Shifts in N and P Budgets of Heathland Ecosystems: Effects of Management and Atmospheric Inputs |
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Authors: | Werner Härdtle Goddert von Oheimb Anna-Katharina Gerke Marion Niemeyer Thomas Niemeyer Thorsten Assmann Claudia Drees Andrea Matern Hartmut Meyer |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Ecology and Environmental Chemistry, University of Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany |
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Abstract: | In the present study we analyzed the combined effects of management (grazing, mowing, prescribed burning, sod-cutting) and
atmospheric deposition on N and P budgets of heathland ecosystems (Lüneburger Heide nature reserve; N Germany). We hypothesize
that management measures such as grazing and mowing can accelerate a deposition-induced imbalance of N and P pools as a result
of a disproportionally high output of P. We analyzed management and deposition affected input–output flows of N and P and
related them to changes in the nutritional status of Calluna vulgaris 5 years after treatment application. We found that grazing and mowing caused the highest net loss of P due to high P concentrations
in the aboveground biomass. In contrast, prescribed burning only slightly affected P pools, as P remained in the system due
to ash deposition. Management-mediated effects on N and P pools were mirrored in the nutritional status of Calluna vulgaris: at the grazed and mown sites, the P content of current season’s shoots significantly decreased within 5 years after treatments,
whereas the N content remained unchanged. We conclude that grazing and mowing can accelerate declining availability of P and,
thus, accelerate a deposition-induced shift from N- to P-limited plant growth in the medium term. In the face of ongoing atmospheric
N loads management schemes need to combine high- and low-intensity measures to maintain both a diverse structure and balanced
nutrient budgets in the long term. |
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Keywords: | Calluna vulgaris grazing leaching Molinia caerulea mowing N:P ratio nutrient limitation prescribed burning sod-cutting |
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