Differential responses of UK upland plants to nitrogen deposition

Leith, Ian D.; Hicks, W. Kevin; Fowler, David; Woodin, Sarah J.. 1999 Differential responses of UK upland plants to nitrogen deposition. New Phytologist, 141 (2). 277-289. 10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00333.x

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Abstract/Summary

Native upland species, Nardus stricta, Eriophorum vaginatum, Erica cinerea and Vaccinium vitis-idaea were given 3 or 60 kg N ha−1 yr−1, over 2 yr, applied as a mist (NH4NO3). The high N treatment increased above-ground biomass in all four species, but only significantly in E. cinerea, E. vaginatum and N. stricta. Biomass increases in E. vaginatum and N. stricta resulted from enhanced tiller production rather than shoot elongation. Root growth increased in N. stricta, so that root:shoot ratio in this species was unchanged by N. Root growth in E. vaginatum, E. cinerea and V. vitis-idaea did not respond to N and their root:shoot ratios decreased. Tissue N concentrations increased in both shoots and roots of all species in response to N. The accumulated foliar N did not increase the proportion of N allocated to Rubisco and the photosynthetic capacities of N. stricta, E. vaginatum and V. vitis-idaea were unchanged. Thus growth responses to N were due to altered allocation rather than increased rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf area. The high N treatment increased flower production significantly in E. cinerea but not in the other species. Although in this experiment dwarf shrubs were more responsive than graminoids to N, in the field at current N inputs the enhanced tillering of the graminoids may be more competitively advantageous, especially where gaps develop in the canopy. Thus increasing N deposition may lead to increased grassiness of upland heath, and in particular, a spread of N. stricta.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00333.x
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biodiversity
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	_ Biogeochemistry & Ecosystem Function
ISSN:	0028-646X
Additional Keywords:	nitrogen, Erica cinerea (Bell-heather), Eriophorum vaginatum (Cotton-grass), Nardus stricta (Matgrass), Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Cowberry)
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	03 Sep 2008 13:37 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/3803

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