Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 282-293 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Soil Biology and Biochemistry |
| Volume | 88 |
| Early online date | 16 Jun 2015 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2015 |
Abstract
Large areas of peatlands in Germany and the Netherlands are affected by drainage and high nitrogen deposition. Sheep grazing is a common extensive management activity on drained peatlands, in particular on nature protection areas. However, input of easily mineralisable material such as sheep excrements could enhance degradation of soil organic carbon (C org ), thereby increasing the effect of these ecosystems on national GHG budgets. Thus, a microcosm experiment on the influence of sheep excreta on GHG emissions from a histic Gleysol with strongly degraded peat was set up. The 15 N and 13 C stable isotope tracer technique was used to partition sources of CO 2 and N 2 O. Labeled sheep faeces and urine were obtained by feeding enriched material. Undisturbed soil columns were treated with surface application of urine, faeces or mixtures of both in different label combinations to distinguish between direct effects and possible priming effects. Incubation was done under stable temperature and precipitation conditions. Fluxes as well as 15 N and 13 C enrichment of N 2 O and CO 2 , respectively, were measured for three weeks. Addition of sheep excreta increased emission of total CO 2 in proportion to the added carbon amounts. There was no CO 2 priming in the peat. No effect on CH 4 and N 2 O was observed under the aerobic experimental conditions. The N 2 O-N source shifted from peat to excreta, which indicates negative priming, but priming was not significant. The results indicate that sheep excreta do not significantly increase GHG emissions from degraded peat soils. Considering the degraded peatland preserving benefits, sheep grazing on peatlands affected by drainage and high nitrogen deposition should be further promoted.
Keywords
- GHG emissions, Microcosm experiment, Peat, Priming effects, Sheep, Stable isotope tracer
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Microbiology(all)
- Microbiology
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Soil Science
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In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Vol. 88, 01.09.2015, p. 282-293.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Sheep excreta cause no positive priming of peat-derived CO2 and N2O emissions
AU - Leiber-Sauheitl, K.
AU - Fuß, R.
AU - Burkart, St
AU - Buegger, F.
AU - Dänicke, S.
AU - Meyer, U.
AU - Petzke, K. J.
AU - Freibauer, A.
N1 - Funding information: The “Organic soils” joint research project was funded by the Thuenen Institute.
PY - 2015/9/1
Y1 - 2015/9/1
N2 - Large areas of peatlands in Germany and the Netherlands are affected by drainage and high nitrogen deposition. Sheep grazing is a common extensive management activity on drained peatlands, in particular on nature protection areas. However, input of easily mineralisable material such as sheep excrements could enhance degradation of soil organic carbon (C org ), thereby increasing the effect of these ecosystems on national GHG budgets. Thus, a microcosm experiment on the influence of sheep excreta on GHG emissions from a histic Gleysol with strongly degraded peat was set up. The 15 N and 13 C stable isotope tracer technique was used to partition sources of CO 2 and N 2 O. Labeled sheep faeces and urine were obtained by feeding enriched material. Undisturbed soil columns were treated with surface application of urine, faeces or mixtures of both in different label combinations to distinguish between direct effects and possible priming effects. Incubation was done under stable temperature and precipitation conditions. Fluxes as well as 15 N and 13 C enrichment of N 2 O and CO 2 , respectively, were measured for three weeks. Addition of sheep excreta increased emission of total CO 2 in proportion to the added carbon amounts. There was no CO 2 priming in the peat. No effect on CH 4 and N 2 O was observed under the aerobic experimental conditions. The N 2 O-N source shifted from peat to excreta, which indicates negative priming, but priming was not significant. The results indicate that sheep excreta do not significantly increase GHG emissions from degraded peat soils. Considering the degraded peatland preserving benefits, sheep grazing on peatlands affected by drainage and high nitrogen deposition should be further promoted.
AB - Large areas of peatlands in Germany and the Netherlands are affected by drainage and high nitrogen deposition. Sheep grazing is a common extensive management activity on drained peatlands, in particular on nature protection areas. However, input of easily mineralisable material such as sheep excrements could enhance degradation of soil organic carbon (C org ), thereby increasing the effect of these ecosystems on national GHG budgets. Thus, a microcosm experiment on the influence of sheep excreta on GHG emissions from a histic Gleysol with strongly degraded peat was set up. The 15 N and 13 C stable isotope tracer technique was used to partition sources of CO 2 and N 2 O. Labeled sheep faeces and urine were obtained by feeding enriched material. Undisturbed soil columns were treated with surface application of urine, faeces or mixtures of both in different label combinations to distinguish between direct effects and possible priming effects. Incubation was done under stable temperature and precipitation conditions. Fluxes as well as 15 N and 13 C enrichment of N 2 O and CO 2 , respectively, were measured for three weeks. Addition of sheep excreta increased emission of total CO 2 in proportion to the added carbon amounts. There was no CO 2 priming in the peat. No effect on CH 4 and N 2 O was observed under the aerobic experimental conditions. The N 2 O-N source shifted from peat to excreta, which indicates negative priming, but priming was not significant. The results indicate that sheep excreta do not significantly increase GHG emissions from degraded peat soils. Considering the degraded peatland preserving benefits, sheep grazing on peatlands affected by drainage and high nitrogen deposition should be further promoted.
KW - GHG emissions
KW - Microcosm experiment
KW - Peat
KW - Priming effects
KW - Sheep
KW - Stable isotope tracer
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84934916445&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.soilbio.2015.06.001
DO - 10.1016/j.soilbio.2015.06.001
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84934916445
VL - 88
SP - 282
EP - 293
JO - Soil Biology and Biochemistry
JF - Soil Biology and Biochemistry
SN - 0038-0717
ER -