Nitrogen- or phosphorus-limited growth in herbaceous, wet vegetation: relations with atmospheric inputs and management regimes

Herbaceous vegetation under temperate climatic conditions generally shows nitrogen- or phosphorus-limited plant growth, which creates conditions for a high botanical diversity. Is nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) the most important limiting factor, or are both generally in short supply? What are the c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in Ecology & Evolution 1996-12, Vol.11 (12), p.494-497
Main Authors: Verhoeven, J.T.A., Koerselman, W., Meuleman, A.F.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
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Summary:Herbaceous vegetation under temperate climatic conditions generally shows nitrogen- or phosphorus-limited plant growth, which creates conditions for a high botanical diversity. Is nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) the most important limiting factor, or are both generally in short supply? What are the consequences of Increased N and P inputs that result from anthropogenic disturbances? A new indicator of N or P limitation, that is, the vegetation N:P ratio, allows us to address these questions for a range of mires, dune slacks and moist grasslands.
ISSN:0169-5347
1872-8383
DOI:10.1016/S0169-5347(96)10055-0