Seasonal variation in organic and inorganic phosphorus fractions of temperate-climate sandy soils

Soils from an arable plot, a grassland plot and pasture plot were sampled over an 18-month period. Inorganic (P_i) and organic (P_o) soil phosphorus fractions were extracted sequentially with resin, NaHCO₃, and NaOH. Soil solution was sampled on the arable plot and pasture plot during 12 months with teflon suction cups, and the contents of P_i and P_o were determined.The patterns of the variation for all soil fractions were similar for the three plots. All soil P_i fractions were at minimum in the cool moist winter period. The soil P_o fractions varied less systematically than P_i fractions. The sum of P_o fractions had a winter maximum and a spring minimum. For all soil P fractions temporal variation was highly significant (p<0.0001). The magnitude of change in P_i and P_o soil fractions was 4–40 times greater than what would be expected from the magnitude of new N mineralization.The content of P in the inorganic soil P fractions was negatively correlated with soil moisture. The variation in organic soil P could not be explained by any single factor, but it is suggested that the variation is caused by changes in solubility rather than by biological transformations. Thus, physicochemical processes masked the impact of biological transformations on the temporal variation of soil phosphorus fractions.Both soil solution P_i and P_o varied significantly with time on field scale. In contrast to soil P_i fractions, solution P_i was initially low in the early autumn, increased by a factor 4 during the following 6 weeks, and thereafter decreased to a low level by the end of the sampling period. Soil solution P_o had several fluctuations during the sampling period.     

Land‐use influences phosphatase gene microdiversity in soils

Phosphorus cycling exerts significant influence upon soil fertility and productivity – processes largely controlled by microbial activity. We adopted phenotypic and metagenomic approaches to investigate phosphatase genes within soils. Microbial communities in bare fallowed soil showed a marked capacity to utilise phytate for growth compared with arable or grassland soil communities. Bare fallowed soil contained lowest concentrations of orthophosphate. Analysis of metagenomes indicated phoA, phoD and phoX, and histidine acid and cysteine phytase genes were most abundant in grassland soil which contained the greatest amount of NaOH‐EDTA extractable orthophosphate. Beta‐propeller phytase genes were most abundant in bare fallowed soil. Phylogenetic analysis of metagenome sequences indicated the phenotypic shift observed in the capacity to mineralise phytate in bare fallow soil was accompanied by an increase in phoD, phoX and beta‐propeller phytase genes coding for exoenzymes. However, there was a remarkable degree of genetic similarity across the soils despite the differences in land‐use. Predicted extracellular ecotypes were distributed across a greater range of soil structure than predicted intracellular ecotypes, suggesting that microbial communities subject to the dual stresses of low nutrient availability and reduced access to organic material in bare fallowed soils rely upon the action of exoenzymes.     

Role of Soils in Determining Sites for Lowland Heathland Reconstruction in England

No guidelines are currently available that advise which soil properties of arable land can be used to suggest suitable locations for heathland reconstruction. This paper reviews studies comparing soil properties of heathland or semi-natural grassland with those of adjacent arable fields, investigations in the autecology of the dominant heathland plant, Calluna vulgaris (common heather), and long-term experiments of fertilizer inputs on arable soils. Three properties must be assessed before the suitability of a field can be determined: extractable phosphorus, exchangeable calcium, and pH. A number of other nutrients may also be important, but evidence is currently insufficient to substantiate this. Natural changes in levels of extractable phosphorus, exchangeable calcium, and pH appear to be very slow, so nutrient stripping and acidification will be necessary where recommended levels are exceeded to successfully restore heathland vegetation.     

Impact of common European tree species and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) on the physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere

Trees play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem fertility, notably through rhizosphere processes. The aim of this study was to compare soil physicochemical properties between bulk soil and rhizosphere of several tree species, and to compare rhizosphere properties between fertilized and non-fertilized conditions. The soil sampling was performed in Breuil-Chenue forest (North-East of France) in seven stands: native forest (old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (Quercus sessiliflora Smith) coppice with standards; CwS), beech, oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.), Douglas-fir and fertilised Douglas-fir, Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) and fertilised Norway spruce. Systematic soil sampling was performed at 0–3, 3–10, and 10–23 cm in 20 calibrated pits. The rhizosphere of the different species was generally enriched in C, N, Ca, Mg, and K. Interestingly, the same positive effect was observed in the fertilised plots. The rhizosphere effect varied between tree species for C, “base” cations, pH_water and cation exchange capacity. This study reveals that interactions between roots, microorganisms and soil can enrich the pool of nutrients in the rhizosphere compared to bulk soil whatever the soil fertility conditions, and that the magnitude of the rhizosphere effect depends on tree species.     

Persistence of tree related patterns in soil nutrients following slash-and-burn disturbance in the tropics

Individual trees are known to influence soil chemical properties, creating spatial patterns that vary with distance from the stem. The influence of trees on soil chemical properties is commonly viewed as the agronomic basis for low-input agroforestry and shifting cultivation practices, and as an important source of spatial heterogeneity in forest soils. Few studies, however, have examined the persistence of the effects of trees on soil after the pathways responsible for the effects are removed. Here, we present evidence from a Mexican dry forest indicating that stem-related patterns of soil nutrients do persist following slash-and-burn removal of trees and two years of cropping. Pre-disturbance concentrations of resin extractable phosphorus (P), bicarbonate extractable P, NaOH extractable P, total P, total nitrogen (N) and carbon (C), KCl extractable nitrate (NO₃ ^-), and net N mineralization and nitrification rates were higher in stem than dripline soils under two canopy dominant species of large-stemmed trees with contrasting morphologies and phenologies (Caesalpinia eriostachys Benth. and Forchhammeria pallida Liebm.). These stem effects persisted through slash burning and a first growing season for labile inorganic and organic P, NaOH inorganic P, and plant-available P, and through a second growing season for labile organic P, NaOH organic P, and plant-available P. While stem effects for extractable NO₃ ^-, net nitrification rates, total N and C disappeared after felling and slash burning, these stem effects returned after the first growing season. These results support the view that tree-influenced patterns of soil nutrients do persist after tree death, and that trees contribute to the long-term spatial heterogeneity of forest soils. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Plant nitrogen and phosphorus limitation in 98 North American grassland soils

The availability of nutrients is a critical determinant of ecological dynamics in grasslands, but the relationships between soil resource availability and nutrient limitation across ecosystems are not clear. To better understand how soil nutrient availability determines nutrient limitation in vegetation, we grew the same species of grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) in 98 North American grassland soils and fertilized them factorially with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). On average adding N, P, and the two nutrients together increased biomass relative to unfertilized plants by 81%, 22%, and 131%, respectively. Plants grown on low-P soils were not primarily limited by P. Instead, these plants were colimited by N and P, while plants grown on high-P soils were primarily limited by N and only secondarily limited by P. Limitation was not predicted by total soil N. The preponderance of colimitation between N and P on low-P soils suggests that low P availability alters the N cycle to constrain supplies to plants such that N and P are made available in proportion to their demand by plants.     

Effects of plant species on phosphorus availability in a range of grassland soils

Vegetative conversion from grass to forest may influence soil nutrient dynamics and availability. A short-term (40 weeks) glasshouse experiment was carried out to investigate the impacts of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata) on soil phosphorus (P) availability in 15 grassland soils collected across New Zealand using ³³P isotopic exchange kinetics (IEK) and chemical extraction methods. Results from this study showed that radiata pine took up more P (4.5–33.5 mg P pot^–1) than ryegrass (1.1–15.6 mg pot^–1) from the soil except in the Temuka soil in which the level of available P (e.g., E _1min P_i, bicarbonate extractable P_i) was very high. Radiata pine tended to be better able to access different forms of soil P, compared with ryegrass. There were no significant differences in the level of water soluble P (Cp, intensity factor) between soils under ryegrass and radiata pine, but the levels of Cp were generally lower compared with original soils due to plant uptake. The growth of both ryegrass and radiata pine resulted in the redistribution of soil P from the slowly exchangeable P_i pool (E _{> 10m} P_i, reduced by 31.8% on the average) to the rapidly exchangeable P_i (E _1min-1d P_i, E _1d-10m P_i) pools in most soils. The values of R/r ₁ (the capacity factor) were also generally greater in most soils under radiata pine compared with ryegrass. Specific P mineralisation rates were significantly greater for soils under radiata pine (8.4–21.9%) compared with ryegrass (0.5–10.8%), indicating that the growth of radiata pine enhanced mineralisation of soil organic P. This may partly be ascribed to greater root phosphatase activity for radiata pine than for ryegrass. Plant species × soil type interactions for most soil variables measured indicate that the impacts of plant species on soil P dynamics was strongly influenced by soil properties.     

Recovery of soil phosphorus on former bauxite mines through tropical forest restoration

Soil phosphorus (P) is a major driver of forest development and a critically limited nutrient in tropical soils, especially when topsoil is removed by mining. This nutrient can be present in soils in the form of different fractions, which have direct consequences for P availability to plants and, consequently, for restoration success. Therefore, understanding how the stocks of different soil P fractions change over the restoration process can be essential for guiding restoration interventions, monitoring, and adaptive management. Here, we investigated the recovery of soil P fractions by forest restoration interventions on bauxite mine sites in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We assessed the concentration of different fractions of soil organic and inorganic P at (1) a bauxite mine prepared for restoration; (2) two former bauxite mines undergoing forest restoration for 6 and 24 years; and (3) an old‐growth forest remnant. Overall, restored areas recovered levels of labile organic P (P_o‐NaHCO₃) at 5–40 cm and of moderately labile organic P (P_o‐NaOH) at different depths, exhibiting concentrations similar to those found in a conserved forest. The use of P‐rich fertilizers and forest topsoil may have greatly contributed to this outcome. Some other fractions, however, recovered only after 24 years of restoration. Other inorganic P fractions did not differ among mined, restored, and conserved sites: nonlabile P_i (residual P and P‐HCl), labile P_i (P_i‐NaHCO₃), and moderately labile P_i (P_i‐NaOH). Forest restoration was able to promote efficient recovery of important soil P fractions, highlighting the value of restoration efforts to mitigate soil degradation by mining.     

Changes in soil phosphorus fractions following positive and negative phosphorus balances for long periods

The effect of phosphorus (P) balance (addition, in both fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM), minus removal in crops) on eight soil P fractions determined by sequential extraction, was measured on archived soils from various long-term experiments run by Rothamsted Experimental Station in the United Kingdom. It has been established unequivocally that, for all the soils investigated, no one of the eight P fractions was increased or decreased during long periods of P addition or depletion, respectively. However, changes were mainly in the resin (24–30%) and the inorganic (P_i) component of the four fractions extracted sequentially by 0.5 M NaHCO₃, 0.1 M NaOH, 1.0 M NaOH, 0.5 M H₂SO₄ (41–60%). For the sandy loam there were also consistent changes in the organic (P_o) fraction (25%), especially that extracted by bicarbonate, presumably because the soil contained only a little clay and presumably had low sorption capacity. When the soils were cropped without P addition the largest proportional change was in the P extracted by resin, 0.5 M NaHCO₃ and 0.1 M NaOH, suggesting that the P in these fractions is readily available, or has the potential to become available, for crop growth. This was supported by changes in the overall P balance. On the heavier textured soils, 50–80% of the change in total soil P (P_T) was in these fractions; on the sandy soil this increased to more than 90%. The change in the sum of the first five fractions accounted, on average, for 90% of the P balance. However these changes in the P in the plough layer frequently left large amounts of P unaccounted for in some of the excessively P enriched soils. The amount of P_i extracted by resin and bicarbonate (P_i(r+b)) ranged between 14 and 50% of the sum of the P_i fractions. Soils with the lower percentages were those known to be most responsive to P fertilizers. P_i(r+b) accounted for an average of 70% of the P balance (negative) in P depleting soils where crop offtake was not offset or exceeded by annual P additions (positive balance). The ratio between P_i(r+b) and P_i(sum) could be a guide in defining soils deficient in P and those which are excessively enriched.     

Impact of synthetic sheep urine on N and P in two pastures in the Scottish uplands

Synthetic sheep urine additions (59 g N m⁻²) were made to pastures on two soils, at Fasset, a semi-natural grassland, and Strathfinella, an improved pasture. Urine was applied to microplots in May and the soil, grass and soil solution analyzed 1, 2, 4, 5, 12 and 23 weeks after the addition. At Fasset, the grass was scorched by urine and the standing biomass decreased compared to the control, increasing only after 5 weeks. The absence of scorching at the Strathfinella site was attributed to a greater biomass of root mat to buffer the roots from exposure to NH₃and a greater rainfall immediately following treatment. Scorching reduced the uptake of N and it was not clear if the greater contents of NH₄ ⁺ and the increases in soil pH at Fasset compared with Strathfinella were the causes or symptoms of the scorch effect. Amounts of extractable organic N (DON) were similar in both soils and increased during the first 4 weeks and then decreased. Urine addition both increased and decreased DON at different times, but the overall mean values were unchanged. Urine application changed the distribution of P in the two soils, increasing the soil solution P at Fasset by 80 mg P m⁻² and raising the P content of herbage at Strathfinella by 600 mg P m⁻². In the soil solution, dissolved forms of molybdate reactive P, organic P and condensed P fractions were all increased by the urine addition. After 23 weeks, condensed P made the greatest contribution to soil solution P in both soils indicating that this fraction was the least available for plant uptake. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Changes of phosphorous fractions under continuous corn production in a temperate clay soil

Limited efficiency of fertilizer P may be improved through an understanding of soil P fraction changes with time. This study examined sequential changes in soil organic P (Po) and inorganic P (Pi) in a Ste. Rosalie clay (Humic Gleysol; fine, mixed, frigid, Typic Humaquept) under continuous corn with and without P fertilization. Soil P was fractionated into Bicarb-Pi and Po, NaOH-1-Pi and Po, HCl-Pi, NaOH-Pi and Po, and Residue-P. In the non-P fertilized plots, soil total extractable Po declined by 14% of the initial value over five years of corn production, whereas soil Pi fractions were unchanged. The losses of soil Po were mainly from NaOH-1-Po. Added fertilizer P increased NaHCO3-Pi and NaOH-1-Pi in plots receiving 44 and 132 kg P ha^-1 yr^-1 and increased Residue-P in plots receiving 132 kg P ha^-1 yr^-1. Although NaOH-1-Po decreased slightly in the plots receiving 44 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 P fertilizer, total soil extractable Po was maintained in P fertilized plots. Mineralization of from 16 to 29 kg P ha^-1 yr^-1 Po was needed to account for soil Po losses. Bicarb-Pi and NaOH-1-Pi appeared to be most important for assessment of soil P fertility changes in long-term fertilized soils.     

Mycorrhizosphere responsiveness to atmospheric ozone and inoculation with Phytophthora citricola in a phytotron experiment with spruce/beech mixed cultures

The aim was to analyze functional changes in the mycorrhizosphere (MR) of juvenile spruce and beech grown in a mixture under ambient and twice ambient ozone and inoculated with the root pathogen Phytophthora citricola. The phytotron experiment was performed over two vegetation periods, adding the pathogen at the end of the first growing season. Root biomass data suggest that the combined treatment affected spruce more than beech and that the negative influence of ozone on stress tolerance against the root pathogen P. citricola was greater for spruce than for beech. In contrast, beech was more affected when the pathogen was the sole stressor. The functional soil parameter chosen for studies of MR soil samples was activity of extracellular enzymes. After the first year of ozone exposure, MR soil samples of both species showed increased activity of almost all measured enzymes (acid phosphatase, chitinase, beta-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase) in the O3 treatment. Species-specific differences were observed, with a stronger effect of P. citricola on beech MR and a stronger ozone effect on spruce MR. In the second year, the effects of the combined treatment (ozone and P. citricola) were a significant increase in the activity of most enzymes (except cellobiohydrolase) for both tree species. The results indicated that responsiveness of MR soils towards ozone and P. citricola was related to the severity of infection of the plants and the reduction of belowground biomass, suggesting a strong, direct influence of plant stress on MR soil enzyme activity. Additional research is needed using different species and combined stresses to determine the broader ecological relevance of shifts in rhizosphere enzymes.     

Factors determining soil microbial biomass and nutrient immobilization in desert soils

We examined the 10-day response of soil microbial biomass-N to additions of carbon (dextrose) and nitrogen (NH₄NO₃) to water-amended soils in a factorial experiment in four plant communities of the Chihuahuan desert of New Mexico (U.S.A.). In each site, microbial biomass-N and soil carbohydrates increased and extractable soil N decreased in response to watering alone. Fertilization with N increased microbial biomass-N in grassland soils; whereas, fertilization with C increased microbial biomass-N and decreased extractable N and P in all communities dominated by shrubs, which have invaded large areas of grassland in the Chihuahuan desert during the last 100 years. Our results support the hypothesis that the control of soil microbial biomass shifts from N to C when the ratio of C to N decreases during desertification.     

Phosphorus Transformations in an Oxisol under contrasting land-use systems: The role of the soil microbial biomass

It is generally assumed that phosphorus (P) availability for plant growth on highly weathered and P-deficient tropical soils may depend more on biologically mediated organic P (P_o) turnover processes than on the release of adsorbed inorganic P (P_i). However, experimental evidence showing the linkages between P_o, microbial activity, P cycling and soil P availability is scarce. To test whether land-use systems with higher soil P_o are characterized by greater soil biological activity and increased P mineralization, we analyzed the partitioning of P among various organic and inorganic P fractions in soils of contrasting agricultural land-use systems and related it to biological soil properties. Isotopic labeling was used to obtain information on the turnover of P held in the microbial biomass. Soil samples were taken from grass–legume pasture (GL), continuous rice (CR) and native savanna (SAV) which served as reference. In agreement with estimated P budgets (+277, +70 and 0 kg P ha^–1 for CR, GL and SAV, respectively), available P estimated using Bray-2 and resin extraction declined in the order CR > GL > SAV. Increases in Bray-2 and resin P_i were greater in CR than GL relative to total soil P increase. Organic P fractions were significantly less affected by P inputs than inorganic fractions, but were a more important sink in GL than CR soils. Extractable microbial P (P_chl) was slightly higher in GL (6.6 mg P kg^–1) than SAV soils (5.4 mg P kg^–1), and significantly lowest in CR (2.6 mg P kg^–1). Two days after labeling the soil with carrier free ³³P, 25, 10 and 2% of the added ³³P were found in P_chl in GL, SAV and CR soils, respectively, suggesting a high and rapid microbial P turnover that was highest in GL soils. Indicators of P mineralization were higher in GL than CR soils, suggesting a greater transformation potential to render P_o available. Legume-based pastures (GL) can be considered as an important land-use option as they stimulate P cycling. However, it remains to be investigated whether crops planted in pasture–crop rotations could benefit from the enhanced P_o cycling in grass–legume soils. Furthermore, there is need to develop and test a direct method to quantify P_o mineralization in these systems.     

Associations between vegetation patterns and soil texture in the shortgrass steppe

A recent conceptual model of controls on vegetation structure in semiarid regions includes the hypothesis that the balance between the dominance of woody and herbaceous species is partly controlled by soil texture. The model predicts that the dominance of woody plants is associated with coarse textured soils, and that ecotones between woody and herbaceous plant functional types are associated with soil textural changes. We analyzed vegetation and soil data (from US Soil Conservation Service maps) for an area of shortgrass steppe in Northern Weld County, Colorado, in a canonical correlation procedure to test the hypothesis at a regional scale. In support of the model, we found significant correlations between (a) a canonical vegetation variable correlated with C₃ grass biomass and shrub biomass, and a canonical soil variable correlated with sandy topsoils, and (b) a canonical vegetation variable correlated with succulent biomass, and a canonical soil variable correlated with clay soils. Relatively sharp transitions between shrub- and grass-dominated vegetation types occur in a number of areas in the shortgrass steppe of northeastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming, and we selected four sites to test the above hypothesis at a local scale. We gathered data on vegetation cover and soil texture from transects (50 m long) positioned across the transition zones from grassland to shrubland. We conducted a further canonical correlation analysis of the vegetation and soil data to test for the relationships between vegetation structure and soil texture, and a performed regression analyses on individual site data to describe site-specific relationships between vegetation and soil texture variables. Vegetation structure along the transects, at the level of plant functional types, was similar at all four sites. The transition from grassland to shrubland encompassed a change from a C₄ grass/half-shrub complex to a shrub/C₃ grass/succulent complex. At two of the sites these transitions were associated with a change to coarser-textured soils in the shrubland zone. Within the context of the shortgrass steppe, our overall findings support the predictions of the conceptual at a regional scale, but indicate that soil texture is only one factor that can influence vegetation structure at the local scale.     

Biological and geochemical controls on phosphorus fractions in semiarid soils

This study examined the concentration of organic and inorganicphosphorus in surface soils of a Boutelouagracilis-Bouteloua eriopoda grassland, and a Larreatridentata shrubland, in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, NewMexico, U.S.A. In this desert where the grassland vegetation has auniform spatial distribution and individual shrubs have a patchy spatialdistribution across the landscape, vegetation strongly influences thedistribution of soil nutrients. Most studies of soil phosphorusfractions in desert soils have focused primarily on inorganic Pfractions and have demonstrated the importance of geochemical controlson soil P cycling. The research presented here addressed the question ofwhether organic phosphorus, determined by the presence of differentvegetation types, also contributes to soil P cycling. Within soils ofsimilar age, topography, parent material, and climatic regime, sampleswere collected under and between vegetation and analyzed for P fractionsfollowing a modified sequential fractionation scheme. Most soilinorganic P was found in the HCl- and cHCl-extractable forms in both thegrassland and shrubland soils, indicating CaCO₃ control overphosphorus availability. In contrast, most soil organic P was bound toAl and Fe minerals. Labile, plant-available P fractions summed to9.5% of total P in the grassland and 6.1% in theshrubland. Organic P comprised 13.3% of the total phosphorus poolin the grassland and 12.0% in the shrubland. Our results showthat the organic P pool may represent an important, yet oftenoverlooked, source of P in semiarid ecosystems.     

Impact of spruce forest and grass vegetation cover on soil micromorphology and hydraulic properties of organic matter horizon

Two organic matter horizons developed under a spruce forest and grass vegetation were chosen to demonstrate the impact of a different vegetation cover on the micromorphology, porous system and hydraulic properties of surface soils. Micromorphological studies showed that the decomposed organic material in the organic matter horizon under the grass vegetation was more compact compared to the decomposed organic material in the organic matter horizon under the spruce forest. The detected soil porous system in the organic matter horizon under the spruce forest consisted of two clusters of pores with different diameters that were highly connected within and between both clusters. The soil porous system in the organic matter horizon under the grass vegetation consisted of one cluster of pores with the larger diameters and isolated pores with the smaller diameter. The retention ability of the organic matter horizon under the grass vegetation was higher than the retention ability of the organic matter horizon under the spruce forest. Presented at the International Conference on Bioclimatology and Natural Hazards, Poľana nad Detvou, Slovakia, 17–20 September 2007.     

Effects of fertilization and liming on the chemical soil conditions and element distribution in forest soils

Summary The distribution and storage of major elements in acid soils from a spruce and a beech forest was investigated after fertilization of NH₄NO₃ and KCl followed by Ca and Mg fertilization by 2 liming applications. All fertilizers were applied on top of the soil without mixing. Most of the added Ca and Mg was detected in the humus layer, a significant part of it still in carbonatic form. The effect of liming on mineral soil pH is very low, and was only observed in the 0–10 cm layer. However, base saturation of the mineral soil increased. The storage of C and N of the humus layer was not affected. N fertilization increased the N storage of the soil only under beech, but was followed by heavy NO₃-losses with seepage water under spruce. High leaching rates for K were also found in the spruce stand. The amount of K that was not leached increased the pool of exchangeable K in the deeper soil layer.     

Tailoring restoration interventions to the grassland‐savanna‐forest complex in central Brazil

Defining the reference system for restoration projects in regions characterized by complex vegetation mosaics is challenging. Here we use the Cerrado region of Brazil as an example of the importance of clearly defining multiple natural and anthropogenically altered states in grassland‐savanna‐forest mosaics. We define three main, natural vegetation types–grassland, savanna, and scleromorphic (cerradão) forest–to (1) distinguish between original and degraded states and (2) set appropriate targets for and guide restoration. We contend that the differences in Cerrado vegetation composition originally were driven by soil conditions and secondarily by fire frequency and precipitation patterns that differ from the core to the edge of the Cerrado region. Grasslands are found on the shallowest, least fertile soils and/or in waterlogged soils; scleromorphic forests are generally located on deeper, more fertile soils; and savannas occupy an intermediate position. In recent decades, this biophysical template has been overlain by a range of human land‐use intensities that strongly affect resilience, resulting in alternative anthropogenic states. For example, areas that were originally scleromorphic forest are likely to regenerate naturally following low‐ or medium‐intensity land use due to extensive resprouting of woody plants, whereas grassland restoration requires reintroduction of grass and forb species that do not tolerate soil disturbance and exotic grass competition. Planting trees into historic grasslands results in inappropriate restoration targets and often restoration failure. Correctly identifying original vegetation types is critical to most effectively allocate scarce restoration funding.     

Are Sulfurous Soil Amendments (S0, Fe(II)SO4, Fe(III)SO4) an Effective Tool in the Restoration of Heathland and Acidic Grassland after Four Decades of Rock Phosphate Fertilization?

This paper deals with the complex issue of reversing long‐term improvements of fertility in soils derived from heathlands and acidic grasslands using sulfur‐based amendments. The experiment was conducted on a former heathland and acid grassland in the U.K. that was heavily fertilized and limed with rock phosphate, chalk, and marl. The experimental work had three aims. First, to determine whether sulfurous soil amendments are able to lower pH to a level suitable for heathland and acidic grassland re‐creation (approximately 3 pH units). Second, to determine what effect the soil amendments have on the available pool of some basic cations and some potentially toxic acidic cations that may affect the plant community. Third, to determine whether the addition of Fe to the soil system would sequester PO₄^? ions that might be liberated from rock phosphate by the experimental treatments. The application of S⁰ and Fe^(II)SO₄^? to the soil was able to reduce pH. However, only the highest S⁰ treatment (2,000 kg/ha S) lowered pH sufficiently for heathland restoration purposes but effectively so. Where pH was lowered, basic cations were lost from the exchangeable pool and replaced by acidic cations. Where Fe was added to the soil, there was no evidence of PO₄^? sequestration from soil test data (Olsen P), but sequestration was apparent because of lower foliar P in the grass sward. The ability of the forb Rumex acetosella to apparently detoxify Al³⁺, prevalent in acidified soils, appeared to give it a competitive advantage over other less tolerant species. We would anticipate further changes in plant community structure through time, driven by Al³⁺ toxicity, leading to the competitive exclusion of less tolerant species. This, we suggest, is a key abiotic driver in the restoration of biotic (acidic plant) communities.