Abstract
Vast areas of southern Chile are now covered by second-growth forests because of fire and logging. To study successional patterns after moderate-intensity, anthropogenic fire disturbance, we assessed differences in soil properties and N fluxes across a chronosequence of seven successional stands (2–130 years old). We examined current predictions of successional theory concerning changes in the N cycle in forest ecosystems. Seasonal fluctuations of net N mineralization (Nmin) in surface soil and N availability (Na; Na=NH +4 –N+NO −3 –N) in upper and deep soil horizons were positively correlated with monthly precipitation. In accordance with theoretical predictions, stand age was positively, but weakly related to both Na (r 2=0.282, P<0.001) and total N (Ntot; r 2=0.192, P<0.01), and negatively related to soil C/N ratios (r 2=0.187, P<0.01) in surface soils. A weak linear increase in soil Nmin (upper plus deep soil horizons) was found across the chronosequence (r 2=0.124, P<0.022). Nmin occurred at modest rates in early successional stands, suggesting that soil disturbance did not impair microbial processes. The relationship between N fixation (Nfix) in the litter layer and stand age best fitted a quadratic model (r 2=0.228, P<0.01). In contrast to documented successional trends for most temperate, tropical and Mediterranean forests, non-symbiotic Nfix in the litter layer is a steady N input to unpolluted southern temperate forests during mid and late succession, which may compensate for hydrological losses of organic N from old-growth ecosystems.
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Acknowledgements
Funding for this work was provided by grants from Fondecyt 1990946, Millenium Nucleus P99-103 FICM, IAI-CRN-012, Fundación Antorchas and FONDAP-FONDECYT grant 1501-0001 to the Centre for Advanced Studies in Ecology and Biodiversity. This is a contribution to the Research Program of Senda Darwin Biological Station, Chiloé, Chile. Two anonymous reviewers provided helpful comments on an earlier version. M. Carmona was supported by a doctoral fellowship from Conicyt and Fondecyt Grant 2000022.
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Pérez, C.A., Carmona, M.R., Aravena, J.C. et al. Successional changes in soil nitrogen availability, non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation and carbon/nitrogen ratios in southern Chilean forest ecosystems. Oecologia 140, 617–625 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-004-1627-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-004-1627-y