Final Report, Effect of climate change on C:N pools in a boreal ecosystem, Isle Royale, Michigan
Stottlemyer R. 1999. Final Report, Effect of climate change on C:N pools in a boreal ecosystem, Isle Royale, Michigan. Final Report. Research Rept. #80. United States Geological Survey. Fort Collins, Colorado
Boreal ecosystems have large soil nitrogen and carbon reservoirs. Nutrient cycling, biomass, and below- and above-ground biodiversity will be altered if climate change increases soil inorganic nitrogen availability. Nitrogen cycle response to climate change was examined in the boreal Wallace Lake watershed in Isle Royale National Park, MI. Studies were conducted on site and in the laboratory. Results indicate that the Wallace Lake watershed strongly retains atmospheric N inputs. Soil gross N mineralization rates increased with temperature and the peak in spring soil N mineralization was concurrent and related to streamwater N concentration and output. The ecosystem C budget appeared near balance, though soil and fine root respiration (CO2 efflux) increased with temperature. Streamwater dissolved organic carbon (DOC) appeared to have little direct effect on surface water chemistry or the aquatic ecosystem. However, the high retention of atmospheric N by the terrestrial system suggests likely changes in below and above-ground biomass and biodiversity have and are occurring. Also, the strong increase in ecosystem cycling of available N with small increases in soil temperature indicates climate change has much more potential to affect the biodiversity, biomass, and basic ecosystem functioning of Isle Royale National Park than predicted increases in precipitation N inputs from human activity.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Stottlemyer, R
- Date of Issue
- 1999-02-10
- Publisher
- United States Geological Survey
- Units
- ISRO
- Keywords
- Biomes, Boreal, Carbon (C), Climate Change, Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, Monitoring, Nitrogen (N), Soil Chemistry, terrestrial ecosystem, Watershed