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Changes in nitrogen resorption of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) with stand development

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Abstract

Variation in plant N resorption may change with stand development because plants tend to adjust their ecophysiological traits with aging. In addition, changes in soil nitrogen (N) pools associated with stand development may also affect plant N resorption. Here, we examined green- and senesced-leaf N concentrations and resorption of trembling aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) in boreal forest stands of different ages (7, 25, 85 and 139 years, respectively). All sampled stands originated from wildfires and established on similar parent materials (glacial tills) and had similar climates. N concentrations in both green and senesced leaves increased between 27% and 54% along the stand age chronosequence. Resorption efficiency (percentage difference of N between green and senesced leaves) and proficiency (N concentration in senesced leaves) were higher for leaves in younger stands than in older stands. An analysis of covariance indicated that the patterns of leaf N concentration and resorption were affected significantly by stand age, but not by available soil N concentration. Our results indicate that at an intra-specific level, plants could adjust their N resorption efficiency and proficiency with stand development.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Brian Brassard and Gareth Davis for their assistance in field work. This work was supported by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (283336-04 & STPGP 322297), the National Centre of Excellence Network of Sustainable Forest Management, and the Natural Science Foundation of China (30600076).

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  1. Faculty of Forestry and the Forest Environment, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada

    Z. Y. Yuan & H. Y. H. Chen

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  1. Z. Y. Yuan
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Correspondence to Z. Y. Yuan.

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Yuan, Z.Y., Chen, H.Y.H. Changes in nitrogen resorption of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) with stand development. Plant Soil 327, 121–129 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-009-0036-8

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