This volume quantifies carbon storage in managed forest ecosystems not only in biomass, but also in all soil compartments. It investigates the interaction between the carbon and nitrogen cycles by working along a north-south transect through Europe that starts in northern Sweden, passes through a N-deposition maximum in central Europe and ends in Italy. For the first time biogeochemical processes are linked to biodiversity on a large geographic scale and with special focus on soil organisms. The accompanying CD-ROM provides a complete database of all flux, storage and species observations for modellers.

Inhalt

A Introduction to the European Transect.- 1 The Carbon and Nitrogen Cycle of Forest Ecosystems.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 The Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles.- 1.3 The NIPHYS/CANIF Project.- 1.4 Experimental Design.- 1.5 Conclusions.- References.- 2 Experimental Sites in the NIPHYS/CANIF Project.- 2.1 Site Description. The NIPHYS/CANIF Transect.- 2.2 Soil Characteristics.- 2.3 Ecosystem C and N Pools.- 2.4 Database.- 2.5 Conclusions.- References.- B Plant-Related Processes.- 3 Tree Biomass, Growth and Nutrient Pools.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Experimental Background.- 3.3 Biomass.- 3.4 Forest Productivity.- 3.5 Carbon and Nutrient Pools.- 3.6 Allometric and Functional Relations.- 3.7 Conclusion.- References.- 4 Linking Plant Nutrition and Ecosystem Processes.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Experimental Approach.- 4.3 Nutrient Concentrations.- 4.4 Nutrient Contents.- 4.5 Nitrogen Partitioning in Different Tree Compartments.- 4.6 Ecosystem C and N Pools.- 4.7 Conclusions.- References.- 5 Root Growth and Response to Nitrogen.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Approaches to the Study of Root Growth.- 5.3 Root Growth Measurements Obtained by Soil Coring.- 5.4 Root Growth Measurements Obtained by Root Windows.- 5.5 Root Growth Measurements Obtained by In-Growth Cores.- 5.6 Root Growth at Different European Forest Sites.- 5.7 Conclusion.- References.- 6 Nitrogen Uptake Processes in Roots and Mycorrhizas.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Approaches to Study Different Aspects of the N Uptake Process.- 6.3 Studies with Excised Roots and Mycorrhizas.- 6.4 Field-Based Experiments.- 6.5 Conclusions.- References.- 7 The Fate of 15N-Labelled Nitrogen Inputs to Coniferous and Broadleaf Forests.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Sites of Investigation.- 7.3 Approaches to Study the Fate of 15N-Labelled Nitrogen Inputs.- 7.4 N Release and Tree Uptake from 15N-Labelled Decomposing Litter in a Beech Forest in Aubure.- 7.5 Ecosystem Partitioning of 15N-Labelled Ammonium and Nitrate on the Sites in the Fichtelgebirge and Steigerwald.- 7.6 Conclusion.- References.- 8 Canopy Uptake and Utilization of Atmospheric Pollutant Nitrogen.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Atmospheric Nitrogen Pollutants.- 8.3 Pathways for Canopy Uptake of Nitrogen.- 8.4 Approaches to the Determination of Canopy Uptake of Nitrogen.- 8.5 Review of Research.- 8.6 Role in the Critical Load.- 8.7 Ecophysiological Consequences of Canopy N Uptake.- 8.8 Conclusions.- 8.9 Way Forward.- 8.10 Policy Implications.- References.- 9 Biotic and Abiotic Controls Over Ecosystem Cycling of Stable Natural Nitrogen, Carbon and Sulphur Isotopes.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Approaches to the Study of Stable Isotopes in the Field.- 9.3 ?15N of Ammonium and Nitrate in Wet Deposition.- 9.4 Stable Isotope Signatures in Different Ecosystem Compartments.- 9.5 ?15N Signatures as Indicators of N Saturation in Forest Ecosystems.- 9.6 Conclusion.- References.- C Heterotrophic Processes.- 10 Soil Respiration in Beech and Spruce Forests in Europe: Trends, Controlling Factors, Annual Budgets and Implications for the Ecosystem Carbon Balance.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Approaches to Measuring Soil Respiration.- 10.3 Daily and Seasonal Trends in Soil Respiration and Climatic Variables.- 10.4 Factors Controlling Soil Respiration.- 10.5 Comparison of Chamber Measurements with the Eddy Covariance Measurements Below the Canopy.- 10.6 Annual Budgets of Soil Respiration.- 10.7 Conclusion.- References.- 11 Annual Carbon and Nitrogen Fluxes in Soils Along the European Forest Transect, Determined Using the 14C-Bomb.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Forests, Sampling Procedure and Analysis.- 11.3 Model Description.- 11.4 Estimations of C and N Pools and Fluxes.- 11.5 Pools and Distribution of Carbon and Nitrogen in Soil Profiles.- 11.6 Variations in the Carbon Age and Mean Residence Times (MRTs).- 11.7 Annual Carbon and Nitrogen Fluxes.- 11.8 General Discussion.- 11.9 Conclusion.- References.- 12 Carbon Mineralisation in European Forest Soils.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Experimental Background.- 12.3 C Mineralisation in the North-South Transect.- 12.4 Long-Term Fertilisation Experiments.- 12.5 Mean Residence Time.- 12.6 Comparison of Intact and Sieved Soil Cores.- 12.7 Conclusion.- References.- 13 Litter Decomposition.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 Factors Affecting the Decomposition Process.- 13.3 Enzymatic Activity.- 13.4 Nitrogen Dynamics in Decomposing Litter.- 13.5 Decomposition Studies in Europe: from DECO, VAMOS, MICS to CANIF.- 13.6 Decomposition Studies Within a Latitudinal Transect of European Beech Forests.- 13.7 Conclusion.- References.- 14 Soil Nitrogen Turnover - Mineralisation, Nitrification and Denitrification in European Forest Soils.- 14.1 Background and Aim of the Study.- 14.2 Methods Used to Study N Turnover.- 14.3 Net N Mineralisation Based on Laboratory Studies.- 14.4 Net Nitrification Based on Laboratory Studies.- 14.5 Manipulation of pH, N Availability and Nitrifier Density in the Laboratory.- 14.6 Autotrophic Versus Heterotrophic Nitrification.- 14.7 Net N Mineralisation and Nitrification in N-Fertilisation Experiments.- 14.8 Comparison of N Turnover in Similar Soils at Different Climate.- 14.9 Comparison of N Turnover in Sieved and Intact Soil Cores.- 14.10 In Situ Mineralisation Studies at Aubure.- 14.11 Comparison of in Situ and Laboratory-Based Mineralisation Studies.- 14.12 Denitrification.- 14.13 Final Discussion.- 14.14 Conclusions.- References.- 15 Nitrogen and Carbon Interactions of Forest Soil Water.- 15.1 Introduction.- 15.2 Approaches to Studying the Forest Soil Waters.- 15.3 Soil Water Concentrations of Nitrogen and Carbon.- 15.4 Correlation Between Dissolved Organic Nitrogen and Carbon.- 15.5 Conclusions.- References.- D Diversity-Related Processes.- 16 Fungal Diversity in Ectomyccorhizal Communities of Norway Spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] and Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Along North-South Transects in Europe.- 16.1 Introduction.- 16.2 Analysis of Ectomycorrhizal Community Structure and Diversity.- 16.3 ECM Communities of Spruce Forests.- 16.4 ECM Communities of Beech Forests.- 16.5 Genetic Diversity Within a Population of Laccarina amethystina.- 16.6 Isolation and Growth of ECM Fungal Isolates on an Organic N Source.- 16.7 Comparative Evaluation of Ectomycorrhizal Diversity.- 16.8 Conclusion.- References.- 17 Diversity and Role of the Decomposer Food Web.- 17.1 Introduction.- 17.2 Approaches to Investigating Decomposer Communities.- 17.3 The Microflora.- 17.4 The Soil Fauna.- 17.5 Contribution of the Decomposer Food Web to C and N Flows.- 17.6 Conclusions.- References.- 18 Diversity and Role of Microorganisms.- 18.1 Introduction and Background.- 18.2 Experimental Background.- 18.3 Community of Microfungi in Beech Forests.- 18.4 Functional Diversity of Bacteria in the Litter of Coniferous Forests.- 18.5 Conclusion.- References.- E Integration.- 19 Spatial Variability and Long-Term Trends in Mass Balance of Nand S in Central European Forested Catchments.- 19.1 Introduction.- 19.2 Approaches to Studying Long-Term Changes in Watersheds.- 19.3 Temporal Variations and Trends.- 19.4 Budgets.- 19.5 Biological Cycling of Sulphur.- 19.6 Conclusion.- References.- 20 Model Analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in Picea and Fagus Forests.- 20.1 Introduction.- 20.2 Model Description.- 20.3 Input Data and Parameter Values.- 20.4 Model Calibration and Comparison wit…