Impact of snowpack decrease on net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in forest soil of northern Japan

Shibata, Hideaki; Hasegawa, Yuko; Watanabe, Tadayoshi; Fukuzawa, Karibu

doi:10.1007/s10533-013-9882-9

Cited by 52 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…During the growing season, snow depth treatments no longer had an impact, and other environmental influences on plot dynamics were basically held constant, so snow depth treatments were not significant during the growing season (Shibata et al. ). In conclusion, this study provides further evidence that snow depth may influence forest litter decomposition rates when snow is present.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecological stoichiometry and interrelationship between litter and soil under seasonal snowfall in Tianshan Mountain

2018

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Changes in snow cover caused by global climate change will profoundly affect the process of litter decomposition and soil nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. The presence of seasonal snow cover during the winter has a significant impact on forest ecosystems. The goals of this study were to explore how seasonal snow cover modulates litter decomposition dynamics and elemental cycling in forest ecosystems, and to characterize the ecological stoichiometry of nutrients in the leaf litter and soils over time. Seasonal snowfall leads to different snow depths on the ground, especially when comparing forest gaps to closed canopy. Snow cover in this study was categorized as absent, thin, intermediate, and thick according to depth (n = 4 treatments). Leaf litter and underlying soils were sampled in plots from each category of snow cover over the course of multiple seasons (i.e., the freeze–thaw period, deep‐freeze period, thaw period, pre‐growth season, and late growth season). The carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentration of leaf litter and soils were determined at each stage. The litter decomposition rate and nutrient concentration were largely dependent on the thickness of the snowpack formed by seasonal snowfall. Overall, variability in the ecological stoichiometry of elements in the leaf litter and soils was small. However, in the leaf litter, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations and their stoichiometric ratios differed across the snow cover gradient during the winter when snow was present, but not when snow was absent in the warmer months. Thicker snowpacks better maintained litter decomposition and kept nutrient levels stable. Furthermore, correlations between leaf litter and soil ecological stoichiometry were affected by seasonal snow cover, with element concentration also varying over time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecological stoichiometry and interrelationship between litter and soil under seasonal snowfall in Tianshan Mountain

2018

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“…The DOC and DON concentrations were profoundly high in the Chamaecyparis forest compared to those in the temperate deciduous forest (DOC: 150–225 mg C kg −1 ; DON: 35 mg C kg −1 ) in Hokkaido, Japan (Shibata et al 2013) and the temperate coniferous (DON: 7–10 mg C kg −1 ) and deciduous forest (DON: 6–7 mg-C kg −1 ) in Thuringia forest, Germany (Zhong and Makeschin 2003). The fluxes of DOC and DON in forest floor leachates have been shown to be positively related to the amount of annual precipitation (Michalzik et al 2001), suggesting that the high fluxes of dissolved organic matter in this Chamaecyparis forest soils might be associated with the high annual precipitation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Great fraction of dissolved organic C and N in the primary per-humid Chamaecyparis forest soil

2015

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BackgroundLabile organic matter plays a crucial role in a variety of forest functions, however, our understanding to its quality and quantity across various forests is limited, particularly primary forests. We investigated soil labile C and N (i.e. microbial biomass C and N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON), associated ammonium, and nitrate) at three topographic locations (i.e. summit, footslope and lakeshore) in a primary Chamaecyparis forest of Taiwan. The following hypotheses are tested in this study: (1) This undisturbed Chamaecyparis forest shows the great size of soil labile C and N; (2) there is an evident topographic effect on the distribution of soil labile C and N and the associated inorganic N over seasons.ResultsFulfilling with our first hypothesis, the considerable size of labile C and N in this forest soil was quantified. Abundant C availability and the acidity of soils in this forest favoured ammonium production over nitrate. The undisturbed environment with per-humid and acidic soil was linked to the high concentrations of soil DOC and DON as the dominant form in N dynamics. In contrast to our second hypothesis, topographic effects on soil labile C and N were generally not evident, suggesting the homogeneous soil environment across various topographic locations in this Chamaecyparis forest.ConclusionsThis study illustrates the sustainable importance of primary montane forests for being sources of DOC and DON.

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“…Soils devoid of a snowpack are more vulnerable to freezing and hence to physical and chemical changes, including the death of fine roots, cell lysis, and the alteration of soil microbial processes (Tierney et al 2001;Christopher et al 2008;Shibata et al 2013). Experimental snow removal in alpine Europe lowered soil temperatures and increased NO 3 -release (Freppaz et al 2008).…”

Section: N Leaching In Dormant Seasonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consequence of altered nitrogen cycles in the coupled human and ecological system under changing climate: The need for long-term and site-based research

Shibata

Branquinho

McDowell

et al. 2014

AMBIO

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Anthropogenically derived nitrogen (N) has a central role in global environmental changes, including climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, greenhouse gas emission, water pollution, as well as food production and human health. Current understanding of the biogeochemical processes that govern the N cycle in coupled human-ecological systems around the globe is drawn largely from the long-term ecological monitoring and experimental studies. Here, we review spatial and temporal patterns and trends in reactive N emissions, and the interactions between N and other important elements that dictate their delivery from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems, and the impacts of N on biodiversity and human society. Integrated international and long-term collaborative studies covering research gaps will reduce uncertainties and promote further understanding of the nitrogen cycle in various ecosystems.

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Impact of snowpack decrease on net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in forest soil of northern Japan

Cited by 52 publications

References 45 publications

The ecological stoichiometry and interrelationship between litter and soil under seasonal snowfall in Tianshan Mountain

The ecological stoichiometry and interrelationship between litter and soil under seasonal snowfall in Tianshan Mountain

Great fraction of dissolved organic C and N in the primary per-humid Chamaecyparis forest soil

Consequence of altered nitrogen cycles in the coupled human and ecological system under changing climate: The need for long-term and site-based research

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