Nitrogen addition promotes foliar litterfall and element return in a subtropical forest,southwestern China

Nitrogen deposition has a considerable impact on biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems.However,how litter production and element return respond to N addition remains poorly understood in nitrogen-rich subtropical regions.In this study,a 4-year nitrogen addition experiment explored its eff ects on foliar litter production and carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in a subtropical Michelia wilsonii forest.A clear seasonal pattern in foliar litterfall was observed,regardless of nitrogen treatments,with a peak in spring and a smaller one in autumn.Foliar litter increased with increasing nitrogen but did not aff ect litter carbon concentrations and often decreased nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations.The eff ect of nitrogen addition was dependent on time(month/year).Carbon,nitrogen and phosphorous return showed similar bimodal seasonal patterns.Nitrogen addition increased carbon and nitrogen return but did not aff ect phosphorous.Our results suggest that the addition of nitrogen stimulates carbon and nutrient return via litterfall.