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Faster-and-tighter nitrogen cycle supports mature forest productivity under elevated CO2
Manon Rumeau1,2, Carolina Mayoral1,2, Fotis Sgouridis3
1Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Abstract:
Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration could enhance forest carbon (C) uptake, but nitrogen (N) is thought to progressively constrain this effect. Yet, significant biomass gains were demonstrated in a mature oak forest after 6 years of Free Air CO2 Enrichment. This study investigates whether changes in soil N fluxes explain these gains. We show that enhanced N mineralization and ecosystem N conservation support increased productivity under elevated CO2 (eCO2). In situ net and gross N ammonification was enhanced by ∼30%, with a pronounced effect at oak budburst. Higher N ammonification rates were associated with increases in both fine root biomass and soil respiration. Gross nitrification was reduced, revealing a faster-yet-tighter cycle facilitated by plant-soil interactions. Hence, forest N cycling can adapt to support C uptake under eCO2, but in the longer term, this capacity may be constrained by soil-accessible organic N stocks and reductions in anthropogenic N deposition.
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