External nutrient inputs into terrestrial ecosystems of the Falkland Islands and the Maritime Antarctic region

Bokhorst, S.; Huiskes, A.H.L.; Convey, P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8497-9903; Aerts, R.. 2007 External nutrient inputs into terrestrial ecosystems of the Falkland Islands and the Maritime Antarctic region. Polar Biology, 30 (10). 1315-1321. 10.1007/s00300-007-0292-0

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0292-0

Abstract/Summary

Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems are nutrient-poor and depend for their functioning in part on external nutrients. However, little is known about the relative importance of various sources. We measured external mineral nutrient sources (wind blown material, precipitation and guano) at three locations, the cold temperate oceanic Falkland Islands (51°76′S), and the Maritime Antarctic Signy (60°71′S) and Anchorage Islands (67°61′S). These islands differ in the level of vegetation development through different environmental constraints and historical factors. Total mineral nitrogen input differed considerably between the islands. During the 3 month summer period it amounted to 18 mg N m−2 on the Falkland Islands and 6 and 102 mg N m−2 at Signy and Anchorage Islands, respectively. The high value for Anchorage was a result of guano deposition. By measuring stable isotopic composition (δ15N) of the different nitrogen sources and the dominant plant species, we investigated the relative utilisation of each source by the vegetation at each island. We conclude that external mineral nitrogen inputs to Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems show great spatial variability, with the local presence of bird (or other vertebrate) colonies being particularly significant.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s00300-007-0292-0
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Biodiversity, Functions, Limits and Adaptation from Molecules to Ecosystems
ISSN:	0722-4060
Additional Keywords:	Nutrient inputs, Stable isotope, Sea spray
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	07 Jan 2009 15:16 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/5447

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1007/s00300-007-0292-0

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Biodiversity, Functions, Limits and Adaptation from Molecules to Ecosystems

ISSN:

0722-4060

Additional Keywords:

Nutrient inputs, Stable isotope, Sea spray

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment