NITROGEN CYCLING IN A SUBARCTIC OMBROTROPHIC MIRE

Data on nitrogen cycling in an ombrotrophic, subarctic mire are presented. The system accumulates nitrogen at a rate of approximately 0.42 g N m~2 yr-1, which is supplied through nitrogen fixation (0.20 g), dry deposition (0.13 g) and wet deposition (0.09 g). The low pH prevents the occurrence of ammonia volatilization, nitrification and denitrification. Annual vascular plant nitrogen uptake was estimated at 0.67 g m-2, while bryophytes took up 0.36 g m-2 yr"1. Nitrogen net mineralization was calculated from incubation experiments to be ca. 0.8 g N m~2 yr-1, as compared with the 0.67 g needed to balance the calculated nitrogen budget. The turnover time of nitrogen was estimated to be 0.28 yr in microbial biomass, 9.3 yr in primary producers and 280 yr in peat. Comparisons are made with nitrogen cycling in other ecosystems.

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