Divergent response of surface and deep soil nitrogen mineralization to nitrogen and phosphorus additions in a subtropical forest

Abstract

Soil net nitrogen (N) mineralization rate (N_min) is closely linked to N availability in forests, while the combined impact of N and phosphorus (P) deposition on N_min remains unclear in subtropical forests. In this study, the impact of N and P input on the dynamics of N_min via laboratory incubation approach as well as the controlling factors along the soil depths (i.e., 0‒20, 20‒40, 40‒60, 60‒80 cm), were investigated based on a long-term N and P simulated field experiment in a subtropical forest. The addition of N significantly increased soil N_min by 44%‒400%, while P addition mitigates the impact of N deposition. Vertical stratification of soil properties and microbial traits was detected with surface soils exhibiting higher nutrient availability and microbial diversity than deep soils; while fungal diversity showed notable increase with depth. Linear mixed-effects models and structural equation modeling analyses suggested that soil abiotic factors including NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N, and dissolved organic carbon, play primary roles in driving N_min than biotic factors, indicating the role of soil substrate in controlling N_min in subtropical forest soils. These findings demonstrate the depth-dependent effect of N and P on soil N_min in P-limited subtropical forests, shedding new light on the availability of N in the context of global change.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

nitrogen mineralization / deep soils / nitrogen input / protistan diversity / depth profile

Highlight

	● N input has a strong impact on soil net N mineralization.
	● P input mitigates the impact of N input in subtropical forests.
	● Soil net N mineralization is driven more by abiotic than biotic factors.
	● Soil protists are more sensitive to N input than bacteria and fungi.

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