Climate change decreases nitrogen pools and mineralization rates in northern hardwood forests

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Authors

Jorge Duran, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Jennifer L. Morse, Portland State University
Peter M. Groffman, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
John L. Campbell, USDA Forest Service
Lynn M. Christenson, Vassar College
Charles T. Driscoll, Syracuse University
Timothy J. Fahey, Cornell University
Melany C. Fisk, Miami University
Gene E. Likens, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Jerry M. Melillo, Marine Ecological Laboratory
Myron J. Mitchell, SUNY‐College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Pamela H. Templer, Boston University
Matthew A. Vadeboncoeur, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) supply often limits the productivity of temperate forests and is regulated by a complex mix of biological and climatic drivers. In excess, N is linked to a variety of soil, water, and air pollution issues. Here, we use results from an elevation gradient study and historical data from the long‐term Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (New Hampshire, USA) to examine relationships between changes in climate, especially during winter, and N supply to northern hardwood forest ecosystems. Low elevation plots with less snow, more soil freezing, and more freeze/thaw cycles supported lower rates of N mineralization than high elevation plots, despite having higher soil temperatures and no consistent differences in soil moisture during the growing season. These results are consistent with historical analyses showing decreases in rates of soil N mineralization and inorganic N concentrations since 1973 that are correlated with long‐term increases in mean annual temperature, decreases in annual snow accumulation, and a increases in the number of winter thawing degree days. This evidence suggests that changing climate may be driving decreases in the availability of a key nutrient in northern hardwood forests, which could decrease ecosystem production but have positive effects on environmental consequences of excess N.

Department

Earth Systems Research Center

Publication Date

3-22-2016

Journal Title

Ecosphere

Publisher

Ecological Society of America (ESA)

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1251

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

Durán J, Morse JL, Groffman PM, Campbell JL, Christenson LM, Driscoll CT, Fahey TJ, Fisk MC, Likens GE, Melillo JM, Mitchell MJ, Templer PH, Vadeboncoeur MA. 2016. Climate change decreases nitrogen supply in northern hardwood forests. Ecosphere, 7: e01251. doi:10.1002/ecs2.1251

Rights

© 2016 Durán et al.

Comments

This is an article published by Ecological Society of America (ESA) in Ecosphere in 2016, available online: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1251