Atmospheric ammonia deposition and its role in a cool-temperate fragmented deciduous broad-leaved forest. (1st April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Katata, Genki; Yamaguchi, Takashi; Watanabe, Makoto; Fukushima, Keitaro; Nakayama, Masataka; Nagano, Hirohiko; Koarashi, Jun; Tateno, Ryunosuke; Kubota, Tomohiro
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 298(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04-01
• Subjects: Ammonia -- Reactive nitrogen -- Deposition -- Forest edge -- Throughfall -- Canopy budget model; Air -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Meteorological aspects -- Periodicals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.119640
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-2310

Abstract

Abstract: Forest fragmentation can increase dry deposition of atmospheric ammonia (NH3 ) volatilized from agricultural areas, and consequently increase spatial variability of Nr deposition within the forest ("elevated reactive nitrogen (Nr) deposition"). However, little is known about this effect and its impact on forest production in a deciduous broad-leaved forest in Asian countries. Here, we performed the field observations of atmospheric concentration and deposition of inorganic Nr gases and particles in a Japanese fragmented forest from May 2018 to April 2019. Leaf traits and growth of Japanese oak tree and understory vegetation were also measured. Atmospheric concentration and deposition of dissolved inorganic Nr (DIN) to tree canopies were measured via filter sampling and throughfall methods, respectively. Canopy retention/exchange was also estimated as a part of dry deposition using the canopy budget model. The results demonstrated that annual dry deposition of NH3 to tree canopies (4.4 kgN ha −1 y −1 ) was dominant in the annual total DIN deposition (7.1 kgN ha −1 y −1 ) at the forest edge, including the elevated Nr deposition of approximately 2 kgN ha −1 y −1 . Additionally, agricultural activities such as fertilization in the area surrounding the forest likely enhanced the potential of canopy retention of NH4 +, readily absorbed by tree canopy. The growth rates of tree and understory vegetation (dwarf bamboo) were higher at the edge than that at the interior, emphasizing a need for further investigation to quantify the effect of low Nr deposition (<3–5 kgN ha −1 y −1 ) on forest production, along with the conventional experimental studies under a high Nr deposition. Highlights: Field observations were conducted in a Japanese cool-temperate fragmented forest. Canopy retention was estimated using the canopy budget model. The edge effect of NH3 dry deposition was about 2 kgN ha −1 y −1 . Agricultural activities surrounding the forest enhanced the NH3 canopy retention. Growth rates of tree and dwarf bamboo may be enhanced due to the edge effect.