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Authors: Erickson, Heather E.¹; Soto, Patricia²; Johnson, Dale W.³; Roath, Brent⁴; Hunsaker, Carolyn⁵

Source: Forest Science, Volume 51, Number 3, June 2005 , pp. 211-220(10)

Abstract:

At a spatially heterogeneous mixed-conifer forest in the central California Sierras, we quantified total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), inorganic N, and net N mineralization in organic (O) and surface (0–15 cm) mineral soils, and in situ fluxes of inorganic N and ortho-phosphate using resin lysimeters under three patch types: closed canopy conifer, sparsely vegetated open canopy, and Ceanothus cordulatus thickets. In O horizons, total N and C pools ranked: closed canopy > Ceanothus > open canopy. In mineral soils, total N pools under Ceanothus exceeded those under closed canopy patches by about 30%. For 2 years, nitrate concentrations and rates of net N mineralization in O horizons were 4× greater under Ceanothus than under the other patch types. Similarly, ammonium concentrations and net N mineralization in mineral horizons were more than 80 and 200% greater, respectively, under Ceanothus than under the other patch types. In situ fluxes of nitrate were 4× greater beneath Ceanothus for 1 year, and no differences were found among the patch types for another year. Despite the interannual variability, our data suggest that Ceanothus contributes to a greater proportion of total N mineralized than based on cover alone, and may be important for forest nutrition under current conditions and after forest burning. FOR. SCI. 51(3):211–220.

Keywords: Soil nitrogen; soil carbon; net nitrogen mineralization; Ceanothus; Sierra Nevada forests; Abies concolor; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management

Document Type: Regular article

Affiliations: 1: School of Science and Technology Universidad Metropolitana PO Box 21150 San Juan Puerto Rico 00928-1150 Current Address: 12410 SE McGillivray Boulevard Vancouver WA 98683, Email: ericksonheather@yahoo.com 2: School of Science and Technology Universidad Metropolitana PO Box 21150 San Juan Puerto Rico 00928-1150 3: Department of Environmental and Resource Science University of Nevada Reno NV 89557, Email: dwj@cabnr.unr.edu 4: Sierra National Forest USFS Clovis CA 93611 5: Pacific Southwest Research Station USFS Fresno CA 93710