- Effects from climate change, adaptations and
greenhouse gas reduction at 2050

Abstract:

Satellite map of the Umweltbeobachtungs und Klimafolgenforschungsstation Linden

Abstract:

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations are expected to increase nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soils via changes in microbial nitrogen (N) transformations triggering a positive feedback reaction that could accelerate climate change. Several studies have shown N2O emission increases under elevated atmospheric CO2 (eCO2), but the underlying processes are not yet fully understood. Here we present results showing changes in soil N transformation dynamics from the Giessen Free Air CO2 Enrichment (GiFACE): a permanent grassland that has been exposed to eCO2, +20% relative to ambient concentrations (aCO2), for 15 years. We applied in the field an ammonium-nitrate fertilizer solution, in which either ammonium (NH4+) or nitrate (NO3-) was labelled with 15N. The simultaneous gross N transformation rates were analysed with a 15N tracing model and a solver method. The results confirmed that after 15 years of eCO2 the N2O emissions under eCO2 were still more than 2-fold higher than under aCO2. The tracing model results indicated that plant uptake of NH4+ did not differ between treatments, but uptake of NO3- was significantly reduced under eCO2. However, the ratio of gross production and consumption of NH4+ remained unchanged under eCO2, but decreased slightly for NO3-, which increased NO3- availability under eCO2. The N2O isotopic signature indicated that under eCO2 the sources of the additional emissions, 8407 µg N2O-N m-2 during the first 58 days after labelling, were associated with NO3- reduction (+2.0%), NH4+ oxidation (+11.1%) and organic N oxidation (+86.9%). We presume that increased root exudation under eCO2 provided an additional source of bioavailable supply of energy that triggered the stimulation of microbial soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization, as a priming effect, and an increased activity of bacterial nitrite reductase, which caused the shift in N2O:N2 emission ratio, via incomplete denitrification, explaining the positive feedback reaction of doubled N2O emissions.

Abstract:

The sampling design in the all six Gi-FACE rings is standardised. Subplots 1-3 are used for weekly measurements of greenhouse gas fluxes and biannual biomass harvest. Subplots 4-25 are used for biannual biomass harvests and cover more or less the two species inventory subplots for biannual vegetations surveys. Subplots 24 and 25 have been used in 2013 for a 15N-13C Tracing study and in Subplot 25 the topsoil (7.5 cm) was used in 2014 for an incubation study and the soil was replaced by soil from outside the rings. Small circles within the ring area indicate Licor soil colomne for soil respiration measurements. The yellow rectangles mark the area where soil profiles have been opened in 2015 to install new soil moisture and temperature sensors. "Needles" and asterix mark positions where soil samples have been taken.

Abstract:

Overview of the model setup for the Giessen FACE grassland ecosystem, including preliminary simulation results for CO2 emissions and outlook.

Abstract:

Progress Report of AP B3 for the FACE2FACE plenary meeting