Quantifying nitrogen-fixation in feather moss carpets of boreal forests

Biological nitrogen (N) fixation is the primary source of N within natural ecosystems(1), yet the origin of boreal forest N has remained elusive. The boreal forests of Eurasia and North America lack any significant, widespread symbiotic N-fixing plants(1-6). With the exception of scattered stands of alder in early primary successional forests(7), N-fixation in boreal forests is considered to be extremely limited. Nitrogen-fixation in northern European boreal forests has been estimated(2) at only 0.5 kg Nha(-1) yr(-1); however, organic N is accumulated in these ecosystems at a rate of 3 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) (ref. 8). Our limited understanding of the origin of boreal N is unacceptable given the extent of the boreal forest region, but predictable given our imperfect knowledge of N-fixation(1,9). Herein we report on a N-fixing symbiosis between a cyanobacterium (Nostoc sp.) and the ubiquitous feather moss, Pleurozium schreberi (Bird) Mitt. that alone fixes between 1.5 and 2.0 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) in mid- to late-successional forests of northern Scandinavia and Finland. Previous efforts have probably underestimated N-fixation potential in boreal forests.

Zackrisson, O (author)
Nilsson, M C (author)
Sellstedt, Anita,1955-Umeå universitet,Institutionen för fysiologisk botanik,Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC)(Swepub:umu)anse0001 (author)
Umeå universitetInstitutionen för fysiologisk botanik (creator_code:org_t)

In:Nature: Springer Science and Business Media LLC419:6910, s. 917-9200028-08361476-4687

By the author/editor: DeLuca, T H; Zackrisson, O; Nilsson, M C; Sellstedt, Anita ...

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