1
|
Magri M, Bondavalli C, Bartoli M, Benelli S, Žilius M, Petkuviene J, Vybernaite-Lubiene I, Vaičiūtė D, Grinienė E, Zemlys P, Morkūnė R, Daunys D, Solovjova S, Bučas M, Gasiūnaitė ZR, Baziukas-Razinkovas A, Bodini A. Temporal and spatial differences in nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemistry and ecosystem functioning of a hypertrophic lagoon (Curonian Lagoon, SE Baltic Sea) revealed via Ecological Network Analysis. Sci Total Environ 2024; 921:171070. [PMID: 38382608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
In coastal lagoons, eutrophication and hydrology are interacting factors that produce distortions in biogeochemical nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles. Such distortions affect nutrient relative availability and produce cascade consequences on primary producer's community and ecosystem functioning. In this study, the seasonal functioning of a coastal lagoon was investigated with a multielement approach, via the construction and analysis of network models. Spring and summer networks, both for N and P flows, have been simultaneously compiled for the northern transitional and southern confined area of the hypertrophic Curonian Lagoon (SE Baltic Sea). Ecological Network Analysis was applied to address the combined effect of hydrology and seasonality on biogeochemical processes. Results suggest that the ecosystem is more active and presents higher N and P fluxes in summer compared to spring, regardless of the area. Furthermore, larger internal recycling characterizes the confined compared to the transitional area, regardless of the season. The two areas differed in the fate of available nutrients. The transitional area received large riverine inputs that were mainly transferred to the sea without the conversion into primary producers' biomass. The confined area had fewer inputs but proportionally larger conversion into phytoplankton biomass. In summer, particularly in the confined area, primary production was inefficiently consumed by herbivores. Most phytoplanktonic N and P, in the confined area more than in the transitional area, were conveyed to the detritus pathway where P, more than N, was recycled, contributing to the unbalance in N:P stoichiometry and favouring N-fixing cyanobacteria over other phytoplankton groups. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of N and P circulation patterns in lagoon areas characterized by different hydrology. They also support the importance of a stoichiometric approach to trace relative differences in N and P recycling and abundance, that promote blooms, drive algal communities and whole ecosystem functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monia Magri
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Cristina Bondavalli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Bartoli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy; Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Genoa Marine Center, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Sara Benelli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Mindaugas Žilius
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Jolita Petkuviene
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Irma Vybernaite-Lubiene
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Diana Vaičiūtė
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Evelina Grinienė
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Petras Zemlys
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Rasa Morkūnė
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Darius Daunys
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Sabina Solovjova
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Martynas Bučas
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | - Zita Rasuole Gasiūnaitė
- Marine Research Institute, University of Klaipeda, Universiteto al. 17, 92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
| | | | - Antonio Bodini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 33/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Qin Y, Liang M, Feng B, Zheng H. Coordinated pattern of multiple element variability in Aegiceras corniculatum propagule in shrimp aquaculture effluent habitats. Sci Total Environ 2023; 857:159242. [PMID: 36208757 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human activities and environment changes have changed river estuary ecosystems, which impacts element changes in coastal sediments and mangroves. Mangrove propagule chemical traits showed a systematic shift along environmental gradients. But knowledge about how the pattern of multi-element variability is coordinated in propagule remains limited, and the conservation of macro and trace elements in propagules is also unknown. In this study, the concentrations, variability and coordinated pattern variation of 13 elements in Aegiceras corniculatum propagule across shrimp aquaculture effluent habitats, as well as the relationship between propagule element and environment factors were explored. We used CV to quantify the variability of each element, and then explore the pattern of multi-element variability. The results showed that: (1) in the habitats affected by shrimp aquaculture, the elements content shows: C > K > Cl > N > Na > P > S > Mg > Ca > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu, and the coefficient variation shows: Mn > Cu > Fe > Zn > S > N > P > Cl > Na > K > Mg > Ca > C, which means that the element concentration are negatively correlated with the element variability and the variability of macro-elements was more conservative than micro-elements in these habitats; (2) pH, OM, C:P, and SiO32- were the four important environmental factors explaining the A. corniculatum propagule variation. In conclusion, effluent from shrimp aquaculture does affect the coordinated pattern of multiple element variability in A. corniculatum propagules. These results provide a strong evidence for assessing the impact of shrimp aquaculture effluent discharges on mangrove and provide an important theoretical basis for mangrove conservation and restoration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Qin
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Landscape Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization in Lijiang River Basin, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China.
| | - Mingzhong Liang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster in the Beibu Gulf, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, PR China
| | - Bingbin Feng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster in the Beibu Gulf, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, PR China
| | - Hailei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
High mangrove productivity is sustained by rapid utilization, high retention efficiency and maximum storage of nutrients in leaves, roots, and soils. Rapid microbial transformations and high mineralization efficiencies in tandem with physiological mechanisms conserve scarce nutrients. Macronutrient cycling is interlinked with micronutrient cycling; all nutrient cycles are linked closely to geochemical transformation processes. Mangroves can be N-, P-, Fe-, and Cu-limited; additions of Zn and Mo stimulate early growth until levels above pristine porewater concentrations induce toxicity. Limited nutrient availability is caused by sorption and retention onto iron oxides, clays, and sulfide minerals. Little N is exported as immobilization is the largest transformation process. Mn and S affect N metabolism and photosynthesis via early diagenesis and P availability is coupled to Fe-S redox oscillations. Fe is involved in nitrification, denitrification and anammox, and Mo is involved in NO3− reduction and N2-fixation. Soil Mg, K, Mn, Zn and Ni pool sizes decrease as mangrove primary productivity increases, suggesting increasing uptake and more rapid turnover than in less productive forests. Mangroves may be major contributors to oceanic Mn and Mo cycles, delivering 7.4–12.1 Gmol Mn a−1 to the ocean, which is greater than global riverine input. The global Mo import rate by mangroves corresponds to 15–120% of Mo supply to the oceanic Mo budget.
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) cycling in mangroves is complex, with rapid turnover of low dissolved N concentrations, but slow turnover of particulate N. Most N is stored in soils. The largest sources of N are nearly equal amounts of mangrove and benthic microalgal primary production. Dissolved N fluxes between the forests and tidal waters show net uptake, indicating N conservation. N2-fixation is underestimated as rapid rates measured on tree stems, aboveground roots and cyanobacterial mats cannot currently be accounted for at the whole-forest scale due to their extreme patchiness and the inability to extrapolate beyond a localized area. Net immobilization of NH4+ is the largest ecosystem flux, indicating N retention. Denitrification is the largest loss of N, equating to 35% of total N input. Burial equates to about 29% of total inputs and is the second largest loss of N. Total inputs slightly exceed total outputs, currently suggesting net N balance in mangroves. Mangrove PON export equates to ≈95% of PON export from the world’s tropical rivers, but only 1.5% of the entire world’s river discharge. Mangrove N2O emissions, denitrification, and burial contribute 0.4%, 0.5–2.0% and 6%, respectively, to the global coastal ocean, which are disproportionate to their small worldwide area.
Collapse
|
5
|
Penuelas J, Janssens IA, Ciais P, Obersteiner M, Sardans J. Anthropogenic global shifts in biospheric N and P concentrations and ratios and their impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem productivity, food security, and human health. Glob Chang Biol 2020; 26:1962-1985. [PMID: 31912629 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The availability of carbon (C) from high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and anthropogenic release of nitrogen (N) is increasing, but these increases are not paralleled by increases in levels of phosphorus (P). The current unstoppable changes in the stoichiometries of C and N relative to P have no historical precedent. We describe changes in P and N fluxes over the last five decades that have led to asymmetrical increases in P and N inputs to the biosphere. We identified widespread and rapid changes in N:P ratios in air, soil, water, and organisms and important consequences to the structure, function, and biodiversity of ecosystems. A mass-balance approach found that the combined limited availability of P and N was likely to reduce C storage by natural ecosystems during the remainder of the 21st Century, and projected crop yields of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment indicated an increase in nutrient deficiency in developing regions if access to P fertilizer is limited. Imbalances of the N:P ratio would likely negatively affect human health, food security, and global economic and geopolitical stability, with feedbacks and synergistic effects on drivers of global environmental change, such as increasing levels of CO2 , climatic warming, and increasing pollution. We summarize potential solutions for avoiding the negative impacts of global imbalances of N:P ratios on the environment, biodiversity, climate change, food security, and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Josep Penuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
- Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan A Janssens
- Research Group Plants and Ecosystems (PLECO), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Philippe Ciais
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, IPSL CEA CNRS UVSQ UPSACLAY, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Michael Obersteiner
- Ecosystems Services and Management, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Jordi Sardans
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Valles, Spain
- Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cragg SM, Friess DA, Gillis LG, Trevathan-Tackett SM, Terrett OM, Watts JEM, Distel DL, Dupree P. Vascular Plants Are Globally Significant Contributors to Marine Carbon Fluxes and Sinks. Ann Rev Mar Sci 2020; 12:469-497. [PMID: 31505131 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-010318-095333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
More than two-thirds of global biomass consists of vascular plants. A portion of the detritus they generate is carried into the oceans from land and highly productive blue carbon ecosystems-salt marshes, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows. This large detrital input receives scant attention in current models of the global carbon cycle, though for blue carbon ecosystems, increasingly well-constrained estimates of biomass, productivity, and carbon fluxes, reviewed in this article, are now available. We show that the fate of this detritus differs markedly from that of strictly marine origin, because the former contains lignocellulose-an energy-rich polymer complex of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin that is resistant to enzymatic breakdown. This complex can be depolymerized for nutritional purposes by specialized marine prokaryotes, fungi, protists, and invertebrates using enzymes such as glycoside hydrolases and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases to release sugar monomers. The lignin component, however, is less readily depolymerized, and detritus therefore becomes lignin enriched, particularly in anoxic sediments, and forms a major carbon sink in blue carbon ecosystems. Eventual lignin breakdown releases a wide variety of small molecules that may contribute significantly to the oceanic pool of recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon. Marine carbon fluxes and sinks dependent on lignocellulosic detritus are important ecosystem services that are vulnerable to human interventions. These services must be considered when protecting blue carbon ecosystems and planning initiatives aimed at mitigating anthropogenic carbon emissions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon M Cragg
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO4 9LY, United Kingdom;
| | - Daniel A Friess
- Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570;
| | - Lucy G Gillis
- Leibniz-Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung (ZMT), 28359 Bremen, Germany;
| | - Stacey M Trevathan-Tackett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia;
| | - Oliver M Terrett
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom; ,
| | - Joy E M Watts
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, United Kingdom;
| | - Daniel L Distel
- Ocean Genome Legacy Center of New England Biolabs, Marine Science Center, Northeastern University, Nahant, Massachusetts 01908, USA;
| | - Paul Dupree
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, United Kingdom; ,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Scharler UM, Ayers MJ. Stoichiometric multitrophic networks reveal significance of land-sea interaction to ecosystem function in a subtropical nutrient-poor bight, South Africa. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210295. [PMID: 30615659 PMCID: PMC6322777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearshore marine ecosystems can benefit from their interaction with adjacent ecosystems, especially if they alleviate nutrient limitations in nutrient poor areas. This was the case in our oligo- to mesotrophic study area, the KwaZulu-Natal Bight on the South African subtropical east coast, which is bordered by the Agulhas current. We built stoichiometric, multitrophic ecosystem networks depicting biomass and material flows of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in three subsystems of the bight. The networks were analysed to investigate whether the southern, middle and northern bight function similarly in terms of their productivity, transfer efficiency between trophic levels, material cycling, and nutrient limitations. The middle region of the bight was clearly influenced by nutrient additions from the Thukela River, as it had the highest ecosystem productivity, lower transfer efficiencies and degree of cycling. Most nodes in the networks were limited by phosphorus, followed by nitrogen. The middle region adjacent to the Thukela River showed a lower proportion of P limitation especially in summer. Interestingly, there was a clear distinction in sensitivities to nutrient limitations between lower and higher trophic level organisms. This is a reflection of their discrepant nutrient turnover times that are either higher, or lower, than that of the systems, and which might provide a balance to the system through this antagonistic influence. Furthermore, by tracking the stoichiometry through entire food webs it appeared how important the role of lower trophic level organisms was to regulate stoichiometry to more suitable ratios for higher trophic level requirements. Although we gained good insight into the behaviour of the three subsystems in the KZN Bight and the role of terrestrial influence on their functioning, a merged approach of incorporating data on metabolic constraints derived from experiments could further improve the representativeness of multitrophic stoichiometric ecosystem networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ursula M. Scharler
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Morag J. Ayers
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ulanowicz RE. Biodiversity, functional redundancy and system stability: subtle connections. J R Soc Interface 2018; 15:rsif.2018.0367. [PMID: 30305420 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between biodiversity and functional redundancy has remained ambiguous for over a half-century, likely due to an inability to distinguish between positivist and apophatic (that which is missing) properties of ecosystems. Apophases are best addressed by mathematics that is predicated upon absence, such as information theory. More than 40 years ago, the conditional entropy of a flow network was proposed as a formulaic way to quantify trophic functional redundancy, an advance that has remained relatively unappreciated. When applied to a collection of 25 fully quantified trophic networks, this authoritative index correlates only poorly and transitively with conventional Hill numbers used to represent biodiversity. Despite such a weak connection, the underlying biomass distribution remains useful in conjunction with the qualitative diets of system components for providing a quick and satisfactory emulation of a system's functional redundancy. Furthermore, an information-theoretic cognate of the Wigner Semicircle Rule can be formulated using network conditional entropy to provide clues to the relative stability of any ecosystem under study. The necessity for a balance between positivist and apophatic attributes pertains to the functioning of a host of other living ensemble systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Ulanowicz
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA .,Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Solomons, MD 20688-0038, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Barral-Fraga L, Martiñá-Prieto D, Barral MT, Morin S, Guasch H. Mutual interaction between arsenic and biofilm in a mining impacted river. Sci Total Environ 2018; 636:985-998. [PMID: 29729516 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Gold mining activities in fluvial systems may cause arsenic (As) pollution, as is the case at the Anllóns River (Galicia, NW Spain), where high concentrations of arsenate (AsV) in surface sediments (up to 270 mg kg-1) were found. A 51 day-long biofilm-translocation experiment was performed in this river, moving some biofilm-colonized substrata from upstream (less As-polluted) to downstream the mine area (more As-polluted site), to explore the effect of As on benthic biofilms, as well as their role on As retention and speciation in the water-sediment interface. Eutrophic conditions (range: 0.07-0.38 mg L-1 total phosphorus, TP) were detected in water in both sites, while sediments were not considered P-polluted (below 600 mg kg-1). Dimethylarsenate (DMAV) was found intracellularly and in the river water, suggesting a detoxification process by biofilms. Since most As in sediments and water was AsV, the high amount of arsenite (AsIII) detected extracellularly may also confirm AsV reduction by biofilms. Furthermore, translocated biofilms accumulated more As and showed higher potential toxicity (higher As/P ratio). In concordance, their growth was reduced to half that observed in those non-translocated, became less nutritive (less nitrogen content), and with higher bacterial and dead diatom densities. Besides the high As exposure, other environmental conditions such as the higher riparian cover at the more As-polluted site could contribute to those effects. Our study provides new arguments to understand the contribution of microorganisms to the As biogeochemistry in freshwater environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Barral-Fraga
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Department of Environmental Science, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
| | - Diego Martiñá-Prieto
- Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Teresa Barral
- Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Vida, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | | | - Helena Guasch
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Department of Environmental Science, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
|
11
|
Hou L, Dong Z, Yang Y, Zhang D, Zhang S, Zhang S. Applying foliar stoichiometric traits of plants to determine fertilization for a mixed pine-oak stand in the Qinling Mountains, China. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4628. [PMID: 29666770 PMCID: PMC5900931 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Chinese Natural Forest Protection program has been conducted nationwide and has achieved resounding success. However, timber importation has increased; therefore, producing more domestic timber is critical to meet the demand for raw materials. Fertilization is one of the most effective silviculture practices used to improve tree and stand growth. However, determining the appropriate type and amount of elements is necessary for effective fertilization of big timber in different forest types and environmental conditions. Stoichiometric theory provides the criteria to assess nutrient limitation in plants and offers important insight into fertilizer requirements of forested ecosystems. Methods Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in plants' leaves, mineral soil, and litter were investigated in a mixed pine-oak stand. Results The big timber rate for Pinus tabuliformis, Pinus armandii and Quercus aliena var. acutesserata is 57.71%, 22.79% and 2.78% of current existing individuals respectively. Foliar N and P concentrations were 9.08 and 0.88 mg g-1, respectively. The N:P in the plants was 10.30. N concentration and N:P in mineral soil decreased from 0-30 cm soil depth. For litter, N and P concentrations were 16.89 and 1.51 mg g-1, respectively, and N:P was 11.51. Concentrations of N and P in mineral soil and litter did not significantly affect plants'leaf concentrations. Similar result was also obtained between litter and mineral soil concentrations. Nitrogen storage in mineral soil was significantly correlated with foliar N:P in the plants. Discussion Foliar N:P of dominant tree species and the plants, and foliar N concentration in Pinus tabuliformis and P. armandii, and foliar P concentration of P. armandii in the mixed pine-oak stand was lower than that in Chinese and other terrestrial plants. Foliar nutrients in the plants were not affected by soil nutrients. According to the criteria of nutrient limitation for plants, growth of dominant tree species was N limited; therefore, 1.49 t ha-1 pure N should be added to forest land to as fertilizer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Hou
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhenjie Dong
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yang
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Donghong Zhang
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shengli Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuoxin Zhang
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Hu YK, Zhang YL, Liu GF, Pan X, Yang X, Li WB, Dai WH, Tang SL, Xiao T, Chen LY, Xiong W, Song YB, Dong M. Intraspecific N and P stoichiometry of Phragmites australis: geographic patterns and variation among climatic regions. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43018. [PMID: 28233774 PMCID: PMC5324045 DOI: 10.1038/srep43018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Geographic patterns in leaf stoichiometry reflect plant adaptations to environments. Leaf stoichiometry variations along environmental gradients have been extensively studied among terrestrial plants, but little has been known about intraspecific leaf stoichiometry, especially for wetland plants. Here we analyzed the dataset of leaf N and P of a cosmopolitan wetland species, Phragmites australis, and environmental (geographic, climate and soil) variables from literature and field investigation in natural wetlands distributed in three climatic regions (subtropical, temperate and highland) across China. We found no clear geographic patterns in leaf nutrients of P. australis across China, except for leaf N:P ratio increasing with altitude. Leaf N and N:P decreased with mean annual temperature (MAT), and leaf N and P were closely related to soil pH, C:N ratio and available P. Redundancy analysis showed that climate and soil variables explained 62.1% of total variation in leaf N, P and N:P. Furthermore, leaf N in temperate region and leaf P in subtropical region increased with soil available P, while leaf N:P in subtropical region decreased with soil pH. These patterns in P. australis different from terrestrial plants might imply that changes in climate and soil properties can exert divergent effects on wetland and terrestrial ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Kun Hu
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guo-Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Pan
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Bing Li
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Hong Dai
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuang-Li Tang
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling-Yun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yao-Bin Song
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming Dong
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|