Topographical differences in soil nitrogen transformations and fine root traits in acidic coniferous forest soils

Topographical differences induce variations in soil N transformations and fine root traits. In this study, we quantified the gross transformation and fine root uptake rates of inorganic N (NH4+ and NO3-) using short-term in situ incubation experiments with 15N tracers on up and down slopes in an acidic coniferous forest in Japan. Additionally, we evaluated differences in N transformation rates between soil cores with severed roots (CSC) and those maintaining intact structures (VSC).