Effects of sulfuric,nitric, and mixed acid rain on litter decomposition,soil microbial biomass,and enzyme activities in subtropical forests of China

Acid rain pollution is changing gradually from sulfuric acid rain (SAR) to mixed acid rain (MAR) and then to nitric acid rain (NAR) with the rapidly growing number of motor vehicles. The influences of changed acid rain types on ecosystem functions, particularly on litter decomposition, remain unclear. Two dominant litter types from a coniferous forest and a broad-leaved forest were incubated in microcosms with original forest soils and treated by five types of acid rain with different SO₄²⁻ to NO₃⁻ ratios (1:0, 5:1, 1:1, 1:5, and 0:1). During a six-month incubation period, litter mass losses, soil microbial biomass, and enzyme activities were investigated. Results showed that various acid treatments inhibited litter decomposition, soil microbial biomass, and most enzyme activities, and the inhibitory effects of NAR were more significant than those of SAR and MAR. The resistance to external acid of microbial communities in broad-leaved forest was higher than that in coniferous forest. NAR and MAR treatments slowed down soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) mineralization by attenuating the correlations between litter mass losses and the enzymes involved in C, N, and P cycling. Results reveal that the ratio of SO₄²⁻ to NO₃⁻ in acid rain is an important factor which profoundly influences litter decomposition process. In the future, a decreasing ratio of SO₄²⁻ to NO₃⁻ in acid rain will be observed in subtropical forests. Thus, soil C would accumulate as a consequence of future acid precipitation, and this may seriously affect the balance of ecosystem C, N flux.     

Effects of soil acidity on the growth of sericea lespedeza

Field experiments were conducted in 1992 and 1993 to examine effects of soil acidity on growth and N₂ fixation by “Serala”; sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza juncea (L.F.) var. sericea (Mig.)]. Effects of acidified soil on N₂ fixation could not be determined because nodulation was suppressed, apparently by sufficient availability of N. Apparently‐suppressive, mean 1993 levels of KCl‐extractable NH₄ and NO₃ in zero nitrogen (N) control treatments were 20 and 13 mg‐kg^‐1, respectively. In soil acidified with sulfur (S), growth of sericiea lespedeza was significantly reduced (PO.05) when the concentration of water‐extractable Mn exceeded 1.3 mM or calculated Mn²⁺ activity exceeded 0.4 mM. This occurred at pH values of 4.1 to 4.3 depending on S treatment. At a given value of pH, shoot dry weight production was greater in S‐amended soil than in Al₂SO₄‐amended soil. Reduced growth in the latter did not appear to be directly related to higher measured levels of toxic Al but may have been caused by a combination of aluminum (Al), hydrogen (H), manganese (Mn), and phosphorus (P) effects. Lespedeza growth was lowest in nonacidified soil with pH values near 6.0, indicating a preference for acid soils by the variety “Serala.”; The demonstrated tolerance of sericea lespedeza to acid soils make it a valuable reclamation species. However, Mn may inhibit growth in acidic soils when the activity of water‐extractable Mn²⁺ exceeds 0.4 mM, and it may not fix appreciable N₂ unless available soil N is quite low.     

Responses of Soil Acid Phosphomonoesterase Activity to Simulated Nitrogen Deposition in Three Forests of Subtropical China

Soil acid phosphomonoesterase activity(APA)plays a vital role in controlling phosphorus(P)cycling and reflecting the current degree of P limitation.Responses of soil APA to elevating nitrogen(N)deposition are important because of their potential applications in addressing the relationship between N and P in forest ecosystems.A study of responses of soil APA to simulated N deposition was conducted in three succession forests of subtropical China.The three forests include a Masson pine(Pinus massoniana)forest (MPF)-pioneer community,a coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest(MF)-transition community and a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest(MEBF)-climax community.Four N treatments were designed for MEBF:control(without N added),low-N(50 kg N ha^-1 year^-1),and medium-N(100 kg N ha^-1 year^-1)and high-N(150 kg N ha^-1 year^-1),and only three N treatments(i.e.,control, low-N,medium-N)were established for MPF and MF.Results showed that soil APA was highest in MEBF,followed by MPF and MF.Soil APAs in both MPF and MF were not influenced by low-N treatments but depressed in medium-N treatments.However,soil APA in MEBF exhibited negative responses to high N additions,indicating that the environment of enhanced N depositions would reduce P supply for the mature forest ecosystem.Soil APA and its responses to N additions in subtropical forests were closely related to the succession stages in the forests.     

氮肥运筹对稻茬小麦土壤硝态氮含量时空分布和氮素利用的影响

研究了不同氮肥运筹对土壤硝态氮时空分布及小麦氮肥利用效率的影响。结果表明,小麦氮素利用效率随施氮量的增加而显著降低,增加追肥比例提高了产量和氮肥利用效率,品种间趋势一致。0～60 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量冬前最高,随着生育进程而逐渐降低。随施氮量增加土壤硝态氮含量升高,特别是下层土壤硝态氮含量在施氮处理下更为明显。从播种至成熟,不施氮处理土壤氮素出现了表观亏缺,施氮处理均表现氮素盈余,且随施氮量的增加而增加。因此,在小麦生产中应避免在播种时一次性大量施用氮肥,而分期施肥有利于小麦吸收利用,并且可以减少深层土壤硝态氮的累积。     

Response of soil respiration to nitrogen addition in two subtropical forest types

Anthropogenic activities have increased nitrogen (N) deposition in terrestrial ecosystems, which directly and indirectly affects soil biogeochemical processes, including soil respiration. However, the effects of the increases in N availability on soil respiration are not fully understood. In this study, soil respiration was measured using an infrared gas analyzer system with soil chambers under four N treatments (0, 5, 15, and 30 g N m^-2 year^-1 as control, low N (LN), moderate N (MN), and high N (HN), respectively) in camphor tree and slash pine forests in subtropical China. Results showed that soil respiration rates decreased by 37% in the camphor tree forest and 27% in the slash pine forest on average on an annual base, respectively, in the N-fertilized treatments when compared with the control. No significant differences were found in the soil respiration rate among the LN, MN, and HN treatments in both forest types as these fertilized plots reached an adequate N content zone. In addition, soil microbial biomass carbon (C) content and fine root biomass declined in N-treated plots compared to the control. Our results indicated that elevated N deposition might alter the tree growth pattern, C partitioning, and microbial activity, which further affect soil C sequestration by reducing soil respiration in subtropical forests of China.     

Nutrient balance in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest 1. Design of experiments

The main objectives of the project described in the present and four following papers are:

1. To study tree growth and nutrient status of forest soil as influenced by atmospheric depositions of S and N.
2. To study the influence of plant growth, litter decomposition and atmospheric depositions on soil acidity.
3. To study the influence of atmospheric deposition on the release of N₂O from soil.

One field plot experiment in a Scots pine forest and one lysimeter experiment were established in 1990 on weakly podzolized soils (Cambic arenosol). The experiment was established in a young Scots pine forest. N, Mg and P were applied in a factorial design. The experiment includes 12 treatments and three blocks. Soil was collected in a long-term field experiment with acid rain and filled into lysimeters (bucket type) by horizon. Under each horizon tension lysimeters were installed. The lysimeters were under a roof to avoid input of natural precipitation. S was applied as sulphuric acid diluted to pH levels of 5.5, 4.0, 3.5 and 3.0 and applied in a quantity of 1000 mm ”rain” yr^?1. Nitrogen (NH₄NO₃) was applied in three quantities: 0, 30 and 90 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1. Seedlings of Scots pine were planted in the lysimeters. Lysimeters with no trees were also established. The experiment includes four replicates.     

Soil chemical and microbial effects of simulated acid rain on clover and soft chess

Effects of simulated acid rain, comprised of HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ in the mole ratio of 3:1, at pH 5.6, 4.5, 4.0 and 3.0, were tested on the grass, soft chess (Bromus mollis L.) and on clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. var. Woogenellup) in a sandy soil of granodiorite parent material. Soft chess was grown in unfertilized soil, whereas clover was grown in both unfertilized soil and soil fertilized with NH₄NO₃ and CaSO₄·2H₂O at the rates of 224 kg ha^?1 N and 78 kg ha^?1 S. Two acid-spray irrigation periods of 31 and 26 weeks duration, each delivering 400 mm and separated by a dry period of 23 weeks, simulated typical rainfall of northern California rangeland. Plants were harvested after each of the two spray periods. There were very few deleterious effects of acid rain on plant growth or soil and microbial processes. No significant (p<0.05) effects were shown by soil microbial biomass, CO₂ production, nodules per unit weight of clover root, acetylene reduction, denitrification and nitrification potentials, or for soft chess plant weights, and N and P uptake. Mineralizable-N was unaffected also, except in one case. However, pH of soil to 10 mm depths was significantly lower in the pH 3.0 treatment after the first spray period, with a corresponding decrease in exchangeable soil Ca; these effects became significant at greater soil depth only after the second spray period. There were significant effects of acid treatments shown by clover, some of which may be advantageous. Treatments of intermediate acidity generally provided added N and S, which acted as fertilizers, and compensated for possible decreases in plant productivity attributable to acidity per se. There was also evidence of decreased P uptake in unfertilized soil at pH 3. In conclusion, effects of simulated acid rain were minimal, and in some cases were advantageous because of the added N and S having a fertilizer effect on plant nutrition and growth.     

Enhanced ammonium supply,soil pH and electrical conductivity effects on spring wheat growth

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) dry matter (DM), N content and tillering are increased by increasing the proportion of N available to the plant as NH₄ (enhanced ammonium supply‐EAS) at soil pH ≥ 7.0. Using different N sources to provide different levels of EAS effects soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) as well as soil NH₄. Both pH and EC may affect plant growth and response to EAS.

Two greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of EAS, pH, and EC on the DM, N content, and tillering of spring wheat. The collinearity between pH and NH₄ was eliminated over a pH range of 5.8 to 7.2 by adjusting lime rates to compensate for the effect of each N source on pH. Even though EC was somewhat correlated with soil NH₄ in both experiments, there were a sufficient number of comparisons to separate the effects of EC and NH₄ on plant growth. Differences in plant growth resulted from differences in soil NH₄ levels. Soil pH and EC did not affect plant growth. Plant responses to soil NH₄ levels were quadratic. Maximum plant growth occurred at approximately 100–200 mg/kg KCl‐extractable NH₄.     

Forest responses to CO2 enrichment and climate warming

Two of the major uncertainties in forecasting future terrestrial sources and sinks of CO₂ are the CO₂-enhanced growth response of forests and soil warming effects on net CO₂ efflux from forests. Carbon dioxide enrichment of tree seedlings over time periods less than 1 yr has generally resulted in enhanced rates of photosynthesis, decreased respiration, and increased growth, with minor increases in leaf area and small changes in C allocation. Exposure of woody species to elevated CO₂ over several years has shown that high rates of photosynthesis may be sustained, but net C accumulation may not necessarily increase if CO₂ release from soil respiration increases. The impact of the 25% rise in atmospheric CO₂ with industrialization has been examined in tree ring chronologies from a range of species and locations. In contrast to the seedling tree results, there is no convincing evidence for CO₂-enhanced stem growth of mature trees during the last several decades. However, if mature trees show a preferential root growth response to CO₂ enrichment, the gain in root mass for an oak-hickory forest in eastern Tennessee is estimated to be only 9% over the last 40 years. Root data bases are inadequate for detecting such an effect. A very small shift in ecosystem nutrients from soil to vegetation could support CO₂-enhanced growth. Climate warming and the accompanying increase in mean soil temperature could have a greater effect than CO₂ enrichment on terrestrial sources and sinks of CO₂. Soil respiration and N mineralization have been shown to increase with soil temperature. If plant growth increases with increased N availability, and more C is fixed in growth than is released by soil respiration, then a negative feedback on climate warming will occur. If warming results in a net increase in CO₂ efflux from forests, then a positive feedback will follow. A 2 to 4°C increase in soil temperature could increase CO₂ efflux from soil by 15 to 32% in eastern deciduous forests. Quantifying C budget responses of forests to future global change scenarios will be speculative until mature tree responses to CO₂ enrichment and the effects of temperature on terrestrial sources and sinks of CO₂ can be determined.     

Effects of nitrogen deposition on soil organic carbon fractions in the subtropical forest ecosystems of S China

Experiments were conducted between 2003 and 2008 to examine how N additions influence soil organic C (SOC) and its fractions in forests at different succession stages in the subtropical China. The succession stages included pine forest, pine and broadleaf mixed forest, and old‐growth monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest. Three levels of N (NH₄NO₃)‐addition treatments comprising control, low‐N (50 kg N ha^–1 y^–1), and medium‐N (100 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) were established. An additional treatment of high‐N (150 kg N ha^–1 y^–1) was established in the broadleaf mixed forest. Soil samples were obtained in July 2008 for analysis. Total organic C (TOC), particulate organic C (POC, > 53 μm), readily oxidizable organic C (ROC), nonreadily oxidizable organic C (NROC), microbial biomass C (MBC), and soil properties were analyzed. Nitrogen addition affected the TOC and its fractions significantly. Labile organic‐C fractions (POC and ROC) in the topsoil (0–10 cm) increased in all the three forests in response to the N‐addition treatments. NROC within the topsoil was higher in the medium‐N and high‐N treatments than in the controls. In the topsoil profiles of the broadleaf forest, N addition decreased MBC and increased TOC, while no significant effect on MBC and TOC occurred in the pine and mixed forests. Overall, elevated N deposition increased the availability of labile organic C (POC and ROC) and the accumulation of NROC within the topsoil irrespective of the forest succession stage, and might enhance the C‐storage capacity of the forest soils.     

Influence of Organic Matter Vis-à-Vis Humic Acid on the Transformation of Inorganic and Organic Forms of Nitrogen in a Typic Haplustept Soil

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the changes in inorganic and organic forms of nitrogen (N) in a Typic Haplustept soil treated with mustard cake vis-à-vis humic acid in the presence and absence of inorganic N. Results revealed that irrespective of treatments, significantly higher amount of soluble nitrate (NO₃^-), hydrolysable ammonium (NH₄⁺), non-hydrolysable and total N were accumulated in the soil treated with mustard cake in the presence of inorganic N. However, on the other hand, a humic acid-treated system showed significantly higher content of exchangeable NH₄⁺ and hexosamine N. Application of humic acid alone leads to the accumulation of a significantly higher amount of total hydrolysable and unidentified N in the soil. Among the different treatments, NH₄⁺ fixation was more in mustard cake followed by humic acid-treated soil. Humic acid is more susceptible to mineralization than mustard cake, particularly with respect to total N accumulation in soils.     

Soil changes induced by air pollutant deposition and their implication for forests in central Europe

A survey of leaf and needle losses of European forests in 1993 revealed that 23% of the total forested area had defoliation of more than 25%. The focus of this defoliation is in Central Europe, namely in Poland, Slowakia, Czech Republic, and Germany. The annual surveys of leaf losses and discoloration indicated only small changes during the last years for the coniferous forests in Germany. However, the increasing leaf losses of oak and beech during the last years were alarming. Evaluating the potential relation between air pollutant deposition, soil changes and forest damage, we focus here on the recent changes in deposition and soil conditions, and their implication on tree root development and drought susceptability of trees. While deposition of SO₄ ^2?, H⁺ and Ca²⁺ in many Central European forests decreased in the last decade, input of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^? remained high or even increased. The H⁺ load of many forest soils today is thus still high compared to weathering rates, but the proportion of the H⁺ load resulting from turnover of deposited N has increased. Recent effects of changing depositions on acid forest soils were: depletion of soil Al-pools, release of formerly stored soil SO₄ ^2?, accumulation of N in soil organic matter, increasing N availability to trees and decreasing concentration of Ca²⁺ in the soil solution. We hypothesise that soil acidification and increased N availability will decrease the fine root biomass of trees and shift the rooting zone to upper soil layers. Increased above ground growth, observed in many areas of Europe, will furthermore decrease the root/shoot ratio. This development will finally cause increased drought susceptability of trees and is thus of destabilizing nature. The proposed chain of events might be overlapped by other effects of air pollutants on forest ecosystems, namely direct effects of gases on leaves, nutritional inbalances, and interactions with pests.     

Effects of methyl bromide fumigation,chloropicrin fumigation and steam sterilization on soil nitrogen dynamics and microbial properties in a pot culture experiment

Abstract

The effects of steam sterilization (SS), methyl bromide (MeBr) fumigation and chloropicrin (CP) fumigation on soil N dynamics and microbial properties were evaluated in a pot experiment. All disinfection treatments increased the NH⁺ ₄-N level and inhibited nitrification. The additional NH⁺ ₄-N in the CP treatment probably originated from the decomposition of microbial debris by surviving microbes, while that in the SS treatment was attributable to deamination processes of soil organic N occurring in a less labile fraction in addition to the decomposition of microbial debris. The MeBr fumigation increased the level of NH⁺ ₄-N without changing the soil microbial biomass. Based on the determinations of soil microbial biomass, substrate utilization activity (Biolog method) and microbial community structure (phospholipid fatty acid method), the effects of the MeBr, CP and SS treatments on the microbial community were compared. The MeBr fumigation had relatively mild and short-term effects on microbial biomass and activity, but altered the community structure drastically by promoting the growth of gram-positive bacteria. The CP fumigation had large and long-term impacts on microbial biomass and activity; the community structure remained unaffected except for the gram-negative bacteria. Steam sterilization had severe and persistent effects on all parameters. The severity of the effects decreased in the order SS ≥ CP > MeBr.     

Effects of Soil Amendment on Potassium Fractions of Southwestern Nigerian Soils

Incubation and pot experiments were done to determine the effect of poultry manure on soil potassium (K) fractions and soybean K concentration. Representative soils from southwestern Nigeria were used. The treatments applied consisted of five rates of manure (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 t ha^?1). The experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Soybean (TGx 1448-2E) was grown for three consecutive cycles (7 weeks each), analyzed for K. Order of abundance of soil fractions in the soil was as follows: Total K > non-exchangeable K > mineral K > > 1 N (hydrochloric acid) HCl K > 1 N (nitric acid) HNO₃K > available K > exchangeable K > water-soluble K. Most of the K is in nonavailable forms; and the exchangeable forms are less than non-exchangeable forms. Organic manure increased soil K fractions, but these increases could not be sustained with cycles of soybean growth due to crop uptake.     

The effect of soil pH and dicyandiamide (DCD) on N2O emissions and ammonia oxidiser abundance in a stimulated grazed pasture soil

Purpose

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse gas which is mainly produced from agricultural soils through the processes of nitrification and denitrification. Although denitrification is usually the major process responsible for N₂O emissions, N₂O production from nitrification can increase under some soil conditions. Soil pH can affect N₂O emissions by altering N transformations and microbial communities. Bacterial (AOB) and archaeal (AOA) ammonia oxidisers are important for N₂O production as they carry out the rate-limiting step of the nitrification process.

Material and methods

A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of soil pH changes on N₂O emissions, AOB and AOA community abundance, and the efficacy of a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide (DCD), at reducing N₂O emissions from animal urine applied to soil. The effect of three pH treatments, namely alkaline treatment (CaO/NaOH), acid treatment (HCl) and native (water) and four urine and DCD treatments as control (no urine or DCD), urine-only, DCD-only and urine + DCD were assessed in terms of their effect on N₂O emissions and ammonia oxidiser community growth.

Results and discussion

Results showed that total N₂O emissions were increased when the soil was acidified by the acid treatment. This was probably due to incomplete denitrification caused by the inhibition of the assembly of the N₂O reductase enzyme under acidic conditions. AOB population abundance increased when the pH was increased in the alkaline treatment, particularly when animal urine was applied. In contrast, AOA grew in the acid treatment, once the initial inhibitory effect of the urine had subsided. The addition of DCD decreased total N₂O emissions significantly in the acid treatment and decreased peak N₂O emissions in all pH treatments. DCD also inhibited AOB growth in both the alkaline and native pH treatments and inhibited AOA growth in the acid treatment.

Conclusions

These results show that N₂O emissions increase when soil pH decreases. AOB and AOA prefer different soil pH environments to grow: AOB growth is favoured in an alkaline pH and AOA growth favoured in more acidic soils. DCD was effective in inhibiting AOB and AOA when they were actively growing under the different soil pH conditions.     

Effects of liming on carbon and nitrogen mineralization in coniferous forests

A temporary decline in tree growth has often been observed after liming in coniferous forests poor in N but seldom in forests rich in N. To test the hypothesis that the decline was caused by decreases in N supply, C and N mineralization were estimated in incubated soil: (1) after liming in the laboratory, and (2) after earlier liming in the field. Liming increased the C mineralization rate in needle litter, nor humus and 0 to 5 cm mineral soil for a period of 40 to 100 days at 15°C. After that period, liming had no effect on the CO₂ evolution rate in materials poor in N (C:N ratios 30 to 62) but increased the CO₂ evolution rate in materials rich in N (C:N ratios 24 to 28). When liming induced nitrification, the CO₂ evolution rate was reduced. Liming resulted in lower net N mineralization rate in needle litter and mor humus. The reduction was more pronounced when NH₄ ⁺ was the only inorganic form than when NO₃ ^? was the predominant form. The reason is probably that chemical fixation of NH₃ and amino compounds increases with increasing pH. Because of the fixation, the incubation technique most likely underestimated the mineralized N available to the roots. Taking this underestimation into consideration, liming initially reduced the N release in the litter layer. In the other soil layers, liming increased the N release in soils rich in N and had only small effects in soils poor in N. For the total N supply to the roots in the litter, humus and 0 to 5 cm mineral soil layers, liming caused a slight reduction in soils poor in N and a slight increase in soils rich in N. Data on tree growth corresponded with these results.The hypotheses that tree growth depressions can be caused by reduced N supply after liming and that tree growth increases can be caused by increased N supply after liming thus seem reasonable.     

Influence of Soil Type on the Effects of Elevated Atmospheric CO2 and N Deposition on the Water Balance and Growth of a Young Spruce and Beech Forest

Sixteen open-top chambers, each equipped with two non-weighablegravity-drained lysimeter compartments, were used to investigate the impacts of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration and nitrogen (N) deposition on the water relations and growth of young model forest ecosystems on two different types of soils. The same vegetation of a mixed spruce and beech overstorey and various herbs in the understorey was planted in all treatments on both soils. The soils were repacked on top of a drainage layer. Four combinations of treatments were applied in four replicates each: ambient (370 cm³ m^-3) CO₂ + low (7 kg N ha^-1 a^-1) N deposition, ambient CO₂ + high(70 kg N ha^-1 a^-1) N deposition, elevated (590 cm³ m^-3) CO₂ + low N deposition, and elevated CO₂ + high N deposition. After canopy closure, treatment effects on evapotranspiration and growth during the third year of study were very different for the two soils.On the acidic sandy loam, elevated CO₂ enhanced growth(leaf biomass +21%, roots +27%) at reduced evapotranspiration (–9%). High N deposition increased aboveground growth even more strongly (+50%), but also increased evapotranspiration (+16%). Together, elevated CO₂ and high N had a more than additive fertilizer effect on growth, while their effects on evapotranspirationcompensated. On the calcareous loamy sand, elevated CO₂not only tended to enhance growth (leaf biomass +17%, roots +20%), but also increased evapotranspiration (+5%).On this soil, aboveground growth was stimulated by N only incombination with elevated CO₂, but less than on the acidic soil, while evapotranspiration (–6.5%) and root growth into the subsoil (–54%) were decreased by increased N deposition at both CO₂ concentrations, in contrast to the N treatments on the acidic sandy loam. The influence of the soil on the observed ecosystem responses canbe interpreted in terms of the concept of optimal resource allocation.     

南亚热带三种典型植被土壤动物对模拟N沉降增加的早期响应

A field-scale experiment arranged in a complete randomized block design with three N addition treatments including a control （no addition of N）, a low N （5 g m^-2 year^-1）, and a medium N （10 g m^-2 year^-1） was performed in each of the three typical forests, a pine （Pinus massoniana Lamb.） forest （PF）, a pine-broadleaf mixed forest （MF） and a mature monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest （MEBF）, of the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve in subtropical China to study the response of soil fauna community to additions of N. Higher NH4^＋ and NO3^- concentrations and a lower soil pH occurred in the medium N treatment of MEBF, whereas the NO3^- concentration was the lowest in PF after the additions of N. The response of the density, group abundance and diversity index of soil fauna to addition of N varied with the forest type, and all these variables decreased with increasing N under MEBF but the trend was opposite under PF. The N treatments had no significant effects on these variables under MF. Compared with the control plots, the medium N treatment had significant negative effect on soil fauna under MEBF. The group abundance of soil fauna increased significantly with additions of higher N rates under PF. These results suggested that the response of soil fauna to N deposition varied with the forest type and N deposition rate, and soil N status is one of the important factors affecting the response of soil fauna to N deposition.     

Effects of nickel addition on nitrogen mineralization,nitrification, and nitrogen leaching in some boreal forest soils

The effects of Ni additions on nitrification, N mineralization, and N leaching were examined in soils from boreal jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) forests. The results of a series of incubation experiments suggested that under certain conditions, Ni at 100 μg g^?1 soil can stimulate nitrification, and at 500 μg g^?1 can stimulate N mineralization. Nitrification rates were very low overall, but were higher in soils from the vicinity of the Sudbury, Ontario Ni-Cu smelters than in uncontaminated soils. The nitrifier populations, estimated by the most probable number method, were extremely low in uncontaminated soils, but also increased following some Ni additions. Increased leaching of NO_f3 ^p was observed in soil columns treated with Ni. Since N tends to be in low supply in boreal forests, and therefore tightly cycled, the observed disruptions caused by Ni inputs could have an effect on forest productivity.     

Direct and indirect effects of elevated CO2 and nitrogen addition on soil microbial communities in the rhizosphere of Bothriochloa ischaemum

Purpose

Elevated CO₂ and nitrogen (N) addition both affect soil microbial communities, which significantly influence soil processes and plant growth. Here, we evaluated the combined effects of elevated CO₂ and N addition on the soil–microbe–plant system of the Chinese Loess Plateau.

Materials and methods

A pot cultivation experiment with two CO₂ treatment levels (400 and 800 μmol mol^?1) and three N addition levels (0, 2.5, and 5 g N m^?2 year^?1) was conducted in climate-controlled chambers to evaluate the effects of elevated CO₂ and N addition on microbial community structure in the rhizosphere of Bothriochloa ischaemum using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles and associated soil and plant properties. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to identify the direct and indirect effects of the experimental treatments on the structure of microbial communities.

Results and discussion

Elevated CO₂ and N addition both increased total and fungal PLFAs. N addition alone increased bacterial, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative PLFAs. However, elevated CO₂ interacting with N addition had no significant effects on the microbial community. The SEM indicated that N addition directly affected the soil microbial community structure. Elevated CO₂ and N addition both indirectly affected the microbial communities by affecting plant and soil variables. N addition exerted a stronger total effect than elevated CO₂.

Conclusions

The results highlighted the importance of comprehensively studying soil–microbe–plant systems to deeply reveal how characteristics of terrestrial ecosystems may respond under global change.