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.

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