| Afforestation is occurring in a fragmented manner in many regions once characterized as grasslands. Biogeochemical cycling is likely impacted by this shift in vegetation and by degree of afforestation. Gaseous nitrogen (N) fluxes, inorganic N availability, microbial biomass and soil respiration were assessed between afforested patches and a grassy interspace and in afforested patches of different sizes. The study occurred at the Kansas Ecological Reserves where replicated patches (4x8m and 50x100m), separated by a grassy interspace, have been undergoing succession since 1984. Gaseous N fluxes, soil respiration, soil temperature and inorganic N availability are greater in the interspace than in woody patches. These data suggest faster N cycling in the interspace. Previous data from this site and the microbial biomass data suggest small patches likely experience greater rates of N cycling than large patches. Biogeochemical cycling is likely impacted more by afforestation than by patch size in which it occurs. |
