Simulated N deposition negatively impacts sugar maple regeneration in a northern hardwood ecosystem

Abstract

Summary1. During the next century, atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is projected to more than double, potentially leading to a decline in plant diversity as well as a change in plant community composition and structure.2. In a decade‐long field experiment, simulated atmospheric N deposition has slowed litter decay, resulting in an accumulation of forest floor (i.e. Oi & Oe horizons). We reasoned that a greater forest floor mass under simulated N deposition would impose a physical barrier to sugar maple Acer saccharum seedling establishment, thereby reducing seedling populations of an ecologically and economically important tree species.3. To test this idea, we first quantified sugar maple seedling abundance in replicate northern hardwood forest stands receiving ambient atmospheric N (7–12 kg N ha−1 year−1) and experimental atmospheric N deposition, simulating future amounts in eastern North America (ambient plus 30 kg NO3− N ha−1 year−1). Then, we experimentally manipulated forest floor mass under ambient and simulated N deposition treatments. Finally, we transplanted first‐year established seedlings into areas receiving ambient and simulated N deposition and quantified their mortality after 1 year.4. First‐year seedling abundance did not differ under ambient and simulated N deposition; however, there were greater abundances of second‐ and third‐to‐fifth‐year seedlings under ambient N deposition (P < 0·001). In all cases, experimental manipulation to increase forest floor mass, equivalent to that under simulated N deposition, resulted in significantly (P = 0·001) fewer established individuals, regardless of whether the greater forest floor mass occurred under ambient or simulated N deposition. Finally, fewer 1‐year‐old transplanted seedlings survived when grown under simulated N, albeit that result was not statistically significant.5. Synthesis and applications. The slowing of decay and the accumulation of forest floor under anthropogenic N deposition can negatively impact seedling survival and potentially alter stand development and structural diversity. As atmospheric N deposition increases globally, it becomes necessary to understand the mechanisms that lead to population changes for ecologically important tree species. The responses we document should be considered in simulations of future of forest’dynamics, as atmospheric N deposition continues to increase, specifically when sugar maple life‐history traits are included to simulate regeneration, structural diversity and stand development.