scholarly journals Nitrogen leaching from natural ecosystems under global change: a modelling study

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten C. Braakhekke ◽  
Karin T. Rebel ◽  
Stefan C. Dekker ◽  
Benjamin Smith ◽  
Arthur H. W. Beusen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
N Deposition ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Saturation ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Deposition Rates ◽  
Vegetation Productivity ◽  
Growing Season Length ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem Model ◽  
N Status

Abstract. In order to study global nitrogen (N) leaching from natural ecosystems under changing N deposition, climate, and atmospheric CO2, we performed a factorial model experiment for the period 1901–2006 with the N-enabled global terrestrial ecosystem model LPJ-GUESS. In eight global simulations we used either the true transient time series of N deposition, climate, and atmospheric CO2 as input, or kept combinations of these drivers constant at initial values. The results show that N deposition is globally the strongest driver of simulated N leaching, individually causing an increase of 88 % by 1997–2006, relative to pre-industrial conditions. Climate change led globally to a 31 % increase in N leaching, but the size and direction of change varied among global regions: leaching generally increased in regions with high soil organic carbon storage or high initial N status, and decreased in regions with a positive trend in vegetation productivity or decreasing precipitation. Rising atmospheric CO2 generally caused decreased N leaching (33 % globally), with strongest effects in regions with high productivity and N availability. All drivers combined resulted in a rise of N leaching by 73 % with strongest increases in Europe, eastern North America and South-East Asia, where N deposition rates are highest. Decreases in N leaching were predicted for the Amazon and Northern India. We further found that N loss by fire regionally is a large term in the N budget, associated lower N leaching, particularly in semi-arid biomes. Predicted global N leaching from natural lands rose from 13.6 Tg N yr−1 in 1901–1911 to 18.5 Tg N yr−1 in 1997–2006, accounting for land-use changes. Ecosystem N status (quantified as the reduction of vegetation productivity due to N limitation) shows a similar positive temporal trend but large spatial variability. Interestingly this variability is more strongly related to vegetation type than N input. Similarly, the relationship between N status and (relative) N leaching is highly variable due to confounding factors such as soil water fluxes, fire occurrence, and growing season length. Nevertheless, our results suggest that regions with very high N deposition rates are approaching a state of N saturation.

scholarly journals Nitrogen leaching from natural ecosystems under global change: a modelling study

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1121-1139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten C. Braakhekke ◽  
Karin T. Rebel ◽  
Stefan C. Dekker ◽  
Benjamin Smith ◽  
Arthur H. W. Beusen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
N Deposition ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Saturation ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Deposition Rates ◽  
Vegetation Productivity ◽  
Growing Season Length ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem Model ◽  
N Status

Abstract. To study global nitrogen (N) leaching from natural ecosystems under changing N deposition, climate, and atmospheric CO2, we performed a factorial model experiment for the period 1901–2006 with the N-enabled global terrestrial ecosystem model LPJ-GUESS (Lund–Potsdam–Jena General Ecosystem Simulator). In eight global simulations, we used either the true transient time series of N deposition, climate, and atmospheric CO2 as input or kept combinations of these drivers constant at initial values. The results show that N deposition is globally the strongest driver of simulated N leaching, individually causing an increase of 88 % by 1997–2006 relative to pre-industrial conditions. Climate change led globally to a 31 % increase in N leaching, but the size and direction of change varied among global regions: leaching generally increased in regions with high soil organic carbon storage and high initial N status, and decreased in regions with a positive trend in vegetation productivity or decreasing precipitation. Rising atmospheric CO2 generally caused decreased N leaching (33 % globally), with strongest effects in regions with high productivity and N availability. All drivers combined resulted in a rise of N leaching by 73 % with strongest increases in Europe, eastern North America and South-East Asia, where N deposition rates are highest. Decreases in N leaching were predicted for the Amazon and northern India. We further found that N loss by fire regionally is a large term in the N budget, associated with lower N leaching, particularly in semi-arid biomes. Predicted global N leaching from natural lands rose from 13.6 Tg N yr−1 in 1901–1911 to 18.5 Tg N yr−1 in 1997–2006, accounting for reductions of natural land cover. Ecosystem N status (quantified as the reduction of vegetation productivity due to N limitation) shows a similar positive temporal trend but large spatial variability. Interestingly, this variability is more strongly related to vegetation type than N input. Similarly, the relationship between N status and (relative) N leaching is highly variable due to confounding factors such as soil water fluxes, fire occurrence, and growing season length. Nevertheless, our results suggest that regions with very high N deposition rates are approaching a state of N saturation.

scholarly journals Soil Nitrogen and Sulfur Leaching in a Subtropical Forest at a Transition State under Decreasing Atmospheric Deposition

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1798
Author(s):  
Piaopiao Ke ◽  
Gaoyue Si ◽  
Yao Luo ◽  
Zhenglin Cheng ◽  
Qian Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transition State ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Subtropical Forest ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Saturation ◽  
Subtropical Forests ◽  
Net Flux ◽  
Throughfall Deposition

Anthropogenic emissions of nitrogen- (N) and sulfur (S)-containing pollutants have declined across China in recent years. However, the responses of N and S depositions and dynamics in soil remain unclear in subtropical forests. In this study, the wet and throughfall depositions of dissolved inorganic N (DIN) and SO42− were continuously monitored in a mildly polluted subtropical forest in Southeast China in 2017 and 2018. Moreover, these solutes in soil water along the soil profile were monitored in 2018. Throughfall deposition of DIN and S decreased by 59% and 53% in recent 3 years, respectively, which can be majorly attributed to the decreases in wet depositions of NO3− and SO42−. Meanwhile, NH4+ deposition remained relatively stable at this site. Even though N deposition in 2018 was below the N saturation threshold for subtropical forests, significant N leaching still occurred. Excess export of N occurred in the upper soil layer (0–15 cm), reaching 6.86 ± 1.54 kg N/ha/yr, while the deeper soil (15–30 cm) was net sink of N as 8.29 ± 1.71 kg N/ha/yr. Similarly, S was excessively exported from the upper soil with net flux of 14.7 ± 3.15 kg S/ha/yr, while up to 6.37 ± 3.18 kg S/ha/yr of S was retained in the deeper soil. The significant N and S leaching under declined depositions suggested that this site possibly underwent a transition state, recovering from historically high acid deposition. Furthermore, the rainfall intensity remarkably regulated leaching and retention of SO42− and DIN at this site. The impacts of climate changes on N and S dynamics require further long-term monitoring in subtropical forests.

scholarly journals Impacts of enhanced nitrogen deposition and soil acidification on biomass production and nitrogen leaching in Chinese fir plantations

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A. Blanco ◽  
Xiaohua Wei ◽  
Hong Jiang ◽  
Cheng-Yue Jie ◽  
Zan-Hong Xin
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Atmospheric Pollution ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Chinese Fir ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Pollution Effects ◽  
Deposition Rates

Atmospheric pollution levels in China are increasing quickly. Experience from other polluted regions shows that tree growth could be affected, but long-term effects of N deposition and soil acidification on Chinese forests remain mostly unknown. Soil acidification and N deposition were simulated for Chinese fir ( Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) plantations managed for three consecutive 20-year rotations in southeastern China. A factorial experiment combined four rain pH levels (2.5, 4.0, 5.6, and 7.0), four N deposition rates (1, 7.5, 15, and 30 kg N·ha–1·year–1), and two site qualities (poor and rich). Results indicate that atmospheric pollution effects are not immediate, but after one to two rotations, soil acidification effects could reduce ecosystem C pools significantly (–25% and –11% in poor and rich sites, respectively). N deposition rates above 15 kg N·ha–1·year–1 could offset some of the negative effects of soil acidification and lead to more ecosystem C (19 and 28 Mg C·ha–1 more in poor and rich sites, respectively, than in low N deposition). However, at high N deposition rates (>15 kg N·ha–1·year–1), N leaching losses could greatly increase, reaching 75 kg N·ha–1·year–1. Moderate N deposition could increase tree biomass production and soil organic mass, resulting in increased ecosystem C, but these gains could be associated with important N leaching. Atmospheric pollution could also result in the long term in nutrient imbalances and additional ecological issues (i.e., biodiversity loss, eutrophication, etc.) not studied here.

Nitrate in soil water in three Norway spruce stands in southwest Sweden as related to N-deposition and soil, stand, and foliage properties

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 836-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Örjan Nohrstedt ◽  
Ulf Sikström ◽  
Eva Ring ◽  
Torgny Näsholm ◽  
Peter Högberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Saturation ◽  
Potential Nitrification ◽  
Nitrate Concentrations ◽  
The Difference

N-cycling was studied at three Norway spruce (Piceaabies (L.) Karst.) sites located within a distance of 30 km in southwest Sweden. Nitrate concentrations in soil water at 50-cm depth differed substantially between the three sites, annual site means being 0, 1, and 9 mg N•L−1. Using simulated runoff, the leaching of inorganic N from the two sites with the highest concentrations was estimated at, respectively, 7–8 and 19–30 kg•ha−1 during the hydrological year 1991–1992. The N-deposition measured as throughfall was 31 kg•ha−1 on the second site, suggesting that it was close to being N-saturated. The differences in nitrate concentration and estimated leaching across sites were not related to differences in forest growth or suggested symptoms of forest decline, such as canopy defoliation and nutrient deficiency. Nitrate concentrations were unrelated to N-deposition in an open field, but positively related to N-deposition in throughfall. However, the difference in N-leaching between the two main sites was much larger than the difference in N-deposition in throughfall. The difference in leaching seemed related to soil conditions. The soil with the highest leaching had the largest potential nitrification and a low C/N ratio (17–20) in the upper part of the profile. Nitrate concentrations in the soil water were positively related to the concentrations of arginine and 15N in foliage, which supports the use of these two variables as indicators of forests approaching N-saturation.

Leaching of nitrate from temperate forests – effects of air pollution and forest management

2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Gundersen ◽  
Inger K Schmidt ◽  
Karsten Raulund-Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Plant Uptake ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
N Cycle ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
N Input ◽  
N Status

We compiled regional and continental data on inorganic nitrogen (N) in seepage and surface water from temperate forests. Currently, N concentrations in forest waters are usually well below water quality standards. But elevated concentrations are frequently found in regions with chronic N input from deposition (>8–10 kg ha–1 a–1). We synthesized the current understanding of factors controlling N leaching in relation to three primary causes of N cycle disruption: (i) Increased N input (air pollution, fertilization, N2 fixing plants). In European forests, elevated N deposition explains approximately half of the variability in N leaching, some of the remaining variability could be explained by differences in N availability or "N status". For coniferous forests, needle N content above 1.4% and (or) forest floor C:N ratio lower than 25 were thresholds for elevated nitrate leaching. At adjacent sites conifer forests receive higher N deposition and exhibit higher nitrate loss than deciduous forests; an exception is alder that shows substantial nitrate leaching through N fixation input. Fertilization with N poses limited risk to water quality, when applied to N-limited forests. (ii) Reduced plant uptake (clear-cut, thinning, weed control). The N cycle responses to plant cover disturbance by clear-cut are well studied. Nitrate losses peak after 2–3 years and are back to pre-cut levels after 3–5 years. Nitrogen losses increase with deposition and are higher at N rich sites. The extent and duration of the nitrate response is especially connected to the recovery of the vegetation sink. Less intensive disturbances like thinning have only minor effects on N loss. (iii) Enhanced mineralization of soil N (liming, ditching, climate change). Responses in nitrate leaching after liming may increase with N deposition and in older stands. However data on these types of N cycle disruption are too sparse to allow general conclusions on controlling factors. Nitrate leaching occurs when N deposition (input) and net mineralization (N status) exceed plant demand. A combined N flux to the soil of 50 to 60 kg ha–1 a–1 from N deposition and litterfall may be a threshold for nitrate leaching in undisturbed forests. This threshold also indicates risk of increasing losses in case of a disturbance (e.g., clear-cut). We conclude by discussing forest management options for water quality protection. These options focus on decreasing input, increasing plant uptake, increasing biomass removal, and (re)establishing immobilization and denitrification processes at the catchment scale.Key words: clear-cut, disturbance, forest management, nitrate, nitrogen cycling, nitrogen saturation.

scholarly journals Simulation of nitrogen deposition in the North China Plain by the FRAME model

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 3319-3329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhang ◽  
A. J. Dore ◽  
X. Liu ◽  
F. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
North China Plain ◽  
North China ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystem ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
The Yellow Sea ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Total N ◽  
Frame Model ◽  
The North ◽  
The North China Plain

Abstract. Simulation of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in the North China Plain (NCP) at high resolution, 5 × 5 km2, was conducted for the first time by the Fine Resolution Atmospheric Multi-pollutant Exchange (FRAME) model. The total N deposition budget was 1481 Gg in this region, with 77 % from reduced N and 23 % from oxidized N, and the annual deposition rate (47 kg N ha−1) was much higher than previously reported values for other parts of the world such as the UK (13 kg N ha−1), Poland (7.3 kg N ha−1) and EU27 (8.6 kg N ha−1). The exported N component (1981 Gg) was much higher than the imported N component (584 Gg), suggesting that the NCP is an important net emission source of N pollutants. Contributions of N deposition budgets from the seven provinces in this region were proportional to their area ratios. The calculated spatial distributions of N deposition displayed high rates of reduced N deposition in the south and of oxidized N deposition in the eastern part. The N deposition exceeded an upper limit of 30 kg N ha−1 for natural ecosystems over more than 90 % of the region, resulting in terrestrial ecosystem deterioration, impaired air quality and coastal eutrophication not only in the NCP itself but also in surrounding areas including the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea.

scholarly journals Interpreting the <sup>13</sup>C  ∕ <sup>12</sup>C ratio of carbon dioxide in an urban airshed in the Yangtze River Delta, China

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 3385-3399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaping Xu ◽  
Xuhui Lee ◽  
Wei Xiao ◽  
Chang Cao ◽  
Shoudong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mole Fraction ◽  
Yangtze River ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Yangtze River Delta ◽  
River Delta ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Carbon Cycles ◽  
The Yrd

Abstract. Observations of atmospheric CO2 mole fraction and the 13C ∕ 12C ratio (expressed as δ13C) in urban airsheds provide constraints on the roles of anthropogenic and natural sources and sinks in local and regional carbon cycles. In this study, we report observations of these quantities in Nanjing at hourly intervals from March 2013 to August 2015, using a laser-based optical instrument. Nanjing is the second largest city located in the highly industrialized Yangtze River Delta (YRD), eastern China. The mean CO2 mole fraction and δ13C were (439.7 ± 7.5) µmol mol−1 and (−8.48 ± 0.56) ‰ over this observational period. The peak monthly mean δ13C (−7.44 ‰, July 2013) was 0.74 ‰ higher than that observed at Mount Waliguan, a WMO (World Meteorological Organization) baseline site on the Tibetan Plateau and upwind of the YRD region. The highly 13C-enriched signal was partly attributed to the influence of cement production in the region. By applying the Miller–Tans method to nighttime and daytime observations to represent signals from the city of Nanjing and the YRD, respectively, we showed that the 13C ∕ 12C ratio of CO2 sources in the Nanjing municipality was (0.21 ± 0.53) ‰ lower than that in the YRD. Flux partitioning calculations revealed that natural ecosystems in the YRD were a negligibly small source of atmospheric CO2.

scholarly journals Temporal variations in atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> on Rishiri Island in 2006–2013: responses of the interannual variation in amplitude to climate and the terrestrial sink in East Asia

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 809-848
Author(s):  
C. Zhu ◽  
H. Yoshikawa-Inoue
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Interannual Variation ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Ecosystem Respiration ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
Growing Season Length

Abstract. Surface observation of the atmospheric CO2 mixing ratio implies the combined influences of both natural fluctuations and anthropogenic activities on the carbon cycle. Atmospheric CO2 has been measured on Rishiri Island in the outflow region of Eurasia since May 2006. We report the first 7 year temporal atmospheric CO2 variations from diurnal to interannual scales. In the diurnal scale, an obvious cycle appeared as a minimum in the afternoon and maximum at midnight in the summer months. Seasonally, the maximum CO2 concentration appeared around the beginning of April, while the minimum appeared around the middle of August. A mean growing season length of ~126 days was estimated. In the period from 2007 to 2012, the peak-to-peak amplitude increased until 2009 and decreased thereafter, with a mean value of 19.7 ppm. In the long term, atmospheric CO2 is increasing by a mean growth rate of 2.1 ppm year−1. Investigations on the driving climatic factors on the interannual variation in amplitude indicated that temperature in East Asia (40–60° N, 90–150° E) affected the CO2 amplitude by affecting the seasonal maximum, with a time lag of 1–2 years. On the contrary, precipitation did not likely affect CO2 amplitudes. The amplitude also responded to a natural carbon source/sink variation in East Asia. We suggest that temperature in the first year would affect carbon sinks in the second year in the fetch regions, which further affect CO2 amplitude mainly through ecosystem respiration. Circulation changes also likely contributed to the decreasing amplitude since 2009, as indicated by the simultaneous decrease in the 222Rn concentration in spring and summer.

scholarly journals Integrated Nitrogen CAtchment model (INCA) applied to a tropical catchment in the Atlantic Forest, São Paulo, Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 614-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ranzini ◽  
M. C. Forti ◽  
P. G. Whitehead ◽  
F. C. S. Arcova ◽  
V. de Cicco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Deposition ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
N Concentration ◽  
Se Brazil

Abstract. Stream-water flows and in-stream nitrate and ammonium concentrations in a small (36.7 ha) Atlantic Forest catchment were simulated using the Integrated Nitrogen in CAtchments (INCA) model version 1.9.4. The catchment, at Cunha, is in the Serra do Mar State Park, SE Brazil and is nearly pristine because the nearest major conurbations, São Paulo and Rio, are some 450 km distant. However, intensive farming may increase nitrogen (N) deposition and there are growing pressures for urbanisation. The mean-monthly discharges and NO3-N concentration dynamics were simulated adequately for the calibration and validation periods with (simulated) loss rates of 6.55 kg.ha−1 yr−1 for NO3-N and 3.85 kg.ha−1 yr−1 for NH4-N. To investigate the effects of elevated levels of N deposition in the future, various scenarios for atmospheric deposition were simulated; the highest value corresponded to that in a highly polluted area of Atlantic Forest in Sao Paulo City. It was found that doubling the atmospheric deposition generated a 25% increase in the N leaching rate, while at levels approaching the highly polluted São Paulo deposition rate, five times higher than the current rate, leaching increased by 240%, which would create highly eutrophic conditions, detrimental to downstream water quality. The results indicate that the INCA model can be useful for estimating N concentration and fluxes for different atmospheric deposition rates and hydrological conditions.

scholarly journals Regional Comparison of Nitrogen Export to Japanese Forest Streams

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 572-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideaki Shibata ◽  
Koichiro Kuraji ◽  
Hiroto Toda ◽  
Kaichiro Sasa
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Studies ◽  
N Mineralization ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
N Saturation ◽  
Atmospheric N Deposition ◽  
Forested Watersheds ◽  
Nitrate Concentrations ◽  
Forest Streams

Nitrogen (N) emissions in Asian countries are predicted to increase over the next several decades. An understanding of the mechanisms that control temporal and spatial fluctuation of N export to forest streams is important not only to quantify critical loads of N, N saturation status, and soil acidification N dynamics and budgets in Japanese forested watersheds is not clear due to the lack of regional comparative studies on stream N chemistry. To address the lack of comparative studies, we measured inorganic N (nitrate and ammonium) concentrations from June 2000 to May 2001 in streams in 18 experimental forests located throughout the Japanese archipelago and belonging to the Japanese Union of University Forests. N concentrations in stream water during base flow and high flow periods were monitored, and N mineralization potential in soil was measured using batch incubation experiments. Higher nitrate concentrations in stream water were present in central Japan, an area that receives high rates of atmospheric N deposition. In northern Japan, snowmelt resulted in increased nitrate concentrations in stream water. The potential net N mineralization rate was higher in surface soil than in subsurface soil, and the high potential for N mineralization in the surface soil partly contributed to the increase in nitrate concentration in stream water during a storm event. Regional differences in the atmospheric N deposition and seasonality of precipitation and high discharge are principal controls on the concentrations and variations of nitrates in stream water in forested watersheds of Japan.

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