The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration by European forests and heathlands

de Vries, W.; Solberg, S.; Dobbertin, M.; Sterba, H.; Laubhann, D.; Van Oijen, M.; Evans, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7052-354X; Gundersen, P.; Kros, J.; Wamelink, G.W.W.; Reinds, G.J.; Sutton, M.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6263-6341. 2009 The impact of nitrogen deposition on carbon sequestration by European forests and heathlands. Forest Ecology and Management, 258 (8). 1814-1823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2009.02.034

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Abstract/Summary

In this study, we present estimated ranges in carbon (C) sequestration per kg nitrogen (N) addition in above-ground biomass and in soil organic matter for forests and heathlands, based on: (i) empirical relations between spatial patterns of carbon uptake and influencing environmental factors including nitrogen deposition (forests only), (ii) 15N field experiments, (iii) long-term low-dose N fertilizer experiments and (iv) results from ecosystem models. The results of the various studies are in close agreement and show that above-ground accumulation of carbon in forests is generally within the range 15–40 kg C/kg N. For heathlands, a range of 5–15 kg C/kg N has been observed based on low-dose N fertilizer experiments. The uncertainty in C sequestration per kg N addition in soils is larger than for above-ground biomass and varies on average between 5 and 35 kg C/kg N for both forests and heathlands. All together these data indicate a total carbon sequestration range of 5–75 kg C/kg N deposition for forest and heathlands, with a most common range of 20–40 kg C/kg N. Results cannot be extrapolated to systems with very high N inputs, nor to other ecosystems, such as peatlands, where the impact of N is much more variable, and may range from C sequestration to C losses.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2009.02.034
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 1 - Monitoring and Interpretation of Biogeochemical and Climate Changes > BGC - 1.3 - Quantify & attribute changes in biogeochemiical cycles ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Billett (to November 2013)
ISSN:	0378-1127
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science Ecology and Environment
Related URLs:	Author's Homepage
Date made live:	14 Oct 2009 08:37 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/8163

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