Afforestation mitigates soil nitrogen limitation by enhancing mineralization and lowering denitrification in central China

Afforestation has profoundly altered soil nitrogen (N) transformation, particularly the key processes governing soil organic N and inorganic N dynamics, which determine soil N availability. However, the divergences in soil N transformation and the main influencing factors following different afforestation types have not been systematically clarified. Here, we examined soil net N mineralization rate (NMR), net nitrification rate (NNR), and potential denitrification rate (PDR) at 144 paired sampling sites by comparing different afforestation types (initial land use types and tree species) in central China. Afforestation significantly enhanced soil NMR, but lowered NNR and PDR, respectively, compared to non-afforested lands. Soil NMR and PDR responses to afforestation from cropland were more sensitive than those from shrubland. Notably, broadleaf afforestation (i.e., Quercus variabilis) had a stronger effect on altering NMR compared to coniferous afforestation (i.e., Platycladus orientalis..., , # Dataset title: Afforestation mitigates soil nitrogen limitation by enhancing mineralization and lowering denitrification in central China

DOI: [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m37pvmdhc](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m37pvmdhc)

## Description of the data and file structure

### **Data Description**

This dataset contains measurements of **soil nitrogen transformation rates**, soil physicochemical properties, and microbial characteristics collected from **central China**. The study aimed to assess how **different afforestation types influence soil nitrogen (N) cycling processes**, particularly those governing soil N availability.

**Experimental Efforts:**

* **Sample Collection**: During October to November 2021, paired sampling surveys were conducted across four subbasins in central China. Non-afforested lands (i.e., cropland or shrubland) were paired with adjacent afforested lands dominated by coniferous trees (*Platycladus orientalis*, *Pinus massoniana*) and broad-leaved trees (*Q..., ,