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Nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in relation to stand age of Eucalypus regnans F. Muell.

II. N mineralization and nitrification

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Abstract

Laboratory and in situ rates of N mineralization in soils from Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests were measured fortnightly for two years in stands aged 9, 40, 80 and about 250 years (overmature), and for one year in stands aged 5 and 46 years. Rates of anaerobic mineralization (the laboratory test) showed little seasonal or annual variation. In contrast, rates of in situ mineralization varied markedly with season, being highest in spring and summer. Anaerobic mineralization was highly correlated with stand age to 80 years, but decreased between ages 80 and 250 years. In situ mineralization also decreased between these two ages, but otherwise was not related to stand age. Hence, the correlation between anaerobic and in situ mineralization along the age sequence was weak, suggesting that the anaerobic test is of maximum utility when this pool is in balance with inputs from decomposing litter (‘steady-state’ ecosystems). Nitrification was strong in stands aged 9, 46, 80 and 250 years and weak in stands aged 5 and 40 years. Within stands, the rate of nitrification during each period of in situ containment was highly dependent on the supply of NH4 ions. Between stands, annual rates of nitrification appear to be related to the balance between the N capital of the site, its rate of turnover, and the demand for N by heterotrophs and vegetation so that if NH4 supply is depleted, little is left for autotrophic nitrifiers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Botany, University of Melbourne, 3052, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    P. J. Polglase, P. M. Attiwill & M. A. Adams

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  1. P. J. Polglase
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  2. P. M. Attiwill
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  3. M. A. Adams
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Polglase, P.J., Attiwill, P.M. & Adams, M.A. Nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in relation to stand age of Eucalypus regnans F. Muell.. Plant Soil 142, 167–176 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00010963

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