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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2014, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (7): 1-7.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20140701

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Seasonal Dynamics of Soil Nitrogen Transformation along Subalpine Elevational Gradient of Western Sichuan

Yin Rui, Xu Zhenfeng, Wu Fuzhong, Yang Wanqin, Xiong Li, Xiao Sa, Ma Zhiliang, Li Zhiping   

  1. Key Laboratory of Ecological Forestry Engineering Institute of Ecology & Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu 611130
  • Received:2013-02-24 Revised:2014-03-29 Online:2014-07-25 Published:2014-07-04
  • Contact: 杨万勤

Abstract:

The seasonal dynamics of soil nitrogen transformation in the three forest ecosystems (Primary fir forest, Fir-birch mixed forest and Secondary fir forest) along a subalpine elevational gradient of western Sichuan were investigated using a method of in situ top-closed incubation. The result showed that there were obvious seasonal variations in the rates of soil net nitrogen ammonification, nitrification, mineralization and fixation. The rates of net nitrogen nitrification, mineralization and fixation were higher in the non-growing season than in growing season, but net ammonification rate was very low and negative. Soil net nitrogen mineralization rate was the lowest in the early growing season, but the highest in the middle growing season. Soil net ammonification rates varied significantly with elevations (P<0.05). During the experimental period, soil nitrification contributed mostly to soil nitrogen mineralization and had a similar seasonality with soil nitrogen mineralization. The rate of soil net nitrogen mineralization at B was relatively lower than those of other two elevations, but there was no significant difference between them. Soil net nitrogen fixation rate was relatively higher in the non-growing season than in the growing season.

Key words: subalpine forests, elevation, soil nitrogen transformation, ammonification, nitrification, nitrogen mineralization, nitrogen fixation

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