title: Relationship between C:N/C:O stoichiometry and ecosystem services in managed production systems.
abstract: Land use and management intensity can influence provision of ecosystem services (ES). We argue that forest/agroforestry production systems are characterized by relatively higher C:O/C:N and ES value compared to arable production systems. Field investigations on C:N/C:O and 15 ES were determined in three diverse production systems: wheat monoculture (Cwheat), a combined food and energy system (CFE) and a beech forest in Denmark. The C:N/C:O ratios were 194.1/1.68, 94.1/1.57 and 59.5/1.45 for beech forest, CFE and Cwheat, respectively. The economic value of the non-marketed ES was also highest in beech forest (US$ 1089 ha(-1) yr(-1)) followed by CFE (US$ 800 ha(-1) yr(-1)) and Cwheat (US$ 339 ha(-1) yr(-1)). The combined economic value was highest in the CFE (US$ 3143 ha(-1) yr(-1)) as compared to the Cwheat (US$ 2767 ha(-1) yr(-1)) and beech forest (US$ 2365 ha(-1) yr(-1)). We argue that C:N/C:O can be used as a proxy of ES, particularly for the non-marketed ES, such as regulating, supporting and cultural services. These ES play a vital role in the sustainable production of food and energy. Therefore, they should be considered in decision making and developing appropriate policy responses for land use management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegård Allé 30, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark; Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bhim B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Ghaley
authors.affiliation: School of the Environment, Flinders University, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia.
authors.forename: Harpinder S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sandhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegård Allé 30, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark; Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatam, United Kingdom; Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics; D003718:Denmark; D017753:Ecosystem; D029964:Fagus / Q000378:metabolism; D065928:Forests; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen