Microsite Determines the Soil Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization in Response to Nitrogen Addition in a Temperate Desert

Nitrogen deposition can change the soil in N and C cycling processes. However, a general understanding of how changes mineralization has not yet been reached. Soil organic beneath dominant shrubs Haloxylon ammodendron between response to two levels addition (2.5 gN m−2 5 per year) were investigated 1st, 4th, 9th year temperate desert northern China. promoted (RmN), nitrification rate (RNN) increased interplant decreased it shrubs. microbial biomass (Cmic), (Nmic), PLFAs interplant, RmN RNN related Nmic, RCM was Cmic total PLFAs. fungal alongside ratio bacterial interplants while decreasing them Our results support increase nitrification, but effects on are dependent amount nitrogen addition, soil’s available carbon content, water. Finally, divergent responses communities microsites suggest that “fertile islands” nutrients important when estimating feedbacks projected ecosystem.