S. Zechmeister-Boltenstern

Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape, Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Publications (16)3.5 Total impact

  • Source
    Article: Experimental warming effects on the microbial community of a temperate mountain forest soil.
    A Schindlbacher, A Rodler, M Kuffner, B Kitzler, A Sessitsch, S Zechmeister-Boltenstern
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    ABSTRACT: Soil microbial communities mediate the decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM). The amount of carbon (C) that is respired leaves the soil as CO(2) (soil respiration) and causes one of the greatest fluxes in the global carbon cycle. How soil microbial communities will respond to global warming, however, is not well understood. To elucidate the effect of warming on the microbial community we analyzed soil from the soil warming experiment Achenkirch, Austria. Soil of a mature spruce forest was warmed by 4 °C during snow-free seasons since 2004. Repeated soil sampling from control and warmed plots took place from 2008 until 2010. We monitored microbial biomass C and nitrogen (N). Microbial community composition was assessed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) and by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of ribosomal RNA genes. Microbial metabolic activity was estimated by soil respiration to biomass ratios and RNA to DNA ratios. Soil warming did not affect microbial biomass, nor did warming affect the abundances of most microbial groups. Warming significantly enhanced microbial metabolic activity in terms of soil respiration per amount of microbial biomass C. Microbial stress biomarkers were elevated in warmed plots. In summary, the 4 °C increase in soil temperature during the snow-free season had no influence on microbial community composition and biomass but strongly increased microbial metabolic activity and hence reduced carbon use efficiency.
    Soil Biology and Biochemistry 07/2011; 43(7):1417-1425. · 3.50 Impact Factor
  • Article: Atmospheric c omposition c hange: e cosystems - a tmosphere interactions
    Atmospheric Environment. 01/2009; 43:5193-5267.
  • Article: Nitrogen dynamics of a mountain forest on dolomitic limestone – A scenario-based risk assessment
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    ABSTRACT: The dominant nitrogen (N) fluxes were simulated in a mountain forest ecosystem on dolomitic bedrock in the Austrian Alps. Based on an existing small-scale climate model the simulation encompassed the present situation and a 50-yr projection. The investigated scenarios were current climate, current N deposition (SC1) and future climate (+2.5 °C and +10% annual precipitation) with three levels of N deposition (SC2, 3, 4). The microbially mediated N transformation, including the emission of nitrogen oxides, was calculated with PnET-N-DNDC. Soil hydrology was calculated with HYDRUS and was used to estimate the leaching of nitrate. The expected change of the forest ecosystem due to changes of the climate and the N availability was simulated with PICUS. The incentive for the project was the fact that forests on dolomitic limestone stock on shallow Rendzic Leptosols that are rich in soil organic matter are considered highly sensitive to the expected environmental changes. The simulation results showed a strong effect due to increased temperatures and to elevated levels of N deposition. The outflux of N, both as nitrate (6–25 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and nitrogen oxides (1–2 kg N ha−1 yr−1), from the forest ecosystem are expected to increase. Temperature exerts a stronger effect on the N2O emission than the increased rate of N deposition. The main part of the N emission will occur as N2 (15 kg N ha−1 yr−1). The total N loss is partially offset by increased rates of N uptake in the biomass due to an increase in forest productivity.
    Environmental Pollution. 01/2008;
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    Article: Nitrogen load and forest type determine the soil emission of nitrogen oxides (NO and N2O)
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    ABSTRACT: Soil emissions of NO and N2O were measured continuously at high frequency for more than one year at 15 European forest sites as part of the EU-funded project NOFRETETE. The locations represent different forest types (coniferous/deciduous) and different nitrogen loads. Geographically they range from Finland in the north to Italy in the south and from Hungary in the east to Scotland in the west. The highest NO emissions were observed from coniferous forests, whereas the lowest NO emissions were observed from deciduous forests. The NO emissions from coniferous forests were highly correlated with N-deposition. The site with the highest average annual emission (82 μg NO-Nm-2 h-1) was a spruce forest in South-Germany (Höglwald) receiving an annual N-deposition of 2.9 gm-2. NO emissions close to the detection limit were observed from a pine forest in Finland where the N-deposition was 0.2 g N m-2 y-1. No significant correlation between N2O emission and N-deposition was found. The highest average annual N2O emission (20 μg N2O-Nm-2 h-1) was found in an oak forest in the Mátra mountains (Hungary) receiving an annual N-deposition of 1.6 gm-2. N2O emission was significantly negatively correlated with the C/N ratio. The difference in N-oxide emissions from soils of coniferous and deciduous forests may partly be explained by differences in N-deposition rates and partly by difference in characteristics of the litter layer and soil. NO was mainly derived from nitrification whereas N2O was mainly derived from denitrification. In general, soil moisture is lower at coniferous sites (at least during spring time) and the litter layer of coniferous forests is thick and well aerated favouring nitrification and thus release of NO. Conversely, the higher rates of denitrification in deciduous forests due to a compact and moist litter layer lead to N2O production and NO consumption in the soil. The two factors soil moisture and soil temperature are often explaining most of the temporal variation within a site. When comparing annual emissions on a regional scale, however, factors such as nitrogen deposition and forest and soil type become much more important.
    Biogeosciences Discussions 05/2006; 3:837-869.
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    Article: Nitrogen load and forest type determine the soil emission of nitrogen oxides (NO and N<sub>2</sub>O)
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Soil emissions of NO and N<sub>2</sub>O were measured continuously at high frequency for more than one year at 15 European forest sites as part of the EU-funded project NOFRETETE. The locations represent different forest types (coniferous/deciduous) and different nitrogen loads. Geographically they range from Finland in the north to Italy in the south and from Hungary in the east to Scotland in the west. The highest NO emissions were observed from coniferous forests, whereas the lowest NO emissions were observed from deciduous forests. The NO emissions from coniferous forests were highly correlated with N-deposition. The site with the highest average annual emission (82 ?g NO-Nm<sup>?2</sup> h<sup>?1</sup>) was a spruce forest in South-Germany (Höglwald) receiving an annual N-deposition of 2.9 gm<sup>?2</sup>. NO emissions close to the detection limit were observed from a pine forest in Finland where the N-deposition was 0.2 g N m<sup>?2</sup> y<sup>?1</sup>. No significant correlation between N<sub>2</sub>O emission and N-deposition was found. The highest average annual N<sub>2</sub>O emission (20 ?g N<sub>2</sub>O-Nm<sup>?2</sup> h<sup>?1</sup>) was found in an oak forest in the Mátra mountains (Hungary) receiving an annual N-deposition of 1.6 gm<sup>?2</sup>. N<sub>2</sub>O emission was significantly negatively correlated with the C/N ratio. The difference in N-oxide emissions from soils of coniferous and deciduous forests may partly be explained by differences in N-deposition rates and partly by difference in characteristics of the litter layer and soil. NO was mainly derived from nitrification whereas N<sub>2</sub>O was mainly derived from denitrification. In general, soil moisture is lower at coniferous sites (at least during spring time) and the litter layer of coniferous forests is thick and well aerated favouring nitrification and thus release of NO. Conversely, the higher rates of denitrification in deciduous forests due to a compact and moist litter layer lead to N<sub>2</sub>O production and NO consumption in the soil. The two factors soil moisture and soil temperature are often explaining most of the temporal variation within a site. When comparing annual emissions on a regional scale, however, factors such as nitrogen deposition and forest and soil type become much more important.
    01/2006;
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    Article: Inventories of N<sub>2</sub>O and NO emissions from European forest soils
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    ABSTRACT: Forest soils are a significant source for the primary and secondary greenhouse gases N<sub>2</sub>O and NO. However, current estimates are still uncertain due to the still limited number of field measurements and the herein observed pronounced variability of N trace gas fluxes in space and time, which are due to the variation of environmental factors such as soil and vegetation properties or meteorological conditions. To overcome these problems we further developed a process-oriented model, the PnET-N-DNDC model, which simulates the N trace gas exchange on the basis of the processes involved in production, consumption and emission of N trace gases. This model was validated against field observations of N trace gas fluxes from 19 sites obtained within the EU project NOFRETETE, and shown to perform well for N<sub>2</sub>O (r<sup>2</sup>=0.68, slope=0.76) and NO (r<sup>2</sup>=0.78, slope=0.73). For the calculation of a European-wide emission inventory we linked the model to a detailed, regionally and temporally resolved database, comprising climatic properties (daily resolution), and soil parameters, and information on forest areas and types for the years 1990, 1995 and 2000. Our calculations show that N trace gas fluxes from forest soils may vary substantial from year to year and that distinct regional patterns can be observed. Our central estimate of NO emissions from forest soils in the EU amounts to 98.4, 84.9 and 99.2 kt N yr<sup>?1</sup>, using meteorology from 1990, 1995 and year 2000, respectively. This is <1.0% of pyrogenic NO<sub>x</sub> emissions. For N<sub>2</sub>O emissions the central estimates were 86.8, 77.6 and 81.6 kt N yr<sup>?1</sup>, respectively, which is approx. 14.5% of the source strength coming from agricultural soils. An extensive sensitivity analysis was conducted which showed a range in emissions from 44.4 to 254.0 kt N yr<sup>?1</sup> for NO and 50.7 to 96.9 kt N yr<sup>?1</sup> for N<sub>2</sub>O, for year 2000 meteorology. The results show that process-oriented models coupled to a GIS are useful tools for the calculation of regional, national, or global inventories of biogenic N trace gas emissions from soils. This work represents the most comprehensive effort to date to simulate NO and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions from European forest soils.
    01/2005;
  • Article: Controls over N<sub>2</sub>O, NO<sub>x</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> fluxes in a calcareous mountain forest soil
    B. Kitzler, S. Zechmeister-Boltenstern, C. Holtermann, U. Skiba, K. Butterbach-Bahl
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    ABSTRACT: We measured nitrogen oxides (N<sub>2</sub>O and NO<sub>x</sub>), dinitrogen (N<sub>2</sub>) and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions from a spruce-fir-beech forest soil in the North Tyrolean limestone Alps in Austria. The site received 12.1 kg nitrogen via wet and dry deposition. Fluxes of nitric oxide (NO) were measured by an automatic dynamic chamber system on an hourly basis over a two year period. Daily N<sub>2</sub>O emissions were obtained by a semi-automatic gas measuring system. In order to cover spatial variability biweekly manual measurements of N<sub>2</sub>O and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions were carried out, additionally. For acquiring information on the effects of soil and meteorological conditions and of N-deposition on N-emissions we chose the autoregression procedure (time-series analysis) as our means of investigation. Hence, we could exclude the data's autocorrelation in the course of the time. We found that soil temperature, soil moisture and wet N-deposition followed by air temperature and precipitation were the most powerful influencing parameters effecting N-emissions. With these variables up to 89% of observed temporal variations of N-emissions could be explained. During the two-year investigation period between 2.5 and 3.5% of deposited N was reemitted in form of N<sub>2</sub>O whereas only 0.2% were emitted as NO. At our mountain forest site the main end-product of microbial activity processes was N<sub>2</sub> and trace gases (N<sub>2</sub>O and NO) were only of minor importance.
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    Article: Sources of nitrous oxide emitted from European forest soils
    P. Ambus, S. Zechmeister-Boltenstern, K. Butterbach-Bahl
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    ABSTRACT: Forest ecosystems may provide strong sources of nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O), which is important for atmospheric chemical and radiative properties. Nonetheless, our understanding of controls on forest N<sub>2</sub>O emissions is insufficient to narrow current flux estimates, which still are associated with great uncertainties. In this study, we have investigated the quantitative and qualitative relationships between N-cycling and N<sub>2</sub>O production in European forests in order to evaluate the importance of nitrification and denitrification for N<sub>2</sub>O production. Soil samples were collected in 11 different sites characterized by variable climatic regimes and forest types. Soil N-cycling and associated production of N<sub>2</sub>O was assessed following application of <sup>15</sup>N-labeled nitrogen. The N<sub>2</sub>O emission varied significantly among the different forest soils, and was inversely correlated to the soil C:N ratio. The N<sub>2</sub>O emissions were significantly higher from the deciduous soils (13 ng N<sub>2</sub>O-N cm<sup>-3</sup>d<sup>-1</sup>) than from the coniferous soils (4 ng N<sub>2</sub>O-N cm<sup>-3</sup>d<sup>-1</sup>). Nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>) was the dominant substrate for N<sub>2</sub>O with an average contribution of 62% and exceeding 50% at least once for all sites. The average contribution of ammonium (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>) to N<sub>2</sub>O averaged 34%. The N<sub>2</sub>O emissions were correlated with gross nitrification activities, and as for N<sub>2</sub>O, gross nitrification was also higher in deciduous soils (3.4 ? g N cm<sup>-3</sup>d<sup>-1</sup>) than in coniferous soils (1.1 ? g N cm<sup>-3</sup>d<sup>-1</sup>). The ratio between N<sub>2</sub>O production and gross nitrification averaged 0.67% (deciduous) and 0.44% (coniferous). Our study suggests that changes in forest composition in response to land use activities and global change may have implications for regional budgets of greenhouse gases. From the study it also became clear that N<sub>2</sub>O emissions were driven by the nitrification activity, although the N<sub>2</sub>O was produced per se mainly from denitrification. Increased nitrification in response to accelerated N inputs predicted for forest ecosystems in Europe may thus lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions from forest ecosystems.
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    Article: Nitrogen oxides emission from two beech forests subjected to different nitrogen loads
    B. Kitzler, S. Zechmeister-Boltenstern, C. Holtermann, U. Skiba, K. Butterbach-Bahl
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    ABSTRACT: We analysed nitrogen oxides (N<sub>2</sub>O, NO and NO<sub>2</sub>) and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions from two beech forest soils close to Vienna, Austria, which were exposed to different nitrogen input from the atmosphere. The site Schottenwald (SW) received 22.6 kg N y<sup>-1</sup> and Klausenleopoldsdorf (KL) 13.5 kg N y<sup>-1</sup> through wet and dry deposition. Nitrogen oxide emissions from soil were measured hourly with an automatic dynamic chamber system. Daily N<sub>2</sub>O measurements were carried out by an automatic gas sampling system. Measurements of nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions were conducted over larger areas on a biweekly (SW) or monthly (KL) basis by manually operated chambers. We used an autoregression procedure (time-series analysis) for establishing time-lagged relationships between N-oxide emissions and different climate, soil chemistry and N-deposition data. It was found that changes in soil moisture and soil temperature significantly effected CO<sub>2</sub> and N-oxide emissions with a time lag of up to two weeks and could explain up to 95% of the temporal variations of gas emissions. Event emissions after rain or during freezing and thawing cycles contributed significantly (for NO 50%) to overall N-oxides emissions. In the two-year period of analysis the annual gaseous N<sub>2</sub>O losses at SW ranged from 0.65 to 0.77 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> y<sup>-1</sup> and NO losses were 0.18 to 0.67 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> per vegetation period. In KL significantly lower annual N<sub>2</sub>O emissions (0.52 kg N<sub>2</sub>O-N kg ha<sup>-1</sup> y<sup>-1</sup>) as well as considerably lower NO-losses were observed. During a three-month measurement campaign NO losses at KL were 0.02 kg, whereas in the same time period significantly more NO was emitted in SW (0.32 kg NO-N ha<sup>-1</sup>). Higher N-oxide emissions, especially NO emissions from the high N-input site (SW) indicate that atmospheric deposition had a strong impact on losses of gaseous N from our forest soils. At KL there was a strong correlation between N-deposition and N-emission over time, which shows that low N-input sites are especially responsive to increasing N-inputs.
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    Article: Factors controlling regional differences in forest soil emission of nitrogen oxides (NO and N<sub>2</sub>O)
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Soil emissions of NO and N<sub>2</sub>O were measured continuously at high frequency for more than one year at 15 European forest sites as part of the EU-funded project NOFRETETE. The locations represent different forest types (coniferous/deciduous) and different nitrogen loads. Geographically they range from Finland in the north to Italy in the south and from Hungary in the east to Scotland in the west. The highest NO emissions were observed from coniferous forests, whereas the lowest NO emissions were observed from deciduous forests. The NO emissions from coniferous forests were highly correlated with N-deposition. The site with the highest average annual emission (82 ?g NO-N m<sup>?2</sup> h<sup>?1</sup>) was a spruce forest in South-Germany (Höglwald) receiving an annual N-deposition of 2.9 g m<sup>?2</sup>. NO emissions close to the detection limit were observed from a pine forest in Finland where the N-deposition was 0.2 g N m<sup>?2</sup> a<sup>?1</sup>. No significant correlation between N<sub>2</sub>O emission and N-deposition was found. The highest average annual N<sub>2</sub>O emission (20 ?g N<sub>2</sub>O-N m<sup>?2</sup> h<sup>?1</sup>) was found in an oak forest in the Mátra mountains (Hungary) receiving an annual N-deposition of 1.6 g m<sup>?2</sup>. N<sub>2</sub>O emission was significantly negatively correlated with the C/N ratio. The difference in N-oxide emissions from soils of coniferous and deciduous forests may partly be explained by differences in N-deposition rates and partly by differences in characteristics of the litter layer and soil. NO was mainly derived from nitrification whereas N<sub>2</sub>O was mainly derived from denitrification. In general, soil moisture is lower at coniferous sites (at least during spring time) and the litter layer of coniferous forests is thick and well aerated favouring nitrification and thus release of NO. Conversely, the higher rates of denitrification in deciduous forests due to a compact and moist litter layer lead to N<sub>2</sub>O production and NO consumption in the soil. The two factors soil moisture and soil temperature are often explaining most of the temporal variation within a site. When comparing annual emissions on a regional scale, however, factors such as nitrogen deposition and forest and soil type become much more important.
  • Article: Biosphere–atmosphere exchange of reactive nitrogen and greenhouse gases at the NitroEurope core flux measurement sites: Measurement strategy and first data sets
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    ABSTRACT: The NitroEurope project aims to improve understanding of the nitrogen (N) cycle at the continental scale and quantify the major fluxes of reactive N by a combination of reactive N measurements and modelling activities. As part of the overall measurement strategy, a network of 13 flux ‘super sites’ (Level-3) has been established, covering European forest, arable, grassland and wetland sites, with the objective of quantifying the N budget at a high spatial resolution and temporal frequency for 4.5 years, and to estimate greenhouse gas budgets (N2O, CH4 and CO2). These sites are supported by a network of low-cost flux measurements (Level-2, 9 sites) and a network to infer reactive N fluxes at 58 sites (Level-1), for comparison with carbon (C) flux measurements.Measurements at the Level-3 sites include high resolution N2O, NO (also CH4, CO2) fluxes, wet and dry N deposition, leaching of N and C and N transformations in plant, litter and soil. Results for the first 11 months (1.8.2006 to 30.6.2007) suggest that the grasslands are the largest source of N2O, that forests are the largest source of NO and sink of CH4 and that N deposition rates influence NO and N2O fluxes in non-agricultural ecosystems. The NO and N2O emission ratio is influenced by soil type and precipitation. First budgets of reactive N entering and leaving the ecosystem and of net greenhouse gas exchange are outlined. Further information on rates of denitrification to N2 and biological N2 fixation is required to complete the N budgets for some sites. The quantitative roles played by CO2, N2O and CH4 in defining net greenhouse gas exchange differ widely between ecosystems depending on the interactions of climate, soil type, land use and management.
    Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment.
  • Article: Atmospheric composition change: Ecosystems-Atmosphere interactions
    Atmospheric Environment, v.43, 5193-5267 (2009).
  • Article: Non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation associated with temperate soils in relation to soil properties and vegetation
    S. Zechmeister-Boltenstern, H. Kinzel
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    ABSTRACT: Acetylene reduction was assayed on soil cores from 23 surface soils from 9 regions in eastern Austria. The highest N2 fixation rates were found in saline soils and in peatlands (39.1–951.9 nmol C2 H4 m−2 day−1). Nitrogen fixation was comparatively higher on grassland than on forest and field plots ranging from 1.3 to 207.6 nmol m−2 day−1. A large number of soil properties were measured and correlated with nitrogenase activity. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed relationships between N2 fixation and soil texture and C:N ratio. Interactions of N2 fixation with nutrient availability. pH and humus content were demonstrated. Nitrogenase activity seemed to be unaffected by the combined N content and by the N mineralization potential of the investigated systems. Endogenous C2H4 production as determined with the CO-inhibition technique did not affect the experiments. The conversion factor for 15N fixation determined for peat is 5.4 and for saline soils it ranges from 2.1 to 2.8.
    Soil Biology and Biochemistry.
  • Article: Factors controlling regional differences in forest soil emission of nitrogen oxides (NO and N$_2$O)
    Biogeosciences. 3(4):651-661.
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    Article: Atmospheric composition change: Ecosystems-Atmosphere interactions
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    ABSTRACT: Ecosystems and the atmosphere: This review describes the state of understanding the processes involved in the exchange of trace gases and aerosols between the earth's surface and the atmosphere. The gases covered include NO, NO2, HONO, HNO3, NH3, SO2, DMS, Biogenic VOC, O-3, CH4, N2O and particles in the size range 1 nm-10 mu m including organic and inorganic chemical species. The main focus of the review is on the exchange between terrestrial ecosystems, both managed and natural and the atmosphere, although some new developments in ocean-atmosphere exchange are included. The material presented is biased towards the last decade, but includes earlier work, where more recent developments are limited or absent. New methodologies and instrumentation have enabled, if not driven technical advances in measurement. These developments have advanced the process understanding and upscaling of fluxes, especially for particles, VOC and NH3. Examples of these applications include mass spectrometric methods, such as Aerosol Mass Spectrometry (AMS) adapted for field measurement of atmosphere-surface fluxes using micrometeorological methods for chemically resolved aerosols. Also briefly described are some advances in theory and techniques in micrometeorology. For some of the compounds there have been paradigm shifts in approach and application of both techniques and assessment. These include flux measurements over marine surfaces and urban areas using micrometeorological methods and the up-scaling of flux measurements using aircraft and satellite remote sensing. The application of a flux-based approach in assessment of O-3 effects on vegetation at regional scales is an important policy linked development secured through improved quantification of fluxes. The coupling of monitoring, modelling and intensive flux measurement at a continental scale within the NitroEurope network represents a quantum development in the application of research teams to address the underpinning science of reactive nitrogen in the cycling between ecosystems and the atmosphere in Europe. Some important developments of the science have been applied to assist in addressing policy questions, which have been the main driver of the research agenda, while other developments in understanding have not been applied to their wider field especially in chemistry-transport models through deficiencies in obtaining appropriate data to enable application or inertia within the modelling community. The paper identifies applications, gaps and research questions that have remained intractable at least since 2000 within the specialized sections of the paper, and where possible these have been focussed on research questions for the coming decade. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
    Atmospheric Environment 43 (2009) 33.
  • Article: Biosphere-atmosphere exchange of reactive nitrogen and greenhouse gases at the NitroEurope core flux measurement sites: Measurement strategy and first data sets
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The NitroEurope project aims to improve understanding of the nitrogen (N) cycle at the continental scale and quantify the major fluxes of reactive N by a combination of reactive N measurements and modelling activities. As part of the overall measurement strategy, a network of 13 flux 'super sites' (Level-3) has been established, covering European forest, arable, grassland and wetland sites, with the objective of quantifying the N budget at a high spatial resolution and temporal frequency for 4.5 years, and to estimate greenhouse gas budgets (N(2)O, CH(4) and CO(2)). These sites are supported by a network of low-cost flux measurements (Level-2, 9 sites) and a network to infer reactive N fluxes at 58 sites (Level-1), for comparison with carbon (C) flux measurements. Measurements at the Level-3 sites include high resolution N(2)O, NO (also CH(4), CO(2)) fluxes, wet and dry N deposition, leaching of N and C and N transformations in plant, litter and soil. Results for the first 11 months (1.8.2006 to 30.6.2007) suggest that the grasslands are the largest source of N(2)O, that forests are the largest source of NO and sink of CH(4) and that N deposition rates influence NO and N(2)O fluxes in non-agricultural ecosystems. The NO and N(2)O emission ratio is influenced by soil type and precipitation. First budgets of reactive N entering and leaving the ecosystem and of net greenhouse gas exchange are outlined. Further information on rates of denitrification to N(2) and biological N(2) fixation is required to complete the N budgets for some sites. The quantitative roles played by CO(2), N(2)O and CH(4) in defining net greenhouse gas exchange differ widely between ecosystems depending on the interactions of climate, soil type, land use and management. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
    Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment. 133(3-4):139-149.