Effects of experimental N addition on plant diversity in an old-growth temperate forest.

ABSTRACT: Temperate forest ecosystems have experienced mounting negative effects due to increasing levels of nitrogen (N) deposition. We examined the effects of experimental N addition on plant diversity in an old-growth temperate forest to test the following hypothesis: Long-term excessive N addition decreases plant diversity by affecting the growth of plants, which results from changes in the soil nutrient content and a decrease in the soil pH in temperate forests. Experimental N additions were administered at the following levels since 2008: control (0 kg N ha^-1 year^-1), low N (30 kg N ha^-1 year^-1), medium N (60 kg N ha^-1 year^-1), and high N (120 kg N ha^-1 year^-1). Additionally, plant diversity was studied fro

SUBMITTER: Lai M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6010721 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature