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There is increasing concern over the impact of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on forest ecosystems in the tropical and subtropical areas. In this study, we quantified atmospheric N deposition and revealed current plant and soil N status in 14 forests along a 150 km urban to rural transect in southern China, with an emphasis on examining whether foliar d 15 N can be used as an indicator of N saturation. Bulk deposition ranged from 16.2 to 38.2 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 , while the throughfall covered a larger range of 11.7–65.1 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 . Foliar N concentration, NO3 leaching to stream, and soil NO3 concentration were low and NO3 production was negligible in some rural forests, indicating that primary production in these forests may be limited by N supply. But all these N variables were enhanced in suburban and urban forests. Across the study transect, throughfall N input was correlated positively with soil nitrification and NO3 leaching to stream, and negatively with pH values in soil and stream water. Foliar d 15 N was between � 6.6% and 0.7%, and was negatively correlated with soil NO3 concentration and NO3 leaching to stream across the entire transect, demonstrating that an increased N supply does not necessarily increase forest d 15 N values. We proposed several potential mechanism that could contribute to the d 15 N pattern, including (1) increased plant uptake of 15 N-depleted soil NO3 , (2) foliage uptake of 15 N-depleted NH4 1 , (3) increased utilization of soil inorganic N relative to dissolved organic N, and (4) increased fractionation during plant N uptake under higher soil N availability.

Response of plant biodiversity to increased availability of nitrogen (N) has been investigated in temperate and boreal forests, which are typically N-limited, but little is known in tropical forests. We examined the effects of artificial N additions on plant diversity (species richness, density and cover) of the understory layer in an N saturated old-growth tropical forest in southern China to test the following hypothesis: N additions decrease plant diversity in N saturated tropical forests primarily from N-mediated changes in soil properties. Experimental additions of N were administered at the following levels from July 2003 to July 2008: no addition (Control); 50kgNha � 1 yr � 1 (Low-N); 100kgNha � 1 yr � 1 (Medium-N), and 150kgNha � 1 yr � 1 (High-N). Results showed that no understory species exhibited positive growth response to any level of N addition during the study period. Although low-to-medium levels of N addition (� 100kgNha � 1 yr � 1 ) generally did not alter plant diversity through time, high levels of N addition significantly reduced species diversity. This decrease was most closely related to declines within tree seedling and fern functional groups, as well as to significant increases in soil acidity and Al mobility, and decreases in Ca availability and fine-root biomass. This mechanism for loss of biodiversity provides sharp contrast to competitionbased mechanisms suggested in studies of understory communities in other forests. Our results suggest that high-N additions can decrease plant diversity in tropical forests, but that this response may vary with rate of N addition.

Subtropical China has more than 60% of the total plantation area in China and over 70% of these subtropical plantations are composed of pure coniferous species. In view of low ecosystem services and ecological instability of pure coniferous plantations, indigenous broadleaf plantations are being advocated as a prospective silvicultural management for substituting in place of large coniferous plantations in subtropical China. However, little information is known about the effects of tree species conversion on stock and stability of soil organic carbon (SOC). The four adjacent monospecific plantations were selected to examine the effects of tree species on the stock and chemical composition of SOC using elemental analysis and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. One coniferous plantation was composed of Pinus massoniana (PM), and the three broadleaf plantations were Castanopsis hystrix (CH), Michelia macclurei (MM), and Mytilaria laosensis (ML). We found that SOC stock differed significantly among the four plantations in the upper (0–10 cm) layer, but not in the underneath (10–30 cm) layer. SOC stocks in the upper (0–10 cm) layer were 11, 19, and 18% higher in the CH, MM, and ML plantations than in the PM plantation. The differences in SOC stock among the four plantations were largely attributed to fine root rather than aboveground litterfall input. However, the soils in the broadleaf plantations contained more decomposable C proportion, indicated by lower percentage of alkyl C, higher percentage of O-alkyl C and lower alkyl C/O-alkyl C ratio compared to those in the PM plantation. Our findings highlight that future strategy of tree species selection for substituting in place of large coniferous plantations in subtropical China needs to consider the potential effects of tree species on the chemical composition in addition to the quantity of SOC stock.

Indigenous broadleaf plantations are increasingly developing as a prospective silvicultural management approach for substituting in place of large pure conifer plantations in subtropical China. However, little information is known about the effects of tree species conversion on soil-atmosphere greenhouse gas (GHG) exchanges. Four adjacent monospecific plantations were selected in subtropical China to examine the effects of tree species on soil-atmosphere exchanges of N2O, CH4 and CO2. One coniferous plantation was composed of Pinus massoniana (PM), and the three broadleaf plantations were Castanopsis hystrix (CH), Michelia macclurei (MM) and Mytilaria laosensis (ML). We found that mean soil N2O and CO2 emissions in the PM plantation were 4.34 μg N m−2 h−1 and 43.25 mg C m−2 h−1, respectively, lower than those in the broadleaf plantations (>5.25 μg N m−2 h−1 and >56.38 mg C m−2 h−1). The PM plantation soil had higher mean CH4 uptake (39.03 μg C m−2 h−1) than the broadleaf plantation soils (

Elucidating the processes of leaf litter and fine root decomposition has been a major research focus, while how the correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition is unclear. We studied the in situ decomposition and N dynamics of leaf litter and fine root of four subtropical tree species (Pinus massoniana, Castanopsis hystrix, Michelia macclurei and Mytilaria laosensis) to determine whether leaf litter and fine root decomposition is correlated across species as well as which factors influence decomposition above versus below ground. Decomposition rate of leaf litter was related to that of fine root across species. The strong correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates arose largely for several reasons. First, soil moisture had the similar influences on both leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates. Second, traits (i.e., initial Ca concentration) important to both leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates showed significant similarity among species. Third, initial P, N and aromatic C concentrations, and C/N ratio were uniquely important for fine root decomposition rate, while no unique traits for leaf litter decomposition rate. This also could account for the strong correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates. Our study suggests that among these subtropical trees, species effects on in situ decomposition rates of leaf litter and fine root are very similar. Thus, species differences in decomposition rates may be as large as they would be if faster decomposition of leaf litter was correlated with faster decomposition of fine root. N immobilization rate of leaf litter was unrelated to that of fine root across species. Our results help explain some important mechanisms by which tree species influence litter in situ decomposition.

Understanding forest carbon cycling responses to atmospheric N deposition is critical to evaluating ecosystem N dynamics. The natural abundance of 15 N( d 15 N) has been suggested as an efficient and non-invasive tool to monitor N pools and fluxes. In this study, three successional forests in southern China were treated with four levels of N addition. In each treatment, we measured rates of soil N mineralization, nitrification, N2O emission and inorganic N leaching as well as N concentration and d 15 N of leaves, litters and soils. We found that foliar N concentration and d 15 N were higher in the mature broadleaf forest than in the successional pine or mixed forests. Three-year continuous N addition did not change foliar N concentration, but significantly

The effects of elevated nitrogen deposition on soil microbial biomass carbon (C) and extractable dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in three types of forest of southern China were studied in November, 2004 and June, 2006. Plots were established in a pine forest (PF), a mixed pine and broad-leaved forest (MF) and monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest (MEBF) in the Dinghushan Nature Reserve. Nitrogen treatments included a control (no N addition), low N (50 kg N/(hm2·a)), medium N (100 kg N/(hm2·a)) and high N (150 kg N/(hm2·a)). Microbial biomass C and extractable DOC were determined using a chloroform fumigation-extraction method. Results indicate that microbial biomass C and extractable DOC were higher in June, 2006 than in November, 2004 and higher in the MEBF than in the PF or the MF. The response of soil microbial biomass C and extractable DOC to nitrogen deposition varied depending on the forest type and the level of nitrogen treatment. In the PF or MF forests, no significantly different effects of nitrogen addition were found on soil microbial biomass C and extractable DOC. In the MEBF, however, the soil microbial biomass C generally decreased with increased nitrogen levels and high nitrogen addition significantly reduced soil microbial biomass C. The response of soil extractable DOC to added nitrogen in the MEBF shows the opposite trend to soil microbial biomass C. These results suggest that nitrogen deposition may increase the accumulation of soil organic carbon in the MEBF in the study region.

Chronic atmospheric nitrogen deposition affects the cycling of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in forest ecosystems, and thereby alters the stable C isotopic abundance of plant and soil. Three successional stages, disturbed, rehabilitated and mature forests were studied for their responses to different nitrogen input levels. N-addition manipulative experiments were conducted at low, medium and high N levels. To study the responses of C cycling to N addition, the C concentration and 13C natural abundances for leaf, litter and soil were measured. Labile organic carbon fractions in mineral soils were measured to quantify the dynamics of soil organic C (SOC). Results showed that three-year continuous N addition did not significantly increase foliar C and N concentration, but decreased C/N ratio and enriched 13C in N-rich forests. In addition, N addition significantly decreased microbial biomass C, and increased water soluble organic C in surface soils of N-rich forests. This study suggests that N addition enhances the water consumption per unit C assimilation of dominant plant species, restricts SOC turnover in N-poor forests at early and medium successional stages (thus favored SOC sequestration), and vice versa for N-rich mature forests.

Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) (as ammonium nitrate) was applied monthly onto the forest floor of one old-growth forest (>400 years old, at levels of 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 ) and two young forests (both about 70 years old, at levels of 50 and 100 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 ) over 3 years (2004–2006), to investigate how nitrogen (N) input influenced N leaching output, and if there were differences in N retention between the old-growth and the young forests in the subtropical monsoon region of southern China. The ambient throughfall inputs were 23–27 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 in the young forests and 29–35 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 in the old-growth forest. In the control plots without experimental N addition, a net N retention was observed in the young forests (on average 6–11 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 ), but a net N loss occurred in the oldgrowth forest (� 13 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 ). Experimental N addition immediately increased DIN leaching in all three forests, with 25–66% of added N leached over the 3-year experiment. At the lowest level of N addition (50 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 ), the percentage N loss was higher in the old-growth forest (66% of added N) than in the two young forests (38% and 26%). However, at higher levels of N addition (100 and 150 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 ), the old-growth forest exhibited similar N losses (25–43%) to those in the young forests (28–43%). These results indicate that N retention is largely determined by the forest successional stages and the levels of N addition. Compared to most temperate forests studied in Europe and North America, N leaching loss in these seasonal monsoon subtropical forests occurred mainly in the rainy growing season, with measured N loss in leaching substantially higher under both ambient deposition and experimental N additions.

At most sites the magnitude of soil-atmosphere exchange of nitrous dioxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) was estimated based on a few chambers located in a limited area. Topography has been demonstrated to influence the production and consumption of these gases in temperate ecosystems, but this aspect has often been ignored in tropical areas. In this study, we investigated spatial variability of the net fluxes of these gases along a 100 m long slope of a evergreen broadleaved forest in southern China over a whole year. We expected that the lower part of slope would release more N2O and CO2, but take up less atmospheric CH4 than the upper part due to different availability of water and nutrients. Our results showed that the soil moisture (Water Filled Pore Space, WFPS) decreased along the slope from bottom to top as we expected, but among the three gases only N2O emissions followed this pattern. Annual means of WFPS ranged from 27.7% to 52.7% within the slope, and annual emissions of N2O ranged from 2.0 to 4.4 kg N ha−1 year−1, respectively. These two variables were highly and positively correlated across the slope. Neither potential rates of net N mineralization and nitrification, nor N2O emissions in the laboratory incubated soils varied with slope positions. Soil CO2 release and CH4 uptake appeared to be independent on slope position in this study. Our results suggested that soil water content and associated N2O emissions are likely to be influenced by topography even in a short slope, which may need to be taken into account in field measurements and modelling.

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) has recently been recognized as an important component of terrestrial N cycling, especially under N-limited conditions; however, the effect of increased atmospheric N deposition on DON production and loss from forest soils remains controversial. Here we report DON and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) losses from forest soils receiving very high longterm ambient atmospheric N deposition with or without additional experimental N inputs, to investigate DON biogeochemistry under N-saturated conditions. We studied an old-growth forest, a young pine forest, and a young mixed pine/ broadleaf forest in subtropical southern China. All three forests have previously been shown to have high nitrate (NO3 ) leaching losses, with the highest loss found in the old-growth forest. We hypothesized that DON leaching loss would be forest specific and that the strongest response to experimental N input would be in the N-saturated old-growth forest. Our results showed that under ambient deposition (35‐50 kg N ha -1 y -1 as throughfall input), DON leaching below the major rooting zone in all three forests was high (6.5‐16.9 kg N ha -1 y -1 ). DON leaching increased 35‐162% following 2.5 years of experimental input of 50‐150 kg N ha -1 y -1 . The fertilizer-driven increase of DON leaching comprised 4‐17% of the added N. A concurrent increase in DOC loss was observed only in the pine forest, even though DOC:DON ratios declined in all three forests. Our data showed that DON accounted for 23‐38% of total dissolved N in leaching, highlighting that DON could be a significant pathway of N loss from forests moving toward N saturation. The most pronounced N treatment effect on DON fluxes was not found in the old-growth forest that had the highest DON loss under ambient conditions. DON leaching was highly correlated with NO3 leaching in all three forests. We hypothesize that abiotic incorporation of excess NO3 (through chemically reactive NO2 ) into soil organic matter and the consequent production of N-enriched dissolved organic matter is a major mechanism for the consistent and large DON loss in the N-saturated subtropical forests of southern China.

Seedling growth response of two tropical tree species (Schima superba and Cryptocarya concinna) to simulated N deposition was studied during a period of 11 months. One-year-old seedlings were grown in forest soil treated with N as NH4NO3 at Control–no N addition, N5–5, N10–10, N15–15, and N30–30 g N m−2 year−1. The objective was to examine the effects of N addition on seedling growth and compare this effect between the two tropical tree species of different species-N-requirement. Results showed that both species responded significantly to N addition and exhibited positive effect to lower rate of N addition and negative effect to higher rate of N addition on growth parameters (height and stem base diameter, biomass production, and net photosynthetic rate). The highest values were observed in the N10 plots for S. superba and in the N15 plots for C. concinna, but the lowest values were observed in the N30 plots for both species. However, the reduction in the N30 plots was more pronounced for S. superba than for C. concinna relative to the control plots. Our findings suggest that response of seedling growth of tropical tree species to atmospheric N deposition may vary depending on rate of N deposition and species-N-requirement.

Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) from the soil following simulated nitrogen (N) deposition in a disturbed (pine), a rehabilitated (pine and broadleaf mixed) and a mature (monsoon evergreen broadleaf) tropical forest in southern China were studied. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) addition of N will increase soil N2O emission in tropical forests; and (2) any observed increase will be more pronounced in the mature forest than in the disturbed or rehabilitated forest due to the relatively high initial soil N concentration in the mature forest. The experiment was designed with four N treatment levels (three replicates; 0, 50, 100, 150 kg N ha−1 year−1 for C (Control), LN (Low-N), MN (Medium-N), and HN (High-N) treatment, respectively) in the mature forest, but only three levels in the disturbed and rehabilitated forests (C, LN and MN). Between October 2005 to September 2006, soil N2O flux was measured using static chamber and gas chromatography methodology. Nitrogen had been applied previously to the plots since July 2003 and continued during soil N2O flux measurement period. The annual mean rates of soil N2O emission in the C plots were 24.1 ± 1.5, 26.2 ± 1.4, and 29.3 ± 1.6 μg N2O–N m−2 h−1 in the disturbed, rehabilitated and mature forest, respectively. There was a significant increase in soil N2O emission following N additions in the mature forest (38%, 41%, and 58% when compared to the C plots for the LN, MN, and HN plots, respectively). In the disturbed forest a significant increase (35%) was observed in the MN plots, but not in the LN plots. The rehabilitated forest showed no significant response to N additions. Increases in soil N2O emission occurred primarily in the cool-dry season (November, December and January). Our results suggest that the response of soil N2O emission to N deposition in tropical forests in southern China may vary depending on the soil N status and land-use history of the forest.

Nitrogen (N) deposition is generally considered to increase soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emission in N-rich forests. In many tropical forests, however, elevated N deposition has caused soil N enrichment and further phosphorus (P) deficiency, and the interaction of N and P to control soil N2O emission remains poorly understood, particularly in forests with different soil N status. In this study, we examined the effects of N and P additions on soil N2O emission in an N-rich old-growth forest and two N-limited younger forests (a mixed and a pine forest) in southern China to test the following hypotheses: (1) soil N2O emission is the highest in old-growth forest due to the N-rich soil; (2) N addition increases N2O emission more in the old-growth forest than in the two younger forests; (3) P addition decreases N2O emission more in the old-growth forest than in the two younger forests; and (4) P addition alleviates the stimulation of N2O emission by N addition. The following four treatments were established in each forest: Control, N addition (150 kg N ha−1 yr−1), P addition (150 kg P ha−1 yr−1), and NP addition (150 kg N ha−1 yr−1 plus 150 kg P ha−1 yr−1). From February 2007 to October 2009, monthly quantification of soil N2O emission was performed using static chamber and gas chromatography techniques. Mean N2O emission was shown to be significantly higher in the old-growth forest (13.9 ± 0.7 µg N2O-N m−2 h−1) than in the mixed (9.9 ± 0.4 µg N2O-N m−2 h−1) or pine (10.8 ± 0.5 µg N2O-N m−2 h−1) forests, with no significant difference between the latter two. N addition significantly increased N2O emission in the old-growth forest but not in the two younger forests. However, both P and NP addition had no significant effect on N2O emission in all three forests, suggesting that P addition alleviated the stimulation of N2O emission by N addition in the old-growth forest. Although P fertilization may alleviate the stimulated effects of atmospheric N deposition on N2O emission in N-rich forests, this effect may only occur under high N deposition and/or long-term P addition, and we suggest future investigations to definitively assess this management strategy and the importance of P in regulating N cycles from regional to global scales.

The Effect of Simulated Nitrogen Deposition on the Emission of Carbonyl Compounds from Ormosia pinnata and Cinnamomum burmannii Elevated anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition has become a limiting factor for plants instead of a nutrient for its dramatic rising at globally scale, which greatly affects the process of carbon (C) cycle from individual plant to ecosystem, and even global levels. It could affect biogenic carbonyl emissions as an important component of carbon pool from plants, but this aspect has not yet been investigated. In this study, we performed a simulated N deposition experiment (100 kg N•ha-1•y-1) on two native tree saplings planted in a nursery in South China. Results showed that three main biogenic carbonyls, i.e. formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone from tree leaves all had distinct seasonal variations, with much higher emission rates in the wet season than in the dry season. Elevated N addition significantly depressed the emission of biogenic carbonyls in the dry season, but not in the wet season. No big differences were observed in carbonyls emissions from the two tree species responding to N deposition both in the wet season and in the dry season. Thus, we concluded that N deposition might drive plants to change carbon allocation and reduce carbon loss when as a limiting factor in the dry season. This finding is of significance for the theory of carbon allocation and plant adaptability strategy under elevated N deposition.

Response of soil respiration (CO2 emission) to simulated nitrogen (N) deposition in a mature tropical forest in southern China was studied from October 2005 to September 2006. The objective was to test the hypothesis that N addition would reduce soil respiration in N saturated tropical forests. Static chamber and gas chromatography techniques were used to quantify the soil respiration, following four-levels of N treatments (Control, no N addition; Low-N, 5 g N m � 2 yr � 1 ; Medium-N, 10 g N m � 2 yr � 1 ; and High-N, 15 g N m � 2 yr � 1 experimental inputs), which had been applied for 26 months before and continued throughout the respiration measurement period. Results showed that soil respiration exhibited a strong seasonal pattern, with the highest rates found in the warm and wet growing season (April–September) and the lowest rates in the dry dormant season (December–February). Soil respiration rates showed a significant positive exponential relationship with soil temperature, whereas soil moisture only affect soil respiration at dry conditions in the dormant season. Annual accumulative soil respiration was 601 � 30 g CO2-C m � 2 yr � 1 in the Controls. Annual mean soil respiration rate in the Control, Low-N and Medium-N treatments (69 � 3, 72 � 3 and 63 � 1m g CO2Cm � 2 h � 1 , respectively) did not differ significantly, whereas it was 14% lower in the High-N treatment (58 � 3m g CO2-C m � 2 h � 1 ) compared with the Control treatment, also the temperature sensitivity of respiration, Q10 was reduced from 2.6 in the Control with 2.2 in the High-N treatment. The decrease in soil respiration occurred in the warm and wet growing season and were correlated with a decrease in soil microbial activities and in fine root biomass in the N-treated plots. Our results suggest that response of soil respiration to atmospheric N deposition in tropical forests is a decline, but it may vary depending on the rate of N deposition.

Responses of soil respiration (CO2 emission) to simulated N deposition were studied in a disturbed (reforested forest with previous understory and litter harvesting) and a rehabilitated (reforested forest with no understory and litter harvesting) tropical forest in southern China from October 2005 to September 2006. The objectives of the study were to test the following hypotheses: (1) soil respiration is higher in rehabilitated forest than in disturbed forest; (2) soil respiration in both rehabilitated and disturbed tropical forests is stimulated by N additions; and (3) soil respiration is more sensitive to N addition in disturbed forest than in rehabilitated forest due to relatively low soil nutrient status in the former, resulting from different previous human disturbance. Static chamber and gas chromatography techniques were employed to quantify the soil respiration, following different N treatments (Control, no N addition; Low-N, 5 g N m−2 year−1; Medium-N, 10 g N m−2 year−1), which had been applied continuously for 26 months before the respiration measurement. Results showed that soil respiration exhibited a strong seasonal pattern, with the highest rates observed in the hot and wet growing season (April–September) and the lowest rates in winter (December–February) in both rehabilitated and disturbed forests. Soil respiration rates exhibited significant positive exponential relationship with soil temperature and significant positive linear relationship with soil moisture. Soil respiration was also significantly higher in the rehabilitated forest than in the disturbed forest. Annual mean soil respiration rate in the rehabilitated forest was 20% lower in low-N plots (71 ± 4 mg CO2-C m−2 h−1) and 10% lower in medium-N plots (80 ± 4 mg CO2-C m−2 h−1) than in the control plots (89 ± 5 mg CO2-C m−2 h−1), and the differences between the control and low-N or medium-N treatments were statistically significant. In disturbed forest, annual mean soil respiration rate was 5% lower in low-N plots (63 ± 3 mg CO2-C m−2 h−1) and 8% lower in medium-N plots (61 ± 3 mg CO2-C m−2 h−1) than in the control plots (66 ± 4 mg CO2-C m−2 h−1), but the differences among treatments were not significant. The depressed effects of experimental N deposition occurred mostly in the hot and wet growing season. Our results suggest that response of soil respiration to elevated N deposition in the reforested tropical forests may vary depending on the status of human disturbance.

The methods of root-excision and trenching were employed concurrently in the present study in order to partition total soil respiration (Rtotal) into root respiration (Rroot), rhizomicrobial respiration (Rrhizo) and root free soil microbial respiration (Rrfs). This study was conducted under the monsoon evergreen broad-leaf forest (BF), the pine forest (PF) and the pine and broad-leaf mixed forest (MF) in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, subtropical China from April 2001 to March 2002. The three forests represent different successional stages in this region. Our results showed that mean Rtotal were 477.9 ± 96.3, 429.5 ± 61.0 and 435.4 ± 95.1 mg CO2 m−2 h−1 in BF, PF and MF, respectively. Rtotal were significantly higher in rain season than those in dry season. However, no significant variations were found among three forests. Soil respiration rates were highly dependent on the combined effects of soil temperature and soil water content. Rroot was significantly higher in rain season than that in dry season, with the values of 113.8–166.0 mg CO2 m−2 h−1 in rain season and 48.6–97.1 mg CO2 m−2 h−1 in dry season. There were no significant differences for Rrfs and Rrhizo between rain and dry season. However, the contributions of each component to Rtotal in rain season differed from those in dry season. In rain season, Rroot-to-Rtotal, Rrfs-to-Rtotal and Rrhizo-to-Rtotal ratios were in the range of 26.1–35.4, 40.6–43.7, and 20.9–36.6%. In dry season, they were 18.1–22.1, 44.8–47.6 and 30.3–37.1%, respectively.

The effects of simulated N deposition on changes in mass, C, N and P of decomposing pine (Pinus massoniana) needles in a disturbed and a rehabilitated forest in tropical China were studied during a 24-month period. The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that litter decomposition in a disturbed forest is more sensitive to N deposition rate than litter decomposition in a rehabilitated forest due to the relatively low nutrient status in the former as a result of constant human disturbance (harvesting understory and litter). The litterbag method and N treatments (control, no N addition; low-N, 5 g N m−2 year−1; medium-N, 10 g N m−2 year−1) were employed to evaluate decomposition. The results revealed that N addition increased (positive effect) mass loss rate and C release rate but suppressed (negative effect) the release rate of N and P from decomposing needles in both disturbed and rehabilitated forests. The enhanced needle decomposition rate by N addition was significantly related to the reduction in the C/N ratio in decomposing needles. However, N availability is not the sole factor limiting needle decomposition in both disturbed and rehabilitated forests. The positive effect was more sensitive to the N addition rate in the rehabilitated forest than in the disturbed forest, however the reverse was true for the negative effect. These results suggest that nutrient status could be one of the important factors in controlling the response of litter decomposition and its nutrient release to elevated N deposition in reforested ecosystems in the study region.

The effects of increased reactive nitrogen (N) deposition in forests depend largely on its fate in the ecosystems. However, our knowledge on the fates of deposited N in tropical forest ecosystems and its retention mechanisms is limited. Here, we report the results from the first whole ecosystem

Soil acidification instead of alkalization has become a new environmental issue caused by urbanization. However, it remains unclear the characters and main contributors of this acidification. We investigated the effects of an urbanization gradient on soil acidity of Pinus massoniana forests in Pearl River Delta, South China. The soil pH of pine forests at 20-cm depth had significantly positive linear correlations with the distance from the urban core of Guangzhou. Soil pH reduced by 0.44 unit at the 0–10 cm layer in urbanized areas compared to that in non-urbanized areas. Nitrogen deposition, mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation were key factors influencing soil acidification based on a principal component analysis. Nitrogen deposition showed significant linear relationships with soil pH at the 0–10 cm (for ammonium N ("Equation missing"-N), P -N), P -N, P

Increasing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition could profoundly impact community structure and ecosystem functions in forests. However, conventional experiments with understory addition of N (UAN) largely neglect canopy-associated biota and processes and therefore may not realistically simulate atmospheric N deposition to generate reliable impacts on forest ecosystems. Here we, for the first time, designed a novel experiment with canopy addition of N (CAN) vs. UAN and reviewed the merits and pitfalls of the two approaches. The following hypotheses will be tested: i) UAN overestimates the N addition effects on understory and soil processes but underestimates those on canopy-associated biota and processes, ii) with low-level N addition, CAN favors canopy tree species and canopy-dwelling biota and promotes the detritus food web and iii) with high-level N addition, CAN suppresses canopy tree species and other biota and favors rhizosphere food web. As a long-term comprehensive program, this experiment will provide opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations, including biogeochemistry, microbiology, zoology and plant science to examine forest ecosystem responses to atmospheric N deposition.

Representative pioneer tree root systems in the subtropical area of South China were examined with regard to their structure, underground stratification and biomass distribution. Excavation of skeleton roots and observation of fine roots of seven species including the Euphorbiaceae, Theaceae, Melastomataceae, Lauraceae and Fagaceae families was carried out. The results showed that: (1) Pioneer tree roots in the first stage of natural succession were of two types, one characterized by taproot system with bulky plagiotropic branches; the other characterized by flat root system with several tabular roots. The late mesophilous tree roots were characterized by one obvious taproot and tactic braches roots up and down. Shrub species roots were characterized by heart fibrous root type featured both by horizontally and transversally growing branches. Root shapes varied in different dominant species at different stages of succession. (2) Roots of the different species varied in the external features-color, periderm and structure of freshly cut slash. (3) In a set of successional stages the biomass of tree roots increased linearly with the age of growth. During monsoon, the total root biomass amounted to 115.70 t/ha in the evergreen broad-leaved forest; 50.61 t/ha in needle and broad-leaved mixed forest dominated by coniferous forest; and 64.20 t/ha in broad-and needle-leaved mixed forest dominated by broad-leaved heliophytes, and are comparable to the underground biomass observed in similar tropical forests. This is the first report about roots characteristics of forest in the lower sub-tropical area of Dinghushan, Guangdong, China.

Evaluation of litterfall production is important for understanding nutrient cycling, forest growth, successional pathways, and interactions with environmental variables in forest ecosystems. Litterfall was intensively studied during the period of 1982–2001 in two subtropical monsoon vegetation gradients in the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, Guangdong Province, China. The two gradients include: (1) a successional gradient composed of pine forest (PF), mixed pine and broadleaved forest (MF) and monsoon evergreen broadleaved forest (BF), and (2) an altitudinal gradient composed of Baiyunci ravine rain forest (BRF), Qingyunci ravine rain forest (QRF), BF and mountainous evergreen broadleaved forest (MMF). Mean annual litterfall production was 356, 861 and 849 g m−2 for PF, MF and BF of the successional gradient, and 1016, 1061, 849 and 489 g m−2 for BRF, QRF, BF and MMF of the altitudinal gradient, respectively. As expected, mean annual litterfall of the pioneer forest PF was the lowest, but rapidly increased over the observation period while those in other forests were relatively stable, confirming that forest litterfall production is closely related to successional stages and growth patterns. Leaf proportions of total litterfall in PF, MF, BF, BRF, QRF and MMF were 76.4%, 68.4%, 56.8%, 55.7%, 57.6% and 69.2%, respectively, which were consistent with the results from studies in other evergreen broadleaved forests. Our analysis on litterfall monthly distributions indicated that litterfall production was much higher during the period of April to September compared to other months for all studied forest types. Although there were significant impacts of some climate variables (maximum and effective temperatures) on litterfall production in some of the studied forests, the mechanisms of how climate factors (temperature and rainfall) interactively affect litterfall await further study.

The response of decomposition of litter for the dominant tree species in disturbed (pine), rehabilitated (pine and broadleaf mixed) and mature (monsoon evergreen broadleaf) forests in subtropical China to simulated N deposition was studied to address the following hypothesis: (1) litter decomposition is faster in mature forest (high soil N availability) than in rehabilitated/disturbed forests (low soil N availability); (2) litter decomposition is stimulated by N addition in rehabilitated and disturbed forests due to their low soil N availability; (3) N addition has little effect on litter decomposition in mature forest due to its high soil N availability. The litterbag method (a total of 2880 litterbags) and N treatments: Control-no N addition, Low-N: −5 g N m−2 y−1, Medium-N: −10 g N m−2 y−1, and High-N: −15 g N m−2 y−1, were employed to evaluate decomposition. Results indicated that mature forest, which has likely been N saturated due to both long-term high N deposition in the region and the age of the ecosystem, had the highest litter decomposition rate, and exhibited no significant positive and even some negative response to nitrogen additions. However, both disturbed and rehabilitated forests, which are still N limited due to previous land use history, exhibited slower litter decomposition rates with significant positive effects from nitrogen additions. These results suggest that litter decomposition and its responses to N addition in subtropical forests of China vary depending on the nitrogen status of the ecosystem.

To investigate the impact of human disturbance and subsequent recovery on soil nitrogen processes, nitrogen availability during different seasons and at two soil depths in disturbed, rehabilitated and mature forests in tropical China was estimated using the ion exchange resin (IER) bag method. Soil total mineral N (NH4+N+NO3−N) varied significantly depending on forest and season. Overall, total mineral N concentrations ranked as follows: rehabilitated>mature>disturbed (forest); and spring>fall>winter>summer (season). Of the total mineral N, NH4+N was the major form in all forests (about 50–95%) with its proportion varying depending on forest and season. The correlation between NH4+N and NO3−N was strongest in the mature forest, followed by the rehabilitated forest and by the disturbed forest. Harvesting understory and litter had significant effects on soil N—mineral N was higher in treatment plots (more disturbed) than in control plots (relatively less disturbed). Although mineral nitrogen is produced, fewer plants and low microbial activity lead to low uptake and low immobilization resulting in greater N leaching losses in treatment plots. The results of this study suggest that over the period of 50 year or so, successful rehabilitation of soil N availability on severely degraded lands is possible, however, as long as harvesting of understory and litter continues in the degraded forest, this rate and level of recovery is unlikely to be realized.

Nitrite dynamics could be highly associated with forest N cycles. However, they have often been overlooked mainly because of the experimental difficulties that occur owing to chemical reactive nature of NO2−. We investigated NO2− dynamics in an N-saturated forest soil with a recently developed method using 15N. Soils were aerobically incubated for 145 h after 15NO2− addition, and changes in 14N and 15N concentrations of NO2−, NO3−, NH4+, and dissolved organic N (DON) were monitored. Simultaneous production and consumption of NO2− were observed. The turnover rate of NO2− was even faster than that of NH4+ and NO3− calculated in other studies. Of the added 15NO2−, 28.5% was oxidized to NO3− and 17.8% was incorporated into the DON pool within 4 h. The remainder might be emitted as gas or fixed by insoluble soil organic matter. Our results suggested that rapid NO2− turnover could be a major driving force for N transformations in forest soil.

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition may constrain soil phosphorus (P) and base cation availability in tropical forests, for which limited evidence have yet been available. In this study, we reported responses of soil inorganic nutrients to full factorial N and P treatments in three tropical forests different in initial soil N status (N-saturated old-growth forest and two less-N-rich younger forests). Responses of microbial biomass, annual litterfall production and nutrient input were also monitored. Results showed that N treatments decreased soil inorganic nutrients (except N) in all three forests, but the underlying mechanisms varied depending on forests: through inhibition on litter decomposition in the old-growth forest and through Al(3+) replacement of Ca(2+) in the two younger forests. In contrast, besides great elevation in soil available P, P treatments induced 60%, 50%, 26% increases in sum of exchangeable (K(+)+Ca(2+)+Mg(2+)) in the old-growth and the two younger forests, respectively. These positive effects of P were closely related to P-stimulated microbial biomass and litter nutrient input, implying possible stimulation of nutrient return. Our results suggest that N deposition may result in decreases in soil inorganic nutrients (except N) and that P addition can enhance soil inorganic nutrients to support ecosystem processes in these tropical forests.

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition may aggravate phosphorus (P) deficiency in forests in the warm humid regions of China. To our knowledge, the interactive effects of long-term N deposition and P availability on soil microorganisms in tropical replanted forests remain unclear. We conducted an N and P manipulation experiment with four treatments: control, N addition (15 g N m−2·yr−1), P addition (15 g P m−2·yr−1) and N and P addition (15 + 15 g N and P m−2·yr−1, respectively) in disturbed (planted pine forest with recent harvests of understory vegetation and litter) and rehabilitated (planted with pine, but mixed with broadleaf returning by natural succession) forests in southern China. Nitrogen addition did not significantly affect soil microbial biomass, but significantly decreased the abundance of gram-negative bacteria PLFAs in both forest types. Microbial biomass increased significantly after P addition in the disturbed forest but not in the rehabilitated forest. No interactions between N and P additions on soil microorganisms were observed in either forest type. Our results suggest that microbial growth in replanted forests of southern China may be limited by P rather than by N and this P limitation may be greater in disturbed forests.

We investigated soil CH4 fluxes from six forests along an urban-to-rural gradient in Guangzhou City metropolitan area, South China. The most significant CH4 consumption was found in the rural site, followed by suburban, and then urban forest sites. The rates of CH4 uptake were significantly higher (by 38% and 44%, respectively for mixed forest and broadleaf forest) in the rural than in the urban forest site. The results indicate that soil water filled pore space (WFPS) is the primary factor for controlling CH4 consumption in subtropical forests. The reductions of soil CH4 uptake in urban forests were also influenced by the higher rates of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and increases in soil nitrate (NO3(-)) and aluminum (Al(3+)) contents as a result of urbanization. Results from this work suggest that environmental changes associated with urbanization could decrease soil CH4 consumption in subtropical forests and potentially contribute to increase of atmospheric CH4 concentration.

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition to tropical forests may accelerate ecosystem phosphorus (P) limitation. This study examined responses of fine root biomass, nutrient concentrations, and acid phosphatase activity (APA) of bulk soil to five years of N and P additions in one old-growth and two younger lowland tropical forests in southern China. The old-growth forest had higher N capital than the two younger forests from long-term N accumulation. From February 2007 to July 2012, four experimental treatments were established at the following levels: Control, N-addition (150 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)), P-addition (150 kg P ha(-1) yr(-1)) and N+P-addition (150 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) plus 150 kg P ha(-1) yr(-1)). We hypothesized that fine root growth in the N-rich old-growth forest would be limited by P availability, and in the two younger forests would primarily respond to N additions due to large plant N demand. Results showed that five years of N addition significantly decreased live fine root biomass only in the old-growth forest (by 31%), but significantly elevated dead fine root biomass in all the three forests (by 64% to 101%), causing decreased live fine root proportion in the old-growth and the pine forests. P addition significantly increased live fine root biomass in all three forests (by 20% to 76%). The combined N and P treatment significantly increased live fine root biomass in the two younger forests but not in the old-growth forest. These results suggest that fine root growth in all three study forests appeared to be P-limited. This was further confirmed by current status of fine root N:P ratios, APA in bulk soil, and their responses to N and P treatments. Moreover, N addition significantly increased APA only in the old-growth forest, consistent with the conclusion that the old-growth forest was more P-limited than the younger forests.

Changes in mass and nutrients in experimental logs of six tree species during 5 years of exposure in the three major forest production regions of southwest Western Australia were measured to determine how climate, substrate quality, and substrate size interact to regulate decomposition of woody debris in this Mediterranean-type climate. Branch (3–5 cm in diameter) and bole (10–15 cm in diameter) material of the six species was set out in representative areas of a regenerating clear-cut Eucalyptusdiversicolor F. Muell. wet sclerophyll forest, selectively cut Eucalyptusmarginata Donn ex Smith dry sclerophyll forest, and clear-cut areas of a former Pinuspinaster Aiton plantation. Experimental logs were collected at about 0.5, 2, and 5 years after placement and were separated into bark and wood components. Samples of initial material were analyzed for moisture content, water-soluble and NaOH-soluble extractives, and nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg). At each collection, moisture content and changes in mass and nutrient concentration were determined for the sample logs. Eucalyptuscalophylla R.Br, the major associate of the two native forests, lost the most mass during this time, up to 65% of the initial mass (decomposition coefficient k = 0.22 year−1). Decomposition was least in P. pinaster and E. marginata, at about 24–26% of original mass (k = 0.05 year−1 and 0.07 year−1, respectively). Mass losses were greatest in Manjimup, the wettest site, and least at Gnangara, the driest site, but differences in overall levels of decomposition were small despite the range in climatic moisture regimes. Small logs decomposed faster than large logs. Changes in nutrient concentrations occurred in all logs at all sites, indicating activity by decomposer organisms and (or) leaching losses. Nitrogen was the only element to be immobilized over the 5-year period. Mineralization rates were of the order P ≈ Ca < Mg < K. Concentrations of compounds extractable in cold water and NaOH decreased during the 5 years of exposure. Differences in decomposition rates were partly explained by initial concentrations of N only; there appeared to be no relationship between decomposition and concentration of the other elements and extractives.

The responses of litter decomposition to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions were examined in an old-growth tropical forest in southern China to test the following hypotheses: (1) N addition would decrease litter decomposition; (2) P addition would increase litter decomposition, and (3) P addition would mitigate the inhibitive effect of N addition. Two kinds of leaf litter, Schima superba Chardn. & Champ. (S.S.) and Castanopsis chinensis Hance (C.C.), were studied using the litterbag technique. Four treatments were conducted at the following levels: control, N-addition (150 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)), P-addition (150 kg P ha(-1) yr(-1)) and NP-addition (150 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) plus 150 kg P ha(-1) yr(-1)). While N addition significantly decreased the decomposition of both litters, P addition significantly inhibited decomposition of C.C., but did not affect the decomposition of S.S. The negative effect of N addition on litter decomposition might be related to the high N-saturation in this old-growth tropical forest; however, the negative effect of P addition might be due to the suppression of "microbial P mining". Significant interaction between N and P addition was found on litter decomposition, which was reflected by the less negative effect in NP-addition plots than those in N-addition plots. Our results suggest that P addition may also have negative effect on litter decomposition and that P addition would mitigate the negative effect of N deposition on litter decomposition in tropical forests.

[1] The responses of soil methane (CH4) net fluxes to nitrogen (N) addition in a N-fixing tree species (Acacia auriculiformis (AA)) and a non-N-fixing tree species (Eucalyptus citriodora (EU)) plantation were studied in southern China. Treatments were conducted at each plantation with three N levels (0, 50, and 100 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for control, medium-N, and high-N treatment, respectively, abbreviated as C, MN, and HN). From August 2010 to July 2011, CH4 flux was measured biweekly using a static chamber and gas chromatography technique. The soils of both sites acted as sink of atmospheric CH4. The CH4 uptake rate in control of the AA site (36.3 ± 3.2 μg CH4-C m−2 h−1) was greater than that of the EU plantation (29.9 ± 0.9 μg CH4-C m−2 h−1). In the AA plantation, the averaged rates of CH4 uptake for the MN (28.6 ± 2.3 μg CH4-C m−2 h−1) and HN treatment (23.8 ± 2.8 μg CH4-C m−2 h−1) were decreased by 21% and 35%, respectively, compared to the control. However, there was no change of soil CH4 uptake between N-treated plots and the controls in the EU site. Our results indicated that there might be large difference of inhibitive effect of N deposition on soil CH4 oxidation between the AA and EU plantations. The projected increase of N deposition would weaken the capability of N-fixing tree species plantations for atmospheric CH4 sink in tropical and subtropical regions.

The 15N-enrichment of plants and soils is believed to indicate characteristics of the open nitrogen (N) cycle in terrestrial ecosystems because N lost from an ecosystem is presumably 15N-depleted through isotopic fractionation. However, because of a lack of an appropriate analytical methodology to confirm that supposition, the δ15N value for total dissolved nitrogen (TDN, the sum of ammonium, nitrate, and dissolved organic N) in stream water from forests has been measured only rarely. This report describes the δ15N values for TDN, ammonium, and nitrate in precipitation and stream water, together with those for soil-emitted nitrous oxide (N2O; measured once) in an N-saturated subtropical forest in southern China. Concentration-weighted δ15N values of TDN were −0.7‰ in precipitation and +1.2‰ in stream water. The difference in δ15N between soil (+3.9‰) and TDN in the stream water was 2.7‰. In contrast, soil-emitted N2O was strongly 15N-depleted (−14.3‰): 18‰ lower than that of the soil. Our results demonstrate that the discharged N loss is 15N-depleted only slightly compared with soil N, and gaseous N losses can be a strong driver for raising the terrestrial ecosystem δ15N. Our findings suggest that the relation between ecosystem δ15N and the open N cycle can be interpreted better by considering the net discrimination against 15N determined by the balance between gaseous and discharge N losses. Steady state 15N budget calculations proposed by Houlton and Bai (2009) can provide important information about the gaseous N fluxes, which are difficult to measure directly. The steady state calculation for the relationships among gaseous N loss, apparent isotopic fractionation during gaseous N loss, and isotopic signature of N inputs suggests that precise measurements of unmeasured components (e.g., dry deposition, NO and N2 emission) are quite important for better estimation of gaseous N losses from the ecosystem.

Responses of understory plant diversity to nitrogen (N) additions were investigated in reforested forests of contrasting disturbance regimes in southern China from 2003 to 2008: disturbed forest (with harvesting of understory vegetation and litter) and rehabilitated forest (without harvesting). Experimental additions of N were administered as the following treatments: Control, 50 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1), and 100 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1). Nitrogen additions did not significantly affect understory plant richness, density, and cover in the disturbed forest. Similarly, no significant response was found for canopy closure in this forest. In the rehabilitated forest, species richness and density showed no significant response to N additions; however, understory cover decreased significantly in the N-treated plots, largely a function of a significant increase in canopy closure. Our results suggest that responses of plant diversity to N deposition may vary with different land-use history, and rehabilitated forests may be more sensitive to N deposition. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[1] Soil nitric oxide (NO) emissions after the addition of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were studied at a broadleaf forest and a pine forest in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, south China. N was applied at 5 g N m−2 (or 50 kg N ha−1) and P was applied at 4 g P m−2 as NH4Cl (AN), NaNO3 (NN), NH4Cl + Na2HPO4 (AP), NaNO3 + Na2HPO4 (NP), and Na2HPO4 (P) in water solutions, respectively, in comparison with water and blank controls. Enhancement of NO emission by N addition alone was greater than that by combined addition of N and P in both forests due to the P-limiting soil nutrient status. In both forests, temporal pattern of NO emission after adding NO3−-N was different with that after adding NH4+-N. NO3−-N addition resulted in immediate NO fluxes for the broadleaf and to a lesser extent the pine forest site. In both forests, nitrification contributed more than denitrification to NO production although denitrification also played an important role in the broadleaf forest. N addition induced greater NO emission in the mature broadleaf forest than in the primary pine forest. Over the 50-day experimental period, averaged NO fluxes in plots adding AN, NN, AP, and NP were 3.3, 2.3, 1.9, and 1.8 times that in the water control plots, respectively, for the broadleaf forest and 2.7, 1.6, 1.5, and 1.3 times that in the water control plots, respectively, for the pine forest. Applied N loss as NO-N in AN, NN, AP, and NP plots were 2.8%, 1.6%, 1.1%, and 1.0%, respectively, in the broadleaf forest; and 2.6%, 1.0%, 0.8% and 0.4%, respectively, in the pine forest. On the average, N loss as NO from the forest floors was approximately 2% of the applied N as NH4+ or NO3− alone, quite similar to that measured by Hall and Matson (1999) from forest floors in the Hawaiian Islands.

[1] Methane (CH4) uptake responses to simulated nitrogen (N) deposition in a mature forest, a rehabilitated forest and a disturbed forest in tropical China were studied. The experiment was designed with four N treatment levels (three replicates) (0, 50, 100, 150 kg N ha−1 a−1 for Control, Low-N, Medium-N, and High-N treatment, respectively) in the mature forest, but only three levels (Control, Low-N, and Medium-N) in the disturbed and rehabilitated forests. Between October 2005 to September 2006, soil CH4 flux was measured once a week from April to September and once every other week in the other time using static chamber and gas chromatography techniques. Monthly ammonium-nitrate (NH4NO3) application had been applied previously to the plots since July 2003 and continued during the CH4 flux measurement period. The average CH4 uptake rates in control plots were −41.1 ± 1.8, −28.6 ± 2.2, and −17.8 ± 1.6 μg CH4-C m−2 h−1 in the mature, rehabilitated, and disturbed forest, respectively. For the mature forest, average CH4 uptake rates decreased by 6, 14, and 32% when compared to the control plots for the Low-N, Medium-N, and High-N plots, respectively. These decreases in soil CH4 uptake mainly occurred in the fall (October and November). Nitrogen additions had no significant effect on CH4 uptake in the rehabilitated and disturbed forests. Our results suggest that the response of soil CH4 uptake to N deposition in tropical forests may vary depending on the soil N status directly, and on land-use history of the forest indirectly.

• The effect of nitrogen (N) deposition on the decomposition of pine (Pinus massoniana) needles in a tropical pine plantation was studied. The pine needles with two different nutrient status (nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor) were used, followed by 3-levels of N treatments (Control: no N addition, Low- N: 5 g N m−2 y−1, and Medium-N: 10 g N m−2 y−1 experimental inputs), which had been applied for 26 months continuously before this experiment and continued throughout the decomposition measurement. • The main objective was to test the hypothesis that decomposition of nutrient-rich needles would be more sensitive to cumulative N deposition than the decomposition of nutrient-poor needles. • Nitrogen addition had negative effect on mass loss, and the release of N and P from decomposing nutrient-rich needles but little or no effect on the decomposition of nutrient-poor needles. In addition, a negative effect in the initial decomposition phase and a positive effect in later decay stages were found on C release. The negative effect was stronger on nutrient-rich needles than on nutrient-poor needles, but the reverse was true for the positive effect. • Our results suggest that response of litter decomposition to N deposition may vary depending on the nutrient status of the litter.

[1] Due to the dense population, rapid industrialization, and intensified agricultural activities, some regions in Asia are hot spots of airborne nitrogen oxides and also areas with increasing nitrogen deposition. Therefore the cycling of nitrogen gases in Asia might be of increasing importance on both a regional and a global scale for atmospheric chemistry and budgets of nitrogen. Yet, to date, knowledge of soil NO emission is quite limited in Asia, particularly in forest ecosystems. In this study, soil NO emissions in two subtropical humid forests, a broadleaf forest in climax successional stage and a pine forest in primary successional stage, were measured throughout the year 2005 in Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, south China. In the broadleaf forest, mean NO emission in wet season (14.9 ng N m � 2 s � 1 ) was lower than in dry season (23.8 ng N m � 2 s � 1 ). In the pine forest, however, mean NO emission in wet season (17.1 ng N m � 2 s � 1 ) was higher than in dry season (7.9 ng N m � 2 s � 1 ). In both forests, soil water content was the dominant factor controlling the seasonal patterns of NO emissions, and soil NO emission was significantly correlated to percent water filled pore space (%WFPS) in a quadratic manner (p < 0.001). Annual NO emissions in the broadleaf forest and the pine forest were preliminarily estimated to be 6.1–6.9 and 4.0–4.3 kg N ha � 1 yr � 1 , respectively, by using three

Plant allelopathy relates to many ecological factors. The deficit of soil nutrients can influence the production of plant allelochemicals, and thus, influence plant allelopathic potential, while plant allelochemicals can influence the form and level of soil nutrients by the ways of complexation, adsorption, acid dissolution, competition, inhibition, and others. In this paper, the interactive effects between plant allelochemicals, plant allelopathic potential and soil nutrients were summarized, and further research aspects in this field were prospected. It was suggested that following aspects should be strengthened: (1) the integration of plant allelopathy and soil-plant nutrition research to more precisely and deeply interpret the relationships between plant allelochemicals, plant allelopathic potential and soil nutrients, (2) the integration of plant allelopathy and ecosystem nutrient cycling research to simulate the plant nutrients disturbance in nature and make the allelopathy research results more true and more reliable, and (3) the allelopathy research with soils containing excessive nutrients or polluted to provide new ideas and scientific basis in revealing the mechanisms of plants interaction and biomass variation in agricultural and forestry production, and in ecological protection.

Old-growth forests have traditionally been considered negligible as carbon sinks because carbon uptake has been thought to be balanced by respiration. We show that the top 20-centimeter soil layer in preserved old-growth forests in southern China accumulated atmospheric carbon at an unexpectedly high average rate of 0.61 megagrams of carbon hectare-1 year-1 from 1979 to 2003. This study suggests that the carbon cycle processes in the belowground system of these forests are changing in response to the changing environment. The result directly challenges the prevailing belief in ecosystem ecology regarding carbon budget in old-growth forests and supports the establishment of a new, nonequilibrium conceptual framework to study soil carbon dynamics