Effects of nitrogen deposition on the carbon budget and water stress in Central Asia under climate change

Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen(N)plays a significant role in shaping the structure and functioning of various terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.However,the magnitude of N deposition on grassland ecosystems in Central Asia still remains highly uncertain.In this study,a multi-data approach was adopted to analyze the distribution and amplitude of N deposition effects in Central Asia from 1979 to 2014 using a process-based denitrification decomposition(DNDC)model.Results showed that total vegetation carbon(C)in Central Asia was 0.35(±0.09)Pg C/a and the averaged water stress index(WSI)was 0.20(±0.02)for the whole area.Increasing N deposition led to an increase in the vegetation C of 65.56(±83.03)Tg C and slightly decreased water stress in Central Asia.Findings of this study will expand both our understanding and predictive capacity of C characteristics under future increases in N deposition,and also serve as a valuable reference for decision-making regarding water resources management and climate change mitigation in arid and semi-arid areas globally.

Ecological effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on soil enzyme activity

The continuing increase in human activities is causing global changes such as increased deposition of atmospheric nitrogen. There is considerable interest in understanding the effects of increasing atmospheric nitrogen deposition on soil enzyme activities, specifically in terms of global nitrogen cycling and its potential future contribution to global climate change. This paper summarizes the ecological effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on soil enzyme activities, including size-effects, stage-effects, site-effects, and the effects of different levels and forms of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. We discuss needs for further research on the relationship between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and soil enzymes.

Influence of climate warming and nitrogen deposition on soil phosphorus composition and phosphorus availability in a temperate grassland,China

Climate warming and nitrogen （N） deposition change ecosystem processes, structure, and functioning whereas the phosphorus （P） composition and availability directly influence the ecosystem structure under condi- tions of N deposition. In our study, four treatments were designed, including a control, diurnal warming （DW）, N deposition （ND）, and combined warming and N deposition （WN）. The effects of DW, ND, and WN on P composition were studied by 3~p nuclear magnetic resonance （3~p NMR） spectroscopy in a temperate grassland region of China. The results showed that the N deposition decreased the soil pH and total N （TN） concentration but increased the soil OIsen-P concentration. The solution-state 31p NMR analysis showed that the DW, ND and WN treatments slightly decreased the proportion of orthophosphate and increased that of the monoesters. An absence of myo-inositol phosphate in the DW, ND and WN treatments was observed compared with the control. Furthermore, the DW, ND and WN treatments significantly decreased the recovery of soil P in the NaOH-EDTA solution by 17%-20%. The principal component analysis found that the soil pH was positively correlated with the P recovery in the NaOH-EDTA solution. Therefore, the decreased soil P recovery in the DW and ND treatments might be caused by an indirect influence on the soil pH. Additionally, the soil moisture content was the key factor limiting the available P. The positive correlation of total carbon （TC） and TN with the soil P composition indicated the influence of climate warming and N deposition on the biological processes in the soil P cycling.

Short-term Effects of Nitrogen Deposition on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties of Tibetan Forest-Grassland Landscape Boundary

[Objective] The paper was to study the effects of nitrogen deposition on soil nutrients and soil dissolved organic carbon in forest-grassland landscape in Linzhi, Tibet, and to provide scientific basis and basic data for understanding and assessing the effect of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on soil nutrients and soil dissolved organic carbon. [Method] From July 2014 to August 2015, in situ nitrogen deposition （CK0 kg· hm^2/a, LN25 kg·hm^2/a, MN 50 kg·hm^2/a, HN 150 kg· hm^2/a） was simulated in the forestgrassland boundary of Zhuqudeng village, Bujiu Township, LinzhiCounty, Tibet. The soil samples were collected for analyzing nutrient and dissolved contents in the soil layer of 0-20 and 20-40 cm. The effects ofdifferent nitrogen deposition levels on soil nutrients and dissolved organic carbon （DOC） were studied. [Result] Nitrogen deposition had significantimpacts on soil organic matter, total N, total P, total K, available N, available P, available K, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg, pH, and DOC（P〈0.05）. （2） With the deepening of nitrogen deposition from CK, LN, MN to HN in the 0-20 cm boundary soil, the contents of organic matter, total N,total P, available P, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg and DOC kept decreasing, and the content of total K and available N increased continuously. The pH increased in LN treatment and decreased in HN treatment, while the available K content was decreased in LN and HN treatment, butincreased in MN treatment. （3） The contents of organic matter, total N, total P, available N, available P, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg andDOC all decreased at the soil layer of 20-40 cm under the same nitrogen deposition. The pH increased in LN treatment, but decreased in HN treatment; the content of total K decreased in LN treatment and increased in MN and HN treatments; the content of available K decreased in LN andHN treatments, but increased in MN treatment. （4） With the deepening of boundary soil layer （0-20 to 20-40 cm）, the organic matter, total N, totalP, available P, available K, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg, DOC showed the same response to simulated nitrogen deposition, while the available N and total K responded differently. [Conclusion] Different levels of N deposition had certain impact on soil nutrient, and the variation of soilnutrients was not the same at different levels.

Topography modulates effects of nitrogen deposition on microbial resource limitation in a nitrogen-saturated subtropical forest

Background:Nitrogen(N)saturation theory proposes that an ecosystem might switch from N limitation to carbon(C),phosphorus(P),or other nutrient limitations if it receives continuous N input.Yet,after N limitation is removed,which nutrient is the most limited and whether topography modulates such change is rarely tested at a microbial level.Here,we conducted a two-year N addition experiment under two different topography positions(i.e.a slope and a valley)in a N-saturated subtropical forest.Soil enzyme activity was measured,and ecoenzymatic stoichiometry indexes were calculated as indicators of microbial resource limitation.Results:In the valley,two-year N addition changed the activity of all studied enzymes to various degrees.As a result,microbial C limitation was aggravated in the valley,and consequently microbial decomposition of soil labile organic C increased,but microbial P limitation was alleviated due to the stoichiometry balance.On the slope,however,N addition did not significantly change the activity of the studied enzymes,and did not alter the status of microbial resource limitation.Conclusions:These results indicate that C is a more limited element for microbial growth than P after removing N limitation,but we also highlight that topography can regulate the effect of N deposition on soil microbial resource limitation in subtropical forests.These findings provide useful supplements to the N saturation theory.

Nitrogen Deposition Via N^+ Implantation:Implications for Primordial Amino Acids Synthesis Revisited

In this paper amino acids synthesis in aqueous solution induced by ion implantation, which was possibly ubiquitous on primitive Earth, is investigated. As a discharge using a graphite rod as the anode under a nitrogen atmosphere was performed against ammonia water, it was found that three kinds of amino acids were produced. They were glycine, serine and alanine. By introducing ion implantation into the carboxylate solution, ammonia and amino acids were also formed via nitrogen deposition/fixation. Another isotopic experiment showed that both OH and H radicals played a crucial role in the arc-discharge-promoted reactions in aqueous solution Therefore, we believe that the impact of ions in the original atmospheric conditions might have functioned as a promoter in the chemical origin and evolution of life.

Short-term Effects of Nitrogen Deposition on Soil Enzyme Activities in Tibet Grasslands

[Objective] The paper was to study the effects of nitrogen deposition on enzyme activity in different layers of soil. [Method] With grass-land located in Zhuqudeng Village, Bujiu Township, Linzhi City, the Tibet Autonomous Region, as the object, nitrogen deposition was simulated from July 2014 to August 2015. Four N addition treatments were established： control （0 kg·hm^2/a）, low N （LN, 25kg·hm^2/a）, medium N （MN, 50 kg·hm^2/a） and High N （HN, 150 kg·hm^2/a）, aiming at measuring enzyme activity （invertase, catalase, urease, amylase, cellulase, polyphenol oxidase and β-glucosi- dase） in different layers of grassland soil （0 -20 cm and 20-40 cm）. [Result] （1） Different levels of simulated nitrogen deposition had significant impact on invertase and β-glucosidase at the soil depth of 0-20 cm （P〈0.05）, but no significant impact on catalase, urease, amylase, cellulase and polyphenol oxidase（P〉0.05）; invertase, polyphenol oxidase and β-glucosidase had significant response to nitrogen deposition at the soil depth of 20- 40 cm （P〈0.05）, while catalase, urease, amylase and cellulose had no significant response （P〉0.05）. （2） The activities of invertase and polyphenol oxidase were enhanced at the soil depth of 0-20 cm, and that of β-glucosidase was inhibited. （3） With the deepening of nitrogen deposition, the ac- tivities of invertase and cellulose were enhanced at the soil depth of 20-40 cm; the activity of polyphenol oxidase was reduced in LN treatment, but increased in HN treatment; the activity of β-glucosidase was increased in LN treatment, but decreased in MN treatment. （4） With the deepening of soil layers, invertase and polyphenol oxidase responded similarly to simulated nitrogen deposition. [Conclusion] The results provide certain scientific basis and fundamental data for better understanding and evaluating the effects of nitrogen deposition on enzyme activity in grassland soil.

Nitrogen deposition mediates more stochastic processes in structuring plant community than soil microbial community in the Eurasian steppe

Anthropogenic environmental changes may affect community assembly through mediating both deterministic(e.g.,competitive exclusion and environmental filtering)and stochastic processes(e.g.,birth/death and dispersal/colonization).It is traditionally thought that environmental changes have a larger mediation effect on stochastic processes in structuring soil microbial community than aboveground plant community;however,this hypothesis remains largely untested.Here we report an unexpected pattern that nitrogen(N)deposition has a larger mediation effect on stochastic processes in structuring plant community than soil microbial community(those<2 mm in diameter,including archaea,bacteria,fungi,and protists)in the Eurasian steppe.We performed a ten-year nitrogen deposition experiment in a semiarid grassland ecosystem in Inner Mongolia,manipulating nine rates(0–50 g N m^(-2)per year)at two frequencies(nitrogen added twice or 12 times per year)under two grassland management strategies(fencing or mowing).We separated the compositional variation of plant and soil microbial communities caused by each treatment into the deterministic and stochastic components with a recently-developed method.As nitrogen addition rate increased,the relative importance of stochastic component of plant community first increased and then decreased,while that of soil microbial community first decreased and then increased.On the whole,the relative importance of stochastic component was significantly larger in plant community(0.552±0.035;mean±standard error)than in microbial community(0.427±0.035).Consistently,the proportion of compositional variation explained by the deterministic soil and community indices was smaller for plant community(0.172–0.186)than microbial community(0.240–0.767).Meanwhile,as nitrogen addition rate increased,the linkage between plant and microbial community composition first became weaker and then became stronger.The larger stochasticity in plant community relative to microbial community assembly suggested that more stochastic strategies(e.g.,seeds addition)should be adopted to maintain above-than below-ground biodiversity under the pressure of nitrogen deposition.

Responses of plant diversity and soil microorganism diversity to nitrogen addition in the desert steppe,China

Nitrogen(N)deposition is a significant aspect of global change and poses a threat to terrestrial biodiversity.The impact of plant-soil microbe relationships to N deposition has recently attracted considerable attention.Soil microorganisms have been proven to provide nutrients for specific plant growth,especially in nutrient-poor desert steppe ecosystems.However,the effects of N deposition on plant-soil microbial community interactions in such ecosystems remain poorly understood.To investigate these effects,we conducted a 6-year N-addition field experiment in a Stipa breviflora Griseb.desert steppe in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China.Four N treatment levels(N0,N30,N50,and N100,corresponding to 0,30,50,and 100 kg N/(hm2•a),respectively)were applied to simulate atmospheric N deposition.The results showed that N deposition did not significantly affect the aboveground biomass of desert steppe plants.N deposition did not significantly reduce the alfa-diversity of plant and microbial communities in the desert steppe,and low and mediate N additions(N30 and N50)had a promoting effect on them.The variation pattern of plant Shannon index was consistent with that of the soil bacterial Chao1 index.N deposition significantly affected the beta-diversity of plants and soil bacteria,but did not significantly affect fungal communities.In conclusion,N deposition led to co-evolution between desert steppe plants and soil bacterial communities,while fungal communities exhibited strong stability and did not undergo significant changes.These findings help clarify atmospheric N deposition effects on the ecological health and function of the desert steppe.

Elevated nitrogen deposition may advance invasive weed, Solidago canadensis, in calcareous soils

Aims change in nitrogen(N)availability regulates phosphorus(P)acquisition and potentially alters the competition among native species and invasive weeds.this study determines how current and pro-jected N deposition affect the growth,the intraspecific and interspe-cific competitive ability of native and invasive plants in calcareous soils with low P availability.Methods A controlled greenhouse experiment was conducted using spar-ingly soluble hydroxyapatite(HAP)to simulate the calcareous soils with low P availability.the growth and competitive intensity be-tween an invasive weed(Solidago canadensis)and a native weed(Pterocypsela laciniata)exposed to two levels of N addition repre-sentative of current and future N deposition in china were experi-mentally determined.Important Findings P acquisition and the growth of both S.canadensis and P.laciniata growing alone significantly increased with increasing N level.However,the effect of N addition was reduced when intraspecific or interspecific competition existed.N addition altered the com-petitive relationship between S.canadensis and P.laciniata allowing S.canadensis to out-compete P.laciniata due to variation in P ac-quisition from HAP.Elevated N deposition might assist the invasion of S.canadensis in the widely distributed calcareous soils under environmental changes.

ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NITROGEN DEPOSITION ON URBAN FORESTS: AN OVERVIEW

The global urban area is expanding continuously,resulting in unprecedented emissions and deposition of reactive nitrogen(N)in urban environments.However,large knowledge gaps remain in the ecological effects of N deposition on urban forests that provide key ecosystem services for an increasing majority of city dwellers.The current understanding of the spatial patterns and ecological effects of N deposition in urban forests was synthesized based on a literature review of observational and experimental studies.Nitrogen deposition generally increases closer to cities,resulting in an urban hotspot phenomenon.Chemical components of N deposition also shift across urban-suburban-rural gradients,showing higher ratios of ammonium to nitrate in and around urban areas.The ecological effects of N deposition on urban forest ecosystems are overviewed with a special focus on ecosystem N cycling,soil acidification,nutrient imbalances,soil greenhouse gas emissions,tree growth and forest productivity,and plant and soil microbial diversity.The distinct effects of unprecedented N deposition on urban forests are discussed in comparison with the common effects in natural forests.Despite the existing research efforts,several key research needs are highlighted to fill the knowledge gaps in the ecological effects of N deposition on urban forests.

Increased microbial sequestration of soil organic carbon under nitrogen deposition over China’s terrestrial ecosystems

Background:China’s terrestrial ecosystems have been receiving increasing amounts of reactive nitrogen(N)over recent decades.External N inputs profoundly change microbially mediated soil carbon(C)dynamics,but how elevated N affects the soil organic C that is derived from microbial residues is not fully understood.Here,we evaluated the changes in soil microbial necromass C under N addition at 11 forest,grassland,and cropland sites over China’s terrestrial ecosystems through a meta-analysis based on available data from published articles.Results:Microbial necromass C accounted for an average of 49.5%of the total soil organic C across the studied sites,with higher values observed in croplands(53.0%)and lower values in forests(38.6%).Microbial necromass C was significantly increased by 9.5%after N addition,regardless of N forms,with greater stimulation observed for fungal(+11.2%)than bacterial(+4.5%)necromass C.This increase in microbial necromass C under elevated N was greater under longer experimental periods but showed little variation among different N application rates.The stimulation of soil microbial necromass C under elevated N was proportional to the change in soil organic C.Conclusions:The stimulation of microbial residues after biomass turnover is an important pathway for the observed increase in soil organic C under N deposition across China’s terrestrial ecosystems.

Relationship between dietary amino acid release kinetics and nitrogen deposition in growing pigs

Although the protein content of swine diets is formulated based on the ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids(AA)under current nutrition requirements,the nitrogen utilization efficiency of swine varies based on protein source,which may be related to AA release kinetics.In this experiment,a 2×2 factorial arrangement with casein(CAS)-enriched or corn gluten meal(CGM)-enriched protein sources at different digestible crude protein levels(normal[N],13%;and low[L],11%)were applied to 24 crossbred(DurocLandraceYorkshire)growing pigs(average body weight=43.3±3.5 kg)in 4 treatments(N.CAS,L.CAS,N.CGM,L.CGM,respectively)to investigate the effects of AA release kinetics on nitrogen deposition in growing pigs.Standardized ileal digestible AA in all diets were balanced by adding individual AA to meet the nutrient requirements.The AA release kinetics were detected in vitro by measuring the hydrolysis of various protein diets under pepsin and trypsin conditions.The results demonstrated that the time of AA release peak in the CGM diet was 12 h later than that in the CAS diet.The synchronization indices of dietary AA release in N.CAS,N.CGM,L.CAS,and L.CGM were 23.73%,29.37%,23.40%,and 26.07%,respectively.The N.CGM had the poorest AA release synchronism while the N.CAS had the greatest among the 4 diets.However,within the pigs,L.CAS and N.CGM showed the highest(81.08%)and lowest(73.54%)nitrogen biological values,respectively,despite the standard ileal digestible AA levels being equal for all diets.These results indicate that the release kinetics of dietary AA had great effect on nitrogen deposition.To optimize nitrogen deposition,AA release kinetics and composition should be taken into consideration when formulating diets for growing pigs.

Response of soil respiration to short-term changes in precipitation and nitrogen addition in a desert steppe

Changes in precipitation and nitrogen(N)addition may significantly affect the processes of soil carbon(C)cycle in terrestrial ecosystems,such as soil respiration.However,relatively few studies have investigated the effects of changes in precipitation and N addition on soil respiration in the upper soil layer in desert steppes.In this study,we conducted a control experiment that involved a field simulation from July 2020 to December 2021 in a desert steppe in Yanchi County,China.Specifically,we measured soil parameters including soil temperature,soil moisture,total nitrogen(TN),soil organic carbon(SOC),soil microbial biomass carbon(SMBC),soil microbial biomass nitrogen(SMBN),and contents of soil microorganisms including bacteria,fungi,actinomyces,and protozoa,and determined the components of soil respiration including soil respiration with litter(RS+L),soil respiration without litter(RS),and litter respiration(RL)under short-term changes in precipitation(control,increased precipitation by 30%,and decreased precipitation by 30%)and N addition(0.0 and 10.0 g/(m^(2)·a))treatments.Our results indicated that short-term changes in precipitation and N addition had substantial positive effects on the contents of TN,SOC,and SMBC,as well as the contents of soil actinomyces and protozoa.In addition,N addition significantly enhanced the rates of RS+L and RS by 4.8%and 8.0%(P<0.05),respectively.The increase in precipitation markedly increased the rates of RS+L and RS by 2.3%(P<0.05)and 5.7%(P<0.001),respectively.The decrease in precipitation significantly increased the rates of RS+L and RS by 12.9%(P<0.05)and 23.4%(P<0.001),respectively.In contrast,short-term changes in precipitation and N addition had no significant effects on RL rate(P>0.05).The mean RL/RS+L value observed under all treatments was 27.63%,which suggested that RL is an important component of soil respiration in the desert steppe ecosystems.The results also showed that short-term changes in precipitation and N addition had significant interactive effects on the rates of RS+L,RS,and RL(P<0.001).In addition,soil temperature was the most important abiotic factor that affected the rates of RS+L,RS,and RL.Results of the correlation analysis demonstrated that the rates of RS+L,RS,and RL were closely related to soil temperature,soil moisture,TN,SOC,and the contents of soil microorganisms,and the structural equation model revealed that SOC and SMBC are the key factors influencing the rates of RS+L,RS,and RL.This study provides further insights into the characteristics of soil C emissions in desert steppe ecosystems in the context of climate change,which can be used as a reference for future related studies.

Atmospheric deposition of inorganic nitrogen in a semi-arid grassland of Inner Mongolia, China

Due to increasing global demand for crop production and energy use, more and more reactive nitrogen（Nr） has been generated and emitted to the environment. As a result, global atmospheric nitrogen（N） deposition has tripled since the industrial revolution and the ecological environment and human health have been harmed. In this study, we measured dry and wet/bulk N deposition from July 2013 to December 2015 in a semi-arid grassland of Duolun County, Inner Mongolia, China. The samples of dry and wet/bulk N deposition were collected monthly with a DELTA（DEnuder for Long Term Atmospheric sampling） system and with Gradko passive samplers and a precipitation gauge. The measured results show that the annual mean concentrations of NH_3, NO_2, HNO_3, particulate NH_4~＋（pNH_4~＋） and particulate NO_3^-（pNO_3^-） in atmosphere were 2.33, 1.90, 0.18, 1.42 and 0.42 μg N/m3, respectively, and that the annual mean volume-weighted concentrations of NH_4~＋-N and NO_3^--N in precipitation were 2.71 and 1.99 mg N/L, respectively. The concentrations of Nr components（including NH_3, NO_2, HNO_3, p NH_4~＋, pNO_3^-, NH_4~＋-N and NO_3^--N） exhibited different seasonal variations. Specifically, NO_2 and HNO_3 exhibited higher concentrations in autumn than in summer, while the other Nr components（NH_3, pNH_4~＋, pNO_3^-, NH_4~＋-N and NO_3^--N） showed the highest values in summer. Based on measured concentrations of Nr components and their deposition velocities estimated using the GEOS-Chem global atmospheric chemical transport model, the calculated annual mean dry deposition fluxes were 3.17, 1.13, 0.63, 0.91 and 0.36 kg N/（hm^2·a） for NH_3, NO_2, HNO_3, p NH_4~＋ and pNO_3^-, respectively, and the calculated annual mean wet/bulk deposition fluxes were 5.37 and 3.15 kg N/（hm^2·a） for NH_4~＋-N and NO_3^--N, respectively. The estimated annual N deposition（including dry N deposition and wet/bulk N deposition） reached 14.7 kg N/（hm^2·a） in grassland of Duolun County, approaching to the upper limit of the N critical load（10–15 kg N/（hm^2·a））. Dry and wet/bulk deposition fluxes of all Nr components（with an exception of HNO_3） showed similar seasonal variations with the maximum deposition flux in summer and the minimum in winter. Reduced Nr components（e.g., gaseous NH_3 and p NH_4~＋ in atmosphere and NH_4~＋-N in precipitation） dominated the total N deposition at the sampling site（accounted for 64% of the total N deposition）, suggesting that the deposited atmospheric Nr mainly originated from agricultural activities. Considering the projected future increases in crop and livestock production in Inner Mongolia, the ecological and human risks to the negative effects of increased N deposition could be increased if no mitigation measures are taken.

Different responses of soil respiration and its components to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a subtropical secondary forest

Background:Nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)deposition have largely affected soil respiration(Rs)in forest ecosystems.However,few studies have explored how N and P individually or in combination to influence Rs and its components(autotrophic respiration,Ra;heterotrophic respiration,Rh),especially in highly P-limited subtropical forests.To address this question,we conducted a field manipulation experiment with N and/or P addition in a 50-year-old subtropical secondary forest.Results:We found that N addition on average reduced Rs,Ra,and Rh by 15.2%,15%,and 11.7%,respectively during 2-year field study.P addition had an inconsistent effect on Ra,with Ra increasing by 50.5%in the first year but reducing by 26.6%in the second year.Moreover,P addition on average decreased Rh by 8.9%–30.9%and Rs by 6.7%–15.6%across 2 years.In contrast,N and P co-addition on average increased Rs,Ra,and Rh by 1.9%,7.9%,and 2.1%during the experimental period.Though Rs and Rh were significantly correlated with soil temperature,their temperature sensitivities were not significantly changed by fertilization.Ra was predominantly regulated by soil nitrogen availability(NH4+and NO3−),soil dissolved organic carbon(DOC),and enzyme activities,while the variation in Rh was mainly attributable to changes in soil microbial community composition and soilβ-D-Cellubiosidase(CB)andβ-Xylosidase(XYL)activities.Conclusion:Our findings highlight the contrasting responses of Rs and its components to N or P addition against N and P co-addition,which should be differentially considered in biogeochemical models in order to improve prediction of forest carbon dynamics in the context of N and P enrichment in terrestrial ecosystems.

Effect of six years of nitrogen additions on soil chemistry in a subtropical Pleioblastus amarus forest, Southwest China

Soil chemistry influences plant health and carbon storage in forest ecosystems. Increasing nitrogen(N) deposition has potential effect on soil chemistry. We studied N deposition effects on soil chemistry in subtropical Pleioblastus amarus bamboo forest ecosystems. An experiment with four N treatment levels(0, 50, 150,and300 kg N ha-1a-1,applied monthly, expressed as CK,LN,MN, HN,respectively) in three replicates. After6 years of N additions, soil base cations, acid-forming cations, exchangeable acidity(EA), organic carbon fractions and nitrogen components were measured in all four seasons. The mean soil pH values in CK,LN,MN and HN were 4.71, 4.62, 4.71, and 4.40, respectively, with a significant difference between CK and HN. Nitrogen additions significantly increased soil exchangeable Al3+,EA, and Al/Ca,and exchangeable Al3+ in HN increased by 70%compared to CK. Soil base cations(Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+) did not respond to N additions. Nitrogen treatments significantly increased soil NO3--N but had little effect on soil total nitrogen, particulate organic nitrogen, or NH4~+-N. Nitrogen additions did not affect soil total organic carbon, extractable dissolved organic carbon,incorporated organic carbon, or particulate organic carbon.This study suggests that increasing N deposition could increase soil NO3--N, reduce soil pH, and increase mobilization of Al3+. These changes induced by N deposition can impede root grow and function, further may influence soil carbon storage and nutrient cycles in the future.

Ecological stoichiometry and biomass response of Agropyron michnoi Roshev.under simulated N deposition in a sandy grassland,China

Sandy grassland in northern China is a fragile ecosystem with poor soil fertility.Exploring how plant species regulate growth and nutrient absorption under the background of nitrogen(N)deposition is crucial for the management of the sandy grassland ecosystem.We carried out a field experiment with six N levels in the Hulunbuir Sandy Land of China from 2014 to 2016 and explored the Agropyron michnoi Roshev.responses of both aboveground and belowground biomasses and carbon(C),N and phosphorus(P)concentrations in the plant tissues and soil.With increasing N addition,both aboveground and belowground biomasses and C,N and P concentrations in the plant tissues increased and exhibited a single-peak curve.C:N and C:P ratios of the plant tissues first decreased but then increased,while the trend for N:P ratio was opposite.The peak values of aboveground biomass,belowground biomass and C concentration in the plant tissues occurred at the level of 20 g N/(m2•a),while those of N and P concentrations in the plant tissues occurred at the level of 15 g N/(m2•a).The maximum growth percentages of aboveground and belowground biomasses were 324.2%and 75.9%,respectively,and the root to shoot ratio(RSR)decreased with the addition of N.N and P concentrations in the plant tissues were ranked in the order of leaves>roots>stems,while C concentration was ranked as roots>leaves>stems.The increase in N concentration in the plant tissues was the largest(from 34%to 162%),followed by the increase in P(from 10%to 33%)and C(from 8%to 24%)concentrations.The aboveground biomass was positively and linearly correlated with leaf C,N and P,and soil C and N concentrations,while the belowground biomass was positively and linearly correlated with leaf N and soil C concentrations.These results showed that the accumulation of N and P in the leaves caused the increase in the aboveground biomass,while the accumulation of leaf N resulted in the increase in the belowground biomass.N deposition can alter the allocation of C,N and P stoichiometry in the plant tissues and has a high potential for increasing plant biomass,which is conducive to the restoration of sandy grassland.

Effects of water and nitrogen on growth and relative competitive ability of introduced versus native C_(4)grass species in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China

Switchgrass is an introduced C_(4)grass in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China,but there is a lack of information to assess its ecological invasive risk.In this study,Old World bluestems(native C_(4)grass)and switchgrass were sowed at five mixture ratios(8:0,6:2,4:4,2:6 and 0:8)under two soil water levels(80%field capacity(FC)and 40%FC)and two nitrogen(N)treatments(0 and 100 mg N/kg dry soil,termed N0-unfertilized and N1-fertilized treatments,respectively)in a pot experiment in 2012.Biomass,root morphological traits and relative competitive abilities of these two species were analyzed.Results showed that biomass of both species was significantly greater under 80%FC or N fertilization,and switchgrass had a relatively larger root:shoot ratio(RSR).Total root length(TRL)and root surface area(RSA)of switchgrass were significantly higher under 80%FC irrespective of N treatment,while those of Old World bluestems were only significantly higher under N fertilization.N had no significant effect on TRL and RSA of switchgrass,while RSA of Old World bluestems significantly increased under 80%FC and N fertilization.Under 40%FC and N0-unfertilized treatment,the aggressivity of Old World bluestems was larger than zero at 2:6 and 4:4 mixture ratios of two species,whereas it was close to zero at 6:2 mixture ratio.Root competitive ability of switchgrass significantly increased under 80%FC or N fertilization.The aggressivity of Old World bluestems was negative at 6:2 mixture ratio under 80%FC and N fertilization,while it was positive at 2:6 mixture ratio.Switchgrass may become more aggressive when N deposition or rainfall increases,while a proper mixture ratio with appropriate water and N management could help with grassland management in the semi-arid Loess Plateau.

Responses of soil CH_(4) fluxes to nitrogen addition in two tropical montane rainforests in southern China

Background:Atmospheric nitrogen(N)deposition is projected to increase in the next few decades,which may have a marked impact on soil-atmosphere CH_(4) fluxes.However,the impacts of increased atmospheric N depositions on soil CH_(4) flux in tropical rainforests are still poorly understood.From January 2015 to December 2018,a field experiment was conducted in a primary tropical montane rainforest(PTMR)and a secondary tropical montane rainforest(STMR)in southern China to quantify the impact of N additions at four levels(N0:0 kg N⋅ha^(-1)⋅year^(-1);N25:25 kg N⋅ha^(-1)⋅year^(-1);N50:50 kg N⋅ha^(-1)⋅year^(-1);N100:100 kg N⋅ha^(-1)⋅year^(-1)on soil CH_(4) flux.Results:Four years of measurements showed clear seasonal variations in CH_(4) flux in all treatment plots for both forest types(PTMR and STMR),with lower rates of soil CH_(4) uptake during the wet season and higher rates of soil CH_(4) uptake during the dry season.Soil CH_(4) uptake rates were significantly and negatively correlated with both soil temperature and soil moisture for both forest types.Annual CH_(4) uptake for the N0 plots from the PTMR and STMR soils were2.20 and1.98 kg N⋅ha^(-1)⋅year^(-1),respectively.At the PTMR site,mean CH_(4) uptake compared with the N0 treatment was reduced by 19%,29%,and 36%for the N25,N50,and N100 treatments,respectively.At the STMR site,mean CH_(4) uptake compared with the N0 treatment was reduced by 15%,18%,and 38%for the N25,N50,and N100 treatments,respectively.High level N addition had a stronger inhibitory impact on soil CH_(4) uptake than did the low level N addition.Conclusion:Our data suggest that soil CH_(4) uptake in tropical rainforests is sensitive to N deposition.If atmospheric N deposition continues to increase in the future,the soil CH_(4) sink strength of tropical rainforests may weaken further.