Higher acidification rates in fens with phosphorus enrichment

Question: Why is bryophyte succession in eutrophicated fens faster than in natural fens? Location: Mineral‐rich fens in The Netherlands and NW Europe. Methods: Literature review on the ecology of four bryophyte species in various successional types as observed in Dutch fens. Results: Bryophyte succession in eutrophicated fens from the brown moss Calliergonella cuspidata to Sphagnum squarrosum is much faster than in natural fens with species shifts from Scorpidium scorpioides to Sphagnum subnitens. Under P‐poor conditions, the brown moss stage is stabilized as long as mineral‐rich water is supplied. This is because S. scorpioides is tolerant of rainwater, is a strong competitor and can counteract acidification to some extent while S. subnitens is intolerant to groundwater and has low growth rates and low acidification capacity. In contrast, the Sphagnum stage is stable after rapid succession from rich‐fen mosses under P‐rich conditions. Calliergonella cuspidata has suboptimal growth in rainwater, possibly due to ammonium toxicity, while the high growth rates of S. squarrosum in nutrient‐rich and highly acidic groundwater allow early establishment and rapid expansion. Conclusions: If measures to improve fen base status occur in environments of increased nutrient (P) availability, the management may not lead to the desired restoration of brown moss stages, but instead to rapid acidification by S. squarrosum.     

Moss Responses to Elevated CO2 and Variation in Hydrology in a Temperate Lowland Peatland

We studied the effects of elevated CO₂ (180–200 ppmv above ambient) on growth and chemistry of three moss species (Sphagnum palustre, S. recurvum and Polytrichum commune) in a lowland peatland in the Netherlands. Thereto, we conducted both a greenhouse experiment with both Sphagnum species and a field experiment with all three species using MiniFACE (Free Air CO₂ Enrichment) technology during 3 years. The greenhouse experiment showed that Sphagnum growth was stimulated by elevated CO₂ in the short term, but that in the longer term (≥1 year) growth was probably inhibited by low water tables and/or down-regulation of photosynthesis. In the field experiment, we did not find significant changes in moss abundance in response to elevated CO₂, although CO₂ enrichment appeared to reduce S. recurvum abundance. Both Sphagnum species showed stronger responses to spatial variation in hydrology than to increased atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Polytrichum was insensitive to changes in hydrology. Apart from the confounding effects of hydrology, the relative lack of growth response of the moss species may also have been due to the relatively small increase in assimilated CO₂ as achieved by the experimentally added CO₂. We calculated that the added CO₂ contributed at most 32% to the carbon assimilation of the mosses, while our estimates based on stable C isotope data even suggest lower contributions for Sphagnum (24–27%). Chemical analyses of the mosses showed only small elevated CO₂ effects on living tissue N concentration and C/N ratio of the mosses, but the C/N ratio of Polytrichum was substantially lower than those of the Sphagnum species. Continuing expansion of Polytrichum at the expense of Sphagnum could reduce the C sink function of this lowland Sphagnum peatland, and similar ones elsewhere, as litter decomposition rates would probably be enhanced. Such a reduction in sink function would be driven mostly by increased atmospheric N deposition, water table regulation for agricultural purposes and land management to preserve the early successional stage (mowing, tree and shrub removal), since these anthropogenic factors will probably exert a greater control on competition between Polytrichum and Sphagnum than increased atmospheric CO₂ concentrations.     

Long-term nitrogen deposition increases phosphorus limitation of bryophytes in an ombrotrophic bog

Here we investigate the effect of 4 years simulated atmospheric deposition of ammonium (NH₄) and nitrate (NO₃), applied alone or in combination with phosphorus and potassium (PK), on the surface phosphatase activities and nutrient acquisition behaviour of two species of moss (Sphagnum capillifolium and Hypnum jutlandicum) from an ombrotrophic peatland. Phosphatase activity was significantly enhanced by both the NH₄ and NO₃ treatments, particularly for Sphagnum, but the activity decreased when exposed to additions of PK. Regression analysis revealed that phosphatase activity on Sphagnum was positively related with tissue N and negatively related to tissue P concentrations. For Hypnum, a negative relationship between shoot P concentration and phosphatase activity was observed. Using a ³²P tracer, mosses removed from plots receiving PK in combination with NH₄ maintained their affinity for increased phosphorus uptake. These findings suggest that enhanced nutrient supply, even at modest doses, significantly alter the nutrient recycling behaviour of bryophytes.     

沙蒿(Artemisia ordosica)水浸提液对4种伴生草本植物的化感作用

以生长在我国荒漠和半荒漠地区的特有植物沙蒿为供体植物,沙米、虫实、草木樨状黄芪、狗尾草为受体植物,研究了沙蒿根、茎、叶、种子水浸提液对受体植物种子发芽、幼苗生长以及根对NH~+_4和K~+吸收的化感效应的差异,为沙区植被恢复中伴生杂草种类的选择提供理论依据。结果表明:沙蒿水浸提液对4种受体植物种子发芽和幼苗生长均具有显著的化感效应,沙米、虫实、草木樨状黄芪表现为抑制作用,狗尾草表现为促进作用。不同部位沙蒿浸提液的化感作用不同,根浸提液对沙米、虫实、狗尾草的化感效应最强,茎浸提液对草木樨状黄芪的抑制最强。不同植物种及植物的不同发育时期对化感作用的敏感性也不同,在4种受体植物中,沙米受抑制最强,其次为虫实、草木樨状黄芪,且随浸提液浓度增加而显著增强,而狗尾草具有一定的耐受力,表现为促进作用。沙蒿浸提液对受体植物根长的影响最强,其次是种子发芽、苗高和幼苗干质量。浸提液显著降低沙米、虫实、草木樨状黄芪根对NH~+_4和K~+的吸收,增加狗尾草根对NH~+_4和K~+的吸收。研究结果表明雨水淋溶是沙蒿向环境中释放化感物质的途径之一,化感作用在增强沙蒿生存竞争力,扩大种群过程中起着不容忽视的作用,可能是沙蒿单优势种群落形成的原因之一。     

Mineral nutrient economy in competing species of Sphagnum mosses

Bog vegetation, which is dominated by Sphagnum mosses, depends exclusively on aerial deposition of mineral nutrients. We studied how the main mineral nutrients are distributed between intracellular and extracellular exchangeable fractions and along the vertical physiological gradient of shoot age in seven Sphagnum species occupying contrasting bog microhabitats. While the Sphagnum exchangeable cation content decreased generally in the order Ca²⁺ ≥ K⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ > Al³⁺ > NH₄ ⁺, intracellular element content decreased in the order N > K > Na, Mg, P, Ca, Al. Calcium occurred mainly in the exchangeable form while Mg, Na and particularly K, Al and N occurred inside cells. Hummock species with a higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) accumulated more exchangeable Ca²⁺, while the hollow species with a lower CEC accumulated more exchangeable Na⁺, particularly in dead shoot segments. Intracellular N and P, but not metallic elements, were consistently lower in dead shoot segments, indicating the possibility of N and P reutilization from senescing segments. The greatest variation in tissue nutrient content and distribution was between species from contrasting microhabitats. The greatest variation within microhabitats was between the dissimilar species S. angustifolium and S. magellanicum. The latter species had the intracellular N content about 40% lower than other species, including even this species when grown alone. This indicates unequal competition for N, which can lead to outcompeting of S. magellanicum from mixed patches. We assume that efficient cation exchange enables Sphagnum vegetation to retain immediately the cationic nutrients from rainwater. This may represent an important mechanism of temporal extension of mineral nutrient availability to subsequent slow intracellular nutrient uptake.     

Climate drivers alter nitrogen availability in surface peat and decouple N2 fixation from CH4 oxidation in the Sphagnum moss microbiome

Peat mosses (Sphagnum spp.) are keystone species in boreal peatlands, where they dominate net primary productivity and facilitate the accumulation of carbon in thick peat deposits. Sphagnum mosses harbor a diverse assemblage of microbial partners, including N₂-fixing (diazotrophic) and CH₄-oxidizing (methanotrophic) taxa that support ecosystem function by regulating transformations of carbon and nitrogen. Here, we investigate the response of the Sphagnum phytobiome (plant + constituent microbiome + environment) to a gradient of experimental warming (+0°C to +9°C) and elevated CO₂ (+500 ppm) in an ombrotrophic peatland in northern Minnesota (USA). By tracking changes in carbon (CH₄, CO₂) and nitrogen (NH₄-N) cycling from the belowground environment up to Sphagnum and its associated microbiome, we identified a series of cascading impacts to the Sphagnum phytobiome triggered by warming and elevated CO₂. Under ambient CO₂, warming increased plant-available NH₄-N in surface peat, excess N accumulated in Sphagnum tissue, and N₂ fixation activity decreased. Elevated CO₂ offset the effects of warming, disrupting the accumulation of N in peat and Sphagnum tissue. Methane concentrations in porewater increased with warming irrespective of CO₂ treatment, resulting in a ~10× rise in methanotrophic activity within Sphagnum from the +9°C enclosures. Warming's divergent impacts on diazotrophy and methanotrophy caused these processes to become decoupled at warmer temperatures, as evidenced by declining rates of methane-induced N₂ fixation and significant losses of keystone microbial taxa. In addition to changes in the Sphagnum microbiome, we observed ~94% mortality of Sphagnum between the +0°C and +9°C treatments, possibly due to the interactive effects of warming on N-availability and competition from vascular plant species. Collectively, these results highlight the vulnerability of the Sphagnum phytobiome to rising temperatures and atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, with significant implications for carbon and nitrogen cycling in boreal peatlands.     

Nutrient dynamics of 12 Sphagnum species during establishment on a rewetted bog

• Peatland degradation through drainage and peat extraction have detrimental environmental and societal consequences. Rewetting is an option to restore lost ecosystem functions, such as carbon storage, biodiversity and nutrient sequestration. Peat mosses (Sphagnum) are the most important peat-forming species in bogs. Most Sphagnum species occur in nutrient-poor habitats; however, high growth rates have been reported in artificial nutrient-rich conditions with optimal water supply.
• Here, we demonstrate the differences in nutrient dynamics of 12 Sphagnum species during their establishment in a 1-year field experiment at a Sphagnum paludiculture area in Germany. The 12 species are categorized into three groups (slower-, medium- and fast-growing). Establishment of peat mosses is facilitated by constant supply of nutrient-rich, low pH, and low alkalinity surface water.
• Our study shows that slower-growing species (S. papillosum, S. magellancium, S. fuscum, S. rubellum, S. austinii; often forming hummocks) displayed signs of nutrient imbalance. These species accumulated higher amounts of N, P, K and Ca in their capitula, and had an elevated stem N:K quotient (>3). Additionally, this group sequestered less C and K per m² than the fast and medium-growing species (S. denticulatum, S. fallax, S. riparium, S. fimbriatum, S. squarrosum, S. palustre, S. centrale). Lower lawn thickness may have amplified negative effects of flooding in the slower-growing species.
• We conclude that nutrient dynamics and carbon/nutrient sequestration rates are species-specific. For bog restoration, generating ecosystem services or choosing suitable donor material for Sphagnum paludiculture, it is crucial to consider their compatibility with prevailing environmental conditions.

     

Sphagnum distribution patterns along environmental gradients in Bulgaria

Abstract

The distribution patterns of 18 Sphagnum species along base-richness and altitudinal gradients were studied in Bulgarian treeless wetlands which are noteworthy because of the edge-of-range occurrence of many mire species including Sphagnum. Of 483 spring and mire sites studied, 202 samples contained some Sphagnum species. The most common species were S. subsecundum (n=85), S. platyphyllum (46), S. contortum (41), S. teres (40) and S. capillifolium (26). The significance of Sphagnum responses to environmental gradients was tested by comparing generalized additive models against the null model. Many Sphagnum species displayed a significant response to the altitudinal gradient. Several species were clearly linked to low or to high altitudes, but the realized niche of other species was wide with respect to altitude. Most species significantly responded to water pH, both above and below the timberline. The same result was obtained for water conductivity below the timberline, whereas only a few species had a significant response to conductivity above the timberline. The highest water conductivity under which Sphagnum species occurred was 280 μS cm^?1. Sphagnum contortum was the species occupying the mires with the highest mineral content. On the contrary, Sphagnum warnstorfii, one of the most calcitolerant species in many regions of Europe, often occurred in extremely mineral-poor mires above the timberline. Some other Sphagnum species growing in mineral-rich mires below the timberline, also inhabited extremely mineral-poor mires above the timberline. This could be explained by adaptation to local conditions during long-term isolation on mineral-poor bedrock or by changed competition pressure.     

Nitrogen Starvation-Induced Changes in Amino Acid and Free Ammonium Pools in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizophyllum commune</Emphasis> Colonies

Wood-decay fungi depend upon recycling of nitrogen-containing molecules to maintain growth in nitrogen-deficient environments. One of the pools that can support growth in these organisms is the pool of free amino acids. The free amino acid (AA) composition of Schizophyllum commune mycelium grown on the surface of nitrogen-rich (M = 6.6 mM L-asparagine) and nitrogen-poor medium (M01 = 0.06 mM L-asparagine) has been examined: When mycelium is grown on M, alanine, glutamate, and asparagine account for almost 2/3 of the amino acid pool. The free amino acid concentration is reduced by 75% for mycelium grown on the M01 medium, with alanine and glutamate predominating. In addition, free NH₄⁺ increases by 60% in nitrogen-deprived mycelia. Except for asparagine, which is absorbed by the apices, the concentration of all free amino acids is higher in the centers of M-grown, 4-day-old mycelia than in the apices. Hyphae grown to exponential growth on M and transferred to M01 for 12 h show greater free amino acid and NH₄⁺ concentrations in the apices, most likely indicating increased translocation to the apices.     

泥炭地苔藓植物孢子生活力的快速检测

适量的烟气能够促进有性繁殖体萌发,但迄今尚无辅助烟气处理探究孢子生活力快速检测方法的研究报道。该文选择毛缘泥炭藓（Sphagnum fimbriatum）、中位泥炭藓（S.magellanicum）和粗叶泥炭藓（S.squarrosum）作为材料,分别使用亚甲基蓝染色法、四唑（TTC）染色法、碘-碘化钾（I₂-KI）染色法和红墨水染色法对泥炭藓孢子进行染色,并比照营养液、烟溶液+营养液培养的孢子萌发试验,对比研究泥炭地苔藓植物孢子生活力快速检测的最佳方法。结果表明：亚甲基蓝染色法的染色效果最为明显,TTC和I₂-KI均未能使泥炭藓孢子着色,孢子对红墨水虽有着色反应但不清晰;与营养液培养相比,添加烟溶液使毛缘泥炭藓、中位泥炭藓和粗叶泥炭藓孢子萌发率分别提高5%、5%和18%;使用亚甲基蓝染色的孢子染色率与经烟溶液处理过的孢子萌发率最为接近。综上认为,亚甲基蓝染色法能快速检测泥炭藓孢子的生活力。     

Nitrogen Utilization and Toxin Production by Two Diatoms of the Pseudo‐nitzschia pseudodelicatissima Complex: P. cuspidata and P. fryxelliana

The toxigenic diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia cuspidata, isolated from the U.S. Pacific Northwest, was examined in unialgal batch cultures to evaluate domoic acid (DA) toxicity and growth as a function of light, N substrate, and growth phase. Experiments conducted at saturating (120 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1) and subsaturating (40 μmol photons · m^?2 · s^?1) photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), demonstrate that P. cuspidata grows significantly faster at the higher PPFD on all three N substrates tested [nitrate (NO₃^?), ammonium (NH₄⁺), and urea], but neither cellular toxicity nor exponential growth rates were strongly associated with one N source over the other at high PPFD. However, at the lower PPFD, the exponential growth rates were approximately halved, and the cells were significantly more toxic regardless of N substrate. Urea supported significantly faster growth rates, and cellular toxicity varied as a function of N substrate with NO₃^?‐supported cells being significantly more toxic than both NH₄⁺‐ and urea‐supported cells at the low PPFD. Kinetic uptake parameters were determined for another member of the P. pseudodelicatissima complex, P. fryxelliana. After growth of these cells on NO₃^? they exhibited maximum specific uptake rates (V_max) of 22.7, 29.9, 8.98 × 10^?3 · h^?1, half‐saturation constants (K_s) of 1.34, 2.14, 0.28 μg‐at N · L^?1, and affinity values (α) of 17.0, 14.7, 32.5 × 10^?3 · h^?1/(μg‐at N · L^?1) for NO₃^?, NH₄⁺ and urea, respectively. These labo‐ratory results demonstrate the capability of P. cuspidata to grow and produce DA on both oxidized and reduced N substrates during both exponential and stationary growth phases, and the uptake kinetic results for the pseudo‐cryptic species, P. fryxelliana suggest that reduced N sources from coastal runoff could be important for maintenance of these small pennate diatoms in U.S. west coast blooms, especially during times of low ambient N concentrations.     

Effects of nutrient addition on vegetation and carbon cycling in an ombrotrophic bog

We measured net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE), plant biomass and growth, species composition, peat microclimate, and litter decomposition in a fertilization experiment at Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa, Ontario. The bog is located in the zone with the highest atmospheric nitrogen deposition for Canada, estimated at 0.8–1.2 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹ (wet deposition as NH₄ and NO₃). To establish the effect of nutrient addition on this ecosystem, we fertilized the bog with six treatments involving the application of 1.6–6 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹ (as NH₄NO₃), with and without P and K, in triplicate 3 m × 3 m plots. The initial 5–6 years have shown a loss of first Sphagnum, then Polytrichum mosses, and an increase in vascular plant biomass and leaf area index. Analyses of NEE, measured in situ with climate‐controlled chambers, indicate that contrary to expectations, the treatments with the highest levels of nutrient addition showed lower rates of maximum NEE and gross photosynthesis, but little change in ecosystem respiration after 5 years. Although shrub biomass and leaf area increased in the high nutrient plots, loss of moss photosynthesis owing to nutrient toxicity, increased vascular plant shading and greater litter accumulation contributed to the lower levels of CO₂ uptake. Our study highlights the importance of long‐term experiments as we did not observe lower NEE until the fifth year of the experiment. However, this may be a transient response as the treatment plots continue to change. Higher levels of nutrients may cause changes in plant composition and productivity and decrease the ability of peatlands to sequester CO₂ from the atmosphere.     

Growth responses of the perennial legume Sesbania sesban to NH4 and NO3 nutrition and effects on root nodulation

Preference for NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻ nutrition by the perennial legume Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. was assessed by supplying plants with NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ alone or mixed at equal concentrations (0.5 mM) in hydroponic culture. In addition, growth responses of S. sesban to NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ nutrition and the effects on root nodulation and nutrient and mineral composition of the plant tissues were evaluated in a hydroponic setup at a range of external concentration of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 2 and 5 mM). Seedlings of S. sesban grew equally well when supplied with either NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻ alone or mixed and had high relative growth rates (RGRs) ranging between 0.19 and 0.21 d⁻¹. When larger plants of S. sesban were supplied with NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻ alone, the RGRs and shoot elongation rates were not affected by the external concentration of inorganic N. At external N concentrations up to 0.5 mM nodulation occurred and contributed to the N nutrition through fixation of gaseous N₂ from the atmosphere. For both NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻-fed plants the N concentration in the plant tissues, particularly water-extractable NO₃⁻, increased at high supply concentrations, and concentrations of mineral cations generally decreased. It is concluded that S. sesban can grow without an external inorganic N supply by fixing atmospheric N₂ gas via root nodules. Also, S. sesban grows well on both NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ as the external N source and the plant can tolerate relatively high concentrations of NH₄⁺. This wide ecological amplitude concerning N nutrition makes S. sesban very useful as a N₂-fixing fallow crop in N deficient areas and also a candidate species for use in constructed wetland systems for the treatment of NH₄⁺ rich waters.     

Spring fen vegetation and water chemistry in the Western Carpathian flysch zone

In the western part of the Carpathian flysch zone, aquifers host several springwater chemistry types. Four vegetation types, distinguished along the poor-rich gradient (tufa-forming and peat forming brown moss fens, moderately rich and poorSphagnum fens), have been compared with respect to the main habitat factors. Water calcium and magnesium concentrations, pH and conductivity as well as the soil organic carbon content were the properties measured that showed the strongest correlation with the main vegetation gradient (the poor-rich gradient). Further, significant differences in iron, sodium, potassium, sulphate and phosphate concentrations were also found between pairs of related vegetation types. The range of calcium concentrations is wide (2–300 mg/l). The calcium concentration in tufa-forming springs is higher than values usually reported from northern and western Europe. Tufa formation is influenced not only by high calcium concentrations, but also by the total chemical composition of springwater and both climatic and topographic conditions. There is a great excess of cations over Cl⁻ and SO ₄ ²⁻ , balanced by HCO ₃ ⁻ and CO ₃ ²⁻ in springs with the most intense tufa precipitation. Unusually high calcium concentrations combined with high iron concentrations were found in peat-forming brown moss fens. RichSphagnum-fens with calcitolerantSphagnum species are distinctively low in phosphates. The Western Carpathian poor fens dominated bySphagnum flexuosum have water and soil calcium concentrations comparable to those reported from rich fens of some other areas. The springwater of these fens are rich in iron, phosphates and sulphates. The poorest spring fens withSphagnum fallax, S. magellanicum, S. papillosum andS. auriculatum are not only poor in calcium, but also in iron, sodium and potassium.     

EFFECTS OF PHOTOCYCLES AND PERIODIC AMMONIUM SUPPLY ON THREE MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES. II. AMMONIUM UPTAKE AND ASSIMILATION1

The relative influence of the photoperiod and of periodic ammonium pulses in entraining the cell division cycle in nitrogen-limited cyclostat cultures differs dramatically in Hymenomonas carterae Braarud and Fagerl, Amphidinium carteri Hulburt and Thalassiosira weissflogii Grun. We examined how each species processes an NH₄⁺ pulse at various times during the cell cycle and the L/D cycle. Rates of NH₄⁺ uptake and changes in cellular concentrations of NH₄⁺, free amino acids, and protein were examined after the addition of an NH₄⁺ pulse. Depletion of NH₄⁺ from the medium occurred earlier when the pulse was given at the beginning of the light period than at the beginning of the dark period in H. carterae and A. carteri. Depletion took longer in the T. weissflogii cultures and the kinetics were similar during both stages of the photocycle in this species. Similarly, the temporal phasing and maximum pool sizes varied with timing of the NH₄⁺ pulse in H. carterae and A. carteri but complete assimilation was relatively rapid. More persistent pools of NH₄⁺ and free amino acids accumulated in T. weissflogii, and the patterns of assimilation varied little as a function of the timing of the pulse with respect to the photocycle. Although nitrogen metabolism occurred rapidly in nitrogen-limited H. carterae and A. carteri, the entrainment of the cell division cycle by the photoperiod resulted in a large degree of uncoupling between completion of nitrogen assimilation and cell division. It is hypothesized that the strong entrainment of the cell division cycle of T. weissflogii by NH₄⁺ pulses results from a relatively slow rate of nitrogen metabolism.     

Testate Amoeba (Arcellinida,Euglyphida) Ecology along a Poor‐Rich Gradient in Fens of Western Poland

We investigated the relationships between testate amoebae (Arcellinida, Euglyphida), vegetation and water chemistry along environmental gradients in minerotrophic peatlands (fens) in western Poland. We hypothesized that: a) hydrochemistry significantly influences structure of testate amoeba communities, and b) testate amoeba communities are more closely correlated with the hydrochemical variables (environment) than with the vegetation data. Testate amoeba communities and vegetation from 71 sample plots were investigated together with the hydro‐chemistry and hydrology based on 16 environmental variables and vegetation composition. Testate amoeba communities revealed a distinctive poor‐rich gradient in analysed fens. Mineral‐rich habitats, which were dominated by brown mosses, were preferred by a higher number of taxa than acidic habitats, which were dominated by Sphagnum. We recorded a total of 107 testate amoebae taxa. The average species richness of testate amoebae for brown mosses was higher (20) than for Sphagnum (13). We found that testate amoebae communities were similarly correlated with vascular plants, mosses and environmental parameters. Results of direct ordination demonstrate that hydrology, pH, Mg²⁺ and sodium remain the most important environmental control for the entire data set. CCA showed that in case of brown mosses hydrology, sodium and oxygen affect testate amoeba communities significantly whereas in Sphagnum only sodium emerge as most significant determining testate amoeba assemblages. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

MACROALGAL RESPONSES TO NITROGEN SOURCE AND AVAILABILITY: AMINO ACID METABOLIC PROFILING AS A BIOINDICATOR USING GRACILARIA EDULIS (RHODOPHYTA)1

The use of macroalgae as biological indicators of dissolved nutrient source and availability in the water column was investigated. Total tissue nitrogen (N) content, pigments, and amino acids of the red alga Gracilaria edulis (Gmelin) Silva were compared to N source and availability in laboratory and field incubations to identify responses that would serve as bioindicators of N. Field-collected algae were preincubated (6–8 wk) in low-nutrient seawater to deplete their luxury reserves ofN. Incubations were then conducted for periods of 3 d in laboratory aquaria (N-spiked seawater) and in the field using macroalgal incubation chambers. After incubation in different N sources (NH₄⁺, NO₃^?, and urea) in laboratory aquaria, photosynthetic pigments (phycoerythrin and chlorophyll a) and total tissue N increased, in response to increasing [NH₄⁺] but not to [NO₃^?] or [urea]. Incubation in two ranges of [NH₄⁺], one from 0 to 80 μM and the other from 0 to 800 μM, in laboratory aquaria increased the total amino acid pool. Citrulline concentrations were the most responsive to [NH₄⁺] (r²= 0. 84). NH₄⁺ source treatments produced increases in citrulline, phenylalanine, serine, and free NH₄⁺ and decreases in alanine; NO₃^? treatments produced increases in glutamic acid, citrulline, and alanine; and urea treatments produced increases in free NH₄⁺ and decreases in phenylalanine and serine. The observed variations in amino acid content facilitated the development of an index for each N source based on relative concentrations of various amino acids (i. e. metabolic profiling). Gracilaria edulis was incubated along a field N gradient in the Brisbane River (three sites) and Moreton Bay (four sites), Queensland, Australia. Both phycoerythrin and tissue N appeared to respond equally to NH₄⁺ and NO₃^? availability in the field. N source indices, based on amino acid concentration, were effective predictors of both [NH₄⁺] and [NO₃^?] over a wide range of concentrations along the field gradient. Macroalgal physiological responses, particularly amino acid content, to changes in source and availability of N appear to be useful as sensitive bioindicators of N.     

NUTRIENT CONTROLS ON NITROGEN UPTAKE AND METABOLISM BY NATURAL POPULATIONS AND CULTURES OF TRICHODESMIUM (CYANOBACTERIA)

The effects of inorganic nutrient (ammonium [NH₄ ⁺ ] and nitrate [NO₃ ⁻ ]) and amino acid (glutamate [glu] and glutamine [gln]) additions on rates of N₂ fixation, N uptake, glutamine synthetase (GS) activity, and concentrations of intracellular pools of gln and glu were examined in natural and cultured populations of Trichodesmium. Additions of 1 μM glu, gln, NO₃ ⁻ , or NH₄ ⁺ did not affect short-term rates of N₂ fixation. This may be an important factor that allows for continued N₂ fixation in oligotrophic areas where recycling processes are active. N₂ fixation rates decreased when nutrients were supplied at higher concentrations (e.g. 10 μM). Uptake of combined N (NH₄ ⁺ , NO₃ ⁻ , and amino acids) by Trichodesmium was stimulated by increased concentrations. For NO₃ ⁻ , proportional increases in NO₃ ⁻ uptake and decreases in N₂ fixation were observed when additions were made to cultures before the onset of the light period. GS activity did not change much in response to the addition of NH₄ ⁺ , NO₃ ⁻ , glu, or gln. GS is necessary for N metabolism, and the bulk of this enzyme pool may be conserved. Intracellular pools of glu and gln varied in response to 10 μM additions of NH₄ ⁺ , glu, or gln. Cells incubated with NH₄ ⁺ became depleted in intracellular glu and enriched with intracellular gln. The increase in the gln/glu ratio corresponded to a decrease in the rate of N₂ fixation. Although the gln/glu ratio decreased in cells exposed to the amino acids, there was only a corresponding decrease in N₂ fixation after the gln addition. The results presented here suggest that combined N concentrations on the order of 1 μM do not affect rates of N₂ fixation and metabolism, although higher concentrations (e.g. 10 μM) can. Moreover, these effects are exerted through products of NH₄ ⁺ assimilation rather than exogenous N, as has been suggested for other species. These results may help explain how cultures of Trichodesmium are able to simultaneously fix N₂ and take up NH₄ ⁺ and how natural populations continue to fix N₂ once combined N concentrations increase within a bloom.     

Inorganic ion compositions in the Ulvophyceae and the Rhodophyceae, with special reference to sulfuric acid ion accumulations

Cellular pH estimated from cell extract pH, and the ion compositions of major inorganic ions (Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl^?, Br^?, NO₃^?, S0₄²‐) were studied by ion chromatography in 15 species of 4 orders (Cladophorales, Codiales, Siphonocladales and Ulvales) of Ulvophyceae and 49 species of 8 orders (Bangiales, Ceramiales, Corallinales, Cryptonemiales, Gelidiales, Gigartinales, Nemaliales and Rhodymeniales) of Rhodophyceae. Among the Rhodophyceae, relatively low intracellular pH (approximately 2.0 within cells) and high concentration of S0₄^2‐ was demonstrated in Plocamium telfairiae(Harvey) Harvey. Furthermore, five species of Hypnea Lamouroux were shown to contain high concentrations of S0₄^2‐ balanced by relatively high concentrations of Na⁺. Among the Ulvophyceae, Codium cylindricum Holmes and Ulva pertusa Kjellman contained high concentrations of S0₄^2‐ balanced by relatively high concentrations of Mg²⁺.     

Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen Pools and Surface Flux under Different Brackish Marsh Vegetation Types,Common Reed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis>) and Salt Hay (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina patens</Emphasis>)

The current expansion of Phragmites australis into the high marsh shortgrass (Spartina patens, Distichlis spicata) communities of eastern U.S. salt marshes provided an opportunity to identify the influence of vegetation types on pools and fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). Two brackish tidal marshes of the National Estuarine Research Reserve system were examined, Piermont Marsh of the Hudson River NERR in New York and Hog Island in the Jacques Coustaeu NERR of New Jersey. Pools of DIN in porewater and rates of DIN surface flux were compared in replicated pairs of recently-expanded P. australis and neighboring S. patens-dominated patches on the high marsh surface. Both marshes generally imported nitrate (NO₃⁻) and exported ammonium (NH₄⁺), such that overall DIN was exported. No differences in surface exchange of NO₃⁻ or NH₄⁺ were observed between vegetation types. Depth-averaged porewater NH₄⁺ concentrations over the entire growing season were 56% lower under P. australis than under S. patens (average 1.4 vs. 3.2 mg NH₄⁺ L⁻¹) with the most profound differences in November. Porewater profiles showed an accumulation of NH₄⁺ at depth in S. patens and constant low concentrations in P. australis from the soil surface to 50 cm depth, with no significant differences in porewater salinity. Despite these profound differences in porewater, NH₄⁺ diffusion from soils of P. australis and S. patens were not measurably different, were similar to other published rates, and were well below estimated rates based on passive diffusion alone. Rapid adsorption and uptake by litter and microbes in surface soils of both communities may buffer NH₄⁺ loss to flooding tides in both communities, thereby reducing the impact of P. australis invasion on NH₄⁺ flux to flooding waters.