Modeling of nitrogen dynamics in an Austrian alpine forest ecosystem on calcareous soils: a scenario-based risk assessment under changing environmental conditions

Modeling of nitrogen dynamics in an Austrian alpine forest ecosystem on calcareous soils: a scenario-based risk assessment under changing environmental conditions

We modeled the behavior of an Austrian alpine forest ecosystem on calcareous soils under changing climate and atmospheric nitrogen deposition scenarios. The change of nitrate leaching, emission rates of nitrogen compounds, and forest productivity were calculated using four process-oriented models fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:TheScientificWorld Vol. 7 Suppl 1; pp. 159 - 165
Main Authors: Herman, Friedl, Smidt, Stefan, Butterbach-Bahl, Klaus, Englisch, Michael, Gebetsroither, Ernst, Jandl, Robert, Katzensteiner, Klaus, Lexer, Manfred, Strebl, Friederike, Zechmeister-Boltenstern, Sophie
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States TheScientificWorldJOURNAL 21-03-2007
Hindawi Limited
Subjects:
Atmosphere
Austria
Calcium Compounds
Ecosystem
Geography
Greenhouse Effect
Models, Biological
Nitrogen - metabolism
Oxides
Risk Assessment
Short Communication
Soil
Temperature
Trees - metabolism
Austria
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Summary:We modeled the behavior of an Austrian alpine forest ecosystem on calcareous soils under changing climate and atmospheric nitrogen deposition scenarios. The change of nitrate leaching, emission rates of nitrogen compounds, and forest productivity were calculated using four process-oriented models for the periods 1998-2002 and 2048-2052. Each model reflects with high detail a segment of the ecosystem: PnET-N-DNDC (photosynthesis-evapotranspiration-nitrification-denitrification-decomposition; short-term nitrogen cycling), BROOK90 (water balance for small and homogenous forest watersheds), HYDRUS (water flux in complex and heterogenous soils), and PICUS v1.3 (forest productivity). The nitrogen balance model (NBM) combines the individual results into a comprehensive picture and extends the specific values beyond the limits of the individual models. The evaluation of the findings was outlined with TRACE, a model enabling a long-term prognosis of nitrogen cycling in annual time steps. Temperature increase and nitrogen input are influenced by various components and processes of the forest ecosystem. An increase of the temperature of 2.5 degrees C led to an enhancement of the N2O emission rates and affected the mineralization and the nitrification rates with the consequence of increased nitrate leaching into the subsoil. Enhanced nitrogen input also showed notable effects on nitrate leaching.
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Academic Editor: Andrzej Bytnerowicz
ISSN:1537-744X
2356-6140
1537-744X
DOI:10.1100/tsw.2007.9