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Tree ring δ15N as validation of space-for-time substitution in disturbance studies of forest nitrogen status

Biogeochemistry volume 134, pages 201–215 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Forest ecosystem nitrogen (N) response to disturbance has often been examined by space-for-time substitution, but there are few objective tests of the possible variation in disturbance type and intensity across chronosequence sites. We hypothesized that tree ring δ15N, as a record of ecosystem N status, could validate chronosequence assumptions and provide isotopic evidence to corroborate N trends. To test this we measured soil N availability, soil δ15N, and foliar N attributes of overstory Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and understory western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) across three old-growth stands and nine second-growth plantations on southeast Vancouver Island, British Columbia (Canada). Increment cores for wood δ15N were retrieved from three co-dominant Douglas-fir per plot. Bulk soil δ15N was well aligned with both foliar and recent wood δ15N, demonstrating the utility of wood δ15N in monitoring ecosystem N status. Strongly contrasting trends in tree ring δ15N were evident among second-growth stands, with most trees from plantations older than 50 years exhibiting steep declines (3–4‰) in δ15N but with no temporal trends detected for younger plantations. The discrepancy in tree ring δ15N suggests disturbance history varied considerably among second-growth sites, likely because of greater slash loads and hotter broadcast burns on older cutblocks. As a consequence, the pattern of increased soil N availability and foliar N concentration with time since disturbance derived from the chronosequence could not be validated. Tree ring δ15N may provide insights into disturbance intensity, especially fire, and correlations with foliar N concentration could inform the extent of changes in stand nutrition.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Joel Ussery and staff at the Integrated Water Service Department of the Capital Regional District for access to the watersheds and facilitating the establishment of this study. Clive Dawson and staff of the BC Ministry of Environment Analytical Laboratory undertook the soil and foliar chemical analysis, while Dave Dunn and Rebecca Dixon of Natural Resources Canada (Pacific Forestry Centre) contributed the N isotope abundance analysis of soils and foliage. Wood δ15N analysis was completed by Robin Paulman and staff of the Central Appalachian Isotope Facility at the University of Maryland, USA. Tony Trofymow of Natural Resources Canada and Byron Smiley of the University of Victoria shared their database on cutblock history in the Sooke watershed. Heather Klassen (BC Ministry of Forests, West Coast Region) and Ramnique Ubhi (University of Victoria) assisted in field work, while Peter Ott (BC Ministry of Forests, Victoria) was consulted on the statistical analysis. Funding for this project was provided by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

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  1. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, P.O. Box 9536, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, V8W 9C4, Canada

    J. M. Kranabetter

  2. Centre for Forest Biology, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 3020, STN CSC, Victoria, BC, V8W 3N5, Canada

    J. A. Meeds

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Correspondence to J. M. Kranabetter.

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The data for this study is available from the Dryad Digital Repository: http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.411s8.

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Kranabetter, J.M., Meeds, J.A. Tree ring δ15N as validation of space-for-time substitution in disturbance studies of forest nitrogen status. Biogeochemistry 134, 201–215 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-017-0355-4

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Keywords

  • Chronosequence
  • Pseudotsuga menziesii
  • Natural abundance 15N
  • Old-growth forests
  • Broadcast burning