Global patterns and drivers of soil gross nitrogen transformations of forest ecosystems

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2024.0292

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Soil nitrogen mineralization, nitrification and microbial nitrogen immobilization are key processes in soil nitrogen cycle, which have an important impact on soil nitrogen supply. Exploring the spatial variations in soil nitrogen transformation rates of forest may contribute to in-depth understanding of forest soil nitrogen dynamics and forest ecosystem productivity.

Methods In this study, we integrated and analyzed 685 observations from 78 published papers, and aimed to analyze the rate characteristics of soil gross nitrogen mineralization, gross nitrification and microbial nitrogen immobilization of forest ecosystem and the main influencing factors.

Important findings The results showed that: (1) The average rate of soil gross nitrogen mineralization, gross nitrification and microbial nitrogen immobilization of forest ecosystem were (6.65 ± 0.61), (1.99 ± 0.21) and (8.10 ± 1.45) mg N·kg^-1·d^-1, respectively. (2) The soil gross nitrogen mineralization rate and gross nitrification rate differed significantly among various forest types. Higher gross nitrogen mineralization rates were observed in tropical forest and temperate coniferous forest, while lower rates in subtropical broad-leaved forest and subtropical coniferous forest. The microbial nitrogen immobilization rates were higher in temperate coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, but was lower in subtropical coniferous and broad-leaved forest. (3) Soil gross nitrification rates exhibited no significant differences among various forest types. (4) The spatial variations in soil gross nitrogen transformation rates were main regulated by soil total nitrogen content and microbial biomass. Overall, the gross nitrogen transformation rates exhibited large spatial variability across global forest, and they were mainly affected by substrate supply and microbial biomass.

Key words: forest ecosystem, soil nitrogen cycle, gross nitrogen mineralization rate, gross nitrification rate, microbial nitrogen immobilization rate

RAN Jia-Xin, HE Shu-Ting, LUO Su-Ping, WANG Yun, MAO Chao. Global patterns and drivers of soil gross nitrogen transformations of forest ecosystems[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2026, 50(1): 45-54.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2024.0292

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2026/V50/I1/45

Figures/Tables 5

Fig. 1 Global distribution map of the forest soil gross nitrogen transformation rate research sites. SBF, subtropical broad-leaved forest; SCF, subtropical coniferous forest; SMF, subtropical coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest; TBF, temperate broad-leaved forest; TCF, temperate coniferous forest; TMF, temperate coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest; TF, tropical forest.

Fig. 2 Frequency distribution of soil gross nitrogen mineralization rates (GNM, A), gross nitrification rates (GNN, B) and microbial nitrogen immobilization rates (GI, C) among the global forests. N, sample number; SE, standard error.

Table 1 Gross nitrogen (N) mineralization rates, gross nitrification rates and microbial N immobilization rates in various forest types (mean ± SE)

森林类型 Forest type	总氮矿化速率 GNM (mg N·kg^-1·d^-1)	总硝化速率 GNN (mg N·kg^-1·d^-1)	微生物氮固持速率 GI (mg N·kg^-1·d^-1)
热带森林 Tropical forest	8.43 ± 2.18^ab (27)	2.19 ± 0.52^a(25)	10.83 ± 4.94^ab(9)
亚热带阔叶林 Subtropical broad-leaved forest	3.77 ± 0.57^c (30)	2.83 ± 0.70^a (25)	2.77 ± 0.55^b (16)
亚热带针叶林 Subtropical coniferous forest	3.94 ± 1.52^bc (20)	2.03 ± 1.16^a(20)	3.86 ± 2.09^b (17)
亚热带针阔混交林 Subtropical mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest	3.37 ± 1.17^c (5)	2.68 ± 1.04^a (5)	4.34 ± 0.90^b (4)
温带阔叶林 Temperate broad-leaved forest	7.15 ± 1.16^abc (56)	2.01 ± 0.38^a (57)	9.88 ± 2.88^ab (24)
温带针叶林 Temperate coniferous forest	8.57 ± 1.33^a (59)	1.66 ± 0.28^a (58)	9.59 ± 3.98^ab(13)
温带针阔混交林 Temperate mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest	3.46 ± 1.06^c (10)	1.05 ± 0.40^a (12)	15.22 ± 7.29^a (12)
热带/亚热带森林 Tropical/subtropical forest	5.32 ± 0.86 (82)	2.39 ± 0.42 (75)	4.88 ± 1.29 (46)
温带森林 Temperate forest	7.52 ± 0.82 (125)	1.76 ± 0.21 (127)	11.11 ± 2.47 (49)
所有类型 Overall	6.65 ± 0.61 (207)	1.99 ± 0.21 (202)	8.10 ± 1.45 (95)

Fig. 3 Relationships between soil gross nitrogen transformations and climate, soil physiochemical and microbial properties in tropical/subtropical forest (A) and temperate forest (B). *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01. C:N, soil carbon to nitrogen content ratio; GI, microbial nitrogen immobilization rates; GNM, gross nitrogen mineralization rates; GNN, gross nitrification rates; MAP, mean annual precipitation; MAT, mean annual air temperature; MB, microbial biomass content; NH4+-N, ammonium nitrogen content; NO3--N, nitrate nitrogen content; TN, soil total nitrogen content.

Fig. 4 Results of structural equation model analysis examining the effects of climatic, soil physiochemical and microbial properties on soil gross nitrogen transformations. A, B and C represent soil gross nitrogen mineralization rates, gross nitrification rates and microbial nitrogen immobilization rates in tropical/subtropical forest, respectively. D, E and F represent soil gross nitrogen mineralization rates, gross nitrification rates and microbial nitrogen immobilization rates in temperate forest, respectively. Solid arrows represent positive relationship, dashed arrows represent negative relationship, line thickness indicates the strength of the effects of variables on each other. C:N, soil carbon to nitrogen content ratio; GI, microbial nitrogen immobilization rates; GNM, gross nitrogen mineralization rates; GNN, gross nitrification rates; MAP, mean annual precipitation; MAT, mean annual temperature; MB, microbial biomass; NH4+-N, ammonium nitrogen content; NO3--N, nitrate nitrogen content; TN, soil total nitrogen content. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001.

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