Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition alters nutrient
availability and ecosystem productivity in many systems. In temperate forests
phosphorus (P) is a secondary limiting nutrient and its cycling receives less
study. P and N may interact to determine
productivity such that ecosystems receiving high rates of N deposition may
become limited by P. Northern hardwood
forests in the eastern US receive high rates of N deposition and exhibit
species-specific influences on N cycling and responses to N additions. We
examined how N deposition and tree species alter P pools. N deposition was simulated by adding NH4NO3
(50 kg ha-1 yr-1) to single species plots of Quercus rubra L., Acer saccharum
Marsh., Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr., Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., and Betula alleghaniensis Britt. in the
Catskill Mountains, New York
from 1997 to 2006. Phosphorus in microbial
biomass (PMIC), fine roots (PROOT) and soil solution (captured
by anion resins, PRES) were measured in summer 2006. PMIC was unaffected by N
fertilization or species (p=0.24, p=0.18). PROOT exhibited species
effects (F=6.22, p<0.01) but no fertilization effects (p=0.15). Organic
horizon PRES was greater (F=4.97, p<0.05) in fertilized plots of
all species except Q. rubra.
Mineral horizon PRES differed among species (F=4.49, p<0.01),
with A. saccharum
plots having the highest and T. canadensis
plots the lowest, but was unaffected by fertilization (p=0.22). In organic horizons added N may stimulate
microbial activity resulting in greater P mineralization. In mineral horizons
physical mechanisms like greater P sorption and pH-related declines in P
solubility may dominate P availability.