Interactive effects of nitrogen forms and temperature on soil organic carbon decomposition in the coastal wetland of the Yellow River Delta, China

Abstract Nitrogen (N) is a limiting nutrient in many terrestrial ecosystems. Many studies concentrated on the relationships between the amount of N deposition and soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. However, few studies are dedicated to differentiate the influence of inorganic and organic N deposition on SOC decomposition. In addition, the interactive effect of different forms of N and temperature on SOC decomposition is still unknown. A short-term incubation experiment was conducted to determine the interactive of N addition (nitrate, ammonium and organic N) and temperature on SOC decomposition in the coastal wetland of the Yellow River Delta, China. The results showed that increased temperature had a positive effect on SOC decomposition (P  Q 10 value of SOC decomposition. However, a low level of ammonium addition and temperature produced an antagonistic effect on SOC decomposition. This may be attributed to the decreased Q 10 value of SOC decomposition at a low level of ammonium addition (P