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Climate Variation and Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling Processes in a Northern Hardwood Forest

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Abstract

We exploited the natural climate gradient in the northern hardwood forest at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF) to evaluate the effects of climate variation similar to what is predicted to occur with global warming over the next 50–100 years for northeastern North America on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycle processes. Our objectives were to (1) characterize differences in soil temperature, moisture and frost associated with elevation at the HBEF and (2) evaluate variation in total soil (TSR) and microbial respiration, N mineralization, nitrification, denitrification, nitrous oxide (N2O) flux, and methane (CH4) uptake along this gradient. Low elevation sites were consistently warmer (1.5–2.5°C) and drier than high elevation sites. Despite higher temperatures, low elevation plots had less snow and more soil frost than high elevation plots. Net N mineralization and nitrification were slower in warmer, low elevation plots, in both summer and winter. In summer, this pattern was driven by lower soil moisture in warmer soils and in winter the pattern was linked to less snow and more soil freezing in warmer soils. These data suggest that N cycling and supply to plants in northern hardwood ecosystems will be reduced in a warmer climate due to changes in both winter and summer conditions. TSR was consistently faster in the warmer, low elevation plots. N cycling processes appeared to be more sensitive to variation in soil moisture induced by climate variation, whereas C cycling processes appeared to be more strongly influenced by temperature.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Lisa Martel for excellent field, laboratory, and data analysis work. This research was supported by US National Science Foundation Grants DEB 98-10221 (Hubbard Brook Long Term Ecological Research) and DEB 00-75387 (Ecosystem Studies). This research was conducted at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, which is operated by the Northeastern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Newtown Square, PA. This paper is a contribution to the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA

    Peter M. Groffman

  2. Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire, 03755, USA

    Janet P. Hardy

  3. Department of Zoology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 45056, USA

    Melany C. Fisk

  4. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853, USA

    Timothy J. Fahey

  5. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, 13244, USA

    Charles T. Driscoll

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  1. Peter M. Groffman
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Correspondence to Peter M. Groffman.

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PMG, JPH, MCF, TJF, and CTD conceived and designed the study, performed the research, and analyzed the data. PMG wrote the paper.

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Groffman, P.M., Hardy, J.P., Fisk, M.C. et al. Climate Variation and Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling Processes in a Northern Hardwood Forest. Ecosystems 12, 927–943 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-009-9268-y

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