Litter decomposition in European coniferous and broadleaf forests under experimentally elevated acidity and nitrogen addition

0544846 - ÚVGZ 2022 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Růžek, M. - Tahovská, K. - Guggenberger, G. - Oulehle, Filip
Litter decomposition in European coniferous and broadleaf forests under experimentally elevated acidity and nitrogen addition.
Plant and Soil. Roč. 463, č. 1-2 (2021), s. 471-485. ISSN 0032-079X. E-ISSN 1573-5036
Research Infrastructure: CzeCOS III - 90123
Institutional support: RVO:86652079
Keywords : Litter decomposition * Nitrogen addition * Acidity * Tea bag initiative * Norway spruce * European beech
OECD category: Plant sciences, botany
Impact factor: 4.993, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11104-021-04926-9

Background Atmospheric sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) deposition has impacted many regions across the Northern Hemisphere inducing acidification and eutrophication of terrestrial ecosystems. However, acidification and eutrophication processes may differently impact litter decomposition and thus soil carbon (C) dynamics. Methods We performed a field soil chemistry manipulation in two mountainous temperate forest stands (Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica) historically affected by acid (S and N) deposition. In each stand, four treatments were established: control, acid addition (H2SO4 50 kg S center dot ha(- 1)center dot year(- 1)), N addition (NH4NO3 50 kg N center dot ha(- 1)center dot year(- 1)) and their combination. In fourth year of manipulation, we established litter decomposition experiment. Litter bags of contrasting quality and origin (green tea, rooibos tea, spruce needles and beech leaves), in total 1536 samples, were buried below the organic layer and left to decompose up to 24 months. Retrieved samples were analysed for mass loss, C/N, and concentration of CuO oxidation lignin. Data were complemented by monitoring soil water pH and soil CO2 efflux. Results Acid additions decreased soil water pH, soil respiration and suppressed decomposition of the high-quality litter (green tea) in both stands, whereas mass loss of remaining litter was reduced only in the spruce stand. Nitrogen treatments, when coupled with decreasing soil water pH, constrained needle decomposition in the naturally more acidic spruce stand. Conclusions Our study demonstrates a suppressing effect of soil acidity on decomposition processes and soil C dynamics. The effect of N addition, as a nutrient, was insignificant, likely because of previous ecosystem adaptation to historical N loadings.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0321652