Asynchronous responses of soil microbial community and understory plant community to simulated nitrogen deposition in a subtropical forest.

ABSTRACT: Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition greatly affects ecosystem processes and properties. However, few studies have simultaneously examined the responses of both the above- and belowground communities to N deposition. Here, we investigated the effects of 8 years of simulated N deposition on soil microbial communities and plant diversity in a subtropical forest. The quantities of experimental N added (g of N m(-2) year(-1)) and treatment codes were 0 (N0, control), 6 (N1), 12 (N2), and 24 (N3). Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) analysis was used to characterize the soil microbial community while plant diversity and coverage were determined in the permanent field plots. Microbial abundance was reduced by the N3 treatment, and plant species richness and coverage were reduced by both N2 and N3 tr

SUBMITTER: Wu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3810882 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature