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Microbial N turnover processes in three forest soil layers following clear cutting of an N saturated mature spruce stand

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Abstract

Microbial N turnover processes were investigated in three different forest soil layers [organic (O) layer, 0–10 cm depth (M1), 10–40 cm depth (M2)] after the clear cutting of a nitrogen (N) saturated spruce stand at the Höglwald Forest (Bavaria, Germany). The aim of the study was to provide detailed insight into soil-layer specific microbial production and the consumption of inorganic N within the main rooting zone. Furthermore, we intended to clarify the relevance of each soil layer investigated in respect of the observed high spatial variation of seepage water nitrate (NO −3 ) concentration at a depth of 40 cm. The buried bag and the 15N pool dilution techniques were applied to determine the net and gross N turnover rates. In addition, soil pH, C:N ratio, pool sizes of soil ammonium (NH +4 ) and NO −3 , as well as quantities of microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) and nitrogen (Nmic) were determined. The 40 cm thick upper mineral soil was found to be the main place of NO −3 production with a NO −3 supply or net nitrification three times higher than in the considerably thinner O layer. Nevertheless, O layer nitrification processes determined via in situ field experiments showed significant correlation with seepage water NO −3 . An improved correlation noted several months after the cut may result from a transport-induced time shift of NO −3 with downstream hydrological pathways. In contrast, the soil laboratory incubation experiments found no indication that mineral soil is relevant for the spatial heterogeneity of seepage water NO −3 . The results from our study imply that in situ experiments may be better suited to studies investigating N turnover in relation to NO −3 loss via seepage water in similar ecosystems in order to gain representative data.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under contract number PA 442/5-2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK), Atmospheric Environmental Research (IFU), Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

    B. Matejek, M. Dannenmann, R. Gasche & H. Papen

  2. Technische Universität München, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan, Fachgebiet für Waldernährung und Wasserhaushalt, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany

    C. Huber & M. Kohlpaintner

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  1. B. Matejek
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  2. C. Huber
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  5. R. Gasche
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Correspondence to H. Papen.

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Matejek, B., Huber, C., Dannenmann, M. et al. Microbial N turnover processes in three forest soil layers following clear cutting of an N saturated mature spruce stand. Plant Soil 337, 93–110 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0503-2

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