Ecological ramifications of the direct foliar uptake of nitrogen

Plant traits mediate foliar uptake of deposited nitrogen by mature woody plants

Increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition significantly disturbs ecosystem N cycle. Although foliar interception and uptake of N deposition can provide an important alternative N supply to forest ecosystems, the mechanisms regulating foliar N uptake from wet deposition are not fully understood. Here, we selected 19 woody species with a wide range of plant traits from different functional groups and conducted a 15N isotope labelling experiment through brushing 15NH4 + and 15NO3 - solution on canopy leaves. Our findings demonstrate that leaves can directly absorb N from wet deposition within a few hours. The average leaf 15N recoveries were 10% and 28% under 15NH4 + and 15NO3 - treatments across species, respectively, while twig N recoveries were only 1%-7% of leaf N recoveries. Differences in foliar N uptake efficiency among species were closely associated with leaf traits but were little influenced by meteorological conditions or soil nutrient status. Specifically, plants with higher leaf N concentration, larger specific leaf area and lower wax concentration exhibited higher leaf N recovery. Our results indicated that tree canopies could directly absorb N from atmospheric deposition. We highlight the critical role of leaf traits in determining canopy foliar N uptake, which may consequently influence plant competition under elevated N deposition.

Distinct effects of canopy vs understory and organic vs inorganic N deposition on root resource acquisition strategies of subtropical Moso bamboo plants

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition inevitably alters soil nutrient status, subsequently prompting plants to modify their root morphology (i.e., adopting a do-it-yourself strategy), mycorrhizal symbioses (i.e., outsourcing strategy), and root exudation (i.e., nutrient-mining strategy) linking with resource acquisition. However, how N deposition influences the integrated pattern of these resource-acquisition strategies remains unclear. Furthermore, most studies in forest ecosystems have focused on understory N and inorganic N deposition, neglecting canopy-associated processes (e.g., N interception and assimilation) and the impacts of organic N on root functional traits. In this study, we compared the effects of canopy vs understory, organic vs inorganic N deposition on eight root functional traits of Moso bamboo plants. Our results showed that N deposition significantly decreased arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization, altered root exudation rate and root foraging traits (branching intensity, specific root area, and length), but did not influence root tissue density and N concentration. Moreover, the impacts of N deposition on root functional traits varied significantly with deposition approach (canopy vs. understory), form (organic vs. inorganic), and their interaction, showing variations in both intensity and direction (positive/negative). Furthermore, specific root area and length were positively correlated with AMF colonization under canopy N deposition and root exudation rate in understory N deposition. Root trait variation under understory N deposition, but not under canopy N deposition, was classified into the collaboration gradient and the conservation gradient. These findings imply that coordination of nutrient-acquisition strategies dependent on N deposition approach. Overall, this study provides a holistic understanding of the impacts of N deposition on root resource-acquisition strategies. Our results indicate that the evaluation of N deposition on fine roots in forest ecosystems might be biased if N is added understory.

Foliar nitrogen uptake in broadleaf evergreen Mediterranean forests: Fertilisation experiment with labelled nitrogen

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in Mediterranean sclerophyllous forests of Holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia, Q. ilex) in Spain often exceeds empirical critical loads established for ecosystem conservation. There are still uncertainties on the capacity of canopy retention and uptake of the atmospheric N deposited of these forests. Studying and analysing all the forest nitrogen-cycle processes is essential to understand the potential effect of N deposition in these ecosystems. This study conducted a year-long short-term fertilisation experiment with labelled ammonium (15N-NH4) and nitrate (15N-NO3) to estimate foliar N absorption rates and assess the influence of leaf phenology and meteorological seasonal variations. Fertilising solutions were prepared to simulate low and high wet N deposition concentration, based on data reported from previous studies. Additionally, ecophysiological and meteorological measurements were collected to explore potential relationships between absorption rates, plant activity, and weather conditions. The results showed that Holm oak leaves were able to absorb both oxidised and reduced N compounds, with higher rates of NH4+ absorption. N recovery of both NH4+ and NO3- was higher in the low concentration treatments, suggesting reduced effectiveness of absorption as concentration increases. Foliar absorption rates were leaf-age dependent, with the highest values observed in young developing leaves. Foliar uptake showed seasonal changes with a clear reduction during the summer, linked to drought and dry weather conditions, and showing also smaller leaf net assimilation and stomatal conductance. During the rest of the year, foliar N absorption was not clearly associated to plant physiological activity but with environmental conditions. Our findings suggest that Holm oak canopies could absorb an important part of the incoming N deposition, but this process is compound, season and leaf phenology dependent. Further research is therefore needed to better understand and model this part of the N cycle.

Uptake and distribution of the inorganic components NH4+ and NO3- in PM2.5 by two Chinese conifers

Plants can effectively purify PM2.5 in the air, thereby improving air quality. Understanding the mechanisms of the uptake and distribution of PM2.5 in plants is crucial for enhancing their ecological benefits. In this study, the uptake and distribution of the water-soluble inorganic compounds ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) ions in PM2.5 by the two native Chinese conifers Manchurian red pine (Pinus tabuliformis) and Bunge's pine (P. bungeana) were investigated using a one-time aerosol treatment method combined with 15N tracing. The results showed the following: (1) Plants can efficiently uptake NH4+ (0.08-0.21 μg/g) and NO3- (0.03-0.68 μg/g) from PM2.5. Manchurian red pine uptakes these compounds more effectively with increases of 2.01-fold for NH4+ and 1.02-fold for NO3- compared with Bunge's pine. (2) The aboveground organs of the plants uptake and distribute more 15N than the belowground organs. The branches had the highest unit mass uptake (0.08-1.60 μg/g) and rate of distribution (16.91-53.60 %) for NH4+, while the leaves had the highest unit mass uptake (0.15-1.18 μg/g) and rate of distribution (50.78-84.88 %) for NO3-. (3) The ability of the aboveground organs to uptake 15N is influenced by the concentration of PM2.5, which showed an overall increase with increasing concentrations with some fluctuations in specific organs. However, the belowground organs were not affected by the concentration of PM2.5. (4) A larger specific leaf area, root-shoot ratio, branch biomass ratio, coarse root biomass ratio, and lower trunk biomass ratio favors the uptake of NH4+ from PM2.5, whereas these traits had a minimal influence on the uptake of NO3-. Manchurian red pine uptaked significantly more NH4+ compared with Bunge's pine, which benefited from the traits described above. These findings further revealed the mechanism of PM2.5 uptake by plants and its relationship with PM2.5 concentration and plant traits, and provided a scientific basis for how to effectively utilize plants to reduce PM2.5 pollution and purify the environment in areas with different pollution concentrations.

Factors influencing the difference in dissolved ion inputs to the forest floor between deciduous and coniferous stands: comparison under high and low atmospheric deposition conditions

It is necessary to clear the relationship between physical and vegetation factors on the processes governing dissolved ion inputs to the forest floor to estimate correctly the values of atmospheric input to the forest. This study identified the factors influencing the differences in dissolved ion inputs to the forest floor between coniferous evergreen and broad-leaved deciduous species by analyzing the phenological variations of dry deposition and canopy exchange calculated by the canopy budget model under a high-deposition site near the city of Tokyo and a low-deposition site 84 km further away. At low-deposition site, vegetation factors such as capture efficiency did not explain the differences in Na+ or Cl- dry deposition. Leaf physiological characteristics influenced the differences in the Mg2+ and Ca2+ canopy leaching values, and phenology, leaf wettability, and diffusion processes from water film into leaves influenced the differences in NH4+ and NO3- input processes between tree types. At the high-deposition site, differences in the dry deposition of Na+, SO42-, Cl-, Mg2+, Ca2+, NH4+, and NO3- between tree types were influenced by differences in capture efficiency between coniferous and broad-leaved canopies in the leafed period and by the absence of leaves in deciduous species after leaf fall. These results indicated that atmospheric deposition affected the capture efficiency of coniferous trees for dry deposition and enhanced the difference of dissolved ion inputs to the forest floor between coniferous and deciduous species.

Differences in phytohormone and flavonoid metabolism explain the sex differences in responses of Salix rehderiana to drought and nitrogen deposition

Due to global warming and the increase in nitrogen oxide emissions, plants experience drought and nitrogen (N) deposition. However, little is known about the acclimation to drought and N deposition of Salix species, which are dioecious woody plants. Here, an investigation into foliar N deposition combined with drought was conducted by assessing integrated phenotypes, phytohormones, transcriptomics, and metabolomics of male and female Salix rehderiana. The results indicated that there was greater transcriptional regulation in males than in females. Foliar N deposition induced an increase in foliar abscisic acid (ABA) levels in males, resulting in the inhibition of stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, carbon (C) and N accumulation, and growth, whereas more N was assimilated in females. Growth as well as C and N accumulation in drought-stressed S. rehderiana females increased after N deposition. Interestingly, drought decreased flavonoid biosynthesis whereas N deposition increased it in females. Both drought and N deposition increased flavonoid methylation in males and glycosylation in females. However, in drought-exposed S. rehderiana, N deposition increased the biosynthesis and glycosylation of flavonoids in females but decreased glycosylation in males. Therefore, foliar N deposition affects the growth and drought tolerance of S. rehderiana by altering the foliar ABA levels and the biosynthesis and modification of flavonoids. This work provides a basis for understanding how S. rehderiana may acclimate to N deposition and drought in the future.

Alternating processes of dry and wet nitrogen deposition have different effects on the function of canopy leaves: Implications for leaf photosynthesis

Canopy leaves are sinks of dry and wet nitrogen (N) deposition, most studies have not considered the response of canopy leaves to the alternating processes of dry and wet N deposition. We manipulated a close top chamber experiment to observe the effects of simulated N deposition with the same total deposition flux but different dry to wet ratios on leaf structure and physiology by spraying NH₄Cl solution or supplying gaseous NH₃ over the canopy of seedlings of three species (Betula platyphylla, Fraxinus mandshurica, Pinus koraiensis) placed in the chamber. After 32 days of N deposition and relative to the control, the leaf morphology and mesophyll tissue structure of the three species had no significant changes under all N deposition treatments. With the increase in the ratio of dry to wet N deposition, the N concentration, N metabolizing enzyme activity and soluble protein concentration in leaves of all three species increased continuously, but for the leaf light-saturated net photosynthesis rate, B. platyphylla showed a continuous increase, F. mandshurica showed a continuous decrease, and P. koraiensis showed no significant change. We found that F. mandshurica was the only species whose foliar chlorophyll and potassium concentration decreased with the increase in the ratio of dry to wet N deposition and its leaf light-saturated net photosynthesis rate was positively correlated with foliar chlorophyll and potassium concentration, respectively. Our results indicate that dry deposition is relatively more important on leaf physiological functions in alternating deposition. B. platyphylla and P. koraiensis may better acclimate to canopy NH₃/NH₄ ⁺ deposition than F. mandshurica. Most importantly, the results indicate that a single simulated dry and wet deposition would overestimate and underestimate the response of leaf function to atmospheric N deposition, respectively. Alternating processes of dry and wet deposition should be considered for more realistic assessments of the effects of atmospheric N deposition in forests.

Nitrogen budgets of a lower subtropical forest as affected by 6 years of over-canopy and understory nitrogen additions

Although tropical and subtropical regions have replaced temperate regions as the global-change hotspots for increased atmosphere nitrogen (N) deposition, whether the regional forests reach N saturation is still unclear. Understory or floor N addition has been commonly used in N-deposition studies, but the results of such studies have recently been challenged because they fail to account for canopy interception, assimilation, and leaching processes. Here, we conducted a field experiment to quantify the effects of over-canopy and understory N addition on N budgets in a lower subtropical monsoon evergreen broadleaved (LSMEB) forest. We found that the LSMEB forest was not N saturated after receiving additional N at 25 and 50 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 for 6 years. Plants were able to absorb the added N by increasing the N concentrations in their organs, with 120-412 % increasing trend of plant N pools under N-addition treatments. Canopy absorption of N resulting from over-canopy N addition led to increases in N concentrations in tree organs but not to increases in tree biomass. Understory N addition could underestimate the effects of N deposition in forests due to neglecting canopy N interception and canopy effects on N redistribution. Additional experiments using over-canopy N addition are needed to assess the true effects of N deposition on different forest ecosystems in different climate zones.

Direct Canopy Uptake of Atmospheric Reactive Nitrogen: A Significant Pathway for Airborne Nitrogen Input into Rice Paddy Ecosystems

Direct canopy uptake of atmospheric reactive nitrogen (ARN) is an important process, but the magnitude of ARN assimilation in agricultural ecosystems is unclear. We used a combination of a water-culture rice-growing system with a ¹⁵N tracer to investigate canopy uptake of ARN under field conditions. Gross uptake was quantified using the plant N partitioning approach, and the net uptake of ARN was estimated based on the system N balance. Gross ARN uptakes were 23.1 and 38.2 kg N·ha^-1 during vegetative and reproductive growth, respectively. Although a certain amount of N was lost mainly from the rice canopy during the reproductive phase, the net gain of ARN was 34.3 kg N·ha^-1 over the entire growing season, much higher than the present estimates of dry N deposition using an indirect inferential approach. Our results highlight the magnitude of direct canopy uptake of ARN in rice paddy ecosystems, an important N process that is rarely considered in present N budgets.

Nitrogen metabolic rate and differential ammonia volatilization regulate resistance against opportunistic fungus Alternaria alternata in tobacco

Nutritional correlations between plants and pathogens can crucially affect disease severity. As an essential macronutrient, the availability of nitrogen (N) and the types of N content play a fundamental part not only in energy metabolism and protein synthesis but also in pathogenesis. However, a direct connection has not yet been established between differences in the level of resistance and N metabolism. Pertinently, former studies hold ammonia (NH₃) accountable for the development of diseases in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and in some post-harvest fruits. With a purpose of pinpointing the function of NH₃ volatilization on Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissl pathogenesis and its correlation with both N metabolism and resistance differences to Alternaria alternata infection in tobacco, leaf tissue of two tobacco cultivars with susceptibility (Changbohuang; CBH), or resistance (Jingyehuang; JYH) were analyzed apropos of ammonia compensation point, apoplastic NH₄ ⁺ concentration, pH value as well as activities of key enzymes and N status. At the leaf age of 40 to 60 d, the susceptible cultivar had a significantly higher foliar apoplastic ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) concentration, pH value and NH₃ volatilization potential compared to the resistant one accompanied by a significant reduction in glutamine synthetase (GS), which in particular was a primary factor causing the NH₃ volatilization. The NH₄ ⁺ concentration in CBH was 1.44 times higher than that in JYH, and CBH had NH₃ compensation points that were 7.09, 6.15 and 4.35-fold higher than those of JYH at 40, 50 and 60 d, respectively. Moreover, the glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity had an upward tendency related to an increased NH₄ ⁺ accumulation in both leaf tissues and apoplast but not with the NH₃ compensation point. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that the accumulation of NH₃ volatilization, rather than NH₄ ⁺ and total N, was the primary factor inducing the Alternaria alternata infection in tobacco. Meanwhile, the susceptible cultivar was characterized by a higher N re-transfer ability of NH₃ volatilization, in contrast to the disease-resistant cultivar, and had a stronger capability of N assimilation and reutilization. This study provides a deeper understanding of the pathogenicity mechanism induced by Alternaria alternata, which is useful for breeding Alternaria alternata-resistant varieties of tobacco, at the same time, our research is also conducive to control tobacco brown spot caused by Alternaria alternata in the field.

Effects of simulated nitrogen deposition on the nutritional and physiological status of beech forests at two climatic contrasting sites in Italy

Anthropogenic activities have resulted in a significant increase of reactive nitrogen (N) compounds in the atmosphere and a rise in N deposition on forest ecosystems. Increasing N loads impact forest productivity and health, altering tree physiological status and nutrient balance with possible beneficial and detrimental consequences. The impact of N deposition has received considerable attention by scientific research, covering medium and high latitudes, while experimental studies in the Mediterranean area are almost absent. The present study used a manipulative approach, through replicated N additions (background deposition, 30, 60 kg N ha^-1yr^-1) to simulate the cumulative effects of N deposition in two beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.) forests located in contrasting climatic regions of Italy. Leaf nutrients and photosynthetic pigments were tested as monitoring indicators after four years of N fertilization. Foliar N and pigment concentrations indicated not limiting N conditions at both forest sites, although changes in chlorophylls and carotenoids showed an early response of the canopy to N additions. N-to-phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) ratios increased under elevated N fertilization, which could be partly related to the relative enhancement of foliar N concentration, and partly associated with the reduction of foliar P and S. The two eutrophic beech forests monitored were not severely affected by chronic N addition, not showing critical nutritional and physiological impairments over the short to medium period. However, the modifications in leaf nutrient and pigment compositions showed an incipient stress response and accentuated the differences induced by climatic and soil characteristics at the two sites. The potential use of nutrients and photosynthetic pigments in monitoring forest N deposition under contrasting climatic conditions and the eventual limits of manipulative experiments are discussed.

The Above-Ground Part of Submerged Macrophytes Plays an Important Role in Ammonium Utilization

As a paradoxical nutrient in water ecosystems, ammonium can promote plants growth under moderate concentration, but excess of it causes phytotoxic effects. Previous research has revealed that glutamate dehydrogenase in the above-ground part of submerged macrophytes plays an important role in ammonium detoxification. However, the strategies of ammonium utilization at the whole plant level of submerged macrophytes are still unclear and the role of the above-ground part in nutrient utilization has not been clearly elucidated in previous studies, hence, directly influencing the application of previous theory to practice. In the present research, we combined the methods of isotopic labeling and enzyme estimation to investigate strategies of ammonium utilization by the submerged macrophytes. The results showed that when [NH4 +-N] was 50 mg L-1, 15N taken up through the above-ground parts was 13.24 and 17.52 mg g-1 DW, while that of the below-ground parts was 4.24 and 8.54 mg g-1 DW in Potamogeton lucens and Myriophyllum spicatum, respectively. The ratios of 15N acropetal translocation to uptake were 25.75 and 35.69%, while those of basipetal translocation to uptake were 1.93 and 4.09% in P. lucens and M. spicatum, respectively. Our results indicated that the above-ground part was not only the main part for ammonium uptake, but also the major pool of exogenous ammonium. Besides, the dose-response curve of GDH (increased by 20.9 and 50.2% under 15 and 50 mg L-1 [NH4 +-N], respectively) exhibited by the above-ground parts of M. spicatum indicates that it is the main site for ammonium assimilation of the tolerant species. This study identifies the ammonium utilization strategy of submerged macrophytes and reveals the important role of the above-ground part in nutrient utilization providing new insight into the researches of nutrient utilization by plants and theoretical supports for water restoration by phytoremediation.

Effects of nitrogen addition and increased precipitation on xylem growth of Quercus acutissima Caruth. in central China

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and increasing precipitation affect carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems, but how these two concurrent global change variables affect xylem growth in trees (i.e., independently or interactively) remains unclear. We conducted novel experiments in central China to monitor the xylem growth in a dominant species (Quercus acutissima Caruth.) in response to N addition (CN), supplemental precipitation (CW) or both treatments (CNW), compared with untreated controls (C). Measurements were made at weekly intervals during 2014-15. We found that supplemental precipitation significantly enhanced xylem growth in the dry spring of 2015, indicating a time-varying effect of increased precipitation on intra-annual xylem growth. Elevated N had no significant effect on xylem increment, xylem growth rate, and lumen diameters and potential hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of earlywood vessels, but Ks with elevated N was significantly negatively related to xylem increment. The combination of additional N and supplemental precipitation suppressed the positive effect of supplemental precipitation on xylem increment in the dry spring of 2015. These findings indicated that xylem width was more responsive to supplemental precipitation than to increasing N in a dry early growing season; the positive effect of supplemental precipitation on xylem growth could be offset by elevated N resources. The negative interactive effect of N addition and supplemental precipitation also suggested that increasing N deposition and precipitation in the future might potentially affect carbon sequestration of Q. acutissima during the early growing season in central China. The effects of N addition and supplemental precipitation on tree growth are complex and might vary depending on the growth period and local climatic conditions. Therefore, future models of tree growth need to consider multiple-time scales and local climatic conditions when simulating and projecting global change.

Nickel-Catalyzed NO Group Transfer Coupled with NOx Conversion

Nitrogen oxide (NO_x) conversion is an important process for balancing the global nitrogen cycle. Distinct from the biological NO_x transformation, we have devised a synthetic approach to this issue by utilizing a bifunctional metal catalyst for producing value-added products from NO_x. Here, we present a novel catalysis based on a Ni pincer system, effectively converting Ni-NO_x to Ni-NO via deoxygenation with CO(g). This is followed by transfer of the in situ generated nitroso group to organic substrates, which favorably occurs at the flattened Ni(I)-NO site via its nucleophilic reaction. Successful catalytic production of oximes from benzyl halides using NaNO₂ is presented with a turnover number of >200 under mild conditions. In a key step of the catalysis, a nickel(I)-^•NO species effectively activates alkyl halides, which is carefully evaluated by both experimental and theoretical methods. Our nickel catalyst effectively fulfills a dual purpose, namely, deoxygenating NO_x anions and catalyzing C-N coupling.

Canopy and understory nitrogen addition have different effects on fine root dynamics in a temperate forest: implications for soil carbon storage

Elucidating the effects of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on fine root dynamics and the potential underlying mechanisms is required to understand the changes in belowground and aboveground carbon storage. However, research on these effects in forests has mostly involved direct understory addition of N and has ignored canopy interception and processing of N. Here, we conducted a field experiment comparing the effects of canopy addition of N (CAN) with those of understory addition of N (UAN) at three N-addition rates (0, 25 and 50 kg N ha^-1  yr^-1 ) on fine root dynamics in a temperate deciduous forest. Fine root production and biomass were significantly higher with CAN than with UAN. At the same N-addition rate, increases in fine root production with CAN were at least two-fold greater than with UAN. At the high N-addition rate and relative to the control, fine root biomass was significantly increased by CAN (by 23.5%) but was significantly decreased by UAN (by 12.2%). Our results indicate that traditional UAN may underestimate the responses of fine root dynamics to atmospheric N deposition in forest ecosystems. Canopy N processes should be considered for more realistic assessments of the effects of atmospheric N deposition in forests.

Canopy processing of N deposition increases short-term leaf N uptake and photosynthesis, but not long-term N retention for aspen seedlings

Forest canopies can retain nitrogen (N) from atmospheric deposition. However, most empirical and modeling studies do not consider the processing of the N deposited in the canopy. To assess whether N deposition through canopy will alter the plant's N uptake and retention, we conducted a 3-yr mesocosm experiment by applying (¹⁵ NH₄ )₂ SO₄ solution to aspen sapling canopies or directly to the soil. We found that ¹⁵ N-NH₄⁺ applied to the canopy was directly taken up by leaves. Compared with the soil N application, the canopy N application resulted in higher photosynthesis but lower N retention of the plant-soil system in the first growing season. Plant biomass, N concentration, and leaf N resorption were not significantly different between the canopy and soil N applications. The partitioning of retained ¹⁵ N among plant components and soil layers was similar between the two treatments 3 yr after the N application. Our findings indicated that the canopy N processing could alter leaf N supply and photosynthesis in the short term but not N retention in the long term. Under natural conditions, the chronic N deposition could continuously refill the canopy N pool, causing a sustained increase in canopy carbon uptake. Canopy N processing needs to be considered for accurately predicting the impact of N deposition.

Responses of functional traits to seven-year nitrogen addition in two tree species: coordination of hydraulics, gas exchange and carbon reserves

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has been observed to impact plant structure and functional traits in terrestrial ecosystems. Although the effect of N deposition on plant water use has been well-evaluated in laboratories and in experimental forests, the linkages between water and carbon relations under N deposition are unclear. Here, we report on hydraulics, gas exchange and carbon reserves of two broad-leaved tree species (Quercus mongolica and Fraxinus mandshurica) in mature temperate forests after a seven-year experiment with different levels of N addition (control (CK), low (23 kg N ha-1 yr-1), medium (46 kg N ha-1 yr-1) and high (69 kg N ha-1 yr-1)). We investigated variation in hydraulic traits (xylem-specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks), native percentage loss of conductivity (PLC) and leaf water potential), xylem anatomy (vessel diameter and density), gas exchange (maximum net photosynthesis rate and stomatal conductance) and carbon reserves (soluble sugars, starch and total nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC)) with different N addition levels. We found that medium N addition significantly increased Ks and vessel diameter compared to control, but accompanied increasing PLC and decreasing leaf water potential, suggesting that N addition results in a greater hydraulic efficiency and higher risk of embolism. N addition promoted photosynthetic capacity via increasing foliar N concentration but did not change stomatal conductance. In addition, we found increase in foliar soluble sugar concentration and decrease in starch concentration with N addition, and positive correlations between hydraulic traits (vessel diameter and PLC) and soluble sugars. These coupled responses of tree hydraulics and carbon metabolism are consistent with a regulatory role of carbohydrates in maintaining hydraulic integrity. Our study provides an important insight into the relationship of plant water transport and carbon dynamics under increasing N deposition.

Long-Term Impact of Liming on Soil C and N in a Fertile Spruce Forest Ecosystem

Liming can counteract acidification in forest soils, but the effects on soil C and N pools and fluxes over long periods are less well understood. Replicated plots in an acidic and N-rich 40-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies) forest in SW Sweden (Hasslöv) were treated with 0, 3.45 and 8.75 Mg ha−1 of dolomitic lime (D0, D2 and D3) in 1984. Between 1984 and 2016, soil organic C to 30 cm depth increased by 28 Mg ha−1 (30% increase) in D0 and decreased by 9 Mg ha−1 (9.4% decrease) in D3. The change in D2 was not significant (+ 2 Mg ha−1). Soil N pools changed proportionally to those in soil C pools. The C and N changes occurred almost exclusively in the top organic layer. Non-burrowing earthworms responded positively to liming and stimulated heterotrophic respiration in this layer in both D2 and D3. Burrowing earthworms in D3 further accelerated C and N turnover and loss of soil. The high soil C and N loss at our relatively N-rich site differs from studies of N-poor sites showing no C and N loss. Earthworms need both high pH and N-rich food to reach high abundance and biomass. This can explain why liming of N-rich soils often results in decreasing C and N pools, whereas liming of N-poor soils with few earthworms will not show any change in soil C and N. Extractable nitrate N was always higher in D3 than in D2 and D0. After 6 years (1990), potential nitrification was much higher in D3 (197 kg N ha−1) than in D0 (36 kg N ha−1), but this difference decreased during the following years, when also the unlimed organic layers showed high nitrification potential. Our experiment finds that high-dose liming of acidic N-rich forest soils produces an initial pulse of soil heterotrophic respiration and increases in earthworm biomass, which together cause long-term declines in soil C and N pools.

Atmospheric sulfur and nitrogen deposition in the Athabasca oil sands region is correlated with foliar nutrient levels and soil chemical properties

The oil extraction industry and human activity in north eastern Alberta has been growing steadily since the 1960's and is a source of air pollution. In the late 1990's the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association was established to monitor air quality for both public and environmental health. A primary environmental concern was soil acidification caused by sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) deposition. A network of forest health monitoring (FHM) sites was established in dry jack pine ecosystems to serve as an early indicator of negative impacts. A sampling campaign was executed in 2011 and this study examines soil properties and foliar nutrients in the context of measured and modeled acid deposition. Total N (TN), SO₄^2-, pH, base cation to aluminum ratio (BC:Al), and base saturation (% BS) are reported for the organic layer (LFH) and 3 depths in the mineral soil, while foliar nutrients were analysed from current annual growth in jack pine needles. Atmospheric deposition of S, N, BC, and potential acid input (PAI) in the study area was recently provided by Edgerton et al. (2020) and soil and foliar chemistry was evaluated based on deposition estimates and measurements. Inverse distance weighting was used to examine spatial patterns and regression analysis was used to quantify relationships between variables. The results indicated that S deposition is spatially correlated with foliar SO₄^2- concentration, and LFH SO₄^2-, but not mineral topsoil (0-5 cm) SO₄^2-. Nitrogen deposition was spatially correlated with foliar N concentration, but not LFH or topsoil TN indicating potential uptake by the foliage or rapid uptake by roots in the LFH layer. High BC deposition in the same areas with the highest potential acid inputs (PAI) did not correlate significantly with changes in soil pH. However, LFH pH was significantly related to dry NH₃ deposition, which has not been reported previously and requires further investigation.

Characteristics and influence factors of NO2 exchange flux between the atmosphere and P. nigra

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is an important substance in atmospheric photochemical processes and can also be absorbed by plants. NO₂ fluxes between the atmosphere and P. nigra seedlings were investigated by a double dynamic chambers method in Beijing from June 15 to September 3, 2017. The range of NO₂ exchange fluxes between P. nigra seedlings and the atmosphere was from -14.6 to 0.8 nmol/(m²·sec) (the positive data represent NO₂ emission from trees, while the negative values indicate absorption). Under ambient concentrations, the mean NO₂ flux during the fast-growing stage (Jun. 15-Aug. 4) was -3.0 nmol/(m²·sec), greater than the flux of -1.5 nmol/(m²·sec) during the later growth stage (Aug. 8-Sept. 3). The daily exchange fluxes of NO₂ obviously fluctuated. The fluxes were largest in the morning and decreased gradually over time. Additionally, the NO₂ fluxes were larger under high light intensities than under low light intensities during the whole growth period. The effects of temperature on NO₂ fluxes were different under two growth periods. The NO₂ exchange fluxes were larger in a range of temperatures close to 44°C in the fast-growing stage, whereas there were no evident differences in NO₂ exchange fluxes under widely differing temperatures in the later growth stage. Under polluted conditions, the uptake ability of NO₂ was weakened. Additionally, the compensation point of NO₂ was 5.6 ppb in the fast-growing stage, whereas it was 1.4 ppb in the later growth stage. The deposition velocities of NO₂ were between 0.3 and 2.4 mm/sec.

Specific responses of sap flux and leaf functional traits to simulated canopy and understory nitrogen additions in a deciduous broadleaf forest

To investigate the effects of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition on water use characteristics and leaf traits of trees, we performed canopy (C50) and understory (U50) N additions as NH4NO3 of 50 kg N ha-1 year-1 in a deciduous broadleaf forest of central China. We measured xylem sap flux, crown area:sapwood area ratio (Ca:As), specific leaf area (SLA), mass-based leaf nitrogen content (Nmass) and leaf carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) of Liquidambar formosana Hance, Quercus acutissima Carruth. and Quercus variabilis Blume. Functional traits under different N addition treatments and their responses among tree species were compared and the relationship between xylem sap flux and leaf functional traits under N additions were explored. Results showed that under U50 sap-flux density of xylem significantly decreased for three tree species. But the effect of C50 on sap flux was species-specific. The decrease of sap-flux density with N additions might be caused by the increased Ca/As. δ13C remained constant among different N addition treatments. The responses of SLA and Nmass to N additions were species- and N addition approaches-specific. The correlation of xylem sap flux with leaf traits was not found. Our findings indicate that the effects of canopy N addition on xylem sap flux and leaf functional traits were species-specific and it is necessary to employ canopy N addition for exploring the real responses of forest ecosystems to climate changes in the future researches.

Foliar uptake of atmospheric nitrate by two dominant subalpine plants: insights from in situ triple-isotope analysis

The significance of foliar uptake of nitrogen (N) compounds in natural conditions is not well understood, despite growing evidence of its importance to plant nutrition. In subalpine meadows, N-limitation fosters the dominance of specific subalpine plant species, which in turn ensures the provision of essential ecosystems services. Understanding how these plants absorb N and from which sources is important in predicting ecological consequences of increasing N deposition. Here, we investigate the sources of N to plants from subalpine meadows with distinct land-use history in the French Alps, using the triple isotopes (Δ¹⁷ O, δ¹⁸ O, and δ¹⁵ N) of plant tissue nitrate (NO₃^- ). We use this approach to evaluate the significance of foliar uptake of atmospheric NO₃^- (NO₃^-_atm ). The foliar uptake of NO₃^-_atm accounted for 4-16% of the leaf NO₃^- content, and contributed more to the leaf NO₃^- pool after peak biomass. Additionally, the gradual ¹⁵ N enrichment of NO₃^- from the soil to the leaves reflected the contribution of NO₃^-_atm assimilation to plants' metabolism. The present study confirms that foliar uptake is a potentially important pathway for NO₃^-_atm into subalpine plants. This is of major significance as N emissions (and deposition) are predicted to increase globally in the future.

Urine effects on grass and legume nitrogen isotopic composition: Pronounced short-term dynamics of δ15N

Nitrogen stable isotope (15N) natural abundance is widely used to study nitrogen cycling. In grazed ecosystems, urine patches are hot-spots of nitrogen inputs, losses, and changes in δ15N. Understanding δ15N dynamics in urine-affected vegetation is therefore crucial for accurate inferences from 15N natural abundance in grasslands. We hypothesized that leaf δ15N following urine deposition varies with time and plant functional group. Specifically, we expected (i) short-term decreases in δ15N due to foliar absorption of 15N-depleted volatilized ammonia, (ii) followed by increases in δ15N due to uptake of 15N-enriched soil inorganic nitrogen, and (iii) that the magnitude of these changes is less in legumes than in grasses. The latter should be expected because ammonia absorption depends on leaf nitrogen concentration, which is higher in legumes than grasses, and because biological nitrogen fixation will modify the influence of urine-derived nitrogen on δ15N in legumes. We applied cattle urine to a mixture of Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens in a pot experiment. Nitrogen concentration and δ15N were determined for successive leaf cohorts and bulk biomass either 17 (early) or 32 (late) days after urine application. Early after urine application, leaves of L. perenne were 15N-depleted compared to control plants (δ15N 0.1 vs. 5.8‰, respectively), but leaves of T. repens were not (-1.1 vs. -1.1‰, respectively). Later, both species increased their δ15N, but T. repens (4.5‰) less so than L. perenne (5.9‰). Vegetation sampled within and outside urine patches in the field further supported these results. Our findings confirm that foliar ammonia uptake can substantially decrease grass foliar δ15N, and that in both grass and legume the direction of the δ15N response to urine changes over time. Temporal dynamics of plant δ15N at urine patches therefore need to be explicitly addressed when 15N natural abundance is used to study nitrogen cycling in grazed grasslands.

Responses of sap flux and intrinsic water use efficiency to canopy and understory nitrogen addition in a temperate broadleaved deciduous forest

Increasing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition could profoundly impact structure and functioning of forest ecosystems. Therefore, we conducted a two-year (2014-2015) experiment to assess the responses of tree sap flux density (J_s) and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE_i) of dominant tree species (Liquidambar formosana, Quercus acutissima and Quercus variabilis) to increased N deposition at a manipulative experiment with canopy and understory N addition in a deciduous broadleaved forest. Five treatments were administered including N addition of 25 kg ha^-1 year^-1 and 50 kg ha^-1 year^-1 onto canopy (C25 and C50) and understory (U25 and U50), and control treatment (CK, without N addition). Our results showed neither canopy nor understory N addition had an impact on leaf N content and C:N ratio (P > 0.05). Due to the distinct influencing ways, canopy and understory N addition generated different impacts on J_s and WUE_i of the dominant tree species. Canopy N addition increased WUE_i of Q. variabilis, whereas understory addition treatment had a minimal impact on WUE_i. Both N additions did not exert impacts on WUE_i of L. formosana and Q. acutissima. Canopy N addition exerted negative impacts on J_s and its sensitivity to micrometeorological factors of Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis in 2014, while understory addition showed no effect. Neither canopy nor understory N addition had an influence on J_s of L. formosana in 2014. Probably owing to the increased soil acidification as the experiment proceeded, J_s of L. formosana and Q. variabilis was decreased by understory N addition while canopy addition had a minimal effect in 2015. Thus, the traditional understory addition approach could not fully reflect the effects of increased N deposition on the canopy-associated transpiration process indicated by the different responses of J_s and WUE_i to canopy and understory N addition, and exaggerated its influences induced by the variation of soil chemical properties.

Quantifying atmospheric N deposition in dryland ecosystems: A test of the Integrated Total Nitrogen Input (ITNI) method

Estimating nitrogen (N) deposition to terrestrial ecosystems is complicated by the multiple forms and routes of N loading from the atmosphere. We used the integrated total nitrogen input (ITNI) method, which is based on the principle of isotope dilution within a plant-liquid-sand system, to quantify N inputs to coastal sage scrub ecosystems in Riverside, California. Using the ITNI method, we measured atmospheric N deposition of 29.3 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 over a range of aboveground plant biomass of 228 to 424 g m^-2. From 85 to 96% of the atmospheric N inputs were taken up by plants in the ITNI modules with most of the assimilation mediated by, and stored in, aboveground biomass. Parallel measurements using conventional approaches yielded deposition rates of 25.2 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 when using the inferential method and 4.8 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 using throughfall collectors. The relatively low throughfall estimates were attributed to canopy retention of inorganic N, low rainfall, and to the fact that the throughfall flux data did not include organic N and stomatal uptake of N gases. Also, during dry periods, frequent watering of ITNI modules may have increased stomatal conductance and led to overestimates of N deposition. Across published studies that used the ITNI method, areal N deposition rates varied by ~40-fold, were positively correlated with plant biomass and 90% of the variability in measured deposition rates can be explained by plant biomass production. The ITNI method offers a holistic approach to measuring atmospheric N deposition in arid ecosystems, although more study is needed to understand how watering rates effect N deposition measurements.

Responses of forest ecosystems to increasing N deposition in China: A critical review

China has been experiencing a rapid increase in nitrogen (N) deposition due to intensified anthropogenic N emissions since the late 1970s. By synthesizing experimental and observational data taken from literature, we reviewed the responses of China's forests to increasing N deposition over time, with a focus on soil biogeochemical properties and acidification, plant nutrient stoichiometry, understory biodiversity, forest growth, and carbon (C) sequestration. Nitrogen deposition generally increased soil N availability and soil N leaching and decreased soil pH in China's forests. Consequently, microbial biomass C and microbial biomass N were both decreased, especially in subtropical forests. Nitrogen deposition increased the leaf N concentration and phosphorus resorption efficiency, which might induce nutrient imbalances in the forest ecosystems. Although experimental N addition might not affect plant species richness in the overstorey, it did significantly alter species composition of understory plants. Increased N stimulated tree growth in temperate forests, but this effect was weak in subtropical and tropical forests. Soil respiration in temperate forests was non-linearly responsive to N additions, with an increase at dosages of <60 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 and a decrease at dosages of >60 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1. However, it was consistently decreased by increased N inputs in subtropical and tropical forests. In light of future trends in the composition (e.g., reduced N vs. oxidized N) and the loads of N deposition in China, further research on the effects of N deposition on forest ecosystems will have critical implications for the management strategies of China's forests.

Canopy and understory nitrogen addition increase the xylem tracheid size of dominant broadleaf species in a subtropical forest of China

Tree xylem anatomy is associated with carbon accumulation and wood quality. Increasing nitrogen (N) deposition can cause a significant effect on xylem anatomy, but related information is limited for subtropical broadleaf tree species. A 3-year field N addition experiment, with different N addition approaches (canopy and understory) and addition rates (0, 25, and 50 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1), was performed beginning in 2013 in a subtropical forest of China. N addition effects on xylem tracheid (wall and lumen) size, vessel, and growth of dominant broadleaf species (Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. and Castanopsis chinensis (Sprengel) Hance) were investigated. The results showed that The effect of N addition on tracheid size was dependent on the tree species and addition approaches. Canopy N addition did not affect the tracheid size of C. chinensis, while both addition approaches increased the tracheid size of S. superba. The vessel size of both species was not affected by N addition. There was no difference in radial growth or other growth-related variables between the control and N-treated trees. These findings indicated that short-term N addition could significantly affect xylem anatomy, but might not influence tree growth. Meanwhile, understory N addition may pose challenges for mechanistic understanding and forest dynamics projection.

Nitrogen-induced new net primary production and carbon sequestration in global forests

Nitrogen (N) deposition and biological N fixation (BNF) are main external N inputs into terrestrial ecosystems. However, few studies have simultaneously quantified the contribution of these two external N inputs to global NPP and consequent C sequestration. Based on literature analysis, we estimated new net primary production (NPP) due to external N inputs from BNF and N deposition and the consequent C sinks in global boreal, temperate and tropical forest biomes via a stoichiometric scaling approach. Nitrogen-induced new NPP is estimated to be 3.48 Pg C yr^-1 in global established forests and contributes to a C sink of 1.83 Pg C yr^-1. More specifically, the aboveground and belowground new NPP are estimated to be 2.36 and 1.12 Pg C yr^-1, while the external N-induced C sinks in wood and soil are estimated to be 1.51 and 0.32 Pg C yr^-1, respectively. BNF contributes to a major proportion of N-induced new NPP (3.07 Pg C yr^-1) in global forest, and accounts for a C sink of 1.58 Pg C yr^-1. Compared with BNF, N deposition only makes a minor contribution to new NPP (0.41 Pg C yr^-1) and C sinks (0.25 Pg C yr^-1) in global forests. At the biome scale, rates of N-induced new NPP and C sink show an increase from boreal forest towards tropical forest, as mainly driven by an increase of BNF. In contrast, N deposition leads to a larger C sink in temperate forest (0.11 Pg C yr^-1) than boreal (0.06 Pg C yr^-1) and tropical forest (0.08 Pg C yr^-1). Our estimate of total C sink due to N-induced new NPP approximately matches an independent assessment of total C sink in global established forests, suggesting that external N inputs by BNF and atmospheric deposition are key drivers of C sinks in global forests.

A database of annual atmospheric acid and nutrient deposition to China's forests

Anthropogenic emissions have substantially altered atmospheric acid and nutrient deposition in China. Understanding the status and characteristics of acid and nutrient deposition to China’s forests is crucial to assess the consequent impacts, and to better guide forest management options. Based on a comprehensive literature review, here I present an updated database for annual acid and nutrient deposition during the period 1991-2015 in China’s forests (CFAND 2.0). The database includes information from 56 forested sites on the water fluxes of bulk precipitation and throughfall, the concentrations of H⁺ (pH), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N) (NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻), sulfur (S), dissolved phosphorus (P), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) in bulk precipitation and throughfall, and the fluxes of dissolved inorganic N, S, dissolved P, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in bulk deposition and throughfall. This database will help to understand the spatial patterns of acid and nutrient deposition, validate modelling results of acid and nutrient deposition and assess the ecological effects of acid and nutrient deposition in China’s forests.

Leaf nitrogen assimilation and partitioning differ among subtropical forest plants in response to canopy addition of nitrogen treatments

Global increases in nitrogen deposition may alter forest structure and function by interfering with plant nitrogen metabolism (e.g., assimilation and partitioning) and subsequent carbon assimilation, but it is unclear how these responses to nitrogen deposition differ among species. In this study, we conducted a 2-year experiment to investigate the effects of canopy addition of nitrogen (CAN) on leaf nitrogen assimilation and partitioning in three subtropical forest plants (Castanea henryi, Ardisia quinquegona, and Blastus cochinchinensis). We hypothesized that responses of leaf nitrogen assimilation and partitioning to CAN differ among subtropical forest plants. CAN increased leaf nitrate reductase (NR) activity, and leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll contents but reduced leaf maximum photosynthetic rate (A_max), photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) activity, and metabolic protein content of an overstory tree species C. henryi. In an understory tree A. quinquegona, CAN increased NR activity and glutamine synthetase activity and therefore increased metabolic protein synthesis (e.g., Rubisco) in leaves. In the shrub B. cochinchinensis, CAN increased A_max, PNUE, Rubisco content, metabolic protein content, and Rubisco activity in leaves. Leaf nitrogen assimilation and partitioning results indicated that A. quinquegona and B. cochinchinensis may better acclimate to CAN than C. henryi and that the acclimation mechanism differs among the species. Results from this study suggest that long-term elevated atmospheric nitrogen deposition has contributed to the ongoing transformation of subtropical forests into communities dominated by small trees and shrubs.

Alterations in leaf nitrogen metabolism indicated the structural changes of subtropical forest by canopy addition of nitrogen

Globally, nitrogen deposition increment has caused forest structural changes due to imbalanced plant nitrogen metabolism and subsequent carbon assimilation. Here, a 2 consecutive-year experiment was conducted to reveal the effects of canopy addition of nitrogen (CAN) on nitrogen absorption, assimilation, and allocation in leaves of three subtropical forest woody species (Castanea henryi, Ardisia quinquegona, and Blastus cochinchinensis). We hypothesized that CAN altered leaf nitrogen absorption, assimilation and partitioning of different plants in different ways in subtropical forest. It shows that CAN increased maximum photosynthetic rate (A_max), photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), and metabolic protein content of the two understory species A. quinquegona and B. cochinchinensis. By contrary, for the overstory species, C. henryi, A_max, PNUE, and metabolic protein content were significantly reduced in response to CAN. We found that changes in leaf nitrogen metabolism were mainly due to the differences in enzyme (e.g. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase and glutamine synthetase) activities under CAN treatment. Our results indicated that C. henryi may be more susceptible to CAN treatment, and both A. quinquegona and B. cochinchinensis could better adapt to CAN treatment but in different ways. Our findings may partially explain the ongoing degradation of subtropical forest into a community dominated by small trees and shrubs in recent decades. It is possible that persistent high levels of atmospheric nitrogen deposition will lead to the steady replacement of dominant woody species in this subtropical forest.

Photosynthetic Capacity, Stomatal Behavior and Chloroplast Ultrastructure in Leaves of the Endangered Plant Carpinus putoensis W.C.Cheng during Gaseous NO2 Exposure and after Recovery

Foliar uptake of gaseous NO2 mainly occurs through the stomata and disrupts normal plant growth, but no detailed reports about the physiological responses of plants exposed to NO2 are available. In this study, to study leaf physicochemical responses, stomatal characteristics and chloroplast structure, we observed the leaves of Carpinus putoensis W.C.Cheng after exposure to NO2 (6 μL/L) for five time periods (0, 1, 6, 24, and 72 h) and after 30 days of recovery following NO2 exposure. Our results showed that short-duration exposure to a high concentration of NO2 had significant negative impacts (p < 0.05) on the chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and chloroplast-related physicochemical processes of C. putoensis leaves; with the exception of one hour of NO2 exposure, which was helpful for plant physiological responses. Moreover, NO2 exposure significantly increased the thickness of the palisade/spongy tissue and caused swelling of the thylakoids within the chloroplasts; this thylakoid swelling could be reversed by removing the pollutant from the air flow. Restoration of unpolluted air alleviated the toxic effects of NO2, as indicated by an increased chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis, and PSII maximum quantum yield. These results could support the development of a treatment for roadside trees that are exposed to NO2 as a major road pollutant.

The value of wet leaves

Contents Summary 1156 I. Introduction 1156 II. How often are leaves wet? 1157 III. The costs of leaf wetting 1157 IV. The real and potential benefits of leaf wetting 1161 V. Wet leaves: costs, benefits and tradeoffs in a changing world 1165 Acknowledgements 1166 References 1166 SUMMARY: An often-overlooked feature of all plants is that their leaf surfaces are wet for significant periods over their lifetimes. Leaf wetting has a number of direct and indirect effects on plant function from the scale of the leaf to that of the ecosystem. The costs of leaf wetting for plant function, such as the growth of pathogens and the leaching of nutrients, have long been recognized. However, an emerging body of research has also begun to demonstrate some very clear benefits. For instance, leaf wetting can improve plant-water relations and lead to increased photosynthesis. Leaf wetting may also lead to synergistic effects on plant function, such as when leaf water potential improvements lead to enhanced growth that does not occur when plant leaves are dry. We identify important reasons why leaf wetting can be critical for plant sciences to not only acknowledge, but also directly address, in future research. To do so, we provide a framework for the consideration of the relative balance of the various costs and benefits resulting from leaf wetting, as well as how this balance may be expected to change given projected scenarios of global climate change in the future.

Nitrogen deposition outweighs climatic variability in driving annual growth rate of canopy beech trees: Evidence from long-term growth reconstruction across a geographic gradient

In this study, we investigated the role of climatic variability and atmospheric nitrogen deposition in driving long-term tree growth in canopy beech trees along a geographic gradient in the montane belt of the Italian peninsula, from the Alps to the southern Apennines. We sampled dominant trees at different developmental stages (from young to mature tree cohorts, with tree ages spanning from 35 to 160 years) and used stem analysis to infer historic reconstruction of tree volume and dominant height. Annual growth volume (G_V ) and height (G_H ) variability were related to annual variability in model simulated atmospheric nitrogen deposition and site-specific climatic variables, (i.e. mean annual temperature, total annual precipitation, mean growing period temperature, total growing period precipitation, and standard precipitation evapotranspiration index) and atmospheric CO₂ concentration, including tree cambial age among growth predictors. Generalized additive models (GAM), linear mixed-effects models (LMM), and Bayesian regression models (BRM) were independently employed to assess explanatory variables. The main results from our study were as follows: (i) tree age was the main explanatory variable for long-term growth variability; (ii) GAM, LMM, and BRM results consistently indicated climatic variables and CO₂ effects on G_V and G_H were weak, therefore evidence of recent climatic variability influence on beech annual growth rates was limited in the montane belt of the Italian peninsula; (iii) instead, significant positive nitrogen deposition (N_dep ) effects were repeatedly observed in G_V and G_H ; the positive effects of N_dep on canopy height growth rates, which tended to level off at N_dep values greater than approximately 1.0 g m^-2  y^-1 , were interpreted as positive impacts on forest stand above-ground net productivity at the selected study sites.

Eco-physiological response of Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. to increased atmospheric ammonia concentrations in a forest agrosystem

Ammonia (NH₃) emissions are linked to eutrophication, plant toxicity and ecosystem shifts from N to P limitation. Bryophytes are key components of terrestrial ecosystems, yet highly sensitive to N deposition. Hence, physiological responses of mosses may be indicative of NH₃-related impacts, and thus useful to foresee future ecosystem damages and establish atmospheric Critical Levels (CLEs). In this work, samples of Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. were seasonally collected along a well-defined NH₃ concentration gradient in an oak woodland during a one-year period. We performed a comprehensive evaluation of tissue chemistry, stoichiometry, metabolic enzymes, antioxidant response, membrane damages, photosynthetic pigments, soluble protein content and N and C isotopic fractionation. Our results showed that all the physiological parameters studied (except P, K, Ca and C) responded to the NH₃ gradient in predictable ways, although the magnitude and significance of the response were dependent on the sampling season, especially for enzymatic activities and pigments content. Nutritional imbalances, membrane damages and disturbance of cellular C and N metabolism were found as a consequence to NH₃ exposure, being more affected the mosses more exposed to the barn atmosphere. These findings suggested significant implications of intensive farming for the correct functioning of oak woodlands and highlighted the importance of seasonal dynamics in the study of key physiological processes related to photosynthesis, mosses nutrition and responses to oxidative stress. Finally, tissue N showed the greatest potential for the identification of NH₃-related ecological end points (estimated CLE=3.5μgm^-3), whereas highly scattered physiological responses, although highly sensitive, were not suitable to that end.

Intra-annual Dynamics of Xylem Formation in Liquidambar formosana Subjected to Canopy and Understory N Addition

Increasing N deposition caused by intensive anthropogenic activities is expected to affect forest growth. However, the effects of N deposition on trees are still controversial due to the wide variability in results and experimental methods used. We conducted an experiment involving both canopy and understory N addition to investigate the effects of N-addition on intra-annual xylem formation of Chinese sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana) in a warm-temperate forest of Central China. Since 2013, 50 kg N ha^-1 year^-1 (2.5 times the current natural N deposition) was applied monthly from April to December. In 2014 and 2015, the timing and dynamics of xylem formation were monitored weekly during March-December by microcoring the stems of control and treated trees. Similar dynamics of wood formation were observed between canopy and understory N addition. Xylem formation of all the experimental trees started in March and lasted for 119-292 days. Compared to the control, no change was observed in the timing and dynamics of wood formation in N-treated trees. Tree ring-width ranged between 1701 and 4774 μm, with a rate of xylem production of 10.52-26.64 μm day^-1. The radial growth of trees was not modified by the treatments. Our findings suggest that short-term N addition is unable to affect the dynamics of xylem formation in Chinese sweetgum in Central China. The effects of N on tree growth observed in previous studies might be related to the duration of the experiment or the imbalance between the amount of natural deposition and N added during treatments.

Direct effect of acid rain on leaf chlorophyll content of terrestrial plants in China

Anthropogenic emissions of acid precursors in China have resulted in widespread acid rain since the 1980s. Although efforts have been made to assess the indirect, soil mediated ecological effects of acid rain, a systematic assessment of the direct foliage injury by acid rain across terrestrial plants is lacking. Leaf chlorophyll content is an important indicator of direct foliage damage and strongly related to plant productivity. We synthesized data from published literature on experiments of simulated acid rain, by directly exposing plants to acid solutions with varying pH levels, to assess the direct effect of acid rain on leaf chlorophyll content across 67 terrestrial plants in China. Our results indicate that acid rain substantially reduces leaf chlorophyll content by 6.71% per pH unit across the recorded plant species. The direct reduction of leaf chlorophyll content due to acid rain exposure showed no significant difference across calcicole, ubiquist or calcifuge species, implying that soil acidity preference does not influence the sensitivity to leaf injury by acid rain. On average, the direct effects of acid rain on leaf chlorophyll on trees, shrubs and herbs were comparable. The effects, however varied across functional groups and economic use types. Specifically, leaf chlorophyll content of deciduous species was more sensitive to acid rain in comparison to evergreen species. Moreover, vegetables and fruit trees were more sensitive to acid rain than other economically used plants. Our findings imply a potential production reduction and economic loss due to the direct foliage damage by acid rain.

Quantitative study on nitrogen deposition and canopy retention in Mediterranean evergreen forests

To assess the impact of nitrogen (N) pollutants on forest ecosystems, the role of the interactions in the canopy needs to be understood. A great number of studies have addressed this issue in heavily N-polluted regions in north and central Europe. Much less information is available for the Iberian Peninsula, and yet this region is home to mountain forests and alpine grasslands that may be at risk due to excessive N deposition. To establish the basis for ecology-based policies, there is a need to better understand the forest response to this atmospheric impact. To fill this gap, in this study, we measured N deposition (as bulk, wet, and throughfall fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen) and air N gas concentrations from 2011 to 2013 at four Spanish holm oak (Quercus ilex) forests located in different pollution environments. One site was in an area of intensive agriculture, two sites were influenced by big cities (Madrid and Barcelona, respectively), and one site was in a rural mountain environment 40 km north of Barcelona. Wet deposition ranged between 0.54 and 3.8 kg N ha^-1 year^-1 for ammonium (NH₄⁺)-N and between 0.65 and 2.1 kg N ha^-1 year^-1 for nitrate (NO₃^-)-N, with the lowest deposition at the Madrid site for both components. Dry deposition was evaluated with three different approaches: (1) a canopy budget model based in throughfall measurements, (2) a branch washing method, and (3) inferential calculations. Taking the average dry deposition from these methods, dry deposition represented 51-67% (reduced N) and 72-75% (oxidized N) of total N deposition. Canopies retained both NH₄⁺-N and NO₃-N, with a higher retention at the agricultural and rural sites (50-60%) than at sites located close to big cities (20-35%, though more uncertainty was found for the site near Madrid), thereby highlighting the role of the forest canopy in processing N pollutant emissions.

Non-linear direct effects of acid rain on leaf photosynthetic rate of terrestrial plants

Anthropogenic emissions of acid precursors have enhanced global occurrence of acid rain, especially in East Asia. Acid rain directly suppresses leaf function by eroding surface waxes and cuticle and leaching base cations from mesophyll cells, while the simultaneous foliar uptake of nitrates in rainwater may directly benefit leaf photosynthesis and plant growth, suggesting a non-linear direct effect of acid rain. By synthesizing data from literature on acid rain exposure experiments, we assessed the direct effects of acid rain on leaf photosynthesis across 49 terrestrial plants in China. Our results show a non-linear direct effect of acid rain on leaf photosynthetic rate, including a neutral to positive effect above pH 5.0 and a negative effect below that pH level. The acid rain sensitivity of leaf photosynthesis showed no significant difference between herbs and woody species below pH 5.0, but the impacts above that pH level were strongly different, resulting in a significant increase in leaf photosynthetic rate of woody species and an insignificant effect on herbs. Our analysis also indicates a positive effect of the molar ratio of nitric versus sulfuric acid in the acid solution on leaf photosynthetic rate. These findings imply that rainwater acidity and the composition of acids both affect the response of leaf photosynthesis and therefore result in a non-linear direct effect.

Global forest carbon uptake due to nitrogen and phosphorus deposition from 1850 to 2100

Spatial patterns and temporal trends of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deposition are important for quantifying their impact on forest carbon (C) uptake. In a first step, we modeled historical and future change in the global distributions of the atmospheric deposition of N and P from the dry and wet deposition of aerosols and gases containing N and P. Future projections were compared between two scenarios with contrasting aerosol emissions. Modeled fields of N and P deposition and P concentration were evaluated using globally distributed in situ measurements. N deposition peaked around 1990 in European forests and around 2010 in East Asian forests, and both increased sevenfold relative to 1850. P deposition peaked around 2010 in South Asian forests and increased 3.5-fold relative to 1850. In a second step, we estimated the change in C storage in forests due to the fertilization by deposited N and P (∆C_{ν dep} ), based on the retention of deposited nutrients, their allocation within plants, and C:N and C:P stoichiometry. ∆C_{ν dep} for 1997-2013 was estimated to be 0.27 ± 0.13 Pg C year^-1 from N and 0.054 ± 0.10 Pg C year^-1 from P, contributing 9% and 2% of the terrestrial C sink, respectively. Sensitivity tests show that uncertainty of ∆C_{ν dep} was larger from P than from N, mainly due to uncertainty in the fraction of deposited P that is fixed by soil. ∆C_Pdep was exceeded by ∆C_Ndep over 1960-2007 in a large area of East Asian and West European forests due to a faster growth in N deposition than P. Our results suggest a significant contribution of anthropogenic P deposition to C storage, and additional sources of N are needed to support C storage by P in some Asian tropical forests where the deposition rate increased even faster for P than for N.

NOXious gases and the unpredictability of emerging plant pathogens under climate change

Emerging pathogens of crops threaten food security and are increasingly problematic due to intensive agriculture and high volumes of trade and transport in plants and plant products. The ability to predict pathogen risk to agricultural regions would therefore be valuable. However, predictions are complicated by multi-faceted relationships between crops, their pathogens, and climate change. Climate change is related to industrialization, which has brought not only a rise in greenhouse gas emissions but also an increase in other atmospheric pollutants. Here, we consider the implications of rising levels of reactive nitrogen gases and their manifold interactions with crops and crop diseases.

Mechanisms of nitrogen deposition effects on temperate forest lichens and trees

We review the mechanisms of deleterious nitrogen (N) deposition impacts on temperate forests, with a particular focus on trees and lichens. Elevated anthropogenic N deposition to forests has varied effects on individual organisms depending on characteristics both of the N inputs (form, timing, amount) and of the organisms (ecology, physiology) involved. Improved mechanistic knowledge of these effects can aid in developing robust predictions of how organisms respond to either increases or decreases in N deposition. Rising N levels affect forests in micro- and macroscopic ways from physiological responses at the cellular, tissue, and organism levels to influencing individual species and entire communities and ecosystems. A synthesis of these processes forms the basis for the overarching themes of this paper, which focuses on N effects at different levels of biological organization in temperate forests. For lichens, the mechanisms of direct effects of N are relatively well known at cellular, organismal, and community levels, though interactions of N with other stressors merit further research. For trees, effects of N deposition are better understood for N as an acidifying agent than as a nutrient; in both cases, the impacts can reflect direct effects on short time scales and indirect effects mediated through long-term soil and belowground changes. There are many gaps on fundamental N use and cycling in ecosystems, and we highlight the most critical gaps for understanding potential deleterious effects of N deposition. For lichens, these gaps include both how N affects specific metabolic pathways and how N is metabolized. For trees, these gaps include understanding the direct effects of N deposition onto forest canopies, the sensitivity of different tree species and mycorrhizal symbionts to N, the influence of soil properties, and the reversibility of N and acidification effects on plants and soils. Continued study of how these N response mechanisms interact with one another, and with other dimensions of global change, remains essential for predicting ongoing changes in lichen and tree populations across North American temperate forests.

Atmospheric emission of nitric oxide and processes involved in its biogeochemical transformation in terrestrial environment

Nitric oxide (NO) is an intra- and intercellular gaseous signaling molecule with a broad spectrum of regulatory functions in biological system. Its emissions are produced by both natural and anthropogenic sources; however, soils are among the most important sources of NO. Nitric oxide plays a decisive role in environmental-atmospheric chemistry by controlling the tropospheric photochemical production of ozone and regulates formation of various oxidizing agents such as hydroxyl radical (OH), which contributes to the formation of acid of precipitates. Consequently, for developing strategies to overcome the deleterious impact of NO on terrestrial ecosystem, it is mandatory to have reliable information about the exact emission mechanism and processes involved in its transformation in soil-atmospheric system. Although the formation process of NO is a complex phenomenon and depends on many physicochemical characteristics, such as organic matter, soil pH, soil moisture, soil temperature, etc., this review provides comprehensive updates about the emission characteristics and biogeochemical transformation mechanism of NO. Moreover, this article will also be helpful to understand the processes involved in the consumption of NO in soils. Further studies describing the functions of NO in biological system are also discussed.

Forest biogeochemistry in response to drought

Trees alter their use and allocation of nutrients in response to drought, and changes in soil nutrient cycling and trace gas flux (N2 O and CH4 ) are observed when experimental drought is imposed on forests. In extreme droughts, trees are increasingly susceptible to attack by pests and pathogens, which can lead to major changes in nutrient flux to the soil. Extreme droughts often lead to more common and more intense forest fires, causing dramatic changes in the nutrient storage and loss from forest ecosystems. Changes in the future manifestation of drought will affect carbon uptake and storage in forests, leading to feedbacks to the Earth's climate system. We must improve the recognition of drought in nature, our ability to manage our forests in the face of drought, and the parameterization of drought in earth system models for improved predictions of carbon uptake and storage in the world's forests.

Consistent effects of canopy vs. understory nitrogen addition on the soil exchangeable cations and microbial community in two contrasting forests

Anthropogenic N deposition has been well documented to cause substantial impacts on the chemical and biological properties of forest soils. In most studies, however, atmospheric N deposition has been simulated by directly adding N to the forest floor. Such studies thus ignored the potentially significant effect of some key processes occurring in forest canopy (i.e., nitrogen retention) and may therefore have incorrectly assessed the effects of N deposition on soils. Here, we conducted an experiment that included both understory addition of N (UAN) and canopy addition of N (CAN) in two contrasting forests (temperate deciduous forest vs. subtropical evergreen forest). The goal was to determine whether the effects on soil exchangeable cations and microbial biomass differed between CAN and UAN. We found that N addition reduced pH, BS (base saturation) and exchangeable Ca and increased exchangeable Al significantly only at the temperate JGS site, and reduced the biomass of most soil microbial groups only at the subtropical SMT site. Except for soil exchangeable Mn, however, effects on soil chemical properties and soil microbial community did not significantly differ between CAN and UAN. Although biotic and abiotic soil characteristics differ significantly and the responses of both soil exchangeable cations and microbial biomass were different between the two study sites, we found no significant interactive effects between study site and N treatment approach on almost all soil properties involved in this study. In addition, N addition rate (25 vs. 50 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)) did not show different effects on soil properties under both N addition approaches. These findings did not support previous prediction which expected that, by bypassing canopy effects (i.e., canopy retention and foliage fertilization), understory addition of N would overestimate the effects of N deposition on forest soil properties, at least for short time scale.