title: [Effects of temperature, moisture and forest succession on nitrogen mineralization in hillside red soils in mid-subtropical region, China].
abstract: Effects of temperature, moisture and forest succession, as well as their interaction on nitrogen mineralization in hillside red soils in mid-subtropical region were investigated. The results showed that effects of temperature and succession stage on soil ammonification rate were significant with rate at 12 degrees C < 24 degrees C < 36 degrees C, and rate in shrub and Masson pine forest being lower than that in evergreen broad-leaved forest (P < 0.05), while the impact of moisture was not significant. Moisture and succession stage significantly affected the soil nitrification rate, with that of half-saturation being higher than natural and saturation moisture levels, and that in Masson pine forest being higher than in shrubs (P < 0.05), while temperature had no significant impact. The effects of temperature, moisture and succession stage on soil net N-mineralization rate were all significant, with 12 degrees C < 24 degrees C < 36 degrees C, half-saturation higher than natural and saturation, and shrubs < Masson pine forest < evergreen broad-leaved forest (P < 0.05). Soil ammonification and net N-mineralization rates increased with increasing temperature, while the maximum soil nitrification rate occurred at medium temperature. Moderate soil moisture would benefit the nitrogen mineralization process, and forest succession could improve soil nitrogen supply and restrain excessive nitrification.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. chenfush@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Fu-Sheng
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiao-Fei
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ge
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D028223:Pinus / Q000254:growth & development; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D013696:Temperature; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014867:Water; D009584:Nitrogen