Nitrogen mineralization in the ruderal sub-alpine communities in Mount Uludag, Turkey

GÜLERYÜZ G., Titrek E., Arslan H.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY, vol.44, no.4, pp.408-418, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 44 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ejsobi.2008.05.004
  • Journal Name: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.408-418
  • Keywords: nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, ruderal community, sub-alpine, Mediterranean, SOIL, ECOSYSTEM, NITRATE, DYNAMICS, FOREST, SUCCESSION, VEGETATION, GRASSLAND, DIVERSITY, PATTERNS
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in the soil of sub-alpine ruderal community of Mount Uludag, Bursa, Turkey was measured for 1 year, under field conditions with Verbascum olympicum and Rumex olympicus being the dominant pioneer species under dry and wet sites, respectively. Seasonal fluctuations were observed in N mineralization and nitrification. The net N mineralization and nitrification were high in early summer and winter, due to high moisture. The annual net N mineralization rate (for the 0-15 cm soil layer) was higher under R. olympicus (188 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)) than under V. olympicum (96 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)). A significant positive correlation between net N mineralization and soil organic C (r(2) = 0.166), total N (r(2) = 0.141) and water content (r(2) = 0.211) was found. Our results indicate that N mineralization rate is high in soils of ruderal communities on disturbed sites and varies with dominant species and, a difference in net N mineralization rate can be attributed to organic C, total N and moisture content of soils. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.