Nitrogen Mineralization Across an Atmospheric Nitrogen氮矿化氮.pptVIP

Nitrogen Mineralization Across an Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition Gradient in Southern California Deserts Leela E. Rao1, David R. Parker1, Andrzej Bytnerowicz2, and Edith B. Allen3 Background N deposition has been shown to affect natural areas in the greater Los Angeles area Altered soil processes (Fenn et al. 1996) Mycorrhizae (Egerton-Warburton and Allen 2000) Enhanced invasive grass growth (Allen et al. 1998) Primary source of anthropogenic nitrogen in the region are cars and trucks producing NOx. Atmospheric NH3 is produced from catalytic converters and agriculture. Joshua Tree National Park is located 140 miles east of Los Angeles and is under a gradient of N deposition. Nitrogen Mineralization N mineralization may be an indicator of N deposition and used to define critical loads for deposition effects on soils Mineralization is known to be affected by: Environmental conditions (soil temperature, moisture) Litter quality (carbon and nitrogen content) Soil texture (water holding capacity, OM sorption) N deposition has been found to increase nitrification rates and increase nitrogen content of litter Objectives Examine potential nitrogen mineralization across a nitrogen gradient to determine effects of increased nitrogen inputs on nitrogen dynamics Determine the extent to which nitrogen supply through mineralization is correlated with exotic annual grass cover Examine the extent to which other soil factors may be influencing nitrogen dynamics and exotic grass cover in this region Methods Soils were collected in July from sixteen sites in and around Joshua Tree Park and brought to the laboratory for a 14 week mineralization incubation experiment Soils were brought to 60% WFPS and incubated at 25°C Three replicate samples were extracted for inorganic N at regular intervals Percent cover of native and exotic vegetation was recorded at each site Percent rock cover, bulk density, pH, total C, organic C, and total N of the soils was also determined for each