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Effect of climate change on C:N pools in a fringe boreal watershed: Will it complement long-term atmospheric N inputs

Conference · · Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States)
OSTI ID:6142646
 [1]
  1. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO (United States)
The objective of this ongoing study is to assess if Possible changes in the nitrogen cycle, as predicted from global climate scenarios for temperature and moisture, might complement long-term inorganic precipitation nitrogen (N) inputs to boreal forests of Isle Royale. Change in ecosystem C is dependant on nutrient status especially N. Present atmospheric contaminant inputs of N (>6 kg ha[sup [minus]1] yr[sup [minus]1]) exceed the ecological requirements of major boreal forest species. A decade of boreal watershed level study shows strong N retention (92%). Large organic (21 % of above ground biomass) and N reservoirs (>550 kg ha[sup [minus]1]) in the forest floor suggest higher content of recalcitrant compounds and high inputs could reduce C:N ratios and accelerate N mineralization. This would accentuate atmospheric N inputs likely favoring conifers and possibly leading to N saturation.
OSTI ID:
6142646
Report Number(s):
CONF-930798--
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America; (United States) Journal Volume: 74:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English