Control of plant growth by nitrogen and phosphorus in mesotrophic fens |
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Authors: | J. T. A. Verhoeven M. B. Schmitz |
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Affiliation: | (1) Dept of Plant Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Utrecht, P.O. Box 800.84, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | A fertilization experiment was carried out in 3 mesotrophic fens to investigate whether plant growth in these systems is controlled by the availability of N, P or K. The fens are located in an area with high N inputs from precipitation. They are annually mown in the summer to prevent succession to woodland. Above-ground plant biomass increased significantly upon N fertilization in the two mid-succession fens studied. In the late-succession fen that had been mown for at least 60 years, however, plant biomass increased significantly upon P fertilization. The mowing regime depletes the P pool in the soil, while it keeps N inputs and outputs in balance. A long-term shift occurs from limitation of plant production by N toward limitation by P. Hence, mowing is a suitable management tool to conserve the mesothrophic character of the fens. |
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Keywords: | fens management nitrogen phosphorus productivity vegetation wetlands |
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