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Titel |
The strength of the biotic compartment in retaining nitrogen additions prevents nitrogen losses from a Mediterranean maquis |
VerfasserIn |
T. Dias, M. A. Martins-Loução, L. Sheppard, C. Cruz |
Medientyp |
Artikel
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Sprache |
Englisch
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ISSN |
1726-4170
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Digitales Dokument |
URL |
Erschienen |
In: Biogeosciences ; 9, no. 1 ; Nr. 9, no. 1 (2012-01-11), S.193-201 |
Datensatznummer |
250006659
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Publikation (Nr.) |
copernicus.org/bg-9-193-2012.pdf |
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Zusammenfassung |
Nitrogen (N) is one of the nutrients most limiting to ecosystem
productivity. However, N availability is increasing globally, which may
affect ecosystem functions and stability. To understand the role of each
ecosystem compartment in the cycling of increased N, we studied the initial
response of a nutrient-poor ecosystem, a Mediterranean maquis, to increased
N deposition. N availability (dose and form) was modified by three N
additions over the year (middle autumn/winter, spring and summer). Soil
inorganic N pools (nitrate in particular) strongly reflected the N additions
in autumn, almost matching the total N added over the three additions.
Cistus ladanifer, the dominant plant species, responded to the increased N (cover and N
concentration in leaves and litter). Given that leaf shedding occurs in the
summer, the importance of this N pool returning to the soil through litter
decomposition on the total soil inorganic N in autumn was investigated. Data
suggest that living plants and litter have a crucial role in preventing N
losses from Mediterranean maquis. This is the first integrated field study
on how European Mediterranean ecosystems retain increased N of different
forms and doses, however longer-term studies are needed to explore the
generality of this study's observations. |
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