Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and tropospheric O3 on nutrient dynamics: Decomposition of leaf litter in trembling aspen and paper birch communities

Liu, L; King, JS; Giardina, CP

HERO ID

93286

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2007

HERO ID 93286
In Press No
Year 2007
Title Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and tropospheric O3 on nutrient dynamics: Decomposition of leaf litter in trembling aspen and paper birch communities
Authors Liu, L; King, JS; Giardina, CP
Journal Plant and Soil
Volume 299
Issue 1-2
Page Numbers 65-82
Abstract Atmospheric changes could strongly influence how terrestrial ecosystems function by altering nutrient cycling. We examined how the dynamics of nutrient release from leaf litter responded to two important atmospheric changes: rising atmospheric CO2 and tropospheric O3. We evaluated the independent and combined effects of these gases on foliar litter nutrient dynamics in aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) and birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh)/aspen communities at the Aspen FACE Project in Rhinelander, WI. Naturally senesced leaf litter was incubated in litter bags in the field for 735 days. Decomposing litter was sampled six times during incubation and was analyzed for carbon, and both macro (N, P, K, S, Ca, and Mg) and micro (Mn, B, Zn and Cu) nutrient concentrations. Elevated CO2 significantly decreased the initial litter concentrations of N (−10.7%) and B (−14.4%), and increased the concentrations of K (+23.7%) and P (+19.7%), with no change in the other elements. Elevated O3 significantly decreased the initial litter concentrations of P (−11.2%), S (−8.1%), Ca (−12.1%), and Zn (−19.5%), with no change in the other elements. Pairing concentration data with litterfall data, we estimated that elevated CO2 significantly increased the fluxes to soil of all nutrients: N (+12.5%), P (+61.0%), K (+67.1%), S (+28.0%), and Mg (+40.7%), Ca (+44.0%), Cu (+38.9%), Mn (+62.8%), and Zn (+33.1%). Elevated O3 had the opposite effect: N (−22.4%), P (−25.4%), K (−27.2%), S (−23.6%), Ca (−27.6%), Mg (−21.7%), B (−16.2%), Cu (−20.8%), and Zn (−31.6%). The relative release rates of the nine elements during the incubation was: K ≥ P ≥ mass ≥ Mg ≥ B ≥ Ca ≥ S ≥ N ≥ Mn ≥ Cu ≥ Zn. Atmospheric changes had little effect on nutrient release rates, except for decreasing Ca and B release under elevated CO2 and decreasing N and Ca release under elevated O3. We conclude that elevated CO2 and elevated O3 will alter nutrient cycling more through effects on litter production, rather than litter nutrient concentrations or release rates.
Doi 10.1007/s11104-007-9361-y
Wosid WOS:000249920700006
Url http://www.springerlink.com/index/10.1007/s11104-007-9361-y
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments ECRIB. Numbers in title are subscript.Plant Soil 299: 65-82.
Is Public Yes
Keyword Aspen FACE; Atmospheric change; Litter bag; Macro and micro nutrient; Nutrient cycling
Is Qa No
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