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Aims  Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling are key ecosystem functions potentially altered by heavy metal pollution. We used an ecosystem approach to study the long-term effect of lead (Pb) on C and N cycles in a natural grassland in a former shooting range.    Methods  Microbial activity was evaluated by substrate-induced respiration (SIR) in situ ,  adding isotopically labelled C 4 -sugar to the soil. C and N contents and natural abundance of isotopes were measured in grass leaves, soil and microbial biomass together with root biomass.    Results  A reduced microbial activity and microbial biomass per area, together with a higher soil C stock and C:N ratio suggested a lower microbial decomposition in high Pb compared to low Pb areas. A more closed N cycle in the high Pb area was indicated by 2–3‰ lower δ 15 N in leaves and soil compared to low Pb areas. Higher δ 13 C in leaves and higher root biomass but similar leaf nutrient contents indicated plant responses and adaptions to the high Pb.    Conclusions  The applied ecosystem approach revealed that Pb slowed down the C and N cycles, possibly by indirect effects rather than by direct toxicity. The ecosystem seems to have adapted to altered conditions.

Carbon and nitrogen cycling in a lead polluted grassland evaluated using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) and microbial, plant and soil parameters