Invasive Nitrogen-Fixing Plant Amplifies Terrestrial–Aquatic Nutrient Flow and Alters Ecosystem Function

Stewart, Simon D.; Young, M. B.; Harding, Jon S.; Horton, Travis W.

doi:10.1007/s10021-018-0289-2

Cited by 19 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Moreover, with every 10% increase in autumn olive cover, NO 3 -N concentrations in stream water increased by 0.48 mg L −1 . Similarly, in New Zealand, Stewart et al (2018) also reported that with every 10% increase in gorse cover, stream water NO 3 -N concentrations increased by 0.44 mg L −1 . The positive relationship between autumn olive cover and stream water NO 3 -N concentrations can be explained by the evidence that as an actinorhizal species, autumn olive can fix N 2 (Russo, 2005), which alters soil chemistry and produces excess N that can leach from the rooting zone (Baer et al, 2006).…”

Section: Stream Nitrate Nitrogen and Ammonium Nitrogenmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…), an N 2 -fixing actinorhizal tree native to coastal regions of the western United States, was found to be a major N source to streams (Compton et al, 2003). Similarly, other N 2 -fixing invasive species like gorse (Ulex europaeus L.) in New Zealand (Dyck et al, 1983;Stewart et al, 2018) and albezia (Falcataria moluccana Miq. ) in Hawaii (Wiegner et al, 2013) were reported to either increase vadose zone soil water N concentrations or increase stream N concentrations in watersheds where these invasive species became established.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

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Watershed Vulnerability to Invasive N₂–Fixing Autumn Olive and Consequences for Stream Nitrogen Concentrations

et al. 2019

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Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) is an invasive and exotic N2–fixing plant species found throughout the United States. Proliferation and spread of autumn olive have displaced native plants and raised concerns about the effects of N fixation and cycling on water quality in invaded areas. This study investigated the relationship between autumn olive cover and stream N concentrations. Twelve forested watersheds were selected and classified into edge, mid‐distance, and interior‐of‐the‐forest watersheds based on autumn olive density and distance from the permanent edge of invasion point along a major road corridor. For the 2012 vegetation survey, autumn olive cover in edge, mid, and interior watersheds ranged from 37 to 61%, 18 to 37%, and 4 to 10%, respectively. From 2006 to 2012, mean stream water NO3–N concentration in the edge watersheds was significantly higher (1.39 mg L−1, p < 0.0001) than mid (0.37 mg L−1) and interior (0.27 mg L−1) watersheds. A linear relationship was found between NO3–N concentration and autumn olive cover (R2 = 0.72, p = 0.0001). Mean stream water NH4–N, specific conductivity, and pH were significantly less in the interior watersheds than in the edge watersheds. Additionally, peak specific conductivity and NO3–N from edge watersheds coincided with peak stage for these watersheds, demonstrating that N flushing events were driven by surface and shallow subsurface flow pathways proximal to the stream. Results from this study demonstrate how encroachment of autumn olive can influence water quality and transform biogeochemical cycles in natural systems, which points to the need for effective management of autumn olive in the edge watersheds and riparian zones that are vulnerable to invasion and increased N export. Core Ideas Substantial autumn olive cover was found along riparian habitats in marginal forest. Autumn olive invasion in interior‐of‐the‐forest watersheds was lowest. Encroachment of autumn olive can influence water quality. Autumn olive invasion can transform biogeochemical cycles in natural systems. Autumn‐olive‐invaded edge watersheds had greatest N concentrations in stream water.

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Section: Stream Nitrate Nitrogen and Ammonium Nitrogenmentioning

confidence: 81%

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Watershed Vulnerability to Invasive N₂–Fixing Autumn Olive and Consequences for Stream Nitrogen Concentrations

et al. 2019

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“…As an additional consideration, it may be best to avoid plants with N-fixing root nodules in riparian zones as there is evidence that these may increase nitrate levels in leaching water when present in high density (Goldstein et al 2009;Wiegner et al 2013;Stewart et al 2019). This has been linked to decomposition and release of nitrate from foliage falling from N-fixing species, which tends to be enriched in N compared with non-N-fixing plants (Stewart et al 2019). For the N-fixing riparian plant European Gorse (Ulex europaeus), little N released from decomposing foliage was taken up by the plants, resulting in high nitrate concentrations in adjacent streams, particularly following periods of slow growth (Stewart et al 2019).…”

Section: Ro O T F O R Mmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This has been linked to decomposition and release of nitrate from foliage falling from N-fixing species, which tends to be enriched in N compared with non-N-fixing plants (Stewart et al 2019). For the N-fixing riparian plant European Gorse (Ulex europaeus), little N released from decomposing foliage was taken up by the plants, resulting in high nitrate concentrations in adjacent streams, particularly following periods of slow growth (Stewart et al 2019). For restoring plants to riparian zones, it is likely that N management outcomes will not only depend on the extent of a plants root system, but also the rate at which the root system develops.…”

Section: Ro O T F O R Mmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plants for nitrogen management in riparian zones: A proposed trait‐based framework to select effective species

Franklin¹,

Robinson²,

Dickinson³

2019

Eco Management Restoration

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Summary Restoring plants to the riparian zone is regarded as management best practice in river restoration and has the potential to reduce the impact of nitrogen (N) pollution on aquatic organisms and improve water quality for human use. Plant characteristics and the interplay of hydrology and biogeochemistry control N retention in the riparian zone. The balance between processes such as denitrification and plant assimilation determines riparian N retention. Plant traits are likely to mediate these N removal processes through variations in root form, growth character, foliage production (quantity, quality and rate of return to the soil) and by altering conditions in the rhizosphere soil. Vegetation can slow N transfer via direct plant uptake of N (during periods of rapid vegetation growth) and changes induced to soil hydrology, nutrient cycling and microbial activity, principally denitrification. Few studies have focused on species‐dependent effects on N movement through soil and across boundaries. We propose a new framework, based on a literature review of plant traits with respect to N cycling, which can be used to select plant species with traits likely to maximise N removal during transport through the riparian zone. In the proposed framework, inter‐specific differences in traits known to influence N mobility: root form, growth rate, foliar characteristics and rhizosphere processes, are used to describe species’ potential impact on N removal. Plant trait data may be drawn from studies outside the riparian zone; for example forest ecology, horticulture or forestry research, and candidate species are scored to predict N removal efficiency. We apply the framework to New Zealand's native riparian plant assemblages to demonstrate the trait‐based approach. This framework can guide restoration management decisions and investment in riparian revegetation in a manner that is not restricted to geographically specific or well‐studied species.

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Agriculture and Mining Contamination Contribute to a Productivity Gradient Driving Cross-Ecosystem Associations Between Stream Insects and Riparian Arachnids

Burdon

2020

Contaminants and Ecological Subsidies

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Invasive Nitrogen-Fixing Plant Amplifies Terrestrial–Aquatic Nutrient Flow and Alters Ecosystem Function

Cited by 19 publications

References 45 publications

Watershed Vulnerability to Invasive N₂–Fixing Autumn Olive and Consequences for Stream Nitrogen Concentrations

Watershed Vulnerability to Invasive N₂–Fixing Autumn Olive and Consequences for Stream Nitrogen Concentrations

Plants for nitrogen management in riparian zones: A proposed trait‐based framework to select effective species

Agriculture and Mining Contamination Contribute to a Productivity Gradient Driving Cross-Ecosystem Associations Between Stream Insects and Riparian Arachnids

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Invasive Nitrogen-Fixing Plant Amplifies Terrestrial–Aquatic Nutrient Flow and Alters Ecosystem Function

Cited by 19 publications

References 45 publications

Watershed Vulnerability to Invasive N2–Fixing Autumn Olive and Consequences for Stream Nitrogen Concentrations

Watershed Vulnerability to Invasive N2–Fixing Autumn Olive and Consequences for Stream Nitrogen Concentrations

Plants for nitrogen management in riparian zones: A proposed trait‐based framework to select effective species

Agriculture and Mining Contamination Contribute to a Productivity Gradient Driving Cross-Ecosystem Associations Between Stream Insects and Riparian Arachnids

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Product

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Watershed Vulnerability to Invasive N₂–Fixing Autumn Olive and Consequences for Stream Nitrogen Concentrations

Watershed Vulnerability to Invasive N₂–Fixing Autumn Olive and Consequences for Stream Nitrogen Concentrations