土地利用变化对闽江口湿地土壤生态酶化学计量特征的影响

为探究闽江口湿地土地利用和恢复对土壤酶活性的影响,采集闽江口芦苇湿地、滩涂地、草地、农田和撂荒地5种不同土地利用方式,分析土壤β—葡萄糖苷酶、N—乙酰—氨基葡萄糖苷酶、L—亮氨酸—氨基肽酶和酸性磷酸酶活性及与环境因子之间的关系。结果表明:土壤pH、铵态氮和硝态氮在农田土壤显著高于其他土地利用方式;而土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)全量含量在撂荒地和芦苇湿地显著高于其他土地利用方式。撂荒地、农田和芦苇湿地可溶性碳氮含量显著高于滩涂和草地土壤;土壤微生物量碳氮含量在不同土地利用方式间变化趋势比较一致,撂荒地均显著高于其他土地利用方式,分别为1 272,124 mg/kg。土壤酶活性变化趋势在不同土地利用方式间基本一致,即撂荒地最高,其次是芦苇湿地和农田,草地和滩涂最低。土壤酶活性矢量长度介于1.12~1.34,矢量角度均大于45°,且土壤胞外酶生态化学计量C∶N∶P总体上为1.00∶1.03∶1.33,表现出主要受磷限制的影响。土壤酶活性与可溶性碳氮、总碳氮和微生物量碳氮均呈显著正相关。研究结果表明,芦苇湿地转化为滩涂等利用方式后土壤碳氮等养分显著降低,而撂荒等方式可提高土壤养分含量,促进土壤微生物活性,进而有利于湿地生态系统的恢复和改善。     

黄河三角洲芦苇生物量空间变化环境解释

在黄河三角洲芦苇生物量调查的基础上,研究了滨海湿地水体及土壤的物理化学性质对芦苇生物量的影响.结果表明;(1)由于环境因子的影响,芦苇生物量较低,为56.04～1 668.45 g/m2;地下和地上生物量之比1.25～2.37;(2)在多种影响芦苇生物量的因子中,盐度是最主要的限制因子,生物量随盐度的增加而减少;(3)水深是最主要的促进因子,地上生物量随着水深的增加而增加,而地下与地上生物量之比则随着水深的增加而减少,主要原因在于水深改变了芦苇的植株形态特征(株高、茎粗)和结构(密度)特征;(4)半闭流状态的水体中营养物质含量高,N含量对芦苇的生长有促进作用.     

洞庭湖典型湿地土壤碳、氮和微生物碳、氮及其垂直分布

以洞庭湖3类湿地的典型剖面为代表,研究了土壤碳、氮和微生物C、N状况及其垂直分布.结果表明不同类型湿地土壤碳、氮和微生物C、N有明显差异,而且均随深度的增加而降低.湖草滩地表层有机碳、全氮含量明显高于芦苇滩地和垦殖水田.湖草滩地表层微生物碳,湖草滩地与垦殖水田接近,而远大于芦苇湿地.湖草滩地表层土壤微生物N,高于芦苇滩地和垦殖水田.土壤表层微生物C占有机碳的比例,垦殖水田高于湖草滩地,高于芦苇滩地.土壤微生物C与有机碳之间存在极显著的正相关关系(p<0.01);土壤全氮、微生物N与土壤有机碳之间存在极显著的线性相关关系(p<0.01);土壤容重与有机碳、土壤全氮和微生物生物量C、N之间呈现极显著的指数负相关关系(p<0.01);土壤<0.001 mm粘粒与有机碳、土壤全氮和微生物C、N之间呈现极显著的指数或对数正相关关系(p<0.01).     

滨海湿地土壤微生物群落多样性及其影响因素

连续3年(2015-2018年)研究了珠江三角洲滨海红树林湿地、芦苇湿地、碱蓬湿地和互花米草湿地土壤微生物群落多样性及其影响因素。结果表明:土壤pH基本表现为互花米草湿地碱蓬滩湿地芦苇湿地红树林湿地,其中不同湿地植物群落土壤pH值差异均不显著(p0.05);土壤有机碳、全氮、全钾基本表现为互花米草湿地碱蓬滩湿地芦苇湿地红树林湿地。滨海湿地不同植物群落土壤微生物碳源利用(AWCD)总体上呈逐渐增加的趋势,在培养24～72 h内AWCD快速增长,72 h后增长缓慢,192 h后急剧增长;相同时间土壤微生物碳源利用大致表现为互花米草湿地碱蓬滩湿地芦苇湿地红树林湿地,局部有所波动。碳水化合物和羧酸类碳源是滨海湿地不同植物群落土壤微生物的主要碳源,其次为氨基酸类、酚酸类和聚合物类,胺类碳源的利用率最小。土壤微生物群落的物种丰富度指数(H)、均匀度指数(E)、优势度指数(Ds)和碳源利用丰富度指数(S)基本表现为互花米草湿地碱蓬滩湿地芦苇湿地红树林湿地,其中优势度指数(Ds)差异均不显著(p0.05)。主成分分析结果表明,具有较高相关性的碳源有18种,其中羧酸类化合物有5种,多聚化合物有3种,碳水化合物有6种,芳香化合物1种,氨基酸2种,胺类化合物1种,在主成分分离中起主要贡献作用的是胺类和氨基酸类碳源。相关性分析显示,土壤养分和pH与微生物群落功能多样性密切相关,其中pH对土壤微生物群落功能多样性贡献为负,土壤养分对土壤微生物群落功能多样性贡献为正,是滨海湿地不同植物群落土壤微生物群落多样性差异的重要影响因素。     

珠江三角洲滨海湿地土壤微生物群落多样性与养分的耦合关系

为了研究珠江三角洲滨海湿地土壤微生物群落多样性与养分的耦合关系,以2015—2018年珠江三角洲滨海红树林湿地、芦苇湿地、碱蓬湿地和互花米草湿地为对象,采用野外观测和室内分析相结合的方法研究了滨海湿地不同植物群落土壤微生物群落多样性和土壤养分含量。结果表明:土壤pH值基本表现为,互花米草湿地碱蓬滩湿地芦苇湿地红树林湿地,其中不同湿地植物群落土壤pH值差异均不显著(p0.05);土壤有机碳、全氮、全钾基本表现为互花米草湿地碱蓬滩湿地芦苇湿地红树林湿地。滨海湿地不同植物群落土壤细菌数量占绝对优势,占微生物总数的70%左右。土壤微生物总数、真菌数目和放线菌数目均表现为互花米草湿地碱蓬滩湿地芦苇湿地红树林湿地,其中不同湿地差异均显著(p0.05)。土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷基本表现为互花米草湿地碱蓬滩湿地芦苇湿地红树林湿地,其中微生物量碳、氮不同湿地差异均显著(p0.05);不同湿地微生物量磷差异均不显著(p0.05)。土壤微生物群落的物种丰富度指数(H)、均匀度指数(E)、优势度指数(Ds)和碳源利用丰富度指数(S)基本表现为互花米草湿地碱蓬滩湿地芦苇湿地红树林湿地,其中优势度指数(Ds)差异均不显著(p0.05)。相关性分析显示,土壤养分和pH值与微生物群落功能多样性密切相关,其中pH值和土壤养分是滨海湿地不同植物群落土壤微生物群落多样性差异的重要影响因素。此外,土壤养分与微生物数量及微生物量关系密切,在生态保护和评估等研究过程中应充分考虑滨海湿地下的土壤微生物和养分的变化特征及耦合关系。     

豫东黄河故道大型土壤动物群落组成及多样性研究

为查明故道湿地大型土壤动物类群对不同湿地类型的响应,于2014年对豫东黄河故道的盐碱滩地、湿草地、芦苇湿地和林地4种类型湿地的大型土壤动物群落进行了调查。结果表明:豫东黄河故道不同湿地类型大型土壤动物群落的类群数和优势类群均存在显著差异,优势类群和主要类群的差异也反映出不同湿地类型环境的异质性。季节变化对大型土壤动物群落类群数、密度和多样性指数均有显著影响(P0.05或P0.01),且不同湿地类型大型土壤动物对季节变化的响应存在差异。湿地不同的土壤环境因子,尤其是土壤有机质、氮磷和土壤微生物生物量碳氮的含量与大型土壤动物类群数、密度和多样性间存在显著相关关系(P0.05或P0.01)。     

盘锦芦苇湿地土壤微生物数量研究

基于盘锦湿地生态系统野外观测站芦苇群落生长季6~9月的定位观测资料,分析了芦苇湿地土壤微生物不同时间及不同层次上的动态。结果表明:在三个层次时间动态土壤的细菌数量最大,其次是放线菌,最少的是真菌。不同层次中10～20cm土壤层中的细菌、放线菌和真菌数量最大。细菌数量从6月的最高值逐渐减少,到8月达到最低,而后逐渐增加;放线菌数量从6月最高值急剧减少,至8月达到最低值,然后逐渐增加;真菌数量则表现为从6月开始逐渐增加,至9月达到最大值。芦苇湿地土壤微生物不同层次上的百分比变化表明:在0～10cm、10～20cm和20～30cm的3个层次上及微生物总数中土壤的细菌所占比率最大,而且在3个层次上的比率从上到下是逐渐增大的;其次是放线菌,且在3个层次上的比率是逐渐减少的;最少的是真菌,在3个层次上相差不大,接近为零,在整个微生物中所占比率为最少的。     

银川平原芦苇生态特征与土壤因子的关系

选择银川平原典型芦苇湿地作为靶区,结合统计学分析及冗余分析(RDA),研究了芦苇生态特征与土壤因子的相互关系,结果表明:土壤水分为芦苇生态特征变化的关键驱动因子,土壤水分与芦苇的生态特征呈显著或极显著的相关关系,p H、全盐与芦苇的生态特征呈正相关或负相关,其他土壤因子与芦苇生态特征相关性不大,土壤环境因子对芦苇生态特征的重要性排序为土壤水分p H全盐含量有效磷有机质含量全磷全氮碱解氮,综合分析,土壤水分对芦苇生态特征的影响较大。     

不同植物配置下人工湿地微生物群落特征及其影响因素

植物是湿地生态系统的重要组分,本选择茭白(Zizania caduciflora)、鸢尾(Iris tectorum)、菖蒲(Acorus calamus)和芦苇(Phragmites australis),连续5年研究了不同植物配置下人工湿地微生物群落特征对环境的指示作用,结合微生物群落冗余分析(Redundancy analysis,RDA),研究了不同植物配置下人工湿地土壤环境因子及其对微生物群落分布的影响。结果表明:(1)土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷、全钾、速效磷和碱解氮呈一致的变化规律,均表现为芦苇菖蒲茭白鸢尾,而不同人工湿地全磷差异不显著(p0.05)。(2)人工湿地对土壤微生物量有较大的影响,土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷呈一致的变化规律,均表现为芦苇菖蒲茭白鸢尾,不同人工湿地微生物量碳和氮差异均显著(p0.05),微生物量磷差异不显著(p0.05)。(3)物种丰富度指数(H)、均匀度指数(E)、和碳源利用丰富度指数(S)均表现为芦苇菖蒲茭白鸢尾,而优势度指数(Ds)则表现为鸢尾茭白菖蒲芦苇。其中不同人工湿地碳源利用丰富度指数(S)差异均显著(p0.05),不同人工湿地优势度指数(Ds)差异均不显著(p0.05)。(4)相关性分析表明不同人工湿地微生物物种丰富度指数(H)与SOC,TN呈显著正相关,芦苇和菖蒲的相关系数高于茭白和鸢尾,说明芦苇和菖蒲人工湿地微生物群落多样性高于茭白和鸢尾;RDA分析表明,土壤环境因子具有明显的生态梯度,SOC,TN是影响人工湿地微生物群落多样性的主要环境因子。     

华北平原典型农田土壤微生物生物量碳氮磷库的县域分布特征——以河北省曲周县为例

土壤微生物生物量是土壤中的活性养分库,直接参与土壤碳氮磷硫等元素的形态转化与生物地球化学循环过程,是反映土壤肥力与质量的重要生物指标。基于网格法采样,运用地统计学方法分析华北平原典型农田土壤微生物生物量碳氮磷库的空间分布特征及影响因子。结果表明:河北省曲周县域农田耕层(0~30 cm)土壤微生物生物量库在空间上呈斑块状分布,具有中等变异强度和明显的空间自相关性,微生物生物量碳(MBC)、微生物生物量氮(MBN)、微生物生物量磷(MBP)库储量分别为(C)64.14×10³t、(N)24.55×10³t、(P)2.80×10³t,作物产量与MBC和MBN存在显著正相关关系。不同种植体系下单位质量土壤MBC、MBN、MBP的量存在显著差异,小麦/玉米轮作体系下单位质量土壤微生物生物量的平均量高于棉花连作。土壤微生物生物量库的大小和空间分布均受种植体系和土壤肥力的影响,其中土壤有机碳含量是影响土壤微生物生物量库容及空间分布的一个主要因子。研究结果表明土壤微生物生物量库是我国北方典型农田土壤中不可忽视的潜在有效养分库。     

Bacterial and fungal response to nitrogen fertilization in three coniferous forest soils

Forest soil carbon (C) pools may act as sinks for, or sources of, atmospheric carbon dioxide, while nitrogen (N) fertilization may affect the net exchange of C in forest ecosystems. Since all major C and N processes in soil are driven by soil microorganisms, we evaluated the effects of N fertilization on biomass and bacterial and fungal activity in soils from three Norway spruce forests with different climatic and N availability conditions. N deposition and net N mineralization were higher at the sites in southern Sweden than at the site in northern Sweden. We also studied the extent to which N fertilization altered the nutrient(s) limiting bacterial growth in soil. We found that on average microbial biomass was reduced by ～40% and microbial activity by ～30% in fertilized plots. Bacterial growth rates were more negatively affected by fertilization than fungal growth rates, while fungal biomass (estimated using the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) 18:2ω6,9) decreased more than bacterial biomass as a consequence of fertilization. The microbial community structure (indicated by the PLFA pattern) was changed by fertilization, but not in the same way at the three sites. Soil bacteria were limited by a lack of carbon in all forests, with the carbon limitation becoming more evident in fertilized plots, especially in the forests that had previously been the most N-limited ones. This study thus showed that the effects of N fertilization differed depending on the conditions at the site prior to fertilization.     

The elevational patterns and key drivers of soil microbial communities strongly depend on soil layer and season

Knowledge about the elevational patterns of soil microbial biomass and communities can facilitate accurate prediction of the responses of soil biogeochemical processes to climate change. However, previous studies that have considered intra- and inter-annual variations have reported inconsistent results on the one hand, and they have paid little attention to the effect of soil layer on the other hand. We, therefore, conducted a 4-year in situ soil core incubation experiment along a 2431-m elevational gradient across the dry valley shrubland, valley-montane ecotone forest, subalpine coniferous forest, alpine coniferous forest, and alpine meadow in an ecologically fragile alpine-gorge region on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Soil microbial biomass and community composition in the organic and mineral layers were measured using the phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) method at five critical periods each year. Our results indicated that soil microbial biomass in the organic layer was the highest in the subalpine coniferous forest, followed by the alpine meadow, alpine coniferous forest, and valley-montane ecotone forest. In contrast, soil microbial biomass in the mineral layer was significantly higher in the alpine meadow than in the other sites. Soil microbial biomass exhibited differential seasonal fluctuations at different elevations, resulting in their elevational patterns being strongly intra-annual and inter-annual dependent. Our results revealed that elevation and seasonality significantly affected soil microbial communities. Seasonality had a more substantial effect than elevation on soil microbial communities during the first 3 years of incubation, whereas the relative importance of seasonal and elevational effects on microbial communities was reversed in the organic layer with incubation time. These results are mainly attributed to the magnitude and direction of effect of environmental variables on soil microbial biomass and communities vary with elevation, soil layer, and sampling time. Briefly, the elevational patterns and dominant factors of soil microbial biomass and communities have intense soil layer and temporal specificity, implying that differential responses of soil biochemical processes to climate change might be observed at different elevations.     

免耕对土壤微生物量碳影响的Meta分析

为综合分析免耕(NT)对土壤微生物碳含量的影响程度,以常规耕作(CT)为对照,收集国内外关于免耕对土壤微生物碳研究已公开发表的41篇文献的田间试验数据162组,采用Meta数据整合分析方法,定量分析中国不同区域、气候类型和试验年限下,免耕对于中国农田土壤微生物碳含量的影响。结果表明,与常规耕作相比,免耕能显著提高土壤微生物碳的含量,免耕-常规耕作(NT-CT)的加权均数差值(WMD)为49.29 mg·kg^-1;免耕对土壤中微生物碳含量的影响存在区域差异性,西南地区WMD最大,湿润区(年降雨量>800 mm)免耕对土壤微生物碳含量的正效应最显著;年均温度10~15℃和年均温度>15℃时,免耕土壤中微生物碳含量显著高于常规耕作,且随着温度的升高而增加;免耕年限能够显著影响土壤微生物碳含量,以长期免耕(免耕年限≥8 a)效果最佳。综上,免耕对土壤微生物碳的增加效应存在区域特征,以西南地区最高,随着区域水热条件、免耕年限的不同有所差异,免耕措施的采用应该根据区域特点因地制宜。本研究结果为免耕的区域性合理利用提供了参考依据。     

Does history matter? Temperature effects on soil microbial biomass and community structure based on the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis

Background, aim, and scope

Temperature is an important environmental factor regulating soil microbial biomass, activity, and community. Soils from different climatic regions may have very different dominant soil microbes, which are acclimated to the local conditions like temperature. Changing soil temperature especially warming has been shown to increase the mortality rate of soil microbes. However, little is known about the responses of soil microbes coming from different climatic regions to different incubation temperatures. The objective of this study was to examine the temperature effects on microbial biomass and community of soils collected from cold, intermediate, and hot natural sites.

Materials and methods

Soils were collected from northern (Heilongjiang province), central (Jiangsu province), and southern (Guangxi province) China, these soils having very different temperature histories. The Heilongjiang soil was from the coldest region with a mean annual temperature of 1.2°C, the Jiangsu soil was intermediate with a mean annual temperature of 15.7°C, and Guangxi soil was from the hottest area, with a mean annual temperature of 21.2°C. These three soils were incubated at 4°C, 15°C, 25°C, and 35°C for up to 56 days. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analyses were conducted on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 to track the dynamics of soil microbes.

Results

Soil microbial biomass indexed by total phospholipid fatty acid concentration decreased with increasing incubation temperature, with that of the Heilongjiang soil decreasing most. At the end of incubation, the biomass at 35°C in the Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, and Guangxi soils had declined to 65%, 72%, and 96% of the initial biomass, respectively. The PLFA patterns shifted with increasing temperatures in all the soils, especially at 35°C; the change was biggest in the Heilongjiang soil.

Discussion

History does have effects on soil microbes responding to environmental stress. Soil microbial biomass and PLFA profiles shifted least in the Guangxi soil with the hottest temperature history and most in the Heilongjiang soil with the coldest temperature, indicating that the distribution of free-living microorganisms is influenced by climatic factors. The majority of soil microorganisms coming from the hot regions are more adapted to high temperature (35°C) compared to those from the cold area. There are some regular changes of PLFA profiles when increasing incubation temperature to 35°C. However, the effect of incubation temperature on soil microbial community structure was inconclusive. As PLFA profile community structure is the phenotypic community structure. Genotype experiments are required to be done in future studies for the better understanding of soil microbes in different climate regions with concerning temperature variation.

Conclusions

With the increasing incubation temperature, soil microbial biomass and PLFA profiles shifted most in the soil with the coldest temperature history and least in the soil with the hottest temperature. History does matter in determining soil microbial dynamics when facing thermal stress.     

Biological activity of soddy-calcareous soils and cultural layers in Alanian settlements of the Kislovodsk basin

Microbiological investigations of cultural layers were performed in a settlement of the Alanian culture—Podkumskoe-2 (the 2nd–4th centuries AD). The present-day soddy-calcareous soils (rendzinas) used for different purposes were also studied near this settlement. The most significant changes in the initial characteristics of the soil microbial communities occurred under the residential influence more than 1500 years ago; these changes have been preserved until the present time. In the areas subjected to the anthropogenic impact, the total microbial biomass (the weighted average of 3720 μg C/g soil) was lower than that in the background soil. The minimal values of the microbial biomass were found in the soil of the pasture—2.5 times less than in the background soil. The urease activity of the cultural layer was higher than that of the soils nearby the settlement. Elevated values of the cellulose activity were also recorded only in the cultural layers. The current plowing has led to a significant decrease in the mycelium biomass of the microscopic fungi. In the soil of the fallow, the weighted average value of the fungal hyphae biomass along the profile was twice lower than that in the background soil and cultural layers of the settlement. The pasture first affected the active microbial biomass and, to a lesser extent, the amount of microscopic fungi.     

Relationship between acidity and microbiological properties in some tea soils

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different forms of soil acidities on microbial biomass C, ergosterol content, microbial metabolic quotient, microbial respiration quotient, and fluorescein diacetate-hydrolyzing activity of some tea-growing soils of India. Total potential and exchangeable acidity and extractable and exchangeable aluminum were higher in Tripura followed by Jalpaiguri and Kharagpur soil. Different forms of acidity were significantly and positively correlated with each other. All the microbiological properties investigated were significantly and positively correlated with soil organic C content. The ratio of organic C with microbial parameters was significantly and negatively correlated with different forms of acidity. Principal component analysis indicated that the microbial activities were not directly affected by the extractable aluminum and total potential acidity. Although the tea soils had higher microbial biomass and activities because of higher organic matter content than other soils, the ratios of microbial parameters/organic carbon indicated that inhibition of microbial growth and activities had occurred because of acidity stress.     

放牧对荒漠草原土壤养分及微生物量的影响

[目的]探讨不同放牧强度对荒漠草原植被多样性、土壤理化性状、土壤养分及土壤微生物量的影响。[方法]以围封禁牧草地为对照,采用野外调查和室内分析的方法,对不同放牧强度下的草地土壤及植被展开调查。[结果]随放牧强度的增加,荒漠草原植被盖度、物种多样性、地上生物量、土壤养分和微生物量显著降低,土壤容重和pH值呈增加趋势,土壤电导率呈先增加后降低趋势,地下生物量则没有明显变化趋势;在植被作用下土壤养分和微生物量垂直方向表现递减规律并且在表层富集,"表聚性"较为明显;在放牧干扰下土壤全磷变异系数最高;放牧并没有改变荒漠草原土壤养分和微生物量的垂直分布特征;相关分析表明,放牧干扰下土壤微生物量与土壤养分之间具有较强的相关性,二者与土壤含水量也有较强的相关性。[结论]放牧强度对土壤全磷的空间变异影响较大,并且土壤微生物量对于放牧干扰的敏感性高于土壤养分全量;土壤养分和微生物量等地下生态系统各指标之间具有统一性。     

改良剂对旱地红壤微生物量碳、氮及可溶性有机碳、氮的影响

基于室内模拟培养试验,研究改良剂(生物质炭、过氧化钙)对旱地红壤微生物量碳、氮及可溶性有机碳、氮的影响。试验设置4个处理,即CK、Ca(过氧化钙,1.72g/kg)、C(生物质炭,21.46g/kg)、C+Ca。结果表明:各处理土壤微生物量碳、氮以及可溶性有机碳具有相同的变化趋势,即前期(3d内)都增加较快,在第3天达到最大值,随试验进行有所下降,配施效果优于单施。各处理可溶性有机氮在21d内缓慢增加;第21天时,C+Ca、Ca、C相比CK分别显著增加了62.1%,55.5%,40.9%;35d以后,配施(C+Ca)与单施过氧化钙(Ca)的效果显著优于单施生物质炭(C)和对照(CK)。120d培养期内,配施(C+Ca)处理能够明显提高微生物量碳、氮以及可溶性有机碳、氮的平均含量;微生物量碳的平均含量大小顺序为C+CaCCKCa,微生物量氮的平均含量C+Ca处理显著高于其他处理;可溶性有机碳的平均含量大小顺序为C+CaCaCCK,可溶性有机氮的平均含量C+Ca、Ca处理显著高于CK、C处理。微生物量碳、氮以及可溶性有机碳之间互为极显著正相关(P0.01),而微生物量碳与可溶性有机氮之间呈极显著负相关。因此,生物质炭和过氧化钙能有效提高旱地红壤微生物量碳、氮及可溶性有机碳、氮,且生物质炭与过氧化钙配合施用更有助于土壤改良。     

Nitrogen transformations and pools in N-saturated mountain spruce forest soils

Nitrogen leaching persists in mountain forests of Europe even in the presence of decreasing N depositions. We have hypothesized that this leaching is linked to soil N transformations occurring over the whole year, even at 0°C temperatures. The aims were to estimate (1) the effect of temperature on N transformations and (2) N pools and fluxes. The study sites are situated in the Bohemian Forest (Czech Republic). Litter, humus, and 0–10-cm mineral layers were sampled in early spring, and the effect of temperature on net nitrification, net ammonification, and microbial N immobilization were measured in a short-term incubation experiment without substrate addition. Nitrogen pools were calculated from the concentrations of N forms in the soil and soil pool weights, while daily N fluxes were calculated from daily net rates of processes and soil pool weights. Relationships between temperature and net nitrification, net ammonification, and microbial N immobilization did not follow the Arrhenius type equation; all processes were active close to 0°C, indicating that microbial N transformations occur over the whole year. Microbial N immobilization rate was generally greater than N mineralization rate. The microbial N pool was significantly larger than mineral N pools. Organic layers containing tens of grams of available N per square meter contributed more than 70% to the available N in the soil profile. Daily N fluxes were related to N pools. On average, N fluxes represented daily mineral and microbial N pool changes of 1.14 and 1.95%, respectively. The effect of microbial composition on the C/N ratio of microbial biomass and respiration is discussed.