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The fate of15N enriched throughfall in two coniferous forest stands at different nitrogen deposition levels

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Abstract

The stable isotope15N was added as (15NH4)2SO4 to throughfall water for one year, to study the fate of the deposited nitrogen at different levels of N deposition in two “N saturated” coniferous forests ecosystems in the Netherlands. The fate of the15N was followed at high-N (44–55 kg N ha−1 yr−1) 1) and low-N (4–6 kg N ha−1 yr−1) deposition in plots established under transparent roofs build under the canopy in a Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest.

The applied15N was detectable in needles and twigs, the soil and soil water leaching below the rooting zone (90 cm depth). Total15N recovery in major ecosystem compartments was 71–100% during two successive growing seasons after the start of a year-round15N application to throughfall-N. Nine months after the year-round15N application, the15N assimilated into tree biomass was 29–33% of the15N added in the Douglas fir stand and less than 17% in the Scots pine stand. At the same time total15N retention in the soil (down to 70 cm) of the high-N plots was about 37% of the deposited15NH4-N, whereas 46% and 65% of the15N was found in the soil of the low-N deposition plots at the Douglas fir and Scots pine stand, respectively. The organic layers accounted for 60% of the15N retained in the soil. The total N deposition exceeded the demand of the vegetation and microbial immobilization. Total15N leaching losses within a year (below 90 cm) were 10–20% in the high-N deposition plots in comparison to 2–6% in the lowered nitrogen input plots. Relative retention in the soil and vegetation increased at lower N-input levels.

Species differences in uptake and tree health seem to contribute to lower15N recoveries in the Scots pine trees compared to the Douglas fir trees. The excessive N deposition and resulting “N saturation” lead to conditions were the health and functioning of biota were negatively influenced. At decreased N deposition, lower leaching losses together with increased soil and plant retention indicated a change in the fate of the15N deposited. This may have resulted from changes in ecosystem processes, and thus a shift along the continuum of N saturation to N limitation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Geography and Soil Science, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, NL-1018, VZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    C. J. Koopmans & A. Tietema

  2. Department of Ecology, Section of Environmental Biology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, NL-6500, GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    A. W. Boxman

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  1. C. J. Koopmans
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  2. A. Tietema
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  3. A. W. Boxman
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Correspondence to C. J. Koopmans.

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Koopmans, C.J., Tietema, A. & Boxman, A.W. The fate of15N enriched throughfall in two coniferous forest stands at different nitrogen deposition levels. Biogeochemistry 34, 19–44 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182953

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