Permafrost degradation affects nitrogen availability to tree growth: a tree-ring perspective

Abstract

Permafrost degradation driven by climate warming is reshaping boreal forest ecosystems, but the mechanisms linking thaw-induced soil changes to tree growth remain unclear. Here, we analysed a century-long (1901–2020) tree-ring record from Larix gmelinii in north-eastern China, integrating basal area increment (BAI), stable nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and carbon (δ¹³C) isotopes, and C/N ratios with active layer thickness (ALT) dynamics. During the recent warming period (1987–2020), ALT increased markedly, accompanied by accelerated declines in δ¹⁵N, reductions in C/N ratios, limited increases in BAI, and weakened correlations between BAI and growing-season temperature. Despite substantial releases of soil organic carbon and nitrogen from permafrost thaw, tree-ring δ¹⁵N and C/N continued to decline, indicating persistent nutrient limitation. Since the mid-twentieth century, tree growth has exhibited strengthened associations with δ¹⁵N and C/N, with δ¹⁵N emerging as the dominant correlate with BAI. These results demonstrate that rapid permafrost thaw modifies both soil and climatic conditions, thereby reducing nitrogen availability, constraining tree productivity, and weakening the climate–growth relationship. Our findings demonstrate the utility of tree-ring geochemical proxies for assessing long-term ecosystem responses and carbon–nitrogen interactions in boreal forests under climate warming.

Keywords

Tree growth / Stable isotopes / Active layer thickness / Permafrost degradation / Climate warming

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(42330501 & 41971104)

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(202309010)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Northeast Forestry University