Net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in trembling aspen forest soils on the Boreal Plain

• Published in: Canadian journal of forest research Vol. 33; no. 11; pp. 2262 - 2268
• Main Authors: Carmosini, N, Devito, K.J, Prepas, E.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, Canada NRC Research Press 01.11.2003; National Research Council of Canada; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; ammonium nitrogen; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Aspen; Biological and medical sciences; Boreal forests; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Ecosystems; Fertilizers; Forest ecosystems; Forest floor; forest litter; Forest management; Forest soils; forest trees; Forestry; Forests; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General forest ecology; Generalities. Production, biomass. Quality of wood and forest products. General forest ecology; Growing season; Humid climates; Logging; mineral soils; Mineralization; Minerals; nitrate nitrogen; Nitrates; Nitrification; Nitrogen; Nutrient requirements; organic horizons; Organic matter; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Populus tremuloides; soil fertility; soil microorganisms; soil nutrient dynamics; soil nutrients; Soil science; Soil temperature; Soil types; soil water; Soils; Subhumid climates; summer; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; Winter; Alberta; Canada; North America; America; Alberta Canada; Canada, West; Terrestrial environment; Populus tremuloides; Forests; MIXED FORESTS; Boreal Plain; Ecology; Forest soil; Ecological zonation; Nitrogen; Inorganic element; Salicaceae; Biogeochemistry; Geographical division; Nitrogen cycle; Plain; Mineralization; Dicotyledones; Ecosystem; Angiospermae; Forestry; Nitrification; Hardwood forest tree; Spermatophyta
• ISSN: 0045-5067; 1208-6037
• DOI: 10.1139/x03-153

In situ net N mineralization and net nitrification rates were measured in organic forest floor (LFH) and mineral horizons of mature and logged trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) stands on the Boreal Plain in western Canada. Cumulative May to September mineralization for mature and logged plots was 1354 +/- 534 and 1631 +/- 1584 mg N.m(-2), respectively, in the LFH horizon and 810 +/- 394 and -305 +/- 3957 mg N.m(-2), respectively, in the mineral horizon. Net nitrification in mature and logged plots was 86 +/- 142 and 658 +/- 435 mg NO3-N.m(-2), respectively, in the LFH horizon and 67 +/- 50 and 409 +/- 325 mg NO3-N.m(-2), respectively, in the mineral horizon. Monthly mean NH4-N concentrations in the LFH tended to be higher in logged plots than in mature plots. Winter net N mineralization and nitrification rates in the LFH of mature plots were up to 7% and 11% of growing season net rates, respectively. In comparison, these rates in logged plots were up to 127% and 59% of the growing season net rates, respectively, indicating that winter activity may make a large contribution to annual net mineralization and nitrification after logging.