Characterizing Rooting Depth Distribution and Nitrogen Acquisition Using 15N Tracer, Barrow, Alaska, 2013-2015

Permafrost thaw and degradation may lead to altered thickness of the active soil layer and a changing distribution of plant-available nutrients throughout the soil, but little is known about the nutrient acquisition strategies of dominant tundra plant species. We conducted an 15N isotope tracer experiment to assess the vertical distribution of nutrient acquisition among three dominant species representing important plant functional types (PFTs) on the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) in Barrow, Alaska. We found that vertical patterns of root distribution and nutrient acquisition varied among plant species, and that root density may not entirely explain patterns of nutrient acquisition for all species. Dataset DOI:http:10.5440/1333932; https://doi.org/10.5440/1333932 This is preliminary metadata with more information and data to come.