Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in European Forest Ecosystems

A Introduction to the European Transect.- 1 The Carbon and Nitrogen Cycle of Forest Ecosystems.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 The Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles.- 1.3 The NIPHYS/CANIF Project.- 1.4 Experimental Design.- 1.5 Conclusions.- References.- 2 Experimental Sites in the NIPHYS/CANIF Project.- 2.1 Site Description. The NIPHYS/CANIF Transect.- 2.2 Soil Characteristics.- 2.3 Ecosystem C and N Pools.- 2.4 Database.- 2.5 Conclusions.- References.- B Plant-Related Processes.- 3 Tree Biomass, Growth and Nutrient Pools.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Experimental Background.- 3.3 Biomass.- 3.4 Forest Productivity.- 3.5 Carbon and Nutrient Pools.- 3.6 Allometric and Functional Relations.- 3.7 Conclusion.- References.- 4 Linking Plant Nutrition and Ecosystem Processes.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Experimental Approach.- 4.3 Nutrient Concentrations.- 4.4 Nutrient Contents.- 4.5 Nitrogen Partitioning in Different Tree Compartments.- 4.6 Ecosystem C and N Pools.- 4.7 Conclusions.- References.- 5 Root Growth and Response to Nitrogen.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Approaches to the Study of Root Growth.- 5.3 Root Growth Measurements Obtained by Soil Coring.- 5.4 Root Growth Measurements Obtained by Root Windows.- 5.5 Root Growth Measurements Obtained by In-Growth Cores.- 5.6 Root Growth at Different European Forest Sites.- 5.7 Conclusion.- References.- 6 Nitrogen Uptake Processes in Roots and Mycorrhizas.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Approaches to Study Different Aspects of the N Uptake Process.- 6.3 Studies with Excised Roots and Mycorrhizas.- 6.4 Field-Based Experiments.- 6.5 Conclusions.- References.- 7 The Fate of 15N-Labelled Nitrogen Inputs to Coniferous and Broadleaf Forests.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Sites of Investigation.- 7.3 Approaches to Study the Fate of 15N-Labelled Nitrogen Inputs.- 7.4 N Release and Tree Uptake from 15N-Labelled Decomposing Litter in a Beech Forest in Aubure.- 7.5 Ecosystem Partitioning of 15N-Labelled Ammonium and Nitrate on the Sites in the Fichtelgebirge and Steigerwald.- 7.6 Conclusion.- References.- 8 Canopy Uptake and Utilization of Atmospheric Pollutant Nitrogen.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Atmospheric Nitrogen Pollutants.- 8.3 Pathways for Canopy Uptake of Nitrogen.- 8.4 Approaches to the Determination of Canopy Uptake of Nitrogen.- 8.5 Review of Research.- 8.6 Role in the Critical Load.- 8.7 Ecophysiological Consequences of Canopy N Uptake.- 8.8 Conclusions.- 8.9 Way Forward.- 8.10 Policy Implications.- References.- 9 Biotic and Abiotic Controls Over Ecosystem Cycling of Stable Natural Nitrogen, Carbon and Sulphur Isotopes.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Approaches to the Study of Stable Isotopes in the Field.- 9.3 ?15N of Ammonium and Nitrate in Wet Deposition.- 9.4 Stable Isotope Signatures in Different Ecosystem Compartments.- 9.5 ?15N Signatures as Indicators of N Saturation in Forest Ecosystems.- 9.6 Conclusion.- References.- C Heterotrophic Processes.- 10 Soil Respiration in Beech and Spruce Forests in Europe: Trends, Controlling Factors, Annual Budgets and Implications for the Ecosystem Carbon Balance.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Approaches to Measuring Soil Respiration.- 10.3 Daily and Seasonal Trends in Soil Respiration and Climatic Variables.- 10.4 Factors Controlling Soil Respiration.- 10.5 Comparison of Chamber Measurements with the Eddy Covariance Measurements Below the Canopy.- 10.6 Annual Budgets of Soil Respiration.- 10.7 Conclusion.- References.- 11 Annual Carbon and Nitrogen Fluxes in Soils Along the European Forest Transect, Determined Using the 14C-Bomb.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Forests, Sampling Procedure and Analysis.- 11.3 Model Description.- 11.4 Estimations of C and N Pools and Fluxes.- 11.5 Pools and Distribution of Carbon and Nitrogen in Soil Profiles.- 11.6 Variations in the Carbon Age and Mean Residence Times (MRTs).- 11.7 Annual Carbon and Nitrogen Fluxes.- 11.8 General Discussion.- 11.9 Conclusion.- References.- 12 Carbon Mineralisation in European Forest Soils.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Experimental Background.- 12.3 C Mineralisation in the North-South Transect.- 12.4 Long-Term Fertilisation Experiments.- 12.5 Mean Residence Time.- 12.6 Comparison of Intact and Sieved Soil Cores.- 12.7 Conclusion.- References.- 13 Litter Decomposition.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 Factors Affecting the Decomposition Process.- 13.3 Enzymatic Activity.- 13.4 Nitrogen Dynamics in Decomposing Litter.- 13.5 Decomposition Studies in Europe: from DECO, VAMOS, MICS to CANIF.- 13.6 Decomposition Studies Within a Latitudinal Transect of European Beech Forests.- 13.7 Conclusion.- References.- 14 Soil Nitrogen Turnover - Mineralisation, Nitrification and Denitrification in European Forest Soils.- 14.1 Background and Aim of the Study.- 14.2 Methods Used to Study N Turnover.- 14.3 Net N Mineralisation Based on Laboratory Studies.- 14.4 Net Nitrification Based on Laboratory Studies.- 14.5 Manipulation of pH, N Availability and Nitrifier Density in the Laboratory.- 14.6 Autotrophic Versus Heterotrophic Nitrification.- 14.7 Net N Mineralisation and Nitrification in N-Fertilisation Experiments.- 14.8 Comparison of N Turnover in Similar Soils at Different Climate.- 14.9 Comparison of N Turnover in Sieved and Intact Soil Cores.- 14.10 In Situ Mineralisation Studies at Aubure.- 14.11 Comparison of in Situ and Laboratory-Based Mineralisation Studies.- 14.12 Denitrification.- 14.13 Final Discussion.- 14.14 Conclusions.- References.- 15 Nitrogen and Carbon Interactions of Forest Soil Water.- 15.1 Introduction.- 15.2 Approaches to Studying the Forest Soil Waters.- 15.3 Soil Water Concentrations of Nitrogen and Carbon.- 15.4 Correlation Between Dissolved Organic Nitrogen and Carbon.- 15.5 Conclusions.- References.- D Diversity-Related Processes.- 16 Fungal Diversity in Ectomyccorhizal Communities of Norway Spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] and Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Along North-South Transects in Europe.- 16.1 Introduction.- 16.2 Analysis of Ectomycorrhizal Community Structure and Diversity.- 16.3 ECM Communities of Spruce Forests.- 16.4 ECM Communities of Beech Forests.- 16.5 Genetic Diversity Within a Population of Laccarina amethystina.- 16.6 Isolation and Growth of ECM Fungal Isolates on an Organic N Source.- 16.7 Comparative Evaluation of Ectomycorrhizal Diversity.- 16.8 Conclusion.- References.- 17 Diversity and Role of the Decomposer Food Web.- 17.1 Introduction.- 17.2 Approaches to Investigating Decomposer Communities.- 17.3 The Microflora.- 17.4 The Soil Fauna.- 17.5 Contribution of the Decomposer Food Web to C and N Flows.- 17.6 Conclusions.- References.- 18 Diversity and Role of Microorganisms.- 18.1 Introduction and Background.- 18.2 Experimental Background.- 18.3 Community of Microfungi in Beech Forests.- 18.4 Functional Diversity of Bacteria in the Litter of Coniferous Forests.- 18.5 Conclusion.- References.- E Integration.- 19 Spatial Variability and Long-Term Trends in Mass Balance of Nand S in Central European Forested Catchments.- 19.1 Introduction.- 19.2 Approaches to Studying Long-Term Changes in Watersheds.- 19.3 Temporal Variations and Trends.- 19.4 Budgets.- 19.5 Biological Cycling of Sulphur.- 19.6 Conclusion.- References.- 20 Model Analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in Picea and Fagus Forests.- 20.1 Introduction.- 20.2 Model Description.- 20.3 Input Data and Parameter Values.- 20.4 Model Calibration and Comparison with Measured Data.- 20.5 Model Analysis.- 20.6 Conclusions.- References.- 21 Interactions Between the Carbon and Nitrogen Cycle and the Role of Biodiversity: A Synopsis of a Study Along a North-South Transect Through Europe.- 21.1 Introduction.- 21.2 Change of Ecosystem Processes Along the European Transect.- 21.3 What Limits the C and N Fluxes in These Forest Ecosystems?.- 21.4 What Are Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) and Net Biome Productivity (NBP) and How Do They Relate to Ecosystem Parameters?.- 21.5 Are There Thresholds and Non-Linearities?.- 21.6 What Role Does Biodiversity Play in Ecosystem Processes?.- 21.7 Conclusions.- References.- Species Index.