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Forest soil carbon and nitrogen cycles under biomass harvest: Stability, transient response, and feedback

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  • Parolari, Anthony J.
  • Porporato, Amilcare

Abstract

Biomass harvest generates an imbalance in forest carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles and the nonlinear biogeochemical responses may have long-term consequences for soil fertility and sustainable management. We analyze these dynamics and characterize the impact of biomass harvest and N fertilization on soil biogeochemistry and ecosystem yield with an ecosystem model of intermediate complexity that couples plant and soil C and N cycles. Two harvest schemes are modeled: continuous harvest at low intensity and periodic clear-cut harvest. Continuously-harvested systems sustain N harvest at steady-state under net mineralization conditions, which depends on the C:N ratio and respiration rate of decomposers. Further, linear stability analysis reveals steady-state harvest regimes are associated with stable foci, indicating oscillations in C and N pools that decay with time after harvest. Modeled ecosystems under periodic clear-cut harvest operate in a limit-cycle with net mineralization on average. However, when N limitation is strong, soil C–N cycling switches between net immobilization and net mineralization through time. The model predicts an optimal rotation length associated with a maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and minimum external N losses. Through non-linear plant–soil feedbacks triggered by harvest, strong N limitation promotes short periods of immobilization and mineral N retention, which alter the relation between MSY and N losses. Rotational systems use N more efficiently than continuous systems with equivalent biomass yield as immobilization protects mineral N from leaching losses. These results highlight dynamic soil C–N cycle responses to harvest strategy that influence a range of functional characteristics, including N retention, leaching, and biomass yield.

Suggested Citation

  • Parolari, Anthony J. & Porporato, Amilcare, 2016. "Forest soil carbon and nitrogen cycles under biomass harvest: Stability, transient response, and feedback," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 329(C), pages 64-76.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:329:y:2016:i:c:p:64-76
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2016.03.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steven S. Perakis & Lars O. Hedin, 2002. "addendum: Nitrogen loss from unpolluted South American forests mainly via dissolved organic compounds," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6898), pages 665-665, August.
    2. Daniel D. Richter & Daniel Markewitz & Susan E. Trumbore & Carol G. Wells, 1999. "Rapid accumulation and turnover of soil carbon in a re-establishing forest," Nature, Nature, vol. 400(6739), pages 56-58, July.
    3. Steven S. Perakis & Lars O. Hedin, 2002. "Nitrogen loss from unpolluted South American forests mainly via dissolved organic compounds," Nature, Nature, vol. 415(6870), pages 416-419, January.
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    1. Parolari, Anthony J. & Mobley, Megan L. & Bacon, Allan R. & Katul, Gabriel G. & Richter, Daniel deB. & Porporato, Amilcare, 2017. "Boom and bust carbon-nitrogen dynamics during reforestation," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 360(C), pages 108-119.

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