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N2-Fixing Red Alder Indirectly Accelerates Ecosystem Nitrogen Cycling

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An Erratum to this article was published on 31 January 2014

Abstract

Symbiotic N2-fixing tree species can accelerate ecosystem N dynamics through decomposition feedbacks via both direct and indirect pathways. Direct pathways include the production of readily decomposed leaf litter and increased N supply to decomposers, whereas indirect pathways include increased tissue N and altered detrital dynamics of non-fixing vegetation. To evaluate the relative importance of direct and indirect pathways, we compared 3-year decomposition and N dynamics of N2-fixing red alder leaf litter (2.34% N) to both low-N (0.68% N) and high-N (1.21% N) litter of non-fixing Douglas-fir, and decomposed each litter source in four forests dominated by either red alder or Douglas-fir. We also used experimental N fertilization of decomposition plots to assess elevated N availability as a potential mechanism of N2-fixer effects on litter mass loss and N dynamics. Direct effects of N2-fixing red alder on decomposition occurred primarily as faster N release from red alder than Douglas-fir litter. Direct increases in N supply to decomposers via experimental N fertilization did not stimulate decomposition of either species litter. Fixed N indirectly influenced detrital dynamics by increasing Douglas-fir tissue and litter N concentrations, which accelerated litter N release without accelerating mass loss. By increasing soil N, tissue N, and the rate of N release from litter of non-fixers, we conclude that N2-fixing vegetation can indirectly foster plant–soil feedbacks that contribute to the persistence of elevated N availability in terrestrial ecosystems.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Chris Catricala, Aaron Thiel, and Manuela Huso for laboratory and statistical assistance, and Mark Harmon, Cindy Prescott, and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on the manuscript. This research was supported by the Oregon State University Forest Research Laboratory and NSF-DEB 0346837. Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA

    Steven S. Perakis

  2. Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA

    Joselin J. Matkins & David E. Hibbs

  3. Sagebrush Steppe Regional Land Trust, P.O. Box 1404, Pocatello, Idaho, 83204, USA

    Joselin J. Matkins

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  1. Steven S. Perakis
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  2. Joselin J. Matkins
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  3. David E. Hibbs
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Correspondence to Steven S. Perakis.

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SSP and DEH conceived of the study, JJM and SSP performed research, JJM and SSP analyzed data, and SSP, JJM, and DEH wrote the paper.

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10021-014-9746-8.

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Perakis, S.S., Matkins, J.J. & Hibbs, D.E. N2-Fixing Red Alder Indirectly Accelerates Ecosystem Nitrogen Cycling. Ecosystems 15, 1182–1193 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-012-9579-2

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