Net N mineralization, nitrification, and N uptake were monitored in the A (0-8 cm) and B (8-30 cm) soil horizons from 1997 to 1999 across a chronosequence of upland hardwood forest stands in southern Indiana, USA. Stand ages were 1, 6, 12, 31, and 80-100 years at the beginning of the study. Contrary to previous studies, there was no apparent stimulation of N mineralization due to harvesting. The highest rates of N mineralization, nitrification, and N uptake were in the mature forest stand. Rates of N cycling were greater in the A than the B horizon by concentration (g kg-1), but the greater depth and bulk density of the B horizon led to insignificant differences by area (kg ha-1). N mineralization, nitrification, and N uptake all correlated significantly with each other, and average annual rates of N mineralization balanced well with N uptake in most stands of the chronosequence. N cycling seemed to be subject to strong internal regulation at all stages of stand development. Analyses of the spatial and temporal variability in N cycling properties or processes would provide further insights in the effects of harvesting on N cycling in these forest stands. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
CITATION STYLE
Idol, T. W., Pope, P. E., & Ponder, F. (2003). N mineralization, nitrification, and N uptake across a 100-year chronosequence of upland hardwood forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 176(1–3), 509–518. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(02)00232-3
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