Development CNtrace tool

The Ntrace tool was developed as a flexible ¹⁵N analysis tool to determine gross nitrogen (N) transformations. Since the development of the tool, it has been applied to many ecosystems world-wide as documented in more than 190 peer-reviewed publications. Over time, the tool has evolved to become much more flexible including different pools and determining more transformation rates. Up until now, the focus has been on the N cycle. However, the N and carbon (C) cycle are closely connected. Considering both cycles concomitantly provides a more comprehensive understanding of how elements move through the system. Thus, the next step in the development of the Ntrace tool includes connecting the N and C pools (CNtrace) in order to simultaneously quantify gross N and C transformations based on the observed ¹⁵N and ¹³C dynamics. Data from specifically designed experiments, using either labelled organic matter or C₄ plants in a C₃ soil, with the addition of differentially ¹⁵N labelled mineral fertilizer will be used for the development of the CNtrace tool. The theoretical background and the various development steps will be presented.