Nitrogen deposition and plant species interact to influence soil carbon stabilization

Feike A. Dijkstra*, Sarah E. Hobbie, Johannes M.H. Knops, Peter B. Reich

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition effects on soil organic carbon (C) decomposition remain controversial, while the role of plant species composition in mediating effects of N deposition on soil organic C decomposition and long-term soil C sequestration is virtually unknown. Here we provide evidence from a 5-year grassland field experiment in Minnesota that under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (560 ppm), plant species determine whether N deposition inhibits the decomposition of soil organic matter via inter-specific variation in root lignin concentration. Plant species producing lignin-rich litter increased stabilization of soil C older than 5 years, but only in combination with elevated N inputs (4 g m-2 year -1). Our results suggest that N deposition will increase soil C sequestration in those ecosystems where vegetation composition and/or elevated atmospheric CO2 cause high litter lignin inputs to soils.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1192-1198
Number of pages7
JournalEcology Letters
Volume7
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carbon isotopes
  • Elevated CO
  • Grassland species
  • Humification
  • Lignin
  • Nitrogen isotopes
  • Root litter
  • Soil carbon sequestration
  • Soil organic matter decomposition

Cite this

Dijkstra, F. A., Hobbie, S. E., Knops, J. M. H., & Reich, P. B. (2004). Nitrogen deposition and plant species interact to influence soil carbon stabilization. Ecology Letters, 7(12), 1192-1198. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2004.00679.x