Soil pH has contrasting effects on gross and net nitrogen mineralizations in adjacent forest and grassland soils in central Alberta, Canada

► Soil pH and salt effects on gross and net N transformations rates were studied in grassland and forests. ► Soil pH affected net and gross N mineralization in the two soils in different ways. ► Increasing pH increased gross and net nitrification rates in both soils. ► Salt reduced gross nitrification but not gross mineralization rates.