N pools, nitrification, subsoil nitrate concentration and forest growth. Tree species differences were also significant for these N variables and for the litter δ15N and enrichment factor. Litter from ash and sycamore maple with high N status and low fungal mycelia activity was enriched in 15N (+0.9 delta units) relative to other tree species (European beech, pedunculate oak, lime and Norway spruce) even though the latter species leached more nitrate. Conclusions: The δ15N pattern reflected tree species related traits affecting the N cycling as well as site fertility and former land use, and possibly differences in N leaching. The tree species δ15N patterns reflected fractionation caused by uptake of N through mycorrhiza rather than due to nitrate leaching or other N transformation processes.
AB - Aims: We investigated the influence of tree species on the natural 15N abundance in forest stands under elevated ambient N deposition. Methods: We analysed δ15N in litter, the forest floor and three mineral soil horizons along with ecosystem N status variables at six sites planted three decades ago with five European broadleaved tree species and Norway spruce. Results: Litter δ15N and 15N enrichment factor (δ15Nlitter-δ15Nsoil) were positively correlated with N status based on soil and litter N pools, nitrification, subsoil nitrate concentration and forest growth. Tree species differences were also significant for these N variables and for the litter δ15N and enrichment factor. Litter from ash and sycamore maple with high N status and low fungal mycelia activity was enriched in 15N (+0.9 delta units) relative to other tree species (European beech, pedunculate oak, lime and Norway spruce) even though the latter species leached more nitrate. Conclusions: The δ15N pattern reflected tree species related traits affecting the N cycling as well as site fertility and former land use, and possibly differences in N leaching. The tree species δ15N patterns reflected fractionation caused by uptake of N through mycorrhiza rather than due to nitrate leaching or other N transformation processes.
U2 - 10.1007/s11104-012-1515-x
DO - 10.1007/s11104-012-1515-x
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0032-079X
VL - 368
SP - 375
EP - 392
JO - Plant and Soil
JF - Plant and Soil
IS - 1-2
ER -
