In situ 15N and 13C labelling of indigenous and plantation tree species in a tropical mountain forest (Munessa, Ethiopia) for subsequent litter and soil organic matter turnover studies

We propose a novel pragmatic approach of in situ 15N and 13C isotope labelling of trees for subsequent litter decomposition and turnover studies under field conditions. Using this method the labelling of even large trees under natural conditions is possible and compared to tree labelling under artificial conditions in greenhouses the in situ approach is less expensive. 13C and 15N labelling were carried out simultaneously via photosynthesis by tree gassing with 13CO2 and by stem injection of 15NH4 15NO3. The aims of this study were: (i) to produce a sufficient quantity of labelled plant material for subsequent field incubation studies and (ii) to investigate the effectiveness and distribution of in situ 15N (15NH4 15NO3) and 13C (13CO2) labelling of Podocarpus falcatus, Croton macrostachys, Prunus africana and Cupressus lusitanica. The following targets need to be achieved: (i) Assuming almost natural litter fall conditions, enough labelled plant material must be produced in situ for the turnover experiment; (ii) intra-plant tracer enrichment shall be homogeneous; (iii) tracer enrichment should be comparable for different tree species; and (iv) tracer enrichment must be sufficient for subsequent litter turnover studies using the stable isotope approach. Our results clearly demonstrated that several kilograms of labelled plant material can be produced in situ. For many ecosystems, this amount is sufficient for a long term litter turnover experiment on a field scale under almost natural litter fall conditions. However, intra-plant label uptake of 13C and 15N was heterogeneous so that only leaves (litter) should be used for the turnover study. It could be shown that only a part of the labile C and N fraction in the leaves was labelled. Nevertheless, label uptake was sufficient for subsequent litter turnover studies.