Litter type control on soil C and N stabilization dynamics in a temperate forest

Hatton, Pierre‐Joseph; Castanha, Cristina; Torn, Margaret S.; Bird, Jeffrey A.

doi:10.1111/gcb.12786

Litter type control on soil C and N stabilization dynamics in a temperate forest

Journal Article · Fri Dec 05 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Global Change Biology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12786· OSTI ID:1400669

Hatton, Pierre‐Joseph ^[1]; Castanha, Cristina ^[2]; Torn, Margaret S. ^[2]; Bird, Jeffrey A. ^[1]

School of Earth &, Environmental Sciences Queens College CUNY New York NY USA
Earth Sciences Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley CA USA

Abstract

While plant litters are the main source of soil organic matter ( SOM ) in forests, the controllers and pathways to stable SOM formation remain unclear. Here, we address how litter type ( ¹³ C/ ¹⁵ N‐labeled needles vs. fine roots) and placement‐depth (O vs. A horizon) affect in situ C and N dynamics in a temperate forest soil after 5 years. Litter type rather than placement‐depth controlled soil C and N retention after 5 years in situ , with belowground fine root inputs greatly enhancing soil C (x1.4) and N (x1.2) retention compared with aboveground needles. While the proportions of added needle and fine root‐derived C and N recovered into stable SOM fractions were similar, they followed different transformation pathways into stable SOM fractions: fine root transfer was slower than for needles, but proportionally more of the remaining needle‐derived C and N was transferred into stable SOM fractions. The stoichiometry of litter‐derived C vs. N within individual SOM fractions revealed the presence at least two pools of different turnover times (per SOM fraction) and emphasized the role of N‐rich compounds for long‐term persistence. Finally, a regression approach suggested that models may underestimate soil C retention from litter with fast decomposition rates.

View Accepted Manuscript (Publisher)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 1400669

Journal Information:: Global Change Biology, Journal Name: Global Change Biology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 21; ISSN 1354-1013

Publisher:: Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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