NitroEurope - or NEU for short - is a project for integrated European research into the nitrogen cycle. NitroEurope is part of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, and will run for 5 years from February 2006 until 2011.
Ecologically implausible carbon response?
Submitted by agnieszka_eljasz on Mon, 23/03/2009 - 12:08.
Publication Type:
Journal Paper (published)Source:
Nature , Volume 451, p.E1-E3 (2008)Abstract:
Magnani et al.1 present a very strong correlation between mean lifetime net ecosystem production (NEP, defined as the net rate of C accumulation in ecosystems2) and wet N deposition. For their data in the range 4.9-9.8 kgN/ha/yr, on which the correlation largely depends, the response is approximately 725 kg C per kg N in wet deposition. According to the authors, the maximum N wet deposition level of 9.8 kg N/ha/yr is equivalent to a total deposition of 15 kg N/ha/yr, implying a net sequestration near 470 kgC per kg N of total deposition. We question the ecological plausibility of the relationship and show, from a multi-factor analysis of European forest measurements, how interactions with site productivity and environment imply a much smaller NEP response to N deposition.
