Tree Species Influence Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Production in Forested Riparian Soils
Abundance of soil microbial nitrogen (N) cycling genes responsible for nitrification, denitrification, and nitrous oxide reduction may vary with tree species and N inputs, and these variables may be used to predict or mediate nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>) and nitrous o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Nitrogen |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/4/4/23 |
| _version_ | 1827573957725782016 |
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| author | Charlene N. Kelly Elizabeth A. Matejczyk Emma G. Fox-Fogle Jason A. Hubbart Timothy P. Driscoll |
| author_facet | Charlene N. Kelly Elizabeth A. Matejczyk Emma G. Fox-Fogle Jason A. Hubbart Timothy P. Driscoll |
| author_sort | Charlene N. Kelly |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abundance of soil microbial nitrogen (N) cycling genes responsible for nitrification, denitrification, and nitrous oxide reduction may vary with tree species and N inputs, and these variables may be used to predict or mediate nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>) and nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) from soil. Nitrification and denitrification rates have also been linked to tree mycorrhizal associations, as soil beneath species associated with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) shows greater nitrification rates than species forming ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations. In this study, we integrated N microbial functional gene abundance in the soil influenced by six tree species in two sub-catchments receiving either high or low N inputs. The soils beneath the two ECM-associated tree species and the four AM-associated tree species were analyzed for inorganic N content and potential N<sub>2</sub>O flux and microbial gene abundance (<i>nirK</i> and <i>nosZ</i>) was quantified using qPCR techniques. Other parameters measured include soil pH, moisture, and organic matter. We determined that tree species influence NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> and N<sub>2</sub>O production in riparian soils, particularly under high N enrichment. The soil beneath black cherry had the lowest pH, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> concentration, potential N<sub>2</sub>O production, and OM, though this result did not occur in the low N catchment. The strongest predictors of soil NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> and N<sub>2</sub>O across the study sites were N enrichment and pH, respectively. These results provide a framework for species selection in managed riparian zones to minimize NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> and N<sub>2</sub>O production and improve riparian function. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:29:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f558055c107e48de8d9e708f2cf32682 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2504-3129 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:29:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nitrogen |
| spelling | doaj.art-f558055c107e48de8d9e708f2cf326822023-12-22T14:29:38ZengMDPI AGNitrogen2504-31292023-11-014431133010.3390/nitrogen4040023Tree Species Influence Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Production in Forested Riparian SoilsCharlene N. Kelly0Elizabeth A. Matejczyk1Emma G. Fox-Fogle2Jason A. Hubbart3Timothy P. Driscoll4Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26508, USADepartment of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26508, USADepartment of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26508, USADivision of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26508, USADepartment of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26508, USAAbundance of soil microbial nitrogen (N) cycling genes responsible for nitrification, denitrification, and nitrous oxide reduction may vary with tree species and N inputs, and these variables may be used to predict or mediate nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>) and nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) from soil. Nitrification and denitrification rates have also been linked to tree mycorrhizal associations, as soil beneath species associated with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) shows greater nitrification rates than species forming ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations. In this study, we integrated N microbial functional gene abundance in the soil influenced by six tree species in two sub-catchments receiving either high or low N inputs. The soils beneath the two ECM-associated tree species and the four AM-associated tree species were analyzed for inorganic N content and potential N<sub>2</sub>O flux and microbial gene abundance (<i>nirK</i> and <i>nosZ</i>) was quantified using qPCR techniques. Other parameters measured include soil pH, moisture, and organic matter. We determined that tree species influence NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> and N<sub>2</sub>O production in riparian soils, particularly under high N enrichment. The soil beneath black cherry had the lowest pH, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> concentration, potential N<sub>2</sub>O production, and OM, though this result did not occur in the low N catchment. The strongest predictors of soil NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> and N<sub>2</sub>O across the study sites were N enrichment and pH, respectively. These results provide a framework for species selection in managed riparian zones to minimize NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> and N<sub>2</sub>O production and improve riparian function.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/4/4/23riparian soilnitratenitrous oxidetree speciesWest Run Watershed |
| spellingShingle | Charlene N. Kelly Elizabeth A. Matejczyk Emma G. Fox-Fogle Jason A. Hubbart Timothy P. Driscoll Tree Species Influence Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Production in Forested Riparian Soils Nitrogen riparian soil nitrate nitrous oxide tree species West Run Watershed |
| title | Tree Species Influence Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Production in Forested Riparian Soils |
| title_full | Tree Species Influence Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Production in Forested Riparian Soils |
| title_fullStr | Tree Species Influence Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Production in Forested Riparian Soils |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tree Species Influence Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Production in Forested Riparian Soils |
| title_short | Tree Species Influence Nitrate and Nitrous Oxide Production in Forested Riparian Soils |
| title_sort | tree species influence nitrate and nitrous oxide production in forested riparian soils |
| topic | riparian soil nitrate nitrous oxide tree species West Run Watershed |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/4/4/23 |
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