Effects of intensified freeze-thaw frequency on dynamics of winter nitrogen resources in temperate grasslands
Chaoxue Zhang,Na Li,Chunyue Yao,Jinan Gao,and Linna Ma
Chaoxue Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Forage Breeding-by-Design and Utilization, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
Na Li
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Ecology and Resource Use of the Mongolian Plateau, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Chunyue Yao
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Ecology and Resource Use of the Mongolian Plateau, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Jinan Gao
State Key Laboratory of Forage Breeding-by-Design and Utilization, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
Winter warming increases freeze-thaw cycles in grasslands, yet its consequences for N cycling remain unclear. Using a ¹⁵N tracer, we found that frequent freeze-thaw cycles release N, but limit its availability to most plants, thereby benefiting soil microbes. Some cold-adapted grasses were still able to obtain N. These findings suggest that winter climate change may reshape grassland community structure and productivity.
Winter warming increases freeze-thaw cycles in grasslands, yet its consequences for N cycling...