Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2016
Keywords
mixed-species plantations; subtropical humid forest; net nitrogen mineralization; land-cover data; microbial biomass; eucalyptus-globulus; northeast india;acacia-mangium; organic-matter; boreal forest
Abstract
Nitrogen availability and tree species selection play important roles in reforestation. However, long-term field studies on the effects and mechanisms of tree species composition on N transformation are very limited. Eight years after tree seedlings were planted in a field experiment, we revisited the site and tested how tree species composition affects the dynamics of N mineralization and nitrification. Both tree species composition and season significantly influenced the soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON). N-fixing Acacia crassicarpa monoculture had the highest DON, and 10-mixed species plantation had the highest DOC. The lowest DOC and DON concentrations were both observed in Eucalyptus urophylla monoculture. The tree species composition also significantly affected net N mineralization rates. The highest rate of net N mineralization was found in A. crassicarpa monoculture, which was over twice than that in Castanopsis hystrix monoculture. The annual net N mineralization rates of 10-mixed and 30-mixed plantations were similar as that of N-fixing monoculture. Since mixed plantations have good performance in increasing soil DOC, DON, N mineralization and plant biodiversity, we recommend that mixed species plantations should be used as a sustainable approach for the restoration of degraded land in southern China.
Publisher Attribution
Mo, Q., Li, Z. A., Zhu, W., Zou, B., Li, Y., Yu, S., ... & Wang, F. (2016). Reforestation in southern China: revisiting soil N mineralization and nitrification after 8 years restoration. Scientific reports, 6.
Recommended Citation
Mo, Qifeng F.; Li, Zhi'an A.; Zhu, Weixing X.; Zou, Bi; Li, Yingwen W.; Yu, Shiqin Q.; Ding, Yongzhen Z.; Chen, Yao; Li, Xiaobo B.; and Wang, Faming M., "Reforestation in southern China: revisiting soil N mineralization and nitrification after 8 years restoration" (2016). Biological Sciences Faculty Scholarship. 3.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/bio_fac/3