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.