Changes in forest nitrogen cycling across deposition gradient revealed by δ15N in tree rings

Tree rings provide valuable insight into past environmental changes. This study aimed to evaluate perturbations in tree ring width (TRW) and delta N-15 alongside soil acidity and nutrient availability gradients caused by the contrasting legacy of air pollution (nitrogen [N] and sulphur [S] deposition) and tree species (European beech, Silver fir and Norway spruce). We found consistent declines of tree ring delta N-15, which were temporarily unrelated to the changes in the TRW. The rate of delta N-15 change in tree rings was related to the contemporary foliar carbon (C) to phosphorus (P) ratio. This observation suggested that the long-term accumulation of N-15 depleted N in tree rings, likely mediated by retained N from deposition, was restricted primarily to stands with currently higher P availability. The shifts observed in tree-ring delta N-15 and TRW suggest that acidic air pollution rather than changes in stand productivity determined alteration of N and C cycles. Stable N isotopes in tree rings provided helpful information on the trajectory of the N cycle over the last century with direct consequences for a better understanding of future interactions among N, P and C cycles in terrestrial ecosystems.

Automated summary

Stable N isotopes in tree rings provide helpful information on the trajectory of the N cycle over the last century with direct consequences for a better understanding of future interactions among N, P and C cycles in terrestrial ecosystems.