1
|
Sang J, Zhao Y, Shen Y, Shurpali NJ, Li Y. Optimizing irrigation and nitrogen addition to balance grassland biomass production with greenhouse gas emissions: A mesocosm study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 249:118387. [PMID: 38336162 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Achieving a balance between greenhouse gas mitigation and biomass production in grasslands necessitates optimizing irrigation frequency and nitrogen addition, which significantly influence grassland productivity and soil nitrous oxide emissions, and consequently impact the ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange. This study aimed to elucidate these influences using a controlled mesocosm experiment where bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) was cultivated under varied irrigation frequencies (daily and every 6 days) with (100 kg ha-1) or without nitrogen addition; measurements of net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange, ecosystem respiration, soil respiration, and nitrous oxide emissions across two cutting events were performed as well. The findings revealed a critical interaction between water-filled pore space, regulated by irrigation, and nitrogen availability, with the latter exerting a more substantial influence on aboveground biomass growth and ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange than water availability. Moreover, the total dry matter was significantly higher with nitrogen addition compared to without nitrogen addition, irrespective of the irrigation frequency. In contrast, soil nitrous oxide emissions were observed to be significantly higher with increased irrigation frequency and nitrogen addition. The effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration components appeared to depend on water availability, with autotrophic respiration seeing a significant rise with nitrogen addition under limited irrigation (5.4 ± 0.6 μmol m-2 s-1). Interestingly, the lower irrigation frequency did not result in water stress, suggesting resilience in bermudagrass. These findings highlight the importance of considering interactions between irrigation and nitrogen addition to optimize water and nitrogen input in grasslands for a synergistic balance between grassland biomass production and greenhouse gas emission mitigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Sang
- The State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Qingyang National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Yixuan Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Qingyang National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Yuying Shen
- The State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Qingyang National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Narasinha J Shurpali
- Grasslands and Sustainable Farming, Production Systems Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Halolantie 31A, Kuopio, FI-71750, Finland
| | - Yuan Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Qingyang National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shi TS, Collins SL, Yu K, Peñuelas J, Sardans J, Li H, Ye JS. A global meta-analysis on the effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on grasslands and croplands. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3411. [PMID: 38649721 PMCID: PMC11035549 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47829-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A central role for nature-based solution is to identify optimal management practices to address environmental challenges, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Inorganic fertilization increases plant aboveground biomass but often causes a tradeoff with plant diversity loss. It remains unclear, however, whether organic fertilization, as a potential nature-based solution, could alter this tradeoff by increasing aboveground biomass without plant diversity loss. Here we compile data from 537 experiments on organic and inorganic fertilization across grasslands and croplands worldwide to evaluate the responses of aboveground biomass, plant diversity, and soil organic carbon (SOC). Both organic and inorganic fertilization increase aboveground biomass by 56% and 42% relative to ambient, respectively. However, only inorganic fertilization decreases plant diversity, while organic fertilization increases plant diversity in grasslands with greater soil water content. Moreover, organic fertilization increases SOC in grasslands by 19% and 15% relative to ambient and inorganic fertilization, respectively. The positive effect of organic fertilization on SOC increases with increasing mean annual temperature in grasslands, a pattern not observed in croplands. Collectively, our findings highlight organic fertilization as a potential nature-based solution that can increase two ecosystem services of grasslands, forage production, and soil carbon storage, without a tradeoff in plant diversity loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Shuai Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Scott L Collins
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Kailiang Yu
- High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Jordi Sardans
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, 08193, Spain
| | - Hailing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jian-Sheng Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu C, Liu J, Wang J, Ding X. Effects of Short-Term Nitrogen Additions on Biomass and Soil Phytochemical Cycling in Alpine Grasslands of Tianshan, China. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1103. [PMID: 38674511 PMCID: PMC11054463 DOI: 10.3390/plants13081103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The nitrogen deposition process, as an important phenomenon of global climate change and an important link in the nitrogen cycle, has had serious and far-reaching impacts on grassland ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the survival adaptation strategies of plants of different functional groups under nitrogen deposition, and the study identified the following outcomes of differences in biomass changes by conducting in situ simulated nitrogen deposition experiments while integrating plant nutrient contents and soil physicochemical properties: (1) nitrogen addition enhanced the aboveground biomass of grassland communities, in which Poaceae were significantly affected by nitrogen addition. Additionally, nitrogen addition significantly influenced plant total nitrogen and total phosphorus; (2) nitrogen addition improved the plant growth environment, alleviated plant nitrogen limitation, and promoted plant phosphorus uptake; and (3) there was variability in the biomass responses of different functional groups to nitrogen addition. The level of nitrogen addition was the primary factor affecting differences in biomass changes, while nitrogen addition frequency was an important factor affecting changes in plant community structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China; (C.L.); (J.W.); (X.D.)
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring and Restoration of Desert-Oasis, Ministry of Natural Resources Desert, Urumqi 830002, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Ministry of Education (Xinjiang University), Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Junjie Liu
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China; (C.L.); (J.W.); (X.D.)
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring and Restoration of Desert-Oasis, Ministry of Natural Resources Desert, Urumqi 830002, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Ministry of Education (Xinjiang University), Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Juan Wang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China; (C.L.); (J.W.); (X.D.)
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring and Restoration of Desert-Oasis, Ministry of Natural Resources Desert, Urumqi 830002, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Ministry of Education (Xinjiang University), Urumqi 830017, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ding
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China; (C.L.); (J.W.); (X.D.)
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring and Restoration of Desert-Oasis, Ministry of Natural Resources Desert, Urumqi 830002, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Ministry of Education (Xinjiang University), Urumqi 830017, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hu Z, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Fanin N, Chen X, Zhou Y, Du G, Hu F, Jiang L, Hu S, Liu M. Nutrient-induced acidification modulates soil biodiversity-function relationships. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2858. [PMID: 38570522 PMCID: PMC10991381 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47323-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Nutrient enrichment is a major global change component that often disrupts the relationship between aboveground biodiversity and ecosystem functions by promoting species dominance, altering trophic interactions, and reducing ecosystem stability. Emerging evidence indicates that nutrient enrichment also reduces soil biodiversity and weakens the relationship between belowground biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here, we explore the effects of nutrient enrichment on soil properties, soil biodiversity, and multiple ecosystem functions through a 13-year field experiment. We show that soil acidification induced by nutrient enrichment, rather than changes in mineral nutrient and carbon (C) availability, is the primary factor negatively affecting the relationship between soil diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality. Nitrogen and phosphorus additions significantly reduce soil pH, diversity of bacteria, fungi and nematodes, as well as an array of ecosystem functions related to C and nutrient cycling. Effects of nutrient enrichment on microbial diversity also have negative consequences at higher trophic levels on the diversity of microbivorous nematodes. These results indicate that nutrient-induced acidification can cascade up its impacts along the soil food webs and influence ecosystem functioning, providing novel insight into the mechanisms through which nutrient enrichment influences soil community and ecosystem properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengkun Hu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
- Centre for Grassland Microbiome, State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro‑Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Av. Reina Mercedes 10, E-41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Nicolas Fanin
- INRAE, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, UMR 1391 ISPA, Villenave-d'Ornon, France
| | - Xiaoyun Chen
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Guozhen Du
- College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Feng Hu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shuijin Hu
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Manqiang Liu
- Centre for Grassland Microbiome, State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro‑Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
He M, Barry KE, Soons MB, Allan E, Cappelli SL, Craven D, Doležal J, Isbell F, Lanta V, Lepš J, Liang M, Mason N, Palmborg C, Pichon NA, da Silveira Pontes L, Reich PB, Roscher C, Hautier Y. Cumulative nitrogen enrichment alters the drivers of grassland overyielding. Commun Biol 2024; 7:309. [PMID: 38467761 PMCID: PMC10928195 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Effects of plant diversity on grassland productivity, or overyielding, are found to be robust to nutrient enrichment. However, the impact of cumulative nitrogen (N) addition (total N added over time) on overyielding and its drivers are underexplored. Synthesizing data from 15 multi-year grassland biodiversity experiments with N addition, we found that N addition decreases complementarity effects and increases selection effects proportionately, resulting in no overall change in overyielding regardless of N addition rate. However, we observed a convex relationship between overyielding and cumulative N addition, driven by a shift from complementarity to selection effects. This shift suggests diminishing positive interactions and an increasing contribution of a few dominant species with increasing N accumulation. Recognizing the importance of cumulative N addition is vital for understanding its impacts on grassland overyielding, contributing essential insights for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience in the face of increasing N deposition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miao He
- Ecology and Biodiversity group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Ave, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
| | - Kathryn E Barry
- Ecology and Biodiversity group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Merel B Soons
- Ecology and Biodiversity group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Allan
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland
- Centre for Development and Environment CDE, University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Seraina L Cappelli
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Ave, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dylan Craven
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide, 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
- Data Observatory Foundation, ANID Technology Center No. DO210001, Eliodoro Yáñez 2990, 7510277, Providencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jiří Doležal
- Department of Functional Ecology, Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté stoce 1, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Forest Isbell
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Ave, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Vojtěch Lanta
- Department of Functional Ecology, Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Lepš
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Na Zlaté stoce 1, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Maowei Liang
- Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, University of Minnesota, 2660 Fawn Lake Dr NE, East Bethel, MN, 55005, USA
| | - Norman Mason
- Landcare Research, Private Bag 3127, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Cecilia Palmborg
- Department of Crop production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Noémie A Pichon
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Laíse da Silveira Pontes
- Rural Development Institute of Paraná - IAPAR-EMATER, Av. Euzébio de Queirós, s/n°, CP 129, CEP 84001-970, Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil
| | - Peter B Reich
- Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Ave, St Paul, MN, 55108, USA
- Institute for Global Change Biology, and School for the Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, 440 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Christiane Roscher
- UFZ, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Physiological Diversity, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yann Hautier
- Ecology and Biodiversity group, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen X, Hou G, Shi P, Zong N, Yu J. Functional Groups Dominate Aboveground Net Primary Production under Long-Term Nutrient Additions in a Tibetan Alpine Meadow. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:344. [PMID: 38337876 PMCID: PMC10857096 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic nutrient additions are influencing the structure and function of alpine grassland ecosystems. However, the underlying mechanisms of the direct and indirect effects of nutrient additions on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) are not well understood. In this study, we conducted an eight-year field experiment to explore the ecological consequences of nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorous (P) additions on the northern Tibetan Plateau. ANPP, species diversity, functional diversity, and functional groups were used to assess species' responses to increasing nutrients. Our results showed that nutrient additions significantly increased ANPP due to the release in nutrient limitations. Although N addition had a significant effect on species richness and functional richness, and P and N + P additions altered functional diversity, it was functional groups rather than biodiversity that drove changes in ANPP in the indirect pathways. We identified the important roles of N and P additions in begetting the dominance of grasses and forbs, respectively. The study highlights that the shift of functional groups should be taken into consideration to better predict the structure, function, and biodiversity-ANPP relationship in grasslands, particularly under future multifaceted global change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modelling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (X.C.); (G.H.); (N.Z.); (J.Y.)
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ge Hou
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modelling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (X.C.); (G.H.); (N.Z.); (J.Y.)
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Peili Shi
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modelling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (X.C.); (G.H.); (N.Z.); (J.Y.)
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Ning Zong
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modelling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (X.C.); (G.H.); (N.Z.); (J.Y.)
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jialuo Yu
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modelling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (X.C.); (G.H.); (N.Z.); (J.Y.)
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li H, Terrer C, Berdugo M, Maestre FT, Zhu Z, Peñuelas J, Yu K, Luo L, Gong JY, Ye JS. Nitrogen addition delays the emergence of an aridity-induced threshold for plant biomass. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad242. [PMID: 37900195 PMCID: PMC10600907 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Crossing certain aridity thresholds in global drylands can lead to abrupt decays of ecosystem attributes such as plant productivity, potentially causing land degradation and desertification. It is largely unknown, however, whether these thresholds can be altered by other key global change drivers known to affect the water-use efficiency and productivity of vegetation, such as elevated CO2 and nitrogen (N). Using >5000 empirical measurements of plant biomass, we showed that crossing an aridity (1-precipitation/potential evapotranspiration) threshold of ∼0.50, which marks the transition from dry sub-humid to semi-arid climates, led to abrupt declines in aboveground biomass (AGB) and progressive increases in root:shoot ratios, thus importantly affecting carbon stocks and their distribution. N addition significantly increased AGB and delayed the emergence of its aridity threshold from 0.49 to 0.55 (P < 0.05). By coupling remote sensing estimates of leaf area index with simulations from multiple models, we found that CO2 enrichment did not alter the observed aridity threshold. By 2100, and under the RCP 8.5 scenario, we forecast a 0.3% net increase in the global land area exceeding the aridity threshold detected under a scenario that includes N deposition, in comparison to a 2.9% net increase if the N effect is not considered. Our study thus indicates that N addition could mitigate to a great extent the negative impact of increasing aridity on plant biomass in drylands. These findings are critical for improving forecasts of abrupt vegetation changes in response to ongoing global environmental change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hailing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - César Terrer
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Miguel Berdugo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio “Ramón Margalef,” Universidad de Alicante, Alicante 03690, Spain
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-UPF), Barcelona08003, Spain
| | - Fernando T Maestre
- Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio “Ramón Margalef,” Universidad de Alicante, Alicante 03690, Spain
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante 03690, Spain
| | - Zaichun Zhu
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Kailiang Yu
- High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Lin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Jie-Yu Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Jian-Sheng Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Arogoundade AM, Mutanga O, Odindi J, Naicker R. The role of remote sensing in tropical grassland nutrient estimation: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:954. [PMID: 37452968 PMCID: PMC10349770 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11562-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) ratio is a key indicator of nutrient utilization and limitations in rangelands. To understand the distribution of herbivores and grazing patterns, information on grass quality and quantity is important. In heterogeneous environments, remote sensing offers a timely, economical, and effective method for assessing foliar biochemical ratios at varying spatial and temporal scales. Hence, this study provides a synopsis of the advancement in remote sensing technology, limitations, and emerging opportunities in mapping the C:N ratio in rangelands. Specifically, the paper focuses on multispectral and hyperspectral sensors and investigates their properties, absorption features, empirical and physical methods, and algorithms in predicting the C:N ratio in grasslands. Literature shows that the determination of the C:N ratio in grasslands is not in line with developments in remote sensing technologies. Thus, the use of advanced and freely available sensors with improved spectral and spatial properties such as Sentinel 2 and Landsat 8/9 with sophisticated algorithms may provide new opportunities to estimate C:N ratio in grasslands at regional scales, especially in developing countries. Spectral bands in the near-infrared, shortwave infrared, red, and red edge were identified to predict the C:N ratio in plants. New indices developed from recent multispectral satellite imagery, for example, Sentinel 2 aided by cutting-edge algorithms, can improve the estimation of foliar biochemical ratios. Therefore, this study recommends that future research should adopt new satellite technologies with recent development in machine learning algorithms for improved mapping of the C:N ratio in grasslands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adeola M. Arogoundade
- Discipline of Geography, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Onisimo Mutanga
- Discipline of Geography, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - John Odindi
- Discipline of Geography, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Rowan Naicker
- Discipline of Geography, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Andraczek K, Weigelt A, Hinderling J, Kretz L, Prati D, van der Plas F. Biomass removal promotes plant diversity after short-term de-intensification of managed grasslands. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287039. [PMID: 37384725 PMCID: PMC10310043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Land-use intensification is one of the main drivers threatening biodiversity in managed grasslands. Despite multiple studies investigating the effect of different land-use components in driving changes in plant biodiversity, their effects are usually studied in isolation. Here, we establish a full factorial design crossing fertilization with a combined treatment of biomass removal, on 16 managed grasslands spanning a gradient in land-use intensity, across three regions in Germany. Specifically, we investigate the interactive effects of different land-use components on plant composition and diversity using structural equation modelling. We hypothesize that fertilization and biomass removal alter plant biodiversity, directly and indirectly, mediated through changes in light availability. We found that, direct and indirect effects of biomass removal on plant biodiversity were larger than effects of fertilization, yet significantly differed between season. Furthermore, we found that indirect effects of biomass removal on plant biodiversity were mediated through changes in light availability, but also by changes in soil moisture. Our analysis thus supports previous findings, that soil moisture may operate as an alternative indirect mechanism by which biomass removal may affect plant biodiversity. Most importantly, our findings highlight that in the short-term biomass removal can partly compensate the negative effects of fertilization on plant biodiversity in managed grasslands. By studying the interactive nature of different land-use drivers we advance our understanding of the complex mechanisms controlling plant biodiversity in managed grasslands, which ultimately may help to maintain higher levels of biodiversity in grassland ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karl Andraczek
- Department of Life Sciences, Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexandra Weigelt
- Department of Life Sciences, Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Lena Kretz
- Department of Life Sciences, Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Prati
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fons van der Plas
- Department of Life Sciences, Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Issaka DS, Gross O, Ayilara I, Schabes T, DeMalach N. Density‐dependent and independent mechanisms jointly reduce species performance under nitrogen enrichment. OIKOS 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David Sampson Issaka
- Inst. of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem Rehovot Israel
| | - Or Gross
- Inst. of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem Rehovot Israel
| | - Itunuoluwa Ayilara
- Inst. of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem Rehovot Israel
| | - Tal Schabes
- Inst. of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem Rehovot Israel
| | - Niv DeMalach
- Inst. of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem Rehovot Israel
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Granjel RR, Allan E, Godoy O. Nitrogen enrichment and foliar fungal pathogens affect the mechanisms of multispecies plant coexistence. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 237:2332-2346. [PMID: 36527234 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Changes in resources (e.g. nitrogen) and enemies (e.g. foliar pathogens) are key drivers of plant diversity and composition. However, their effects have not been connected to the niche and fitness differences that determine multispecies coexistence. Here, we combined a structuralist theoretical approach with a detailed grassland experiment factorially applying nitrogen addition and foliar fungal pathogen suppression to evaluate the joint effect of nitrogen and pathogens on niche and fitness differences, across a gradient from two to six interacting species. Nitrogen addition and pathogen suppression modified species interaction strengths and intrinsic growth rates, leading to reduced multispecies fitness differences. However, contrary to expected, we also observed that they promote stabilising niche differences. Although these modifications did not substantially alter species richness, they predicted major changes in community composition. Indirect interactions between species explained these community changes in smaller assemblages (three and four species) but lost importance in favour of direct pairwise interactions when more species were involved (five and six). Altogether, our work shows that explicitly considering the number of interacting species is critical for better understanding the direct and indirect processes by which nitrogen enrichment and pathogen communities shape coexistence in grasslands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo R Granjel
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Eric Allan
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Alterbergrain 21, 3013, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Oscar Godoy
- Departamento de Biología, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Universidad de Cádiz, 11510, Puerto Real, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ke Y, Yu Q, Wang H, Zhao Y, Jia X, Yang Y, Zhang Y, Zhou W, Wu H, Xu C, Sun T, Gao Y, Jentsch A, He N, Yu G. The potential bias of nitrogen deposition effects on primary productivity and biodiversity. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1054-1061. [PMID: 36408718 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is composed of both inorganic nitrogen (IN) and organic nitrogen (ON), and these sources of N may exhibit different impacts on ecosystems. However, our understanding of the impacts of N deposition is largely based on experimental gradients of INs or more rarely ONs. Thus, the effects of N deposition on ecosystem productivity and biodiversity may be biased. We explored the differential impacts of N addition with different IN:ON ratios (0:10, 3:7, 5:5, 7:3, and 10:0) on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) of plant community and plant diversity in a typical temperate grassland with a long-term N addition experiment. Soil pH, litter biomass, soil IN concentration, and light penetration were measured to examine the potential mechanisms underlying species loss with N addition. Our results showed that N addition significantly increased plant community ANPP by 68.33%-105.50% and reduced species richness by 16.20%-37.99%. The IN:ON ratios showed no significant effects on plant community ANPP. However, IN-induced species richness loss was about 2.34 times of ON-induced richness loss. Soil pH was positively related to species richness, and they exhibited very similar response patterns to IN:ON ratios. It implies that soil acidification accounts for the different magnitudes of species loss with IN and ON additions. Overall, our study suggests that it might be reasonable to evaluate the effects of N deposition on plant community ANPP with either IN or ON addition. However, the evaluation of N deposition on biodiversity might be overestimated if only IN is added or underestimated if only ON is added.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuguang Ke
- National Hulunber Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Yu
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongqiang Wang
- National Hulunber Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotong Jia
- National Hulunber Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yadong Yang
- National Hulunber Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yunlong Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- National Hulunber Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Honghui Wu
- National Hulunber Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chong Xu
- National Hulunber Grassland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Yingzhi Gao
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Anke Jentsch
- Disturbance Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Nianpeng He
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guirui Yu
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tsutsumi M, Hiradate S, Yokogawa M, Yamakita E, Inoue M, Takahashi Y. A single application of fertilizer can affect semi-natural grassland vegetation over half a century. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275808. [PMID: 36449453 PMCID: PMC9710762 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Restoration of species-rich semi-natural grassland requires not only a seed source but also appropriate soil properties. In Europe, approximately 10 years are required for the properties of fertilized soils to reach suitable conditions and be considered successfully restored. However, restoration may require additional time in Japan because heavier precipitation causes leaching of basic cations from soils, resulting in soil acidification; volcanic ejecta also forms active Al and Fe hydroxides with high phosphate sorption. Within this context, we aimed to answer the following questions: i) whether and how the impacts of fertilization remain in the soil properties after half a century in Japan; and ii) how fertilization affects the restoration of semi-natural grasslands in Japan. We investigated the vegetation and soil properties of a Zoysia japonica pasture improved half a century ago with a single application of fertilizer and an adjacent semi-natural grassland (native pasture) in Japan, and found the following: (1) the two pastures had similar dominance of Z. japonica, but differed in the species composition; (2) the improved pasture exhibited lower species richness than the native pasture; (3) soil nutrients, including N, P, K, Mg, and Ca, were higher in the improved pasture than in the native pasture; and (4) many chemical properties of the soils were associated with species composition; namely, the vegetation on nutrient-rich soil had more alien species and fewer native species. We conclude that a single dose of fertilization can affect soil properties in semi-natural grasslands over half a century in Japan, leading to species loss and changing the species composition. We suggest that fertilized soils under grazing in Japan may require more than half a century to restore the nutrients to suitable levels for the establishment of a species-diverse grassland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michio Tsutsumi
- Western Region Agricultural Research Center (Kinki, Chugoku and Shikoku Regions), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Shimane, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Eri Yamakita
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Fukano Y, Tachiki Y, Kasada M, Uchida K. Evolution of competitive traits changes species diversity in a natural field. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221376. [PMID: 36168760 PMCID: PMC9515622 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Studying the interaction between evolutionary and ecological processes (i.e. eco-evolutionary dynamics) has great potential to improve our understanding of biological processes such as species interactions, community assembly and ecosystem functions. However, most experimental studies have been conducted under controlled laboratory or mesocosm conditions, and the importance of these interactions in natural field communities has not been evaluated. In this study, we focused on the contemporary divergence of a competitive trait (the height-width ratio) of an annual grass Eleusine indica between urban and farmland populations and investigated how trait evolution affects ecological processes by transplanting E. indica individuals from lineages with different trait values into semi-natural grassland. The competitive trait of the transplanted individuals not only affected their own growth and fitness, but also affected the vegetative growth of the competing species and the species diversity. These results indicate that the evolution of competitive traits, even in a single species, can influence the community species diversity through changes in interspecific interactions. Eco-evolutionary interactions therefore play a crucial role in natural field environments. Our results suggest that understanding intraspecific variation in competitive traits driven by rapid evolution is essential for understanding interspecific competitive interactions, community assembly and species diversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Fukano
- Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Yuuya Tachiki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Kasada
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3 Aoba, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
- Department of Experimental Limnology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Zur alten Fischerhuette 2, 16775 Stechlin, Germany
| | - Kei Uchida
- Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1, Midori-cho, Nishi-Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|