Ecosystem functions as indicators for heathland responses to nitrogen fertilisation

Bähring, Alexandra; Fichtner, Andreas; Ibe, K. M.; Schütze, Gudrun; Temperton, Vicky M.; Oheimb, Goddert von

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.08.013

Cited by 19 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…In contrast to north-western (e.g., Phoenix et al, 2012;Southon et al, 2012) and central European (e.g., Bähring et al, 2017;de Vries et al, 2009;Friedrich et al, 2011) Calluna-heathlands, to date, only one study has been developed on the time-scale and age-related effects of enhanced N deposition in montane Calluna-heathlands located at the southern-most limit of their distribution range (Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain) (i.e., plant-herbivore-predator relationships: Taboada et al, 2016). This is despite these marginal southern Calluna-heathlands having been found to respond differently to global change drivers (such as N deposition) as compared to central European ones (Meyer-Grünefeldt et al, 2016).…”

Section: U N C O R R E C T E D P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…ing, tissue and litter chemistry or plant susceptibility to biotic (e.g., pathogen or pests) and abiotic (e.g., frost or drought) stressors] (Bähring et al, 2017;Jones and Power, 2012;Marcos et al, 2003;Meyer-Grünefeldt et al, 2016;Southon et al, 2013;Taboada et al, 2016). Elevated N inputs stimulate N mineralization rates (Phoenix et al, 2012), resulting in increased soil extractable N-NH 4 + and N-NO 3 − (Boot et al, 2016;Song et al, 2017;Southon et al, 2013).…”

Section: U N C O R R E C T E D P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Airborne N loading has been identified as one of the most important drivers of biodiversity loss at a global scale (Sala et al, 2000), which in turn is expected to have negative consequences for multiple ecosystem functions. There exists compelling evidence of N-driven damage to ecosystems even at low deposition rates (Bähring et al, 2017;Phoenix et al, 2012). Moreover, chronic N loading has severe impacts on many ecosystem functions when the critical N threshold is exceeded (Gao et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time- and age-related effects of experimentally simulated nitrogen deposition on the functioning of montane heathland ecosystems

Calvo-Fernández

Taboada

Fichtner

et al. 2018

Science of The Total Environment

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Ecosystems adapted to low nitrogen (N) conditions such as Calluna-heathlands are especially sensitive to enhanced atmospheric N deposition that affects many aspects of ecosystem functioning like nutrient cycling, soil properties and plant-microbial-enzyme relationships. We investigated the effects of five levels of experimentally-simulated N deposition rates (i.e., N fertilization treatments: 0, 10, 20 and 50kgNhayr for 3years, and 56kgNhayr for 10years) on: plant, litter, microbial biomass and soil nutrient contents, soil extracellular enzymatic activities, and plant root ericoid mycorrhizal colonization. The study was conducted in marginal montane Calluna-heathlands at different developmental stages resulting from management (young/building-phase and mature-phase). Our findings revealed that many soil properties did not show a statistically significant response to the experimental addition of N, including: total N, organic carbon (C), C:N ratio, extractable N-NO, available phosphorus (P), urease and β-glucosidase enzyme activities, and microbial biomass C and N. Our results also evidenced a considerable positive impact of chronic (10-year) high-N loading on soil extractable N-NH, acid phosphatase enzyme activity, Calluna root mycorrhizal colonization by ericoid fungi, Calluna shoot N and P contents, and litter N content and N:P ratio. The age of heathland vegetation influenced the effects of N addition on ericoid mycorrhizal colonization, resulting in higher colonized roots in young heathlands at the control, low and medium N-input rates; and in mature ones at the high and chronically high N rates. Also, young heathlands exhibited greater soil extractable N-NO, available P, microbial biomass N, Calluna shoot N and P contents, and litter N content, compared to mature ones. Our results highlighted that accounting for the N-input load and duration, as well as the developmental stage of the vegetation, is important for assessing the effects of added N, particularly at the heathlands' southern distribution limit.

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Section: U N C O R R E C T E D P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: U N C O R R E C T E D P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time- and age-related effects of experimentally simulated nitrogen deposition on the functioning of montane heathland ecosystems

Calvo-Fernández

Taboada

Fichtner

et al. 2018

Science of The Total Environment

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“…In the United Kingdom alone, 133 conservation priority (U.K. Post‐2010 Biodiversity Framework) plant and animal species are associated with ALH, including 47 invertebrates with either a restricted, or very restricted U.K. distribution, which are also internationally rare or endangered (Webb et al ). Globally, heathlands face a number of threats, and due to a combination of changing management, atmospheric N deposition, and habitat loss associated with building development, the ALH habitats of western Europe are particularly endangered (Fagúndez ; Bähring et al ). For example, only one‐sixth of the lowland heath present in England from the early 19th century remains, much of this lost to urbanization and agricultural intensification (Perrow & Davy ; Webb et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronosequence of former kaolinite open cast mines suggests active intervention is required for the restoration of Atlantic heathland

Lane

Hanley

Lunt

et al. 2020

Restoration Ecology

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Atlantic lowland heath (ALH) is a priority conservation habitat in Western Europe, but restoration efforts have met with mixed success due to the complexity associated with replicating establishment conditions. By virtue of their impoverished, often acidic soils and geographic location in areas naturally occupied by ALH communities, former kaolinite mine sites may offer an excellent opportunity for heathland restoration. Using a chronosequence of former open cast kaolinite mines in South West England (0, 2, 27, and 150 years since mining ceased), we determined the ability of ALH vegetation and soils to reestablish naturally and in addition, for the three youngest sites, how the reinstatement of stored overburden affected heathland regeneration. Analysis of soil characteristics revealed major differences in the levels of acidity, organic content, and fertility between abandoned kaolinite sites and a nearby natural reference heath. Even 150 years after mining ceased, concentrations of all major soil nutrients and organic content were lower, and pH higher, than undisturbed ALH. The reinstatement of overburden did little to improve soil quality, since all former kaolinite sites were dominated by mesotrophic grasses, rather than species characteristic of the target ALH community. We conclude that to maximize the potential of former open cast kaolinite sites for ALH reestablishment, changes in pre-and postrestoration management are required. These include modification of how overburden is stockpiled, while the addition of organic material, microbial communities, and sulfur (to reduce soil pH) to reinstated overburden are likely also essential interventions to facilitate successful ALH establishment.

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“…Araucaria angustifolia is important for the recruitment of different epiphytic and arboreal species, increasing local diversity (Borgo & Silva 2003;Fogaça et al 2016). Ecological studies with corticolous lichens associated with A. angustifolia are still incipient (see Käffer et al 2010), although it is acknowledged that the dominance of a particular lichen morphospecies may be indicative of certain environmental conditions (Nimis et al 2002;Will-Wolf et al 2006;Giordani et al 2009) and anthropogenic effects on natural areas (Dettki & Esseen 1998;Das et al 2012;Li et al 2013;Bähring et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abiotic effects on the cover and richness of corticolous lichens on Araucaria angustifolia trunks

et al. 2019

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Lichens play a key role in natural ecosystems, as they can function as primary producers, recycle minerals and fix nitrogen. Despite their environmental importance, little is known about lichen ecology in Brazil, and especially about how abiotic factors may influence their spatial distribution. In this study, we aimed to verify how the cover and richness of corticolous lichens on Araucaria angustifolia trunks vary between two different habitats (Forest and Grassland). The photoquadrat sampling method was applied to A. angustifolia trunks. The Coral Point Count software with Excel extensions (CPCe) was used to analyze photographs for lichen cover and richness. Additionally, a redundancy analysis was conducted to estimate how five abiotic and two biotic variables affected the spatial distribution of lichens. Twenty-five morphospecies were identified, none of them occurring exclusively in the Grassland habitat. Canopy openness, air humidity and tree trunk rugosity were important parameters influencing lichen distribution; therefore, spatial segregation of growth forms can be explained by environmental selectivity. Foliose lichens require more air humidity, which explains their predominance in the Forest habitat. Canopy openness in Grassland habitat favors fruticose lichens, which depend on factors such as wind for reproduction.

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Ecosystem functions as indicators for heathland responses to nitrogen fertilisation

Cited by 19 publications

References 44 publications

Time- and age-related effects of experimentally simulated nitrogen deposition on the functioning of montane heathland ecosystems

Time- and age-related effects of experimentally simulated nitrogen deposition on the functioning of montane heathland ecosystems

Chronosequence of former kaolinite open cast mines suggests active intervention is required for the restoration of Atlantic heathland

Abiotic effects on the cover and richness of corticolous lichens on Araucaria angustifolia trunks

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