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Tree species affect the vertical distribution of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen
Author(s) -
Steffens Christina,
Beer Christian,
Schelfhout Stephanie,
Vesterdal Lars
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.202200165
Subject(s) - topsoil , subsoil , fagus sylvatica , beech , forest floor , environmental science , soil horizon , agronomy , soil carbon , botany , forestry , soil water , biology , soil science , geography
Background Forest soils are considered sinks for atmospheric C. Many studies revealed that tree species and their mycorrhizal association affect forest floor and topsoil organic C (OC) and total N, while the knowledge of their effect on subsoil OC and N is still scarce. Aims We aimed to identify (1) tree species and mycorrhizal association effects on forest floor, topsoil (0–30 cm) and subsoil (30–80 cm) OC and N stocks and vertical distribution and (2) drivers for soil OC and N distribution. Methods We sampled forest floor, topsoil and subsoil under Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus robur L., Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Fraxinus excelsior L. in four Danish common garden experiments along a gradient in soil texture and determined OC and N stocks. Results Total N (forest floor + soil) was higher under oak than beech, while total OC was unaffected by species. Forest floor C and N were higher under oak and beech, both ectomycorrhizal species (ECM), compared to under maple and ash, which are both arbuscular mycorrhizal species (AM). Relatively more OC and N were transferred to the topsoil under AM than ECM species, and this could be explained by greater endogeic earthworm biomass in AM species. In contrast, a higher proportion of OC was stored under ECM than AM species in the subsoil, and here OC correlated negatively with anecic earthworms. Subsoil N was highest under oak. Conclusions Tree species and in particular their mycorrhizal association affected the vertical distribution of soil OC and N. Tree species differences in topsoil OC and N were not mirrored in the subsoil, and this highlights the need to address the subsoil in future studies on AM‐ versus ECM‐mediated soil OC and N stocks.