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Identification of the patterns through which potential rates of proteolysis and ammonification are affected by key edaphic and climatic factors offer a powerful avenue for elucidating the potential of nitrogen (N) cycle processes in arid terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we aimed to investigate how the tradeoff between soil properties and climatic factors govern amino acids and the nitrogen cycling enzyme traits in steppe biomes. We analysed changes in amino acid pools and protease and amidohydrolase activities along arid and semi‐arid climate gradients over time. The biome edaphic factors (site) were found to have significant (p < 0.001) effects on all enzyme activities, while climatic factors (time) showed significant (p < 0.001) effects on protease, L‐glutaminase, and L‐asparaginase activities. Over the sites and times, the soil moisture (%) explained 20%–27% of the variation in protease, L‐glutaminase, and L‐asparaginase activities. Soil‐free amino acid concentrations were observed to be significantly affected by site (p < 0.05). The aliphatic and polar amino acid pools, however, were the only soil‐free amino acid pools that significantly varied with time (p < 0.05). Pools of aliphatic and polar amino acids were significantly negatively correlated with soil moisture (r = −0.55, p < 0.05). These results find that the soil N dynamics in arid ecosystems might dramatically depend dramatically on edaphic factors and plant litter properties, and changes in soil pH, electrical conductivity, clay content, total soil organic carbon and total soil and litter N maybe even more important than the soil moisture, although sensitivity to edaphic factors were found to vary with a pathway and time of sampling. Thus, the information on N pools and N‐hydrolysis potential could be useful in linking climatic‐soil factors with arid ecosystem N fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular agriculture aims to close nutrient cycles, thereby increasing dependence on recycled resources such as animal manure. Yet, the prevalent use of veterinary antibiotics often results in manure contaminated with antibiotic residues, and little is known about the effects of antibiotic residues in manure on soil microbial functions. Here, we studied the effects of antibiotic residues on soil nitrogen (N) cycling, including emissions of nitrous oxide (N 2 O). We hypothesized that the impact varies based on the specific antibiotic used. We conducted an incubation experiment using cattle manure spiked with four different veterinary antibiotics (flumequine, oxytetracycline, sulfadiazine, and tylosin), along with antibiotic-free manure. The spiked manure was mixed with sandy grassland soil and incubated for 31 days, during which fluxes of soil N 2 O were measured. Soil N pools and N-cycling functional genes were quantified on day 13 and day 31. In a separate incubation experiment, we studied the persistence and bioavailability of the four antibiotics in soil over time after manure application. Both sulfadiazine and oxytetracycline in manure substantially reduced cumulative soil N 2 O emissions compared to antibiotic-free manure, by 78 % and 72 %, respectively, but the inhibitory mechanisms of these two compounds were potentially different. Compared to antibiotic-free manure, sulfadiazine in manure significantly increased soil AOA/AOB, whereas oxytetracycline increased the relative abundance of nosZII- carrying bacteria. Flumequine remained persistent in the soil but did not have significant effects on N cycling. Similarly, tylosin did not change the soil N cycling significantly. In summary, the impacts of antibiotics in manure on soil N cycling are type-dependent. Persistent antibiotics may not have substantial impacts, but non-persistent compounds could still affect soil microbes even after a single manure application. Studying the effects of repeated antibiotic exposure through manure application is essential in understanding how circular agricultural practices impact nutrient cycling and soil health. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyric herbivory, the combination of controlled burning and targeted grazing, is an effective strategy for restoring abandoned, shrub-encroached rangelands to open ecosystems. This practice may impact soil nitrogen pools by altering soil nitrification and denitrification rates, and may lead to an increase of nitrogen losses through nitrate leaching and N-gas emissions. This research, located in the south-western Pyrenees, investigated the effects of pyric herbivory on soil nitrification and denitrification potentials and mineral nitrogen content in a gorse-encroached temperate rangeland six months after the burning was implemented. The study included three treatments: high-severity burning plus grazing, low-severity burning plus grazing, and unburned and ungrazed areas (control). We measured soil nitrification and denitrification potentials (net and gross), the limitation of denitrifiers by nitrogen or organic carbon, and the abundance of nitrite- and nitrous oxide-reducing bacteria. Additional soil and vegetation data complemented these measurements. Results showed that pyric herbivory did not significantly affect nitrification potential, which was low and highly variable. However, it decreased gross denitrification potential and nitrous oxide reduction to dinitrogen in high-severely burned areas compared to the control. Denitrification rates directly correlated with microbial biomass nitrogen, soil organic carbon, soil water content and abundance of nirS -harbouring bacteria. Contrary to the expected, soil nitrate availability did not directly influence denitrification despite being highest in burned areas. Overall, the study suggests that pyric herbivory does not significantly affect mid-term nitrification rates in temperate open ecosystems, but may decrease denitrification rates in intensely burned areas. These findings highlight the importance of assessing the potential impacts of land management practices, such as pyric herbivory, on soil nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning. [Display omitted] • PH at different burn severities affected soil N parameters differently. • PH had no effect on soil nitrification rates in the mid-term. • Intensely burned patches exhibited lower denitrification rates in the mid-term. • Denitrification changes were not directly related to its main substrate, nitrate. • Denitrification was directly influenced by microbial biomass N, DOC, SWC and nirS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Sustainable management of riparian zone soils is required to ensure the health of natural ecosystems and maintenance of soil nitrogen (N) pools and soil N cycling. However, the effect of revegetation type and age on soil N pools remains poorly understood. Materials and methods: This study compiled data from published articles to understand the effects of revegetation types and age on soil total N (TN) and soil inorganic N (NH4+-N, and NO3−-N) using a meta-analysis. We extracted 645 observations from 52 published scientific articles. Results and discussion: The revegetation of riparian zones led to a significant increase of soil TN (mean effect size: 11.5%; 95% CI: 3.1% and 20.6%). Woodland increased soil TN significantly by 14.0%, which was associated with the presence of N fixing species and high litter inputs. Soil NH4+-N concentration significantly increased (mean effect size: 20.1%; 95% CI: 15.1% and 25.4%), whereas a significant decrease in soil NO3−-N (mean effect size: − 21.5%; 95% CI: − 15.0% and − 27.5%) was observed. Of the revegetation types considered in this paper, NO3−-N concentration in soil followed the order: grassland < shrubland < woodland, suggesting that woodland might be more efficient in soil NO3−-N retention than grassland. The high plant N uptake and accelerated NO3−-N leaching in grassland could be related to the decreased soil NO3−-N in grassland compared with other revegetation types. Revegetation significantly decreased soil moisture by (mean effect size: − 7.9%; 95% CI: − 3.3% and − 12.2%) compared with the control, which might be associated with the selection of exotic species as dominant vegetation in the riparian zone. Soil TN increased in revegetation ages between 10 and 40 years following revegetation and was related to increased soil organic carbon inputs within those ages following the establishment. Conclusions: This study provides insight into influence of different vegetation types and age on soil N pools and soil moisture. This study also highlights the importance of revegetation in riparian zones to increase soil TN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban areas, anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem structure and function are thought to predominate over larger‐scale biophysical drivers. Residential yards are influenced by individual homeowner preferences and actions, and these factors are hypothesized to converge yard structure across broad scales. We examined soil total C and total δ13C, organic C and organic δ13C, total N, and δ15N in residential yards and corresponding reference ecosystems in six cities across the United States that span major climates and ecological biomes (Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Los Angeles, California; Miami, Florida; Minneapolis‐St. Paul, Minnesota; and Phoenix, Arizona). Across the cities, we found soil C and N concentrations and soil δ15N were less variable in residential yards compared to reference sites supporting the hypothesis that soil C, N, and δ15N converge across these cities. Increases in organic soil C, soil N, and soil δ15N across urban, suburban, and rural residential yards in several cities supported the hypothesis that soils responded similarly to altered resource inputs across cities, contributing to convergence of soil C and N in yards compared to natural systems. Soil C and N dynamics in residential yards showed evidence of increasing C and N inputs to urban soils or dampened decomposition rates over time that are influenced by climate and/or housing age across the cities. In the warmest cities (Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix), greater organic soil C and higher soil δ13C in yards compared to reference sites reflected the greater proportion of C4 plants in these yards. In the two warm arid cities (Los Angeles, Phoenix), total soil δ13C increased and organic soil δ13C decreased with increasing home age indicating greater inorganic C in the yards around newer homes. In general, soil organic C and δ13C, soil N, and soil δ15N increased with increasing home age suggesting increased soil C and N cycling rates and associated 12C and 14N losses over time control yard soil C and N dynamics. This study provides evidence that conversion of native reference ecosystems to residential areas results in convergence of soil C and N at a continental scale. The mechanisms underlying these effects are complex and vary spatially and temporally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Biofuels derived from lignocellulosic materials is one of the options in addressing issues on climate change and energy independence. One of the most promising bioenergy crops is switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), particularly in North America. Future advancement in large-scale conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks and relatively more competitive price for biomass and other economic advantages could lead to landowners opting to venture on switchgrass monoculture (SWITCH) in lieu of loblolly pine monoculture (PINE). Therefore, we investigated the conversion of previously managed loblolly pine stand into SWITCH in eastern North Carolina, U.S.A. on soil N availability. Treatments included PINE, SWTICH, and mature loblolly pine stand (REF). Each treatment was replicated three times on 0.8 ha plots drained by open ditches dug 1.0–1.2 m deep and spaced at 100 m. Rates of net N mineralization (N m) and nitrification (N n) at the top 20 cm were measured using sequential in-situ techniques in 2011 and 2012 (the 3rd and 4th years of establishment, respectively) along with a one-time laboratory incubation. On average, PINE, SWITCH, and REF can have field net N m rates up to 0.40, 0.34 and 0.44 mg N·kg soil−1·d−1, respectively, and net N n rates up to 0.14, 0.08 and 0.10 mg N·kg soil−1·d−1, respectively. Annually, net N m rates ranged from 136.98 to 167.21, 62.00 to 142.61, and 63.57 to 127.95 kg N·ha−1, and net N n rates were 56.31–62.98, 16.45–30.45, 31.99–32.94 kg N·ha−1 in PINE, SWITCH, and REF, respectively. Treatment effect was not significant on field N m rate (p = 0.091). However, SWITCH significantly reduced nitrate-N production (p < 0.01). Overall, results indicated that establishment of SWITCH on poorly drained lands previously under PINE is less likely to significantly impact total soil N availability and potentially has minimum N leaching losses since soil mineral N under this system will be dominated by ammonium-N. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Managed pine (PINE) was converted to switchgrass monoculture (SWITCH) for bioenergy. • Soil N availability was measured both in the laboratory and in-situ. • SWITCH did not significantly impact total mineral N availability relative to PINE. • SWITCH significantly reduced net nitrification rate compared to PINE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated impacts of simultaneous production of biomass for biofuel and quality timber on soil nitrogen (N) cycling in a poorly drained forest soil of eastern North Carolina, U.S.A. Treatments included traditional loblolly pine (PINE) and pine-switchgrass intercropping (PSWITCH). Treatments were replicated three times on 0.8 ha plots drained by parallel open ditches which were 1.2 m deep and spaced 100 m apart. Net N mineralization ( N m ) and nitrification ( N n ) rates were measured in the field using sequential in-situ technique over two years with multiple measurements in each year and laboratory by incubating soil samples for one-, two-, eight-, and thirteen weeks. Soil incubation in-situ or sample collection for laboratory incubation was conducted at nine sampling points within a 30 × 40 m subplot at each plot center and 20 cm from the soil surface. Soil samples were composited by location including near tree (NT), between two trees on the same bed (BT), and in the middle of four trees on two adjacent beds (M4T). Composite samples from NT and BT were categorized as tree-bed (BED), while those from M4T were grouped as interbed (INT). Field results showed that total soil N availability and its temporal variations over two years were not significantly affected by PSWITCH. However, it significantly reduced N n rates, particularly in the INT. The plot-level mean N m rates in PINE were 0.21 and 0.26 mg N·kg soil −1  d −1 , while in PSWITCH they were 0.10 and 0.21 mg N kg soil −1  d −1 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The plot-level mean N n rates in PINE were 0.09 and 0.10 mg N kg soil −1  d −1 in 2011 and 2012, respectively, while in PSWITCH they remained at 0.03 mg N kg soil −1  d −1 across these two years. At the INT, mean N n rates in PINE were 0.11 and 0.12 mg N kg soil −1  d −1 in 2011 and 2012, respectively, while in PSWITCH, N n rate remained at 0.02 mg N kg soil −1  d −1 over two years. Laboratory results indicated that change in litter quality inputs (changing from mixed species to switchgrass) in the INT did not significantly affect N m rates. Results of this study contributed to a better understanding of the changes in soil N cycling due to loblolly pine-switchgrass interactions, which is important in sustainable nutrient management of this new land use. Further, the results suggested that growing switchgrass as intercrop to managed loblolly pine has positive water quality implication since ammonium N is less mobile in soil than nitrate N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Acacia mangium (AM) and Pinus massoniana (PM) are widely planted in tropical regions, whereas their effects on soil microbial communities remain unclear. We did a comprehensive investigation of soil denitrifying bacterial communities in AM and PM monoculture plantations in Southern China based on the high throughput sequencing data of their functional genes: nirK, nirS, and nosZ. The average abundance of nosZ (1.3 × 107) was significantly higher than nirS (5.6 × 106) and nirK (4.9 × 105). Shannon estimator revealed a markedly higher α-diversity of nirS and nosZ communities in PM than in AM plantations. The AM and PM plantations were dominated by different nirS and nosZ taxa belonging to proteobacteria, actinobacteria, thermoleophilia, chloroflexia, and acidobacteria, while the dominant nirK taxa were mainly categorized into proteobacteria in both types of plantations. The structure of nirS and nosZ communities shifted substantially from AM to PM plantations with changes in soil moisture, NH4+, and microbial biomass nitrogen content. The species co-occurrence network of nirK community was better organized in a more modular manner compared to nirS and nosZ communities, and the network keystone species mostly occurred in PM plantations. These results indicated a highly species corporation of nirK community in response to environmental changes, especially in PM plantations. AM and PM plantations can form different soil denitrifying microbial communities via altering soil physicochemical properties, which may further affect soil N transformations.

Soil gross nitrogen (N) transformations are crucial for assessing forest N status. Although there is evidence suggesting that the N cycle is open in the karst forest, southwest China, process-based investigation of gross soil N transformations is limited. In the current study, gross soil N transformations were investigated using 15N isotope dilution and 15N tracer techniques in a typical karst forest with calcareous soil (Calcareous lithosols) in comparison with an adjacent nonkarst forest with red soil (Haplic acrisol).The gross rates of N mineralization, nitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), and nitrate immobilization were significantly greater in the karst forest. Ammonium immobilization was comparable to gross N mineralization, so that ammonium could be efficiently conserved in the nonkarst forest. Meanwhile, the produced nitrate was mostly retained via DNRA and nitrate immobilization. This resulted in a negligible net nitrate production in the nonkarst forest. In contrast, ammonium immobilization rate only accounted for half of gross N mineralization rate in the karst forest. The nitrate retention capacity is relatively low, with 41.6 ± 4.2% of the produced nitrate being retained via DNRA and nitrate immobilization. Due to relatively low nitrate retention capacity, nitrate was accumulated in the karst forest soil. Our results indicate that the nonkarst forest with red soil holds a very conservative N cycle, but the N cycle in the karst forest is leaky. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable forest management should avoid disturbance and volatilization of the soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks both under present and projected future climate. Earlier studies have shown that thinning of European beech forests induces a strong initial perturbation of the soil C and N cycles in shallow Rendzic Leptosol, which consists of lower soil N retention and strongly enhanced gaseous losses observed over several years. Persistence of these effects could decrease soil organic matter (SOM) levels and associated soil functions such as erosion protection, nutrient retention, and fertility. Therefore, we resampled untreated control and thinned stands a decade after thinning at sites representing both typical present day and projected future climatic conditions for European beech forests. We determined soil organic C and total N stocks, as well as δ13C and δ15N as integrators of changes in soil C and N cycles. Thinning did not alter these parameters at any of the sampled sites, indicating that initial effects on soil C and N cycles constitute short-term perturbations. Consequently, thinning may be considered a sustainable beech forest management strategy with regard to the maintenance of soil organic C and total N stocks both under present and future climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Tropical alpine ecosystems are identified as the most vulnerable to global environmental change, yet despite their sensitivity they are among the least studied ecosystems in the world. Despite its important role in constraining potential changes to the carbon balance, soil nitrogen (N) turnover and plant availability in high latitude and high altitude ecosystems is still poorly understood. Methods: Here we present a first time study on a tropical alpine Helichrysum ecosystem at Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, which lies at an altitude of 3880 m. Vegetation composition is characterized and major gross N turnover rates are investigated using the N pool dilution method for three different vegetation cover types. In addition greenhouse gas exchange (CO, NO and CH) was manually measured using static chambers. Results: Gross N turnover rates and soil CO and NO emissions were generally lower than values reported for temperate ecosystems, but similar to tundra ecosystems. Gross N mineralization, NH immobilization rates, and CO emissions were significantly higher on densely vegetated plots than on sparsely vegetated plots. Relative soil N retention was high and increased with vegetation cover, which suggests high competition for available soil N between microbes and plants. Due to high percolation rates, irrigation/rainfall has no impact on N turnover rates and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While soil NO fluxes were below the detection limit at all plots, soil respiration rates and CH uptake rates were higher at the more densely vegetated plots. Only soil respiration rates followed the pronounced diurnal course of air and soil temperature. Conclusion: Overall, our data show a tight N cycle dominated by closely coupled ammonification-NH -immobilization, which is little prone to N losses. Warming could enhance vegetation cover and thus N turnover; however, only narrower C:N ratios due to atmospheric nitrogen deposition may open the N cycle of Helichrysum ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microbial NUE was negatively affected by AP/Growth and positively affected by SOC. • MAT and soil pH indirectly affected microbial NUE through AP/Growth and SOC. • Resource investment of microbes for extracellular enzyme production decreased microbial NUE. Microbial nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), which reflects the proportion of nitrogen (N) taken up to be allocated to microbial biomass and growth, is central to our understanding of soil N cycling. However, the factors influencing microbial NUE remain unclear. Here, we explored the effects of climate factors, soil properties, and microbial variables on microbial NUE based on a survey of soils from 11 locations along a forest transect in eastern China. We found microbial NUE decreased with the ratio of acid phosphatase (AP) activity versus microbial growth rate. This suggested that increased microbial phosphorus acquisition decreased microbial NUE due to increasing investment in AP. However, microbial NUE increased with soil organic carbon content, because soil organic carbon is the source of material and energy for microbial growth and metabolism. Soil pH and mean annual temperature indirectly affected microbial NUE through their effects on the ratio of AP activity relative to microbial growth rate and soil organic carbon content, respectively. Our results improve our understanding and prediction of microbial NUE on a large spatial scale and emphasize the importance of phosphorus in affecting microbial metabolic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable forest management should avoid disturbance and volatilization of the soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks both under present and projected future climate. Earlier studies have shown that thinning of European beech forests induces a strong initial perturbation of the soil C and N cycles in shallow Rendzic Leptosol, which consists of lower soil N retention and strongly enhanced gaseous losses observed over several years. Persistence of these effects could decrease soil organic matter (SOM) levels and associated soil functions such as erosion protection, nutrient retention, and fertility. Therefore, we resampled untreated control and thinned stands a decade after thinning at sites representing both typical present day and projected future climatic conditions for European beech forests. We determined soil organic C and total N stocks, as well as δ13C and δ15N as integrators of changes in soil C and N cycles. Thinning did not alter these parameters at any of the sampled sites, indicating that initial effects on soil C and N cycles constitute short-term perturbations. Consequently, thinning may be considered a sustainable beech forest management strategy with regard to the maintenance of soil organic C and total N stocks both under present and future climate.

Highlights: [•] Forest age as a driver of intraspecific variation in leaf litter quality has largely been neglected. [•] We quantified the forest stand age related-variability of twelve leaf litter quality traits. [•] Except of Ca and Na, litter nutrient and fiber contents were greatly affected by forest age. [•] Forest age contributed highly to the overall beech intraspecific variation at the European scale. [•] PLS regression showed that forest age variability in litter quality explained soil processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of elevated CO2 and O3 on soil N cycling within the soybean growing season and across soil environments (i.e., rhizosphere and bulk soil) at the Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment (SoyFACE) experiment in Illinois, USA. Elevated O3 decreased soil mineral N likely through a reduction in plant material input and increased denitrification, which was evidenced by the greater abundance of the denitrifier gene nosZ. Elevated CO2 did not alter the parameters evaluated and both elevated CO2 and O3 showed no interactive effects on nitrifier and denitrifier abundance, nor on total and mineral N concentrations. These results indicate that elevated CO2 may have limited effects on N transformations in soybean agroecosystems. However, elevated O3 can lead to a decrease in soil N availability in both bulk and rhizosphere soils, and this likely also affects ecosystem productivity by reducing the mineralization rates of plant-derived residues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Both storage and sieving of soil samples are still common practices but may alter rates of gross N mineralization and nitrification. In this study, gross N turnover rates of stored (ambient temperature) and in-situ incubated intact and sieved soil from an African tropical lower montane forest were compared. Our results revealed that sieving increases N mineralization and storage stimulates nitrification. Therefore, we conclude that for tropical soils storage under ambient temperature conditions as well as sieving of soil samples can cause large biases in measured gross N turnover rates and ratios, limiting cross-site comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems with low soil nitrogen (N) availability are characterized by direct competition for this growth-limiting resource between several players, i.e. various components of vegetation, such as old-growth trees, natural regeneration and understorey species, mycorrhizal fungi, free-living fungi and bacteria. With the increase in frequency and intensity of extreme climate events predicted in current climate change scenarios, also competition for N between plants and/or soil microorganisms will be affected. In this review, we summarize the present understanding of ecosystem N cycling in N-limited forests and its interaction with extreme climate events, such as heat, drought and flooding. More specifically, the impacts of environmental stresses on microbial release and consumption of bioavailable N, N uptake and competition between plants, as well as plant and microbial uptake are presented. Furthermore, the consequences of drying–wetting cycles on N cycling are discussed. Additionally, we highlight the current methodological difficulties that limit present understanding of N cycling in forest ecosystems and the need for interdisciplinary studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To evaluate climate forcing under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, feedback effects on greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide (N2O) with a high global warming potential should be taken into account. This requires long-term N2O flux measurements because responses to elevated CO2 may vary throughout annual courses. Here, we present an almost 9 year long continuous N2O flux data set from a free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) study on an old, N-limited temperate grassland. Prior to the FACE start, N2O emissions were not different between plots that were later under ambient (A) and elevated (E) CO2 treatments, respectively. However, over the entire experimental period (May 1998–December 2006), N2O emissions more than doubled under elevated CO2 (0.90 vs. 2.07kgN2O-Nha−1 y−1 under A and E, respectively). The strongest stimulation occurred during vegetative growth periods in the summer when soil mineral N concentrations were low. This was surprising because based on literature we had expected the highest stimulation of N2O emissions due to elevated CO2 when mineral N concentrations were above background values (e.g. shortly after N application in spring). N2O emissions under elevated CO2 were moderately stimulated during late autumn–winter, including freeze–thaw cycles which occurred in the 8th winter of the experiment. Averaged over the entire experiment, the additional N2O emissions caused by elevated CO2 equaled 4738kg CO2-equivalentsha−1, corresponding to more than half a ton (546kg) of CO2 ha−1 which has to be sequestered annually to balance the CO2-induced N2O emissions. Without a concomitant increase in C sequestration under rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations, temperate grasslands may be converted into greenhouse gas sources by a positive feedback on N2O emissions. Our results underline the need to include continuous N2O flux measurements in ecosystem-scale CO2 enrichment experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) and open top chamber (OTC) studies are valuable tools for evaluating the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 on nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Using meta-analytic techniques, we summarized the results of 117 studies on plant biomass production, soil organic matter dynamics and biological N2 fixation in FACE and OTC experiments. The objective of the analysis was to determine whether elevated CO2 alters nutrient cycling between plants and soil and if so, what the implications are for soil carbon (C) sequestration. Elevated CO2 stimulated gross N immobilization by 22%, whereas gross and net N mineralization rates remained unaffected. In addition, the soil C : N ratio and microbial N contents increased under elevated CO2 by 3.8% and 5.8%, respectively. Microbial C contents and soil respiration increased by 7.1% and 17.7%, respectively. Despite the stimulation of microbial activity, soil C input still caused soil C contents to increase by 1.2% yr−1. Namely, elevated CO2 stimulated overall above- and belowground plant biomass by 21.5% and 28.3%, respectively, thereby outweighing the increase in CO2 respiration. In addition, when comparing experiments under both low and high N availability, soil C contents (+2.2% yr−1) and above- and belowground plant growth (+20.1% and+33.7%) only increased under elevated CO2 in experiments receiving the high N treatments. Under low N availability, above- and belowground plant growth increased by only 8.8% and 14.6%, and soil C contents did not increase. Nitrogen fixation was stimulated by elevated CO2 only when additional nutrients were supplied. These results suggest that the main driver of soil C sequestration is soil C input through plant growth, which is strongly controlled by nutrient availability. In unfertilized ecosystems, microbial N immobilization enhances acclimation of plant growth to elevated CO2 in the long-term. Therefore, increased soil C input and soil C sequestration under elevated CO2 can only be sustained in the long-term when additional nutrients are supplied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field studies have shown that elevated CO2 can cause increased forest growth over the short term (<6 years) even in the face of N limitation. This is facilitated to some degree by greater biomass production per unit N uptake (lower tissue N concentrations), but more often than not, N uptake is increased with elevated CO2 as well. Some studies also show that N sequestration in the forest floor is increased with elevated CO2. These findings raise the questions of where the ‘extra’ N comes from and how long such growth increases can continue without being truncated by progressive N limitation (PNL). This paper reviews some of the early nutrient cycling literature that describes PNL during forest stand development and attempts to use this information, along with recent developments in soil N research, to put the issue of PNL with elevated CO2 into perspective. Some of the early studies indicated that trees can effectively ‘mine’ N from soils over the long term, and more recent developments in soil N cycling research suggest mechanisms by which this might have occurred. However, both the early nutrient cycling literature and more recent simulation modeling suggest that PNL will at some point truncate the observed increases in growth and nutrient uptake with elevated CO2, unless external inputs of N are increased by either N fixation or atmospheric deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field studies have shown that elevated CO2 can cause increased forest growth over the short term (<6 years) even in the face of N limitation. This is facilitated to some degree by greater biomass production per unit N uptake (lower tissue N concentrations), but more often than not, N uptake is increased with elevated CO2 as well. Some studies also show that N sequestration in the forest floor is increased with elevated CO2. These findings raise the questions of where the ‘extra’ N comes from and how long such growth increases can continue without being truncated by progressive N limitation (PNL). This paper reviews some of the early nutrient cycling literature that describes PNL during forest stand development and attempts to use this information, along with recent developments in soil N research, to put the issue of PNL with elevated CO2 into perspective. Some of the early studies indicated that trees can effectively ‘mine’ N from soils over the long term, and more recent developments in soil N cycling research suggest mechanisms by which this might have occurred. However, both the early nutrient cycling literature and more recent simulation modeling suggest that PNL will at some point truncate the observed increases in growth and nutrient uptake with elevated CO2, unless external inputs of N are increased by either N fixation or atmospheric deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Background and Aims Natural regeneration of white spruce (Picea glauca) after disturbance has been reported to be very poor. Here a study was made to determine whether C compounds released from understorey species growing together with white spruce could be involved in this regeneration failure, either by (1) changing soil nutrient dynamics, (2) inhibiting germination, and/or (3) delaying seedling growth.• Methods Foliage leachates were obtained from two shrubs (Ledum palustre and Empetrum hermaphroditum) and one bryophyte (Sphagnum sp.) with high phenolic compound concentrations that have been reported to depress growth of conifers in boreal forests, and, as a comparison, one bryophyte (Hylocomium splendens) with negligible phenolic compounds. Mineral soil from a white spruce forest was amended with plant leachates to examine the effect of each species on net N mineralization. Additionally, white spruce seeds and seedlings were watered with plant leachates to determine their effects on germination and growth.• Key Results Leachates from the shrubs L. palustre and E. hermaphroditum contained high phenolic compound concentrations and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), while no detectable levels of C compounds were released from the bryophytes Sphagnum sp. or H. splendens. A decrease in net N mineralization was determined in soils amended with L. palustre or E. hermaphroditum leachates, and this effect was inversely proportional to the phenolic concentrations, DOC and leachate C/N ratio. The total percentage of white spruce germination and the growth of white spruce seedlings were similar among treatments.• Conclusions These results suggest that the shrubs L. palustre and E. hermaphroditum could negatively affect the performance of white spruce due to a decrease in soil N availability, but not by direct effects on plant physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the extent to which net primary productivity (NPP) of plants will be sustained in soil nitrogen (N) cycling under elevated carbon dioxide (CO2). The use of common field and laboratory methods to measure microbial N, gross N mineralization, and immobilization in free-air CO2 enrichment experiments is noted. Results indicating that atmospheric CO2 concentration has no effect on any microbial N cycling pool is explained.

• Change of soil N contents as stands age was pronounced in the topsoil. • Ratios of NO 3 −: NH 4 + increased while MBN: (NH 4 + + NO 3 −) decreased as stands aged. • Soil N availability increases and N cycling becomes more open in older stands. • Soil total N is co-regulated by trees' N demand and litter biomass return. • Gross N mineralization and nitrification control mineral N availability. Soil nitrogen (N) is frequently limiting forest productivity, especially in plantations. To investigate the soil N dynamics and the consequences of N accumulation as well as the losses in the ecosystem, we studied a chronosequence of Chinese-fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata [Lamb.] Hook) plantations with stands aged 3, 16, 25, 32, and >80 years. Total N (TN), dissolved organic N (DON), microbial biomass N (MBN) and mineral N (i.e., ammonium (NH 4 +) and nitrate (NO 3 −)) in the top 0–5 cm and 5–15 cm soils were compared with the annual N accumulation by trees, annual litter N return and microbial N transformation rates. Stronger changes with stand age were observed in all N forms in the top 5 cm compared to the 5–15 cm layer. Topsoil TN and DON increased steadily in stands from ages 3- to >80-years-old by 1.9-times and 2.1-times, respectively. MBN increased from 206 mg kg−1 to 327 mg kg−1 in the first 25 years and stabilized thereafter. NH 4 + content increased sharply from 3 to 16 years and then stabilized, while NO 3 − increased linearly with stand age. Both N demand of Chinese-fir and litter N input were clearly age dependent and defined the soil N status: rapid tree biomass accumulation in younger stands greatly depleted soil N, while the older stands with larger litter return and slower growth enabled N re-accumulation in the topsoil. The close positive correlation between total mineral N and gross mineralization rate, as well as between NO 3 − and gross nitrification rate indicated that the mineralization of soil organic matter and the nitrification of released NH 4 + were the two primary microbial processes controlling the available N supply. The topsoil NO 3 −: NH 4 + ratio in older stands (32- and >80 years) was greater than 1.0, and the MBN: (NH 4 + + NO 3 −) ratio was greatly reduced. This indicates that N availability increase and N cycling is accelerated with stands age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acacia mangium (AM) and Pinus massoniana (PM) are widely planted in tropical regions, whereas their effects on soil microbial communities remain unclear. We did a comprehensive investigation of soil denitrifying bacterial communities in AM and PM monoculture plantations in Southern China based on the high throughput sequencing data of their functional genes: nirK, nirS, and nosZ. The average abundance of nosZ (1.3 × 107) was significantly higher than nirS (5.6 × 106) and nirK (4.9 × 105). Shannon estimator revealed a markedly higher α-diversity of nirS and nosZ communities in PM than in AM plantations. The AM and PM plantations were dominated by different nirS and nosZ taxa belonging to proteobacteria, actinobacteria, thermoleophilia, chloroflexia, and acidobacteria, while the dominant nirK taxa were mainly categorized into proteobacteria in both types of plantations. The structure of nirS and nosZ communities shifted substantially from AM to PM plantations with changes in soil moisture, NH4+, and microbial biomass nitrogen content. The species co-occurrence network of nirK community was better organized in a more modular manner compared to nirS and nosZ communities, and the network keystone species mostly occurred in PM plantations. These results indicated a highly species corporation of nirK community in response to environmental changes, especially in PM plantations. AM and PM plantations can form different soil denitrifying microbial communities via altering soil physicochemical properties, which may further affect soil N transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in snow-cover patterns induced by global climate change profoundly influence ecological processes in terrestrial ecosystems, including litter decomposition and soil nutrient cycling. Forest, a major terrestrial ecosystem, plays a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycling. Here, we reviewed the effects of changes in seasonal snow-cover on litter decomposition and soil nitrogen (N) cycling in forests. Global climate change would result in increasing or decreasing seasonal snow-cover depending on local conditions, with direct and indirect effects on forest litter decomposition. The changes in seasonal snow-cover would directly affect decomposition process by changing environmental temperature and moisture, litter quality, and decomposer dynamics, and would indirectly influence decomposition via altering community structure, vegetation phenology, and soil nutrients. Meanwhile, the changes in seasonal snow-cover would modify forest soil N dynamics through changing N enrichment, soil temperature and moisture, freeze-thaw cycle, forest community, subnivean fauna and microorganisms. Further studies in this field should focus on: 1) employing experiments with divergent protocols to simulate diverse changing patterns of seasonal snow-cover under the global climate change scenarios; 2) the effects of the seasonal snowmelt leaching on forest litter decomposition and soil N dynamics; 3) elucidating mechanisms underlying forest litter decomposition and soil N dynamics driven by changes in seasonal snow-cover patterns in different ecosystems and climate zones; and 4) quantifying the instantaneous and prolonged effects of changes in seasonal snow-cover on forest litter decomposition and soil N dynamics in the snow-covered and snow-free seasons, respectively. These studies will provide theoretical basis and solid data support for the understanding and model-prediction of the responses of the biogeochemical cycle in terrestrial ecosystems to global climate change.