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| Michel, K; Matzner, E: Nitrogen content of forest floor Oa layers affects carbon pathways and nitrogen mineralization, Soil Biology Biochemistry, 34, 1807-1813 (2002) | |
Abstract:
As a consequence of chronically high N depositions in forest ecosystems, the C-to-N ratio of forest floors has narrowed in many forest ecosystems. This might affect the sequestration of soil C and the partitioning of C during decomposition. We investigated samples from Oa layers of 15 different forest floors under Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst. L.) with varying C-to-N ratios in respect to soil respiration, N mineralization and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release under standardized laboratory conditions. Samples were incubated aerobically at 15 °C and water holding capacity over a period of 10 months. Soil respiration decreased significantly with decreasing C-to-N and increasing N content. The release of DOC increased with increasing C-to-N ratio, while N-mineralization was not affected by C-to-N ratio and N content. Our results support the hypothesis that low C-to-N ratios in later stages of decomposition stabilize soil organic matter and that chronically high N deposition will lead to increased accumulation of C in forest floors.
Author Keywords: Decomposition; C-to-N ratio; Forest floor; Respiration; Dissolved organic carbon; Norway spruce; C-sequestration
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