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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant ecology 2008-05, Vol.196 (1), p.111-121
Main Authors: Phuyal, Mukunda, Artz, Rebekka R. E, Sheppard, Lucy, Leith, Ian D, Johnson, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammonia
Ammonium
Applied Ecology
Aquatic plants
Atmospherics
Biodiversity
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Bog
Bogs
Bryophytes
Bryopsida
Community & Population Ecology
Ecology
fertilization (reproduction)
Fertilizers
Hypnum
Inflorescences
Life Sciences
Mosses
Nitrates
Nitrogen
Nitrogen deposition
Nutrients
Phosphatase
Phosphatases
Phosphates
Phosphorus
Plant Ecology
Regression analysis
Soil pollution
Sphagnum
Terrestial Ecology
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1385-0237
1573-5052
DOI:10.1007/s11258-007-9338-1