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Nitrogen Saturation in Experimental Forested Watersheds

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Responses of Northern U.S. Forests to Environmental Change

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 139))

Abstract

Daniel Rutherford is credited with the discovery of nitrogen (N) in 1772. A.L. Lavoisier, the 18th century French chemist, called this element “azote” which translates to “without life” because free N is incapable of supporting life: a fitting name for this element given the paradoxes it presents to society and its role in global ecology. Despite being the most abundant element in the atmosphere, usually quoted as 78% by volume, primarily as N2, life on the planet does not rely on either the uptake or release of N for the two most important complimentary biological processes, namely respiration and photosynthesis. Nonetheless, N has long been heralded as the most commonly limiting mineral nutrient for plant growth around the globe, and indeed is essential for the formation of amino acids, and thus proteins, for all life forms. No other element has been studied more extensively in the context of agricultural and forest ecosystems than N, yet at no time in the past has there been greater interest in research addressing information needs regarding N.

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Authors
  1. Ivan J. Fernandez
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  2. Mary Beth Adams
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. ManTech Environmental Technology, Inc., 1509 Varsity Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA

    Robert A. Mickler

  2. USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, 11 Campus Boulevard, Newton Square, PA, 19073, USA

    Richard A. Birdsey  & John Hom  & 

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Fernandez, I.J., Adams, M.B. (2000). Nitrogen Saturation in Experimental Forested Watersheds. In: Mickler, R.A., Birdsey, R.A., Hom, J. (eds) Responses of Northern U.S. Forests to Environmental Change. Ecological Studies, vol 139. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1256-0_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1256-0_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7064-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-1256-0

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