Nitrogen deposition alters nitrogen cycling and reduces soil carbon content in low-productivity semiarid Mediterranean ecosystems

Raul Ochoa-Hueso, Fernando T. Maestre, Asuncion de los Rios, Sergio Valea, Mark R. Theobald, Marta G. Vivanco, Esteban Manrique, Matthew A. Bowker

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    52 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Anthropogenic N deposition poses a threat to European Mediterranean ecosystems. We combined data from an extant N deposition gradient (4.3-7.3 kg N ha-1 yr-1) from semiarid areas of Spain and a field experiment in central Spain to evaluate N deposition effects on soil fertility, function and cyanobacteria community. Soil organic N did not increase along the extant gradient. Nitrogen fixation decreased along existing and experimental N deposition gradients, a result possibly related to compositional shifts in soil cyanobacteria community. Net ammonification and nitrification (which dominated N-mineralization) were reduced and increased, respectively, by N fertilization, suggesting alterations in the N cycle. Soil organic C content, C:N ratios and the activity of β-glucosidase decreased along the extant gradient in most locations. Our results suggest that semiarid soils in low-productivity sites are unable to store additional N inputs, and that are also unable to mitigate increasing C emissions when experiencing increased N deposition.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)185-193
    Number of pages9
    JournalEnvironmental Pollution
    Volume179
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

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