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Evaluation of two N cycle models for the prediction of N mineralization from grassland soils in the UK
Author(s) -
Bhogal A.,
Bhogal A.,
Shepherd M.A.,
Hatch D.J.,
Brown L.,
Jarvis S.C.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
soil use and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.709
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1475-2743
pISSN - 0266-0032
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-2743.2001.tb00023.x
Subject(s) - mineralization (soil science) , grassland , nitrogen cycle , soil water , grassland ecosystem , environmental science , soil science , cycling , ecosystem , nitrogen , hydrology (agriculture) , agronomy , ecology , chemistry , geology , forestry , biology , geography , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry
. The ability of two nitrogen cycle models, of contrasting complexity, to predict N mineralization from a range of grassland soils in the UK, was evaluated. These were NCYCLE, a simple mass balance model of the N cycle in UK grasslands, and CENTURY, a more complex model simulating long‐term C, N, P & S dynamics in grassland ecosystems. The models were tested using field measurements of net N mineralization from a range of grassland soils (differing in soil type, history & management practice), obtained over a 2 year period using a soil core incubation technique. This method was considered to measure the total net release of mineral N from the soil organic matter over a specified time, including N which may have been recycled several times. NCYCLE consistently under‐estimated mineralization rates at all sites. By contrast, there was some correlation between CENTURY predictions of net N mineralization and field measurements. This may have reflected the different abilities of the two models to simulate N recycling. Neither model, however, was able to predict adequately the effect of cultivation and reseeding on net N mineralization.