Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Long-term tracing of whole catchment 15N additions in a mountain spruce forest: measurements and simulations with the TRACE model

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Trees Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite numerous studies on nitrogen (N) cycling in forest ecosystems, many uncertainties remain, particularly regarding long-term N accumulation in the soil. Models validated against tracer isotopic data from field labeling experiments provide a potential tool to better understand and simulate C and N interactions over multiple decades. In this study, we describe the adaptation of the dynamic process-based model TRACE to a new site, Alptal, where long-term N-addition and 15N-tracer experiments provide unique datasets for testing the model. We describe model parameterization for this spruce forest, and then test the model with 9- and 14-year time series of 15N-tracer recovery from control and N-amended catchments, respectively. Finally, we use the model to project the fate of ecosystem N accumulation over the next 70 years. Field 15N recovery data show that the major sink for N deposition is the soil. On the control plot, tracer recovery in the soil increased from 32 % in the second year to 60 % in the ninth year following tracer addition, whereas on the N-saturated plot, soil recovery stayed almost constant from 63 % in the third year to 61 % in the twelfth year. Recovery in tree biomass increased over the decadal time scale in both treatments, to ca. 10 % over 9 years on the control plot and ca. 13 % over 14 years on the N-amended plot. We then used these time series to validate TRACE, showing that the adaptation and calibration procedure for the Alptal site was successful. Model-data comparison identified that the spreading method of 15N tracers needs to be considered when interpreting recovery results from labeling studies. Furthermore, the ground vegetation layer was recognized to play an important role in controlling the rate at which deposited N enters soil pools. Our 70-year model simulation into the future underpinned by a Monte-Carlo sensitivity analysis, suggests that the soil is able to immobilize a constant fraction of 70 and 77 % of deposited N for the treated and the control plot, respectively. Further, the model showed that the simulated increased N deposition resulted in a relatively small elevated C sequestration in aggrading wood with an N use efficiency of approximately 7 kg C per kg N added.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aber JD (1992) Nitrogen cycling and nitrogen saturation in temperate forest ecosystems. Trends Ecol Evol 7:220–224

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aber JD, Driscoll CT (1997) Effects of land use, climate variation, and N deposition on N cycling and C storage in northern hardwood forests. Global Biogeochem Cycles 11:639–648

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aber JD, Federer CA (1992) A generalized, lumped-parameter model of photosynthesis, evapotranspiration and net primary production in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. Oecologia 92:463–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aber JD, Nadelhoffer KJ, Steudler P, Melillo JM (1989) Nitrogen saturation in northern forest ecosystems. Bioscience 39:378–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aber JD, Magill A, Boone R, Melillo JM, Steudler P, Bowden R (1993) Plant and soil responses to chronic nitrogen additions at the Harvard Forest, Massachusetts. Ecol Appl 3:156–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aber JD, Ollinger SV, Driscoll CT (1997) Modeling nitrogen saturation in forest ecosystems in response to land use and atmospheric deposition. Ecol Model 101:61–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aber JD, McDowell W, Nadelhoffer K, Magill A, Berntson G, Kamakea M, McNulty S, Currie W, Rustad L, Fernandez I (1998) Nitrogen saturation in temperate forest ecosystems—hypotheses revisited. Bioscience 48:921–934

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates JW (1992) Mineral nutrient acquisition and retention by bryophytes. J Bryol 17:223–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Borken W, Matzner E (2004) Nitrate leaching in forest soils: an analysis of long-term monitoring sites in Germany. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 167:277–283

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buchmann N, Schulze ED, Gebauer G (1995) 15N-ammonium and 15N-nitrate uptake of a 15-year-old Picea abies plantation. Oecologia 102:361–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchmann N, Gebauer G, Schulze ED (1996) Partitioning of 15N-labeled ammonium and nitrate among soil, litter, below- and above-ground biomass of trees and understory in a 15-year-old Picea abies plantation. Biogeochemistry 33:1–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butterbach-Bahl K, Gasche R, Breuer L, Papen H (1997) Fluxes of NO and N2O from temperate forest soils: impact of forest type, N deposition and of liming on the NO and N2O emissions. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 48:79–90

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Currie WS, Aber JD (1997) Modeling leaching as a decomposition process in humid montane forests. Ecology 78:1844–1860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Currie WS, Nadelhoffer KJ (1999) Dynamic redistribution of isotopically labeled cohorts of nitrogen inputs in two temperate forests. Ecosystems 2:4–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Currie WS, Aber JD, Driscoll CT (1999a) Leaching of nutrient cations from the forest floor: effects of nitrogen saturation in two long-term manipulations. Can J For Res 29:609–620

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Currie WS, Nadelhoffer KJ, Aber JD (1999b) Soil detrital processes controlling the movement of 15N tracers to forest vegetation. Ecol Appl 9:87–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie WS, Nadelhoffer KJ, Aber JD (2004) Redistributions of 15N highlight turnover and replenishment of mineral soil organic N as a long-term control on forest C balance. For Ecol Manag 196:109–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Currie W, Helmers D, Wessel WW (2009) A user guide for the TRACE model. Version 4.4.4, update 3. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~wcurrie/Publications/Publications.html

  • De Vries W, Reinds GJ, Gundersen P, Sterba H (2006) The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration in European forests and forest soils. Glob Change Biol 12:1151–1173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Vries W, Solberg S, Dobbertin M, Sterba H, Laubhann D, van Oijen M, Evans C, Gundersen P, Kros J, Wamelink GWW, Reinds GJ, Sutton MA (2009) The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration by European forests and heathlands. For Ecol Manag 258:1814–1823

    Google Scholar 

  • Dise NB, Wright RF (1995) Nitrogen leaching from European forests in relation to nitrogen deposition. For Ecol Manag 71:153–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fangmeier A, Hadwiger-Fangmeier A, Vandereerden L, Jager HJ (1994) Effects of atmospheric ammonia on vegetation—a review. Environ Pollut 86:43–82

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fenn ME, Poth MA, Aber JD, Baron JS, Bormann BT, Johnson DW, Lemly AD, McNulty SG, Ryan DE, Stottlemyer R (1998) Nitrogen excess in North American ecosystems: predisposing factors, ecosystem responses, and management strategies. Ecol Appl 8:706–733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galloway JN, Aber JD, Erisman JW, Seitzinger SP, Howarth RW, Cowling EB, Cosby BJ (2003) The nitrogen cascade. Bioscience 53:341–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gimmi U, Wolf A, Bürgi M, Scherstjanoi M, Bugmann H (2009) Quantifying disturbance effects on vegetation carbon pools in mountain forests based on historical data. Reg Environ Change 9:121–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Templer PH, Mack MC, Chapin III FS, Christenson LM, Compton JE, Crook H, Currie W, Curtis C, Dail DB, Antonio CD, Emmett B, Epstein H, Goodale CL, P. G, Hobbie SE, Holland K, Hopper DU, Hungate BA, Kappel-Schmidt I, Lamontagne S, Nadelhoffer K, Osenberg CW, Perakis S, Schleppi P, Schimel JP, Sommerkorn M, Spoelstra J, Tietema A, Wessel WW, Zack DR (2012) Sinks for nitrogen inputs in terrestrial ecosystems: A meta-analyses of enriched 15N field tracer studies. Ecology (in press)

  • Gruber N, Galloway JN (2008) An Earth-system perspective of the global nitrogen cycle. Nature 451:293–296

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gundersen P, Callesen I, de Vries W (1998) Nitrate leaching in forest ecosystems is related to forest floor C/N ratios. Environ Pollut 102:403–407

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gundersen P, Schmidt IK, Raulund-Rasmussen K (2006) Leaching of nitrate from temperate forests—effects of air pollution and forest management. Environ Rev 14:1–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hagedorn F, Mohn J, Schleppi P, Flühler H (1999) The role of rapid flow paths for nitrogen transformation in a forest soil: a field study with micro suction cups. Soil Sci Soc Am J 63:1915–1923

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hagedorn F, Schleppi P, Bucher J, Flühler H (2001) Retention and leaching of elevated N deposition in a forest ecosystem with Gleysols. Water Air Soil Pollut 129:119–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heijmans MMPD, Klees H, Visser Wd, Berendse F (2002) Effects of increased nitrogen deposition on the distribution of 15N-labeled nitrogen between sphagnum and vascular plants. Ecosystems 5:500–508

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Högberg P, Fan HB, Quist M, Binkley D, Tamm CO (2006) Tree growth and soil acidification in response to 30 years of experimental nitrogen loading on boreal forest. Glob Change Biol 12:489–499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulber K, Dirnbock T, Kleinbauer I, Willner W, Dullinger S, Karrer G, Mirtl M (2008) Long-term impacts of nitrogen and sulphur deposition on forest floor vegetation in the northern limestone Alps, Austria. Appl Veg Sci 11:395–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyvonen R, Persson T, Andersson S, Olsson B, Ågren GI, Linder S (2008) Impact of long-term nitrogen addition on carbon stocks in trees and soils in northern Europe. Biogeochemistry 89:121–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ilari L (1994) Nitrogen uptake of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) seedlings from simulated wet deposition. For Ecol Manag 63:87–96

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (2001) Climate change 2001: synthesis report. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Jussy JH, Colin-Belgrand M, Dambrine E, Ranger J, Zeller B, Bienaime S (2004) N deposition, N transformation and N leaching in acid forest soils. Biogeochemistry 69:241–262

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kronzucker HJ, Siddiqi MY, Glass ADM (1997) Conifer root discrimination against soil nitrate and the ecology of forest succession. Nature 385:59–61

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lamontagne S, Schiff SL, Elgood RJ (2000) Recovery of 15N-labelled nitrate applied to a small upland boreal forest catchment. Can J For Res 30:1165–1177

    Google Scholar 

  • Larocque GR, Bhatti JS, Boutin R, Chertov O (2008) Uncertainty analysis in carbon cycle models of forest ecosystems: research needs and development of a theoretical framework to estimate error propagation. Ecol Model 219:400–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Likens GE, Wright RF, Galloway JN, Butler TJ (1979) Acid rain. Sci Am 241:43–51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magill AH, Aber JD, Hendricks JJ, Bowden RD, Melillo JM, Steudler PA (1997) Biogeochemical response of forest ecosystems to simulated chronic nitrogen deposition. Ecol Appl 7:402–415

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magill AH, Aber JD, Currie WS, Nadelhoffer KJ, Martin ME, McDowell WH, Melillo JM, Steudler P (2004) Ecosystem response to 15 years of chronic nitrogen additions at the Harvard Forest LTER, Massachusetts, USA. For Ecol Manag 196:7–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNulty SG, Boggs JL (2010) A conceptual framework: redefining forest soil’s critical acid loads under a changing climate. Environ Pollut 158:2053–2058

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meure CM, Etheridge D, Trudinger C, Steele P, Langenfelds R, van Ommen T, Smith A, Elkins J (2006) Law Dome CO2, CH4 and N2O ice core records extended to 2000 years BP. Geophys Res Lett 33:4

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohn J, Schurmann A, Hagedorn F, Schleppi P, Bachofen R (2000) Increased rates of denitrification in nitrogen-treated forest soils. For Ecol Manag 137:113–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morier I, Guenat C, Siegwolf R, Vedy JC, Schleppi P (2008) Dynamics of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in a temperate calcareous forest soil. J Environ Qual 37:2012–2021

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nadelhoffer KJ, Downs MR, Fry B, Aber JD, Magill AH, Melillo JM (1995) The fate of 15N-labelled nitrate additions to a northern hardwood forest in eastern Maine, USA. Oecologia 103:292–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nadelhoffer KJ, Emmett BA, Gundersen P, Kjonaas OJ, Koopmans CJ, Schleppi P, Tietema A, Wright RF (1999) Nitrogen deposition makes a minor contribution to carbon sequestration in temperate forests. Nature 398:145–148

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nadelhoffer KJ, Colman BP, Currie WS, Magill A, Aber JD (2004) Decadal-scale fates of 15N tracers added to oak and pine stands under ambient and elevated N inputs at the Harvard Forest (USA). For Ecol Manag 196:89–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nilson T (1971) A theoretical analysis of the frequency of gaps in plant stands. Agr Meteorol 8:25–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perakis SS, Compton JE, Hedin LO (2005) Nitrogen retention across a gradient of 15N additions to an unpolluted temperate forest soil in Chile. Ecology 86:96–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phoenix GK, Hicks WK, Cinderby S, Kuylenstierna JCI, Stock WD, Dentener FJ, Giller KE, Austin AT, Lefroy RDB, Gimeno BS, Ashmore MR, Ineson P (2006) Atmospheric nitrogen deposition in world biodiversity hotspots: the need for a greater global perspective in assessing N deposition impacts. Glob Change Biol 12:470–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priha O, Smolander A (1995) Nitrification, denitrification and microbial biomass N in soil from 2 N-fertilized and limed Norway spruce forests. Soil Biol Biochem 27:305–310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Providoli I, Bugmann H, Siegwolf R, Buchmann N, Schleppi P (2005) Flow of deposited inorganic N in two Gleysol-dominated mountain catchments traced with 15NO3 and 15NH4. Biogeochemistry 76:453–475

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Providoli I, Bugmann H, Siegwolf R, Buchmann N, Schleppi P (2006) Pathways and dynamics of 15NO3 and 15NH4 applied in a mountain Picea abies forest and in a nearby meadow in central Switzerland. Soil Biol Biochem 38:1645–1657

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schleppi P, Muller N, Feyen H, Papritz A, Bucher JB, Flühler H (1998) Nitrogen budgets of two small experimental forested catchments at Alptal, Switzerland. For Ecol Manag 101:177–185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schleppi P, Bucher-Wallin L, Siegwolf R, Saurer M, Muller N, Bucher JB (1999a) Simulation of increased nitrogen deposition to a montane forest ecosystem: Partitioning of the added 15N. Water Air Soil Pollut 116:129–134

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schleppi P, Muller N, Edwards PJ, Bucher JB (1999b) Three years of increased nitrogen deposition do not affect the vegetation of a montane forest ecosystem. Phyton Ann Rei Bot A 39:197–204

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schleppi P, Hagedorn F, Providoli I (2004) Nitrate leaching from a mountain forest ecosystem with gleysols subjected to experimentally increased N deposition. Water Air Soil Pollut Focus 4:453–467

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sievering H (1999) Nitrogen deposition and carbon sequestration. Nature 400:629–630

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sievering H, Fernandez I, Lee J, Hom J, Rustad L (2000) Forest canopy uptake of atmospheric nitrogen deposition at eastern U.S. conifer sites: carbon storage implications? Global Biogeochem Cycle 14:1153–1159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Templer PH, Lovett G, Weathers K, Findlay S, Dawson TE (2005) Influence of tree species on forest nitrogen retention in the Catskill Mountains, New York, USA. Ecosystems 8:1–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Throop HL, Lerdau MT (2004) Effects of nitrogen deposition on insect herbivory: implications for community and ecosystem processes. Ecosystems 7:109–133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tietema A, Emmett BA, Gundersen P, Kjønaas OJ, Koopmans CJ (1998) The fate of 15N-labelled nitrogen deposition in coniferous forest ecosystems. For Ecol Manag 101:19–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wessel WW, Tietema A (1992) Calculating gross N transformation rates of 15N pool dilution experiments with acid forest litter—analytical and numerical approaches. Soil Biol Biochem 24:931–942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodin S, Press MC, Lee JA (1985) Nitrate reductase-activity in Sphagnum fuscum in relation to wet deposition of nitrate from the atmosphere. New Phytol 99:381–388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the European COST Action FP 0601, Forest Management and the Water cycle (FORMAN). Support for W. S. Currie was provided by the McIntire-Stennis program through the USDA Forest Service. We thank Christine Goodale for valuable comments and revisions that improved the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swiss Fed. Inst. for Forest Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland

    Kim Krause & Patrick Schleppi

  2. Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Isabelle Providoli

  3. School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

    William S. Currie

  4. Forest Ecology, Swiss Fed. Inst. of Technology (ETH), 8092, Zurich, Switzerland

    Kim Krause & Harald Bugmann

Authors
  1. Kim Krause
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Isabelle Providoli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. William S. Currie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Harald Bugmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Patrick Schleppi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kim Krause.

Additional information

Communicated by R. Matyssek.

Special topic: Integrating Modeling and Experiment.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 6.

Table 6 Changes made to the default parameter set for the initialization year 1900 separated into parameters and initialization data
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Krause, K., Providoli, I., Currie, W.S. et al. Long-term tracing of whole catchment 15N additions in a mountain spruce forest: measurements and simulations with the TRACE model. Trees 26, 1683–1702 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-012-0737-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-012-0737-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation