Short-Term N-Fertilization Differently Affects the Leaf and Leaf Litter Chemistry of the Dominant Species in a Mediterranean Forest under Drought Conditions

Nitrogen (N) deposition is a key driver of global change with significant effects on carbon (C) cycling, species fitness, and diversity; however, its Mediterranean ecosystems are unclear. Here, we simulated N in an N-fertilization experiment 15N-labeled fertilizer montane evergreen holm oak forest, central Catalonia, to quantify short-term impacts leaf, leaf litter elemental composition, resorption efficiency three dominant (Quercus ilex, Phillyrea latifolia, Arbutus unedo). We found that even under drought conditions, 15N isotope analysis showed rapid uptake the added N, suggesting deficient ecosystem. Species responses fertilization varied, where A. unedo was unaffected P. latifolia Q. ilex were similar, albeit contrasting magnitude. benefited most from conditions experimental year. These differences response could indicate competition, abundance increased loads forest ecosystems. Further research needed disentangle interactions between long-term predicted future climate scenarios