Composition and decomposition of atmospheric reactive nitrogen to boreal forsest sites along the NL boreal ecosystem latitudinal transect (NL-BELT)

Vandenboer, Trevor (2014) Composition and decomposition of atmospheric reactive nitrogen to boreal forsest sites along the NL boreal ecosystem latitudinal transect (NL-BELT). Research Report. Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Increased nitrogen fixation by human activity has mobilized this element to the greatest extent in known history on Earth. Nitrogen released from burning fossil fuels and inefficient fertilizer use transfers reactive-nitrogen compounds to the atmosphere which can be transported to remote ecosystems. Productivity of remote ecosystems may change due to nitrogen-additions by a fertilizing effect, depending on the form deposited, until a tipping-point is reached, which can result in deleterious effects such as soil acidification, algal blooms in aquatic systems, and loss of ecosystem plant and animal diversity. Nitrogen-additions and exchange alters the use and loss rates of this element in affected ecosystems, and also use and loss of carbon, potentially affecting climate processes we know are linked to carbon cycling. These feedbacks make study of single ecosystems challenging and, because of its potential significance in climate change, increasing our understanding should be seen as a pressing issue.

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