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Nitrogen deposition and carbon sequestration in alpine meadows

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Abstract

Nitrogen deposition experiments were carried out in alpine meadow ecosystems in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in China, in order to explore the contribution of nitrogen deposition to carbon sequestration in alpine meadows. Two methods were used in this respect. First, we used the allocation of 15N tracer to soil and plant pools. Second, we used increased root biomass observed in the nitrogen-amended plots. Calculating enhanced carbon storage, we considered the net soil CO2 emissions exposed to nitrogen deposition in alpine meadows. Our results show that nitrogen deposition can enhance the net soil CO2 emissions, and thus offset part of carbon uptake by vegetation and soils. It means that we have to be cautious to draw a conclusion when we estimate the contribution of nitrogen deposition to carbon sequestration based on the partitioning of 15N tracer in terrestrial ecosystems, in particular in N-limited ecosystems. Even if we assess the contribution of nitrogen deposition to carbon sequestration based on increased biomass exposed to nitrogen deposition in terrestrial ecosystems, likewise, we have to consider the effects of nitrogen deposition on the soil CO2 emissions.

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  1. Institute of Geographical Sciences & Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 9717, Beijing, 100101, China

    Xingliang Xu, Hua Ouyang, Zhiyong Pei & Caiping Zhou

  2. Biological Institute of Northwest Plateau, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO.59, Xiguan Street, Xining, 810001, China

    Guangmin Cao

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  1. Xingliang Xu
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Xu, X., Ouyang, H., Cao, G. et al. Nitrogen deposition and carbon sequestration in alpine meadows. Biogeochemistry 71, 353–369 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-004-0371-z

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