长白山森林土壤反硝化潜力及产物组成

采用淹水厌氧密闭培养-乙炔抑制法测定了长白山4种森林土壤的反硝化势以及气态产物N2O、NO和N2的产生量。供试4种森林土壤均呈酸性,pH(H2O)4.5～5.3,有机碳含量24.6～83.0 g kg-1。结果表明,长白山4种典型森林土壤反硝化势及反硝化产物中氮氧化物的比例差异很大。土壤反硝化势强弱顺序依次为:阔叶红松>白桦>红松云杉冷杉>兴安落叶松,与土壤有机碳和全氮含量呈显著的正相关关系(p<0.01),与土壤pH的相关性不显著。比较加乙炔和不加乙炔处理发现,在培养过程中,N2O始终是反硝化的主要产物,占反硝化产物的比例变化于50%～85%之间,不随培养时间而发生显著的变化,与土壤pH呈弱负相关关系(p=0.22)。反硝化产物中,NO仅占0.2%～2.4%,随培养时间也未发生有规律的变化,与土壤有机碳含量呈显著的对数负相关关系(p<0.05)。上述结果表明,长白山森林土壤反硝化过程并不能有效地将活性氮转化为惰性氮,反硝化作用的生态环境意义需要重新评估。     

Soluble organic nitrogen in temperate forest soils

Very few studies have been related to soluble organic nitrogen (SON) in forest soils. However, this nitrogen pool could be a sensitive indicator to evaluate the soil nitrogen status. The current study was conducted in temperate forests of Thuringia, Germany, where soils had SON (extracted in 0.5 M K₂SO₄) varying from 0.3 to 2.2% of total N, which was about one-third of the soil microbial biomass N by CFE. SON in study soils were positively correlated to microbial biomass N and soil total N. Multiple regression analysis also showed that mineral N negatively affected SON pool. The dynamics of the SON was significantly affected by mineralization and immobilization. During the 2 months of aerobic incubation, the SON were significantly correlated with net N mineralization and microbial biomass N. SON extracted by two different salt solution (i.e. 1 M KCl and 0.5 M K₂SO₄₎ were highly correlated. In mineral soil, SON concentrations extracted by 1 M KCl and 0.5 M K₂SO₄ solutions were similar. In contrast, in organic soil layer the amount of KCl-extractable SON was about 1.2-1.4 times higher than the K₂SO₄-extractable SON. Further studies such as the differences of organic N form and pool size between SON and dissolved organic N (DON) are recommended.     

红壤水稻土微生物生物量氮与总氮矿化的关系

通过田间采样并布置室内培育试验,研究了红壤水稻土微生物生物量N和总N的矿化动态及其相互关系。结果表明,红壤水稻土微生物生物量N矿化速率和矿化量随培养时间延长而降低,随水稻土肥力水平提高而增加。12周培养期内,红壤水稻土微生物生物量N的一半以上被矿化,其中约1/2的矿化量出现在前4周;不同熟化程度红壤水稻土的累积矿化N量为73.0～127.8mg/kg,平均矿化速率为6.09～10.7mg/(kg·wk)。用双指数方程和一级动力学方程可以很好地模拟红壤水稻土微生物生物量N和总N的矿化过程。微生物生物量N和总N的矿化过程均可分为快速和缓慢2个阶段,培养的前8周是快速矿化阶段。2个模拟方程参数的比较表明,微生物生物量N矿化量占总N矿化量的比例为10.8%～49.5%,其矿化潜力大,持续矿化时间长,对保证土壤N素的持续供应有积极作用。     

Methane production potentials of twenty-eight rice soils in China

 Soil CH₄ production potentials were investigated by incubating air-dried soils under anaerobic conditions in the laboratory. Twenty-eight soils from different fields and locations were collected for this study. Soil CH₄ production during a 100-day incubation differed greatly and were significantly correlated with soil organic content (r=0.61, P<0.01). The statistical significance increased when soils were grouped according to soil reduction rates. A significant correlation was also found between CH₄ production and total N content (r=0.64, P<0.01) and between CH₄ production and soil particle sizes of 0.25–0.05 mm (r=0.48, P<0.05). A negative exponential correlation was found between CH₄ production and aerobic soil pH (r=–0.74, P<0.01). The 28 soils were stratified into four groups on the basis of variation in CH₄ production rates which were associated with the soil reduction rate and soil organic content. The faster the Eh of soil fell, the more CH₄ was formed. Adding rice straw to Hangzhou and Beijing soils increased CH₄ production. The increase in CH₄ production was more pronounced in the soil with the lowest organic matter content and slowest reduction rate than in the soil with highest organic matter and fastest reduction rate. Inorganic fertilizer had no significant influence on CH₄ production potentials of either type of soil. Received: 26 November 1997     

Measurement and prediction of nitrogen loss by simulated erosion events on cultivated forest soils of contrasting structure

The objectives of this study were to determine nitrogen (N) loss associated with erosion of forest soils and to explore the role of soil structure and other factors governing N enrichment of sediment to aid prediction of N loss. We measured erosion, size distribution of aggregates in the sediment and N distribution in various aggregate fractions using simulated rainfall on samples of three cultivated forest soils of contrasting structure (repacked in trays) exposed to four erosion conditions. Both sediment loss and N loss increased with slope and kinetic energy of rainfall suggesting greater dependency of N loss on sediment loss than on N concentration in the sediment. Irrespective of erosion treatments and soil type, the bulk sediment and its size fractions were mostly richer in N than those of the uneroded soils. The enrichment ratio (E_R) and concentration ratio (C_R) of N for sediment cast some doubt on the application of raindrop stripping as a mechanism of N enrichment of sediment for soils of widely differing characteristics. Previously published models of N enrichment of sediment did not predict E_R for our soils satisfactorily. However, an empirical model using published data on erosion and N loss agreed well with the results. This predictive method only requires information on sediment loss that can be easily obtained from an erosion model.     

Nitrogen mineralization in relation to site history and soil properties for a range of Australian forest soils

Rates of N mineralization were measured in 27 forest soils encompassing a wide range of forest types and management treatments in south-east Australia. Undisturbed soil columns were incubated at 20°C for 68 days at near field-capacity water content, and N mineralization was measured in 5-cm depth increments to 30 cm. The soils represented three primary profile forms: gradational, uniform and duplex. They were sampled beneath mature native Eucalyptus sp. forest and from plantations of Pinus radiata of varying age (<1 to 37 years). Several sites had been fertilized, irrigated, or intercropped with lupins. The soils ranged greatly in total soil N concentrations, C:N ratios, total P, and sand, silt, and clay contents. Net N mineralization for individual soil profiles (0–30 cm depth) varied from 2.0 to 66.6 kg ha^-1 over 68 days, with soils from individual depths mineralizing from <0 (immobilization) to 19.3 kg ha^-1 per 5 cm soil depth. Only 0.1–3.1% of the total N present at 0–30 cm in depth was mineralized during the incubation, and both the amount and the percentage of total N mineralized decreased with increasing soil depth. N fertilization, addition of slash residues, or intercropping with lupins in the years prior to sampling increased N mineralization. Several years of irrigation of a sandy soil reduced levels of total N and C, and lowered rates of N mineralization. Considuring all soil depths, the simple linear correlations between soil parameters (C, N, P, C:N, C:P, N:P, coarse sand, fine sand, silt, clay) and N mineralization rates were generally low (r<0.53), but these improved for total N (r=0.82) and organic C (r=0.79) when the soils were grouped into primary profile forms. Prediction of field N-mineralization rates was complicated by the poor correlations between soil properties and N mineralization, and temporal changes in the pools of labile organic-N substrates in the field.     

Quantification and depth distribution analysis of carbon to nitrogen ratio in forest soils using reflectance spectroscopy

Forest soils have large contents of carbon (C) and total nitrogen (TN), which have significant spatial variability laterally across landscapes and vertically with depth due to decomposition, erosion and leaching. Therefore, the ratio of C to TN contents (C:N), a crucial indicator of soil quality and health, is also different depending on soil horizon. These attributes can cost-effectively and rapidly be estimated using visible–near infrared–shortwave infrared (VNIR–SWIR) spectroscopy. Nevertheless, the effect of different soil layers, particularly over large scales of highly heterogeneous forest soils, on the performance of the technique has rarely been attempted. This study evaluated the potential of VNIR–SWIR spectroscopy in quantification and variability analysis of C:N in soils from different organic and mineral layers of forested sites of the Czech Republic. At each site, we collected samples from the litter (L), fragmented (F) and humus (H) organic layers, and from the A₁ (depth of 2–10 cm) and A₂ (depth of 10–40 cm) mineral layers providing a total of 2505 samples. Support vector machine regression (SVMR) was used to train the prediction models of the selected attributes at each individual soil layer and the merged layer (profile). We further produced the spatial distribution maps of C:N as the target attribute at each soil layer. Results showed that the prediction accuracy based on the profile spectral data was adequate for all attributes. Moreover, F was the most accurately predicted layer, regardless of the soil attribute. C:N models and maps in the organic layers performed well although in mineral layers, models were poor and maps were reliable only in areas with low and moderate C:N. On the other hand, the study indicated that reflectance spectra could efficiently predict and map organic layers of the forested sites. Although, in mineral layers, high values of C:N (≥ 50) were not detectable in the map created based on the reflectance spectra. In general, the study suggests that VNIR–SWIR spectroscopy has the feasibility of modelling and mapping C:N in soil organic horizons based on national spectral data in the forests of the Czech Republic.     

Organic nitrogen compounds extracted from arable and forest soils by electro-ultrafiltration and recovery rates of amino acids

Summary Extraction of synthetic amino acids dissolved in water by means of electro-ultrafiltration (EUF) showed average recovery rates of about 75%. Higher losses were obtained, particularly with cysteine, methionine and NH₄ ⁴; the latter, probably being deprotonated at the cathode, may be lost in form of NH₃. The EUF extracts of three arable and two forest soils were investigated for their N compounds. In the arable soils only about 3% of the total organic N extracted by EUF was free amino acids; about 23%–55% consisted of amino N (hydrolysable N) and the rest was non-hydrolysable N. The two forest soils contained higher amounts of EUF-extractable organic N compared with the arable soils. In the two forest soils the content of free amino-acid N amounted to 8% and 11% of the EUF organic N, and the proportion of hydrolysable N from total EUF-organic N was 41% and 46%. It is suggested that the amino-acid N and the hydrolysable N can be easily mineralized.     

Numerical characterization of forest soils using biological and biochemical properties

Summary To find if surface soils could be grouped by their biological and biochemical properties, soil samples (0–5 cm) were collected at 4-week intervals for 56 weeks from 48 woods in and around the English Lake District, and pH, loss-on-ignition (LOI), moisture content, oxygen uptake, and cellulase and phosphatase activities were measured. Results expressed on a loss-on-ignition basis were more informative than those on an oven-dry basis. In a principal component analysis of each property over the 14 samplings, the first component values represent smoothed between-plot differences; other components identify plots which behave differently from the majority at certain times. Analysis of variance showed very highly significant differences between plots for all the properties. pH and loss-on-ignition showed the smallest, but significant, differences between samplings. On a loss-on-ignition basis, the only significant correlations between first component values, and between plot means, were phosphatase with oxygen uptake and cellulase with pH. It is concluded that no individual physiological property can be used as a measure of soil bioactivity, which supports the conclusions of other authors. None of the principal component analyses of individual or combined properties showed any evidence of the existence of distinct clusters of plots. On a loss-on-ignition basis, a priori groups based on (1) pH < 3.8, (2) pH 3.8 – 5.0 and (3) pH > 5.0, showed no significant difference in moisture content. However, oxygen uptake was significantly lower in (1) than in (2). Cellulase activity was significantly greater in (3) than in (1) and (2). Phosphatase activity was significantly lower in (1) than in (2), and there appeared to be a peak at pH 3.8 – 5.0.     

Decomposition in forest and fallow subarctic soils

Summary Large-scale argicultural development in high latitude regions could lead to large losses of soil C due to accelerated decomposition. Changes in decomposition rates of forest floor material upon land clearing in interior Alaska were simulated by measuring, over a 2-year period, changes in mass, cellulose, lignin, and N of forest floor materials and in mass of filter papers and wood in a forest floor and a fallowed field. All materials decomposed slowly at the surface, with about 90% of the original weight remaining after 2 years. Decomposition rates were higher for materials buried in the field than the forest. Cellulose loss in forest floor materials closely followed mass loss, whereas lignin loss was not significant. However, weight loss of wood was rapid when buried in the field, with about 20% of the initial mass remaining after 2 years. Relationships between mass loss of buried forest floor materials and soil degree days were significant (r=70%–80%). Temperature was a major, but not the only factor, controlling decomposition rates. Forest floor materials showed significant N losses, indicating net N mineralization and that N deficiency was not a factor affecting decomposition. C loss to the atmosphere due to decomposition of forest floor materials after forest clearing will be minimal and similar to that in the undisturbed forest if left on the soil surface, but will be substantial if incorportated into the soil. Incorporation is necessary for cropping; thus some accelerated decomposition is unavoidable in clearing subarctic forests for cultivation.     

Variations of soluble organic nitrogen and microbial nitrogen in deciduous forest soils along an urban-rural gradient

Soluble organic N and microbial N pools in terrestrial ecosystems have been less studied than those of inorganic N. Therefore, cross-system variation in their pool sizes and seasonal dynamics, both absolute and relative to inorganic N pools, needs to be quantified so that their ecological importance in different ecosystems can be evaluated. We measured extractable soil organic N (ESON), microbial biomass N (MBN), and the net production rates of ESON in red oak-dominated remnant forests, along an urban-rural gradient in the New York City metropolitan area. We were interested in (1) determining the seasonal dynamics of ESON and MBN, and (2) examining whether the contrasts in land use (urban, suburban, rural) surrounding these forest remnants were associated with different amounts of ESON and MBN. This field-based study was conducted continuously for 16 months. Yearly average ESON concentrations ranged from 60 to 140 mg kg⁻¹ soil organic matter (SOM), 3-4 times those of inorganic N, and average MBN ranged from 600 to 1100 mg kg⁻¹ SOM. There was a considerable MBN increase in spring in all plots across the gradient. The average increase expressed on an areal basis (to a depth of 7.5 cm) ranged from 1.75 to 4.19 g N m⁻². The N incorporated into the microbial biomass in spring was gradually released later in the growing season (the mean MBN decrease ranged from 1.11 to 3.82 g N m⁻²). The spring MBN increase could be an important retention mechanism for conserving soil inorganic N when plant N uptake may be low. The amplitude in the seasonal dynamics of ESON was far less than that of inorganic N, as was that of net ESON production rates when compared to net N mineralization. These suggest a closer coupling of plant N uptake with inorganic N, much more than with ESON. Both ESON and MBN were significantly higher in rural soils than in urban soils, and both concentrations were positively correlated with SOM content. The variation in ESON, MBN, or SOM associated with this urbanization gradient suggests that the form of N exported, the plant N budget and soil N retention mechanisms may be differentially affected by urban, suburban and rural land uses.     

Denitrification potential of intermittently saturated floodplain soils from a subtropical perennial stream and an ephemeral tributary

Denitrification has the potential to remove excess nitrogen from groundwater passing through riparian buffers, thus improving water quality downstream. In regions with markedly seasonal precipitation, transient stream flow events may be important in saturating adjacent floodplain soils and intermittently providing the anaerobic conditions necessary for denitrification to occur. In two experiments we characterised the denitrification potential of soils from two contrasting floodplains that experience intermittent saturation. We quantified under controlled laboratory conditions: 1) potential rates of denitrification in these soils with depth and over time, for a typical period of saturation; and 2) the influences on rates of nitrate and organic carbon. Treatments differed between experiments, but in each case soil-water slurries were incubated anaerobically with differing amendments of organic carbon and nitrate; denitrification rates were measured at selected time intervals by the acetylene-block technique; and slurry filtrates were analysed for various chemical constituents. In the first experiment (ephemeral tributary), denitrification was evident in soils from both depths (0-0.3 m; 0.3-1.1 m) within hours of saturation. Before Day 2, mean denitrification rates at each depth were generally comparable, irrespective of added substrates; mean rates (Days 0 and 1) were 5.2 ± 0.3 mg N kg dry soil⁻¹ day⁻¹ (0-0.3 m) and 1.6 ± 0.2 mg N kg dry soil⁻¹ day⁻¹ (0.3-1.1 m). Rates generally peaked on Days 2 or 3. The availability of labile organic carbon was a major constraint on denitrification in these soils. Acetate addition greatly increased rates, reaching a maximum in ephemeral floodplain soils of 17.4 ± 1.8 mg N kg dry soil⁻¹ day⁻¹ on Day 2: in one deep-soil treatment (low nitrate) this overcame differences in rates observed with depth when acetate was not added, although the rate increase in the other deep-soil treatment (high nitrate) was significantly less (P ≤ 0.01). Without acetate, peak denitrification rates in this experiment were 6.9 ± 0.4 and 2.8 ± 0.2 mg N kg dry soil⁻¹ day⁻¹ in surface and deep soils, respectively. Differences in rates were observed with depth on all occasions, despite similar initial concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) at both depths. Levels of substrate addition in the second experiment (perennial stream) more closely reflected natural conditions at the site. Mean denitrification rates were consistently much higher in surface soil (P ≤ 0.001), while the source of water used in the slurries (surface water or groundwater from the site) had little effect on rates at any depth. Mean rates when all treatments retained nitrate were: 4.5 ± 0.3 mg N kg dry soil⁻¹ day⁻¹ (0-0.3 m depth); 0.8 ± 0.3 mg N kg dry soil⁻¹ day⁻¹ (0.3-1.0 m); and 0.6 ± 0.1 mg N kg dry soil⁻¹ day⁻¹ (1.8-3.5 m). For comparable treatments and soil depths, denitrification potentials at both sites were similar, apart from higher initial rates in the ephemeral floodplain soils, probably associated with their higher DOC content and possibly also their history of more frequent saturation. The rapid onset of denitrification and the rates measured in these soils suggest there may be considerable potential for nitrate removal from groundwater in these floodplain environments during relatively short periods of saturation.     

围海造田长期耕种稻田和旱地土壤氮矿化速率及供氮潜力比较

围海造田是沿海地区拓展土地面积的主要途径。土壤氮矿化参数是揭示围海造田土壤肥力演变和土壤氮供应的重要指标,但是我国沿海造田土壤的相关研究少有报道。本研究以杭州湾南岸海积平原上慈溪市1000年和520年筑塘造田区为对象,选择4个代表性采样点,每个点从低洼稻田采集1个表层混合水稻土,在其相邻高地采集1个表层混合旱地土壤,共8个样品。采用间隙淋洗法研究了土壤样品氮矿化动力学特征。结果如下: 119 d培养试验证实水稻土和旱地土壤有机氮矿化动力学符合一级反应动力学方程Nt=N0(1-e-kt); 水稻土有机氮矿化势（N0）为82.7～161.9 mg/kg（平均114 mg/kg）,占有机氮的7.3%,旱地土壤N0为63.9～104.4 mg/kg（平均83.4 mg/kg）,占有机氮的7.3%; 水稻土有机氮矿化速率（k）为0.033～0.114/d（平均0.064/d）,旱地土壤k为0.007～0.023/d（平均0.020/d）。土壤综合供氮指标（N0k）,水稻土为3.8418.46 mg/(kgd)［平均8.0 mg/(kgd)］,旱地土壤为0.54～2.66 mg/(kgd)［平均1.6 mg/(kgd)］。水稻土总氮含量为1.4～2.0 g/kg （平均1.6 g/kg）,旱地为0.87～2.0 g/kg（平均1.3 g/kg）。可见,水稻土氮库、供氮潜力和速率均大于相邻旱地土壤。因此,从土壤氮肥力来讲,相对于旱地,围海形成的水稻田更具有可持续利用性。     

Premixed digestion salts for Kjeldahl determination of total nitrogen in selected forest soils

Abstract

Estimates of total soil nitrogen by a standard Kjeldahl procedure and a modified procedure employing packets of premixed digestion salts were closely correlated (r² = 0.983). The modified procedure appears to be as reliable as the standard method for determining total nitrogen in southern alluvial forest soils.     

土壤N2O和NO产生机制研究进展

N2O和NO是大气中两种重要的活性氮气体,强烈影响着全球变化和生态环境。土壤是N2O和NO的重要排放源,生物和非生物途径均可产生N2O和NO。本文详细论述了自养硝化、异养硝化、生物反硝化、化学反硝化、硝化细菌反硝化和硝态氮异化还原成铵作用产生N2O和（或）NO的机制,并对研究中存在的一些问题进行了探讨。     

Biochemical properties of range and forest soils in Mediterranean mountain environments

Biochemical properties are at present considered to be the best indicators for assessing soil quality, but their use is limited by the lack of available data, at least for certain ecosystems. In an attempt to offset this lack of data, the present study provides information on different biochemical properties of soils from Sierra Nevada and Sierra María (southern Spain), covering a range of altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 m. In general, the values of the properties analyzed were similar to those of other mountain soils, although the values of basal respiration were particularly low, possibly due to the low levels of humidity at the time of sampling. The biochemical properties were closely correlated with each other, as observed in soils from other type of environments. Altitude had a clear effect on the biochemical properties because of its effect on climate and vegetation. At both sites, the soil samples showing the most homogenous pattern of biochemical properties (seen through star diagrams) were those corresponding to intermediate altitudes.     

Reciprocal transfer effects on denitrifying community composition and activity at forest and meadow sites in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon

In order to examine the effects of disturbance, vegetation type, and microclimate on denitrification and denitrifier community composition, experimental plots were established at the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Soil cores were reciprocally transplanted between meadow and forest and samples were collected after 1 and 2 years. Denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA) was measured using the acetylene block assay and terminal restriction length polymorphism profiles were generated with nosZ primers that target the gene coding for nitrous oxide reductase. Nitrate concentrations, C mineralization, and water content were measured to gain additional insights into soil properties controlling DEA. Meadow soils were significantly higher in DEA than forest soils, and the highest DEA levels were observed in cores transferred from the meadow into the forest. Nitrate concentrations were also different between forest and meadow soils, but did not correlate to DEA. DEA was higher in open versus closed cores, suggesting an association between denitrification and the rhizosphere. Denitrifier communities of undisturbed forest and meadow soils shifted through a 4-year period but remained distinct from each other. Similarly, denitrifier communities clustered by vegetation type of origin regardless of manipulation, suggesting that the overall denitrifier communities are well buffered against environmental changes.     

酸雨对土壤有机碳氮潜在矿化的影响

Acid rain is a serious environmental problem worldwide. In this study, a pot experiment using forest soils planted with the seedlings of four woody species was performed with weekly treatments of pH 4.40, 4.00, 3.52, and 3.05 simulated acid rain （SAR） for 42 months compared to a control ofpH 5.00 lake water. The cumulative amounts of C and N mineralization in the five treated soils were determined after incubation at 25 ℃ for 65 d to examine the effects of SAR treatments. For all five treatments, cumulative CO2-C production ranged from 20.24 to 27.81 mg kg^-1 dry soil, net production of available N from 17.37 to 48.95 mg kg^-1 dry soil, and net production of NO3-N from 9.09 to 46.23 mg kg^-1 dry soil. SAR treatments generally enhanced the emission of CO2-C from the soils; however, SAR with pH 3.05 inhibited the emission. SAR treatments decreased the net production of available N and NO3-N. The cumulative CH4 and N2O productions from the soils increased with increasing amount of simulated acid rain. The cumulative CO2-C production and the net production of available N of the soil under Acmena acuminatissima were significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） than those under Schima superba and Cryptocarya concinna. The mineralization of soil organic C was related to the contents of soil organic C and N, but was not related to soil pH. However, the overall effect of acid rain on the storage of soil organic matter and the cycling of important nutrients depended on the amount of acid deposition and the types of forests.     

Hydrolytic enzyme activities in agricultural and forest soils. Some implications for their use as indicators of soil quality

Although a great deal of information exists about the effect of land use on soil enzyme activities, much of this is contradictory and brings into question the suitability of soil enzyme activities as indicators of how land use affects soil quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of land use on different soil biochemical properties, especially hydrolytic enzyme activities, with the aim of providing knowledge about the problems related to the use of enzymes as indicators of soil quality. The data presented derive from various studies in which a large number of soils under different types of forest or agricultural management were analysed by the same methods. All of the soil samples were characterized in terms of their main physical and chemical properties, the activity of several hydrolases, microbial biomass C and soil basal respiration. The results indicate that soil use causes a large reduction in organic matter content and that the effect on enzyme activity varies depending on the type of land use or management and the type of enzyme. Furthermore, the enzyme activities per carbon unit (specific activities) in soils affected by land use are almost always higher than in maximum quality soils (climax soils under oak vegetation or oak soils), and land use also generates greater increases in the specific activity as the C content decreases. The mechanism responsible for these increases probably involves loss of the most labile organic matter. Enzyme enrichment is not always produced to the same degree, as it varies as a function of the enzyme and the type of land use under consideration. It is concluded that the complexity of the behaviour of the soil enzymes raises doubts about the use of enzyme activities as indicators of soil degradation brought about by land use.     

Organic nitrogen mineralization in temperate humid-zone soils after two and six weeks of aerobic incubation

The N mineralization rate in 11 soils was studied by aerobic incubation at 28°C and at a moisture content of 75% of field capacity for 2 weeks (short term) and 6 weeks (medium term). Relationships between the N mineralization indices for each period were evaluated. Ammonification largely predominated during the first 2 weeks of incubation, whereas nitrification was the predominant process between weeks 2 and 6. The net N mineralized in the different soils varied from 0 to 2.85% of the organic N after 2 weeks of incubation and from 0.32 to 3.36% of the organic N after 6 weeks of incubation, the mean values for each period being 0.82 and 1.51% of the organic N, respectively. The quantities of NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N, NO _inf3 ^sup- -N, and total inorganic N produced and the percentage of organic N mineralized after 2 weeks of incubation were highly and positively correlated with the coresponding values after 6 weeks of incubation. These results showed that either length of incubation could be used to determine the potential N mineralization capacity of the soils. Information obtained from two incubation periods was largely supplementary for the kinetic study of N mineralization, ammonification, and nitrification; therefore a medium-term incubation with intermediate measurements of N mineralization over a short term may be more useful than a single measurement using either of the two incubation periods.