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Tree species partition N uptake by soil depth in boreal forests

Summary

Published in Ecology 95(5): 1127-1133

It is recognized that the coexistence of herbaceous species in N-depleted habitats can be facilitated by N partitioning; however, the existence of such a phenomenon for trees has not yet been demonstrated. Here, we show from both foliage and soil 15N natural abundance values and from a 12-year in situ 15N addition experiment, that black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana), two widespread species of the Canadian boreal forest, take up N at different depths. While black spruce takes up N from the organic soil, jack pine acquires it deeper within the highly N-depleted mineral soil. Systematic difference in foliar 15N natural abundance between the two species across seven sites distributed throughout the eastern Canadian boreal forest shows that N spatial partitioning is a widespread phenomenon. Distinct relationships between d15N and N concentration in leaves of both species further emphasize their difference in N acquisition strategies. This result suggests that such complementary mechanisms of N acquisition could facilitate tree species coexistence in such N-depleted habitats and could contribute to the positive biodiversity–productivity relationship recently revealed for the eastern Canadian boreal forest, where jack pine is present. It also has implications for forest management and provides new insights to interpret boreal forest regeneration following natural or anthropogenic perturbations.

Sector(s): 

Forests

Categorie(s): 

Scientific Article

Theme(s): 

Ecosystems and Environment, Forest Ecology, Forestry Research, Forests, Silviculture

Departmental author(s): 

Houle, Daniel, Moore, Jean-David, Ouimet, Rock

Author(s)

HOULE, Daniel, Jean-David MOORE, Rock OUIMET and Charles MARTY

Year of publication :

2014

Format :

Paper

Keywords :

épinette noire, pin gris, forêt boréale, niche écologique, N15, traceur isotopique, prélèvement de l'azote, écologie forestière, écosystèmes et environnement, sylviculture et rendement des forêts naturelles - peuplements résineux, article scientifique de recherche forestière, Picea mariana, Pinus banksiana, ecosystems and environment, forest ecology, silviculture and yield of natural forests - softwood stands, black spruce, boreal forest, 15N, Jack pine, niche concept, nitrogen partitioning

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