Search

The present study aimed to assess the effect of fourteen years of implementation of a successional and biodiverse agroforestry system (AFS) in a degraded agricultural field located in the Cerrado region of Central Brazil on the carbon and nitrogen dynamics. To track short term soil N dynamics we sampled instantaneous soil N rates in four seasonal periods (wet-dry, dry, dry-wet, wet) and to track long term C and N dynamics we measured C and N stable isotopes in the plant-litter-soil system. As additional data we determined the aboveground biomass; resorption rates of foliar and, soil C and N stocks. The measured aboveground biomass was 19.2 Mg C ha-1. The mean resorption rate of foliar N was 49.3%. C:N ratio was 20.4 ± 1.4 and 14.2 ± 0.32 in the litter layer and the topsoil, respectively. Soil N-NH4+ was predominant over N-NO3-. After 40 days, the cumulative N-N2O emission was 0.33 kg ha-1. The mean C and N stocks were 3.8 Mg N ha-1 and 43.6 Mg C ha-1, respectively. The averaged soil δ15N was 6.8‰. Soil δ13C was -20.3‰. After 14 years of implementation, approximately 40% of the total C in the topsoil (0-20 cm depth) was derived from the AFS biomass input, predominantly from the C3 photosynthetic pathway. The studied biodiverse AFS that replaced a degraded agricultural field in the Cerrado region showed to be responsive both in terms of soil and plant C and N pools and fluxes., O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de quatorze anos de implementação de um sistema agroflorestal (SAF) sucessional e biodiverso em uma área agrícola degradada localizada na região de Cerrado do Brasil Central sobre a dinâmica de carbono e nitrogênio. Para verificar a dinâmica de N no curto prazo foram feitas medidas das taxas de transformação de N no solo em quatro períodos sazonais (chuva-seca, seca, seca-chuva e chuva) e para determinar a dinâmica de C e N no longo prazo foram analisadas as razões isotópicas de C e N no sistema planta-serapilheira-solo. Além disso, os seguintes parâmetros foram medidos: biomassa acima do solo, taxas de retranslocação de N foliar, e estoques de C e N no solo. A biomassa acima do solo foi de 19,2 Mg C ha-1. A taxa média de reabsorção de N foliar foi de 49,3%. A relação C:N foi de 20,4 ± 1,4 e 14,2 ± 0,32 na camada de serapilheira e na camada superficial do solo, respectivamente. O N-NH4 + do solo foi predominante sobre o N-NO3-. Após 40 dias, a emissão cumulativa de N-N2O foi de 0,33 kg ha-1. Os estoques médios de C e N foram de 3,8 Mg N ha-1 e 43,6 Mg C ha-1, respectivamente. O valor médio de δ15N do solo foi de 6,8‰, enquanto o valor médio de δ13C no solo foi de -20,3‰. Após 14 anos de implementação, aproximadamente 40% do C total na camada superficial do solo (0-20 cm de profundidade) mostrou ser derivado da entrada de biomassa oriunda do SAF, que é predominantemente do tipo fotossintético C3. O SAF estudado, que substituiu um campo agrícola degradado na região do Cerrado, mostrou-se responsivo tanto em termos de estoques e fluxos de C e N do solo e da planta.

Nitrogen (N) enrichment can have large effects on mangroves’ capacity to provide critical ecosystem services by affecting fundamental functions such as N cycling and primary productivity. However, our understanding of excess N input effects on N cycling in mangroves remains quite limited. To advance our understanding of how N enrichment via water or air pollution affects mangroves, we evaluated whether increasing N inputs would decrease biological N fixation (BNF), but intensify N dynamics and N losses to the atmosphere in these systems. We measured N concentrations in sediment and vegetation, rates of BNF in sediment and litter, and net sediment ammonification and nitrification rates. We also evaluated long-term integrated N dynamics and N losses to the atmosphere using the natural abundance of N stable isotopes (δ15N) in the sediment–plant system and in estuarine water. We performed these analyses at non-N-enriched and N-enriched (that is, polluted) fringe and basin mangroves in southeastern Brazil. The δ15N in the sediment–plant system was higher at N-enriched than non-N-enriched fringe sites, indicating increased N losses to the atmosphere from N-enriched sites. However, N concentrations in sediment and vegetation were similar or lower at N-enriched relative to non-N-enriched sites. BNF and net ammonification and nitrification rates were also similar between N-enriched and non-N-enriched sites. Excess N inputs intensified N losses to the atmosphere from mangroves, but N pools, BNF, and net ammonification and nitrification rates were not affected by N enrichment, likely because excess N was quickly lost from the system by direct denitrification and volatilization.

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) supports terrestrial primary productivity and plays key roles in mediating human-induced changes in global nitrogen (N) and carbon cycling. However, there are still critical uncertainties in our understanding of the amount of BNF occurring across terrestrial ecosystems, and of how terrestrial BNF will respond to global change. We synthesized BNF data from Latin America, a region reported to sustain some of the highest BNF rates on Earth, but that is underrepresented in previous data syntheses. We used meta-analysis and modeling approaches to estimate BNF rates across Latin America's major biomes and to evaluate the potential effects of increased N deposition and land-use change on these rates. Unmanaged tropical and subtropical moist forests sustained observed and predicted total BNF rates of 10 ± 1 and 14 ± 1 kg N ha−1 y−1, respectively, supporting the hypothesis that these forests sustain lower BNF rates than previously thought. Free-living BNF accounted for two-thirds of the total BNF in these forests. Despite an average 30% reduction of free-living BNF in response to experimental N-addition, our results suggest free-living BNF rate responses to current and projected N deposition across tropical and subtropical moist forests are small. In contrast, the conversion of unmanaged ecosystems to crop and pasture lands increased BNF rates across all terrestrial biomes, mostly in savannas, grasslands, and dry forests, increasing BNF rates 2-fold. The information obtained here provides a more comprehensive understanding of BNF patterns for Latin America.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:36:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-12-01 Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Distrito Federal Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Plant invasion can primarily affect the structure and functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Although there is evidence that plant invasion can modify organic matter dynamics in mangroves, it is uncertain whether and to which extent these changes can affect carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in the sediment-plant system. Here, we measured: (i) the structure of native vegetation and C and N in the sediment-plant system in subtropical mangroves subjected to aquatic macrophytes invasion in southeastern Brazil. We answered the following questions: i) Do invaded mangroves differ in aboveground biomass compared to non-invaded mangroves?; ii) Are there C4 macrophytes in these sites? iii) What are the C and N stocks in sediment of invaded mangroves? We quantified C and N concentrations and the isotopic signature of such elements (δ13C and δ15N) in the sediment-plant system, the C and N stocks in the sediment (0–20 cm depth), and mangrove aboveground biomass. Mangrove aboveground biomass was lower at invaded compared to non-invaded sites reflecting the species displacement in invaded sites. The sediment at invaded mangroves did not significantly contribute to C4 sources because of the large predominance of both mangrove and invasive C3 plants. While sediment C stocks were similar among study sites (∼47 Mg ha−1), N stocks were lower at invaded (2.7 Mg ha−1) comparing to non-invaded (3.2 Mg ha−1) mangroves. The lower N stocks at invaded sites can reflect the higher leaf N concentrations and lower C:N ratios of invasive plants compared to mangroves. Thus, the effects of macrophytes invasion in subtropical mangroves are more apparent for vegetation structure and N stocks. C stocks alteration is expected the be detectable in the future. Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas Ambientais e Limnológicas – Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Ambientais Área Universitária 1 Vila Nossa Senhora de Fátima Campus de Planaltina Universidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Campus Darcy Ribeiro Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900, Distrito Federal Campus Experimental de Registro Universidade Estadual Paulista Campus Experimental de Registro Universidade Estadual Paulista Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Distrito Federal: 0193.000344/2017 CAPES: 1422671

Background. Bamboos are typical plants in tropical forests acting as resource for different animals and influencing forest structure and dynamics, but our knowledge about their influence on ecosystem functioning remains in its infancy. Nitrogen (N) is an important macronutrient that exerts control over productivity of ecosystems. Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) is one of the main N input to terrestrial systems, more specifically by free-living BNF in tropical forests. In these forests, the dominant presence of bamboo and the occurrence of free-living N-fixers in its leaf surfaces appear to play a relevant role in N cycling. Here, we explore the importance of a native bamboo to N cycle in a Neotropical forest to provide insights on bamboo’s role on ecosystem functioning. Methods. The study was conducted in a pristine montane Atlantic Forest, Brazil. We select 100 sample units (100 m² each) and counted all bamboo clumps and live culms, estimated the leaf area, the litter production and its N content. We estimated the potential N input mediated by bamboo based on available data of free-living BNF rates for this species and then we contextualized it with information about N cycling components in the study area. Results. We counted 4000 live culms ha-1 and estimated 4.3 x 104 m² ha-1 of bamboo leaf area for free-living N-fixers colonization. Considering the free-living BNF rates quantified for the same study area, the native bamboo may contribute up to 61.6 kg N ha-1 y-1 which represents a reduction in the N deficit of at least 25% in the Neotropical forest area we studied. Through its litter, the bamboo adds 9 kg N ha-1 y-1 to the system (15% of the total fixed on its leaf surface). Discussion. The bamboo’s contribution for N input we found may be explained by free-living community composition on its leaf as previously indicated by other studies, as well as by the bamboo overabundance, and thus habitat availability for colonization. Such N input represents a reduction in N deficit in the study area where the rates of symbiotic BNF (0.2 kg N ha-1y-1) are lower than values in Amazon Forest (3 kg N ha-1y-1). This native bamboo may supply N to the system probably through the decomposition of its leaves which represents a return of 15% of the total N fixed. Although it is still necessary to evaluate the characteristics of bamboo that will further elucidate its role in the functioning of the forests, our findings suggest that it closely regulates N inputs and may better explain high diversity and carbon stocks of the area.

Mangroves exhibit low species richness compared to other tropical forests, but great structural and functional diversity. Aiming to contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of mangrove forests, we investigated nitrogen (N) dynamics in two physiographic types of mangroves (fringe and basin forests) in southeastern Brazil. Because fringe forests are under great influence of tidal flushing we hypothesized that these forests would exhibit higher N cycling rates in sediment and higher N losses to the atmosphere compared to basin forests. We quantified net N mineralization and nitrification rates in sediment and natural abundance of N stable isotopes (δ15N) in the sediment–plant–litter system. The fringe forest exhibited higher net N mineralization rates and δ15N in the sediment–plant–litter system, but net nitrification rates were similar to those of the basin forest. The results of the present study suggest that fringe forests exhibit higher N availability and N cycling in sediment compared to basin forests.

Addressing spatial variability in nitrogen (N) availability in the Central Brazilian Amazon, we hypothesized that N availability varies among white-sand vegetation types (campina and campinarana) and lowland tropical forests (dense terra-firme forests) in the Central Brazilian Amazon, under the same climate conditions. Accordingly, we measured soil and foliar N concentration and N isotope ratios (δ15N) throughout the campina-campinarana transect and compared to published dense terra-firme forest results. There were no differences between white-sand vegetation types in regard to soil N concentration, C:N ratio and δ15N across the transect. Both white-sand vegetation types showed very low foliar N concentrations and elevated foliar C:N ratios, and no significant difference between site types was observed. Foliar δ15N was depleted, varying from −9.6 to 1.6‰ in the white-sand vegetations. The legume Aldina heterophylla had the highest average δ15N values (−1.5‰) as well as the highest foliar N concentration (2.1%) while the non-legume species had more depleted δ15N values and the average foliar N concentrations varied from 0.9 to 1.5% among them. Despite the high variation in foliar δ15N among plants, a significant and gradual 15N-enrichment in foliar isotopic signatures throughout the campina–campinarana transect was observed. Individual plants growing in the campinarana were significantly enriched in 15N compared to those in campina. In the white-sand N-limited ecosystems, the differentiation of N use seems to be a major cause of variations observed in foliar δ15N values throughout the campina–campinarana transect.

Phosphorus (P) is generally considered the most common limiting nutrient for productivity of mature tropical lowland forests growing on highly weathered soils. It is often assumed that P limitation also applies to young tropical forests, but nitrogen (N) losses during land-use change may alter the stoichiometric balance of nutrient cycling processes. In the Amazon basin, about 16% of the original forest area has been cleared, and about 30-50% of cleared land is estimated now to be in some stage of secondary forest succession following agricultural abandonment. Here we use forest age chronosequences to demonstrate that young successional forests growing after agricultural abandonment on highly weathered lowland tropical soils exhibit conservative N-cycling properties much like those of N-limited forests on younger soils in temperate latitudes. As secondary succession progresses, N-cycling properties recover and the dominance of a conservative P cycle typical of mature lowland tropical forests re-emerges. These successional shifts in N:P cycling ratios with forest age provide a mechanistic explanation for initially lower and then gradually increasing soil emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N(2)O). The patterns of N and P cycling during secondary forest succession, demonstrated here over decadal timescales, are similar to N- and P-cycling patterns during primary succession as soils age over thousands and millions of years, thus revealing that N availability in terrestrial ecosystems is ephemeral and can be disrupted by either natural or anthropogenic disturbances at several timescales.

Quantifying global patterns of terrestrial nitrogen (N) cycling is central to predicting future patterns of primary productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient fluxes to aquatic systems, and climate forcing. With limited direct measures of soil N cycling at the global scale, syntheses of the 15N:14N ratio of soil organic matter across climate gradients provide key insights into understanding global patterns of N cycling. In synthesizing data from over 6000 soil samples, we show strong global relationships among soil N isotopes, mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), and the concentrations of organic carbon and clay in soil. In both hot ecosystems and dry ecosystems, soil organic matter was more enriched in 15N than in corresponding cold ecosystems or wet ecosystems. Below a MAT of 9.8°C, soil δ15N was invariant with MAT. At the global scale, soil organic C concentrations also declined with increasing MAT and decreasing MAP. After standardizing for variation among mineral soils in soil C and clay concentrations, soil δ15N showed no consistent trends across global climate and latitudinal gradients. Our analyses could place new constraints on interpretations of patterns of ecosystem N cycling and global budgets of gaseous N loss. Fil: Craine, Joseph M. Kansas State University. Division of Biology; Estados Unidos Fil: Elmore, Andrew J. University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Appalachian Laboratory; Estados Unidos Fil: Wang, Lixing. Indiana University-Purdue University Department of Earth Sciences; Estados Unidos Fil: Augusto, Laurent. INRA. Bordeaux Sciences Agro; Francia Fil: Baisden, Troy. GNS Science. National Isotope Centre; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Brookshire, E.N.J. Montana State University. Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences; Estados Unidos Fil: Cramer, Michael D. University of Cape Town. Department of Biological Sciences; Sudáfrica Fil: Hasselquist, Niles. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Forest Ecology and Management; Suecia Fil: Hobbie, Erik A. University of New Hampshire. Earth Systems Research Center; Estados Unidos Fil: Kahmen, Ansgar. Departement of Environmental Sciences - Botany; Suiza Fil: Kaba, Keisuke. Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Institute of Agriculture; Japón Fil: Kranabetter, M. British Columbia (Canadá). Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Canadá Fil: Mack, M. University of Florida. Department of Biology; Estados Unidos Fil: Marin-Spiotta, E. University of Wisconsin. Department of Geography; Estados Unidos Fil: Mayor, J.R. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Department of Forest Ecology & Management; Suecia Fil: McLauchlan, K.K. Kansas State University. Department of Geography; Estados Unidos Fil: Michelsen, A. University of Copenhagen. Department of Biology; Dinamarca Fil: Nardoto, G.B. Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade UnB Planaltina; Brasil Fil: Oliveira, R.S. Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Instituto de Biologia. Departamento de Biologia Vegetal; Brasil Fil: Perakis, S.S. Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center; Estados Unidos Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Quesada, C. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia. Coordenação de Dinâmica Ambiental; Brasil Fil: Richter, A. University of Vienna. Department of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research; Austria Fil: Schipper, L.A. University of Waikato. Environmental Research Institute; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Stevenson, B.A. Landcare Research; Nueva Zelanda Fil: Turner, B.L. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute; Panamá Fil: Viani, R.A.G. Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Centro de Ciências Agrárias; Brasil Fil: Wanek, W. University of Vienna. Department of Terrestrial Ecosystem Research; Austria Fil: Zeller, B. INRA Nancy. Biogéochimie des Ecosystèmes Forestiers; Francia

O Domínio Cerrado é composto por uma das savanas mais diversas do mundo e está passando por uma rápida perda de habitats devido às mudanças nos regimes de fogo e intensa conversão de áreas nativas para a agricultura. Os dados sobre o funcionamento biogeoquímico do Cerrado foram revisados, avaliando-se os potenciais impactos das mudanças climáticas regionais. As variações na temperatura, na precipitação e altitude ao longo do Cerrado determinam diferenças marcantes na composição das espécies. Os ecossistemas de Cerrado são controlados por interações entre a água e a disponibilidade de nutrientes. Em geral, a ciclagem de nutrientes (N, P e cátions) são muito conservadores, enquanto a serapilheira, a biomassa microbiana e vegetal são importantes compartimentos de estoque. Em termos de ciclagem de C, o sistema radicular e, especialmente, a matéria orgânica do solo são os estoques mais importantes. Em bases anuais, o ecossistema de cerrado típico funciona como sumidouros de C embora o opere como fonte de C para a atmosfera ao final da estação seca. O fogo é um fator importante alterando os estoques e fluxos de C e nutrientes. As previsões de mudanças na temperatura, quantidade e distribuição da precipitação variam de acordo com as sub-regiões do Cerrado, com mudanças mais acentuadas na parte nordeste do domínio. As temperaturas mais elevadas, diminuição da precipitação com o aumento da duração da estação seca, podem deslocar as trocas líquida do ecossistema de dreno para a fonte de C e podem intensificar as queimadas, reduzindo os estoques de nutrientes. As interações entre a heterogeneidade na composição e abundância das comunidades biológicas ao longo do Domínio Cerrado com as mudanças atuais e futuras do uso da terra tornam difícil a projeção dos impactos dos cenários climáticos futuros em diferentes escalas temporais e espaciais e novas abordagens de modelagem são necessárias. The Cerrado Domain comprises one of the most diverse savannas in the world and is undergoing a rapid loss of habitats due to changes in fire regimes and intense conversion of native areas to agriculture. We reviewed data on the biogeochemical functioning of Cerrado ecosystems and evaluated the potential impacts of regional climate changes. Variation in temperature extremes and in total amount of rainfall and altitude throughout the Cerrado determines marked differences in the composition of species. Cerrado ecosystems are controlled by interactions between water and nutrient availability. In general, nutrient cycles (N, P and base cations) are very conservative, while litter, microbial and plant biomass are important stocks. In terms of C cycling, root systems and especially the soil organic matter are the most important stocks. Typical cerrado ecosystems function as C sinks on an annual basis, although they work as source of C to the atmosphere close to the end of the dry season. Fire is an important factor altering stocks and fluxes of C and nutrients. Predicted changes in temperature, amount and distribution of precipitation vary according to Cerrado sub-regions with more marked changes in the northeastern part of the domain. Higher temperatures, decreases in rainfall with increase in length of the dry season could shift net ecosystem exchanges from C sink to source of C and might intensify burning, reducing nutrient stocks. Interactions between the heterogeneity in the composition and abundance of biological communities throughout the Cerrado Domain and current and future changes in land use make it difficult to project the impacts of future climate scenarios at different temporal and spatial scales and new modeling approaches are needed.

O principal objetivo deste estudo é realizar um balanço do nitrogênio em toda a Região Amazônica Brasileira. As principais entradas de nitrogênio na região foram a fixação biológica do nitrogênio que ocorre nas florestas tropicais (7,7 Tg.ano-1) e a fixação biológica do nitrogênio em terras agrícolas, que ocorre principalmente devido à existência de grandes áreas de cultivo de soja, uma importante cultura de fixação de nitrogênio (1,68 Tg.ano-1). A entrada em razão do uso de fertilizantes nitrogenados (0,48 Tg.ano-1) ainda é incipiente em comparação com aquelas duas outras entradas mencionadas. Os maiores fluxos de saída foram o fluxo fluvial, que foi igual a 2,80 Tg.ano-1, e a exportação relacionada aos gêneros alimentícios, principalmente a transferência de soja e carne para outras regiões do País. O contínuo crescimento populacional e as elevadas taxas de urbanização podem representar novas ameaças sobre o ciclo do nitrogênio da região por meio da queima de combustíveis fósseis e do despejo de esgoto doméstico nos rios e córregos da região. The main purpose of this study is to perform a nitrogen budget survey for the entire Brazilian Amazon region. The main inputs of nitrogen to the region are biological nitrogen fixation occurring in tropical forests (7.7 Tg.yr-1), and biological nitrogen fixation in agricultural lands mainly due to the cultivation of a large area with soybean, which is an important nitrogen-fixing crop (1.68 Tg.yr-1). The input due to the use of N fertilizers (0.48 Tg.yr-1) is still incipient compared to the other two inputs mentioned above. The major output flux is the riverine flux, equal to 2.80 Tg.yr-1 and export related to foodstuff, mainly the transport of soybean and beef to other parts of the country. The continuous population growth and high rate of urbanization may pose new threats to the nitrogen cycle of the region through the burning of fossil fuel and dumping of raw domestic sewage in rivers and streams of the region.

Soil samples were collected in six South American countries in a total of 71 different 1 ha forest plots across the Amazon Basin as part of the RAINFOR project. They were analysed for total and exchangeable cations, C, N, pH with various P fractions also determined. Physical properties were also examined and an index of soil physical quality proposed. A diverse range of soils was found. For the western areas near the Andean cordillera and the southern and northern fringes, soils tend to be distributed among the lower pedogenetic levels, while the central and eastern areas of Amazonia have more intensely weathered soils. This gives rise to a large variation of soil chemical and physical properties across the Basin, with soil properties varying predictably along a gradient of pedogenic development. Nutrient pools generally increased slightly in concentration from the youngest to the intermediate aged soils after which a gradual decline was observed with the lowest values found in the most weathered soils. Soil physical properties were strongly correlated with soil fertility, with favourable physical properties occurring in highly weathered and nutrient depleted soils and with the least weathered, more fertile soils having higher incidence of limiting physical properties. Soil phosphorus concentrations varied markedly in accordance with weathering extent and appear to exert an important influence on the nitrogen cycle of Amazon forest soils.

Carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles in savannas are strongly regulated by the seasonal distribution of precipitation and pulses of nutrients released during the wetting of the dry soil and are critical to the dynamics of microorganisms and vegetation. The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of C and N isotope ratios as indicators of the cycling of these elements in a cerrado sensu stricto area, within a protected area in a State Park in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The foliar δ13C and δ15N values varied from -33.6 to -24.4 ‰ and -2.5 to 4.5 ‰, respectively. The δ13C values showed a consistent relationship with canopy height, revealing the importance of structure of the canopy over the C isotopic signature of the vegetation. Carbon isotopic variations associated with the length of the dry season indicated the importance of recent fixed C to the integrated isotopic signature of the leaf organic C. The studied Cerrado species showed a depleted foliar δ15N, but a wide range of foliar Nitrogen with no difference among canopy heights. However, seasonal variability was observed, with foliar δ15N values being higher in the transition period between dry and rainy seasons. The variation of the foliar C and N isotope ratios presented here was consistent with highly diverse vegetation with high energy available but low availability of water and N. Os ciclos biogeoquímicos do carbono e do nitrogênio em savanas são fortemente regulados pela distribuição sazonal de precipitação e pulsos de nutrientes liberados após eventos de chuva, que são críticos para o comportamento dos microrganismos e da vegetação. Investigou-se a variabilidade espacial e sazonal dos isótopos estáveis de C e N como indicadores da ciclagem destes elementos em uma área de cerrado sensu stricto de uma área protegida em um Parque Estadual no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Os valores de δ13C e δ15N foliar variaram de -33,6 a -24,4 ‰ e -2,5 a 4,5 ‰, respectivamente. Os valores de δ13C apresentaram uma relação consistente com a altura do dossel, mostrando a importância da estrutura da vegetação na assinatura isotópica do C da vegetação. A variação isotópica do Carbono associada com a duração da estação seca indica a importância do C recentemente fixado para integrar a assinatura isotópica do C orgânico da folha. Com relação ao Nitrogênio, as espécies de Cerrado estudadas apresentaram uma grande variação no δ15N foliar. Não houve relação entre o δ15N foliar com a altura do dossel. No entanto, os valores de δ15N foliar apresentaram uma variabilidade sazonal, com maiores valores de δ15N na transição entre as estações seca e chuvosa. A variação encontrada na composição isotópica do C e N foliares foi consistente com o fato de a vegetação ser altamente diversa, tendo que lidar com uma alta disponibilidade de energia, mas baixa disponibilidade de água e N.

13 páginas, 3 tablas, 7 figuras., Ratios of nitrogen (N) isotopes in leaves could elucidate underlying patterns of N cycling across ecological gradients. To better understand global-scale patterns of N cycling, we compiled data on foliar N isotope ratios (δ15N), foliar N concentrations, mycorrhizal type and climate for over 11 000 plants worldwide. Arbuscular mycorrhizal, ectomycorrhizal, and ericoid mycorrhizal plants were depleted in foliar δ15N by 2‰, 3.2‰, 5.9‰, respectively, relative to nonmycorrhizal plants. Foliar δ15N increased with decreasing mean annual precipitation and with increasing mean annual temperature (MAT) across sites with MAT ≥ −0.5°C, but was invariant with MAT across sites with MAT < −0.5°C. In independent landscape-level to regional-level studies, foliar δ15N increased with increasing N availability; at the global scale, foliar δ15N increased with increasing foliar N concentrations and decreasing foliar phosphorus (P) concentrations. Together, these results suggest that warm, dry ecosystems have the highest N availability, while plants with high N concentrations, on average, occupy sites with higher N availability than plants with low N concentrations. Global-scale comparisons of other components of the N cycle are still required for better mechanistic understanding of the determinants of variation in foliar δ15N and ultimately global patterns in N cycling., J.M.C. was supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and A.E. was supported by the Henry Luce Foundation.

Naturally occurring stable isotope ratios can be a powerful tool in studies of animal nutrition, provided that the assumptions required for dietary reconstruction are validated by studies such as the one presented here. The objective of this study was to document the magnitude of isotopic fractionation between swine diet and their different tissues. For this, the isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen of the diet and selected tissues (hair, nail, liver, muscle, fat and cartilage) were determined. The delta13C and delta15N of the diet were -15.9‰ and 1.3‰, respectively, and all delta15N of swine tissues were 2.2 to 3.0‰ enriched in 15N in relation to the diet. Little variation in delta15N occurred among tissues, with exception to liver that was less enriched in 15N than the nail. Nail and hair presented no 13C enrichment relative to diet. Cartilage was ~1.0‰ enriched in 13C as compared to diet. Liver and muscle were on average 2.1‰ more depleted in 13C in relation to diet as well as fat tissues. Some of the C and N isotope ratios of swine tissues differed in organs, but the isotopic fractionation trends among tissues appears to be similar to other mammals. Therefore our data provide a good baseline to interpret stable isotope patterns in domestic mammals (such as swine) in controlled or semi-controlled experiments.