Inverse analysis of coupled carbon-nitrogen cycles against multiple datasets at ambient and elevated CO_(2)

Aims Carbon(C)sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems is strongly regulated by nitrogen(N)processes.However,key parameters that determine the degree of N regulation on terrestrial C sequestration have not been well quantified.Methods Here,we used a Bayesian probabilistic inversion approach to estimate 14 target parameters related to ecosystem C and N interactions from 19 datasets obtained from Duke Forests under ambient and elevated carbon dioxide(CO_(2)).Important FindingsOur results indicated that 8 of the 14 target parameters,such as C:N ratios in most ecosystem compartments,plant N uptake and external N input,were well constrained by available datasets whereas the others,such as N allocation coefficients,N loss and the initial value of mineral N pool were poorly constrained.Our analysis showed that elevated CO_(2)led to the increases in C:N ratios in foliage,fine roots and litter.Moreover,elevated CO_(2)stimulated plant N uptake and increased ecosystem N capital in Duke Forests by 25.2 and 8.5%,respectively.In addition,elevated CO_(2)resulted in the decrease of C exit rates(i.e.increases in C residence times)in foliage,woody biomass,structural litter and passive soil organic matter,but the increase of C exit rate in fine roots.Our results demonstrated that CO_(2)enrichment substantially altered key parameters in determining terrestrial C and N interactions,which have profound implications for model improvement and predictions of future C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems in response to global change.