Abstract

The dominant base cations (BC: i.e., Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+) are important in buffering soil and water acidity in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Ca2+., Mg2+, and K+ are also important in many plant physiological functions. Because BC availability is affected by changes in the nitrogen (N) cycle, we conducted a meta-analysis of previously published data to determine if N fertilization alters the availability of BC in terrestrial and stream ecosystems across biomes. We include data from 107 independent studies published in 62 different articles, taking a holistic perspective on BC by examining their responses to added N in plant foliage, bulk soil, soil solution, and stream water. Our results suggest N fertilization may accelerate BC loss from terrestrial ecosystems over time periods less than five years. We found that N additions resulted in an overall 24% decrease in the availability of exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ in the bulk soil of boreal forest, temperate forest, and grassland biomes. Collectively, responses of BC in boreal forest, temperate forest, tropical forest, and grassland biomes increased following N fertilization by about 71% in soil solution and 48% in stream waters. Additionally, BC responses in foliage decreased in boreal forest and temperate forest biomes following N additions over time periods less than five years, but there were no significant changes over longer time periods. Despite large short-term shifts in BC responses following N additions, we did not find evidence of widespread negative impacts on ecosystems over time periods greater than five years. This analysis suggests effects of N addition on the availability of exchangeable BC may diminish over time. Although the effects on BC can be substantial over periods less than five years, there is little available evidence that N fertilization has had large-scale detrimental effects on the availability of BC needed for plant growth within terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Base cations; Foliage concentration; Nitrogen fertilization; Calcium; Magnesium; Potassium; Sodium; Meta-analysis

Published in

Forest Ecology and Management
2011, Volume: 262, number: 2, pages: 95-104
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Lucas, Richard

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Futter, Martyn

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bishop, Kevin

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Egnell, Gustaf

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Laudon, Hjalmar

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Högberg, Peter

  • Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

SLU Future Forests


Sustainable Development Goals

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development


UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
Fish and Aquacultural Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2011.03.018

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/58020