Spatial variations in larch needle and soil δ(15)N at a forest-grassland boundary in northern Mongolia.

The spatial patterns of plant and soil δ(15)N and associated processes in the N cycle were investigated at a forest-grassland boundary in northern Mongolia. Needles of Larix sibirica Ledeb. and soils collected from two study areas were analysed to calculate the differences in δ(15)N between needle and soil (Δδ(15)N). Δδ(15)N showed a clear variation, ranging from -8 ‰ in the forest to -2 ‰ in the grassland boundary, and corresponded to the accumulation of organic layer. In the forest, the separation of available N produced in the soil with (15)N-depleted N uptake by larch and (15)N-enriched N immobilization by microorganisms was proposed to cause large Δδ(15)N, whereas in the grassland boundary, small Δδ(15)N was explained by the transport of the most available N into larch. The divergence of available N between larch and microorganisms in the soil, and the accumulation of diverged N in the organic layer control the variation in Δδ(15)N.