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| Nitrogen deposition makes a minor contribution to carbon sequestration in temperate forests |
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| Author(s): Nadelhoffer KJ, Emmett BA, Gundersen P, Kjonaas OJ, Koopmans CJ, Schleppi P, Tietema A, Wright RF |
| Source: NATURE Volume: 398 Issue: 6723 Pages: 145-148 Published: MAR 11 1999 |
| Times Cited: 276 References: 30 |
| Abstract: Humans have altered global nitrogen cycling such that more atmospheric N-2 is being converted ('fixed') into biologically reactive forms by anthropogenic activities than by all natural processes combined(1). In particular, nitrogen oxides emitted during fuel combustion and ammonia volatilized as a result of intensive agriculture have increased atmospheric nitrogen inputs (mostly NO3 and NH4) to temperate forests in the Northern Hemisphere(2-4). Because tree growth in northern temperate regions is typically nitrogen-limited(5), increased nitrogen deposition could have the effect of attenuating rising atmospheric CO2 by stimulating the accumulation of forest biomass. Forest inventories indicate that the carbon contents of northern forests have increased concurrently with nitrogen deposition since the 1950s(6-8). In addition, variations in atmospheric CO2 indicate a globally significant carbon sink in northern mid-latitude forest regions(9-12). It is unclear, however, whether elevated nitrogen deposition or other factors are the primary cause of carbon sequestration in northern forests. Here we use evidence from N-15-tracer studies in nine forests to show that elevated nitrogen deposition is unlikely to be a major contributor to the putative CO2 sink in forested northern temperature regions. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: Nadelhoffer, KJ (reprint author), Marine Biol Lab, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA |
Addresses:
1. Marine Biol Lab, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA
2. Inst Terr Ecol, Bangor LL57 2UP, Gwynedd Wales
3. Danish forest & Landscape Res Inst, DK-2970 Horsholm, Denmark
4. Agr Univ Norway, Norwegian Forest Res Inst, N-1432 As Nlh, Norway
5. Univ Amsterdam, NL-1018 VZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
6. Swiss Fed Inst Forest Snow & Landscape Res, WSL, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland
7. Norwegian Inst Water Res, N-0411 Oslo, Norway |
| Publisher: MACMILLAN MAGAZINES LTD, PORTERS SOUTH, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND |
| Subject Category: Multidisciplinary Sciences |
| IDS Number: 176DG |
| ISSN: 0028-0836 |
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