Responses of CO2 efflux from an alpine meadow soil on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau to multi-form and low-level N addition

Abstract

To assess the effects of atmospheric N deposition on the C budget of an alpine meadow ecosystem on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, it is necessary to explore the responses of soil-atmosphere carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange to N addition. Based on a multi-form, low-level N addition experiment, soil CO2 effluxes were monitored weekly using the static chamber and gas chromatograph technique. Soil variables and aboveground biomass were measured monthly to examine the key driving factors of soil CO2 efflux. The results showed that low-level N input tended to decrease soil moisture, whereas medium-level N input maintained soil moisture. Three-year N additions slightly increased soil inorganic N pools, especially the soil NH 4 + -N pool. N applications significantly increased aboveground biomass and soil CO2 efflux; moreover, this effect was more significant from NH 4 + -N than from NO 3 − -N fertilizer. In addition, the soil CO2 efflux was mainly driven by soil temperature, followed by aboveground biomass and NH 4 + -N pool. These results suggest that chronic atmospheric N deposition will stimulate soil CO2 efflux in the alpine meadow on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau by increasing available N content and promoting plant growth.