Effects of nitrogen deposition on carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems of China: A meta-analysis

Environ Pollut. 2015 Nov:206:352-60. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.07.033. Epub 2015 Jul 30.

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) deposition in China has increased greatly, but the general impact of elevated N deposition on carbon (C) dynamics in Chinese terrestrial ecosystems is not well documented. In this study we used a meta-analysis method to compile 88 studies on the effects of N deposition C cycling on Chinese terrestrial ecosystems. Our results showed that N addition did not change soil C pools but increased above-ground plant C pool. A large decrease in below-ground plant C pool was observed. Our result also showed that the impacts of N addition on ecosystem C dynamics depend on ecosystem type and rate of N addition. Overall, our findings suggest that 1) decreased below-ground plant C pool may limit long-term soil C sequestration; and 2) it is better to treat N-rich and N-limited ecosystems differently in modeling effects of N deposition on ecosystem C cycle.

Keywords: Carbon cycle; China; Global change; Meta-analysis; N-rich and N-limited ecosystems; Nitrogen deposition.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon / analysis*
  • Carbon Cycle*
  • Carbon Sequestration
  • China
  • Ecosystem*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollution / analysis*
  • Forests
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Nitrogen / analysis*
  • Nitrogen Cycle
  • Poaceae / chemistry
  • Soil / chemistry*
  • Trees / chemistry

Substances

  • Soil
  • Carbon
  • Nitrogen