The effects of tree species with contrasting litter qualities on soil carbon storage along the soil development gradient

IF 4.3 3区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Biogeochemistry Pub Date : 2026-04-13 Epub Date: 2026-06-16 DOI:10.1007/s10533-026-01333-z

Lucie Hüblová, Ivo Světlík, Jan Frouz

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Abstract

Previous research indicates that the effects of tree species on carbon (C) storage differ with soil age. It has been hypothesized that in young soils, trees with low carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) litter promote C accumulation in mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) and mineral soil layer, while in mature soils, trees with high C:N litter support C storage in the particulate organic matter (POM) and organic soil layer. To test this, we studied adjacent forest stands of alder (low C:N litter) and spruce (high C:N litter) planted on a 50-year-old post-mining spoil heap (young soil) and in the surrounding landscape (> 1,000 years, mature soil). Spruce stored more C in the organic soil layer across both soil ages. In young soil, alder stored more C in the mineral soil layer and MAOM-containing fractions (silt and clay, microaggregates), while no differences between tree species were observed in mature soil. Contrary to our expectations, no significant differences were found for C storage in POM fraction. Our results indicate that low C:N litter of alder promoted high C stocks in MAOM-containing fractions in young soil, but differences between tree species disappeared as the capacity for further C stabilization declined in mature soil. In contrast, high C:N litter of spruce enhanced C accumulation in the organic layer, contributing to greater C storage in mature soil. These findings show the necessity of considering both tree species and soil age when selecting appropriate C storage strategies and highlight the need for context-specific afforestation and reforestation approaches.

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不同凋落物质量树种对土壤碳储量沿土壤发育梯度的影响

以往的研究表明，树种对碳(C)储量的影响随土壤年龄的不同而不同。假设在幼嫩土壤中，低碳氮比（C:N）凋落物促进C在矿物相关有机质（MAOM）和矿质土层中的积累，而在成熟土壤中，高碳氮比凋落物支持C在颗粒有机质（POM）和有机土层中的储存。为了验证这一点，我们研究了相邻的桤木（低碳氮凋落物）和云杉（高碳氮凋落物）林分，这些林分种植在一个有50年历史的采煤后废土堆（年轻土壤）和周围景观（1000年历史的成熟土壤）上。云杉在有机土层中储存了更多的碳。在幼嫩土壤中，桤木在矿质土层和含maom组分（粉土和粘土、微团聚体）中储存更多的C，而在成熟土壤中树种之间没有差异。与我们的预期相反，POM馏分中的C存储没有显着差异。结果表明，低C:N凋落物促进了幼龄土壤含maom组分的高C储量，但随着成熟土壤进一步稳定C的能力下降，树种间的差异消失。相反，高C:N凋落物促进了有机层碳的积累，有助于成熟土壤中碳的储存。这些发现表明，在选择适当的碳储存策略时，必须同时考虑树种和土壤年龄，并强调需要根据具体情况采取造林和再造林方法。

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来源期刊

Biogeochemistry 环境科学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

7.10

自引率

5.00%

发文量

112

审稿时长

3.2 months

期刊介绍： Biogeochemistry publishes original and synthetic papers dealing with biotic controls on the chemistry of the environment, or with the geochemical control of the structure and function of ecosystems. Cycles are considered, either of individual elements or of specific classes of natural or anthropogenic compounds in ecosystems. Particular emphasis is given to coupled interactions of element cycles. The journal spans from the molecular to global scales to elucidate the mechanisms driving patterns in biogeochemical cycles through space and time. Studies on both natural and artificial ecosystems are published when they contribute to a general understanding of biogeochemistry.