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Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1007/s10342-005-0055-9
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Title (Primary) Climate and forest management influence nitrogen balance of European beech forests: microbial N transformations and inorganic N net uptake capacity of mycorrhizal roots
Author Geßler, A.; Jung, K.; Gasche, R.; Papen, H.; Heidenfelder, A.; Börner, E.; Metzler, B.; Augustin, S.; Hildebrand, E.; Rennenberg, H.
Source Titel European Journal of Forest Research
Year 2005
Department OEC; COE
Volume 124
Issue 2
Page From 95
Page To 111
Language englisch
Keywords Nitrification;Denitrification ;Ammonification ;Nitrate net uptake ;Fine root abundance ;Desorption solution
Abstract

The effects of local climate and silvicultural treatment on the inorganic N availability, net N uptake capacity of mycorrhizal beech roots and microbial N conversion were assessed in order to characterise changes in the partitioning of inorganic N between adult beech and soil microorganisms. Fine root dynamics, inorganic N in the soil solution and in soil extracts, nitrate and ammonium uptake kinetics of beech as well as gross ammonification, nitrification and denitrification rates were determined in a beech stand consisting of paired sites that mainly differed in aspect (SW vs. NE) and stand density (controls and thinning treatments). Nitrate was the only inorganic N form detectable in the soil water. Its concentration was high in control plots of the NE aspect, but only in canopy gaps and not influenced by thinning. Neither thinning nor aspect affected the abundance of root tips in the soil. Maximum nitrate net uptake by mycorrhizal fine roots of beech, however, differed with aspect, showing significantly lower values at the SW aspect with warm–dry local climate. There were no clear-cut significant effects of local climate or thinning on microbial N conversion, but a tendency towards higher ammonification and nitrification and lower denitrification rates on the untreated controls of the SW as compared to the NE aspect. Apparently, the observed sensitivity of beech towards reduced soil water availability is at least partially due to impaired N acquisition. This seems to be mainly a consequence of reduced N uptake capacity rather than of limited microbial re-supply of inorganic N or of changed patterns of inorganic N partitioning between soil bacteria and roots.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=3346
Geßler, A., Jung, K., Gasche, R., Papen, H., Heidenfelder, A., Börner, E., Metzler, B., Augustin, S., Hildebrand, E., Rennenberg, H. (2005):
Climate and forest management influence nitrogen balance of European beech forests: microbial N transformations and inorganic N net uptake capacity of mycorrhizal roots
Eur. J. For. Res. 124 (2), 95 - 111 10.1007/s10342-005-0055-9