Data from: Drivers of deposited nitrogen retention and its contribution to carbon sequestration in Chinese forests
Data files
May 19, 2026 version files 41.13 KB
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N-induced_C_sink.xlsx
19.48 KB
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README.md
3.31 KB
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Site_properties_and_15N_recovery.xlsx
18.34 KB
Abstract
This dataset compiles results from decades of 15N tracer experiments conducted across Chinese forests, spanning boreal to tropical biomes. The experiments quantify three core parameters: (1) the retention rate of deposited nitrogen (N) within forest ecosystems; (2) the partitioning of retained N among plant biomass, soil organic layers, and mineral soil pools; and (3) the carbon (C) sequestration response to deposited N (C-N response; kg C sequestered per kg deposited N).
Sampling includes forests across climatic and N deposition gradients (north-south latitudinal gradient) and successional stage (primary, secondary, and plantation forests), and N saturation status (chronically N-saturated vs. non-saturated forests), as well as fates of different forms of deposited N. Key dataset values include: a mean ecosystem N retention rate of ~65% across all sites, with ~two-thirds of retained N stored in soil pools; C-N response ratios ranging from ~7 to 40 kg C kg⁻¹ N (with highest values in boreal forests and plantations); and site-specific measurements of N partitioning between plant and soil pools.
All data reflect direct measurements from 15N tracer applications, enabling analysis of environmental drivers of N retention and C-N response in Chinese forest ecosystems.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.bnzs7h4m6
Description of the data and file structure
The dataset consists of two interconnected Excel files that collectively document nitrogen (N) cycling and nitrogen-induced carbon (C) sequestration across 18 forest sites in China.
Files and variables
File: Site_properties_and_15N_recovery.xlsx
Description: This single worksheet file shows site characteristics and the recovery of nitrogen-15 (15N) tracers across 18 sites (47 observations, 23 variables).
Variables
Site(location name),Biome(biome type),Succession(successional stage),Longitude/Latitude(geographic coordinates in “DD° MM’E”/“DD° MM’N” format), andTracer form(chemical form of 15N added: “15NH4” for ammonium, “15NO3” for nitrate, and “15NH415NO3” for ammonium nitrate), Stand age (yr),N deposition (kg N/ha/yr),MAT; Mean Annual Temperature(ºC),MAP; Mean Annual Pricipitation (mm), Soil clay content (% of weight),Soil pH),Organic layer C/NandMineral soil C/N(carbon-to-nitrogen ratios for soil horizons),CEC;Cation Exchange Capacity(cmol/kg)(Cation Exchange Capacity),OC;organic carbon in topsoil (% of weight), GPP; Gross Primary Productivity (g C/m2/yr),Plant recovery(percentage of added 15N recovered in plant biomass),Organic layer recovery(15N recovered in soil organic layer),Mineral soil recovery(15N recovered in mineral soil),Total soil recovery(sum of organic and mineral soil 15N), andEcosystem recovery(total 15N retained in plants + soil).
File: N-induced_C_sink.xlsx
Description: This is also a single worksheet file consisting of data used to estimate N-induced C sequestration in nonwoody and woody biomass, soil organic layer, and mineral soil across the 18 sites (18 observations, 26 variables).
Variables
- Nitrogen-related variables include
N deposition (kg/ha/yr),Retention fraction (%) in(percentage of deposited N retained in nonwoody biomass, woody biomass, soil organic layer, or mineral soil), andN deposition in [compartment] (kg N/ha/yr)(absolute amount of N retained in each compartment). Carbon sink variables quantify C sequestration asC sink (kg C/ha/yr) in [compartment](for nonwoody biomass, woody biomass, soil organic layer, mineral soil, and atotal poolsum of all compartments). C-N ratio variables include[Compartment] C/N(mass-based C-to-N ratios), andC-N response;C sequestered per unit N retained (kg C/kg N). The C-N responses were calculated for individual compartments, total plant biomass, total soil, and the total ecosystem pool).
Code/software
Both files use standard Excel formatting, with missing values represented as "NA" (Not Available). Software used for data collection and analysis includes Microsoft Excel 365.
Any questions related to the data can be sent to gurmesa@iae.ac.cn
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- N/A
Data was derived from the following sources:
- N/A