Nitrogen Fixation in the Bayberry (Myrica Pensylvanica) and Its Role in Coastal Succession

Morris, Merry L.; Eveleigh, D. E.; Riggs, S. C.; Tiffney, W. N.

doi:10.1002/j.1537-2197.1974.tb12311.x

Cited by 45 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Increased nitrogen availability associated with Myrica shrubs is the result of nitrogen fixation by symbiotic bacteria residing in root nodules. High rates of nitrogen fixation have been documented for M. pensylvanica (Morris et al 1974) and a related species, M. gale (Schwintzer 1979). Morris et al (1974) postulated that nitrogen enrichment by Myrica was important for its success during sand dune community succession, but did not examine the effects of soil nitrogen enrichment on other species.…”

Section: Nitrogen Enrichmentmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In the 100 years since H.C. Cowles' classic studies of vegetation change on Lake Michigan dunes, there has been relatively little experimental study of the nature of species interactions on sand dunes (Ehrenfeld 1990;see Keddy 1981;Silander and Antonovics 1982 for notable exceptions). In a study of nitrogen fixation in root nodules of the dune shrub Myrica pensylvanica, Morris et al (1974) declared Myrica "to be a key successional plant on nitrogen impoverished coastal soils and dunes." However, the potential positive effects of this species on other plants have not been examined (purported negative effects are addressed in the discussion).…”

Section: Seedling Survivorshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Facilitative effects of a sand dune shrub on species growing beneath the shrub canopy

Shumway¹

2000

Oecologia

217

117

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Only recently has the importance of positive interactions among plant species in structuring natural communities been supported by experimental evidence. Most studies have focused on interactions between a pair of species at a single life-history stage. In this study positive interactions between a woody nitrogen-fixing shrub (Myrica pensylvanica) and two herbaceous sand dune species (Solidago sempervirens, Ammophila breviligulata) which frequently grow beneath shrub canopies are examined throughout the life cycles of the herbaceous species. Comparisons of S. sempervirens and A. breviligulata growing beneath and outside M. pensylvanica shrubs show that plants growing in association with shrubs are larger, are more likely to flower, produce greater numbers of flowers and seeds, have higher midday xylem water potentials, have higher tissue nitrogen concentrations, and have higher photosynthetic efficiencies. Measurements of environmental conditions show that areas beneath shrubs are more shaded, have lower soil temperatures, and have higher soil nitrogen levels. The results from experimental manipulations designed to test the effects of Myrica shrubs on understory species suggest that the observed differences in plant performance are strongly influenced by canopy shading and soil nutrient enrichment associated with the shrubs. The results demonstrate that M. pensylvanica facilitates growth, reproduction, and recruitment of S. sempervirens and A. breviligulata growing beneath it. This study, one of the few to examine positive interactions at different life-history stages, supports previous predictions that positive interactions may be particularly important in plant communities characterized by physiologically stressful conditions.

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Section: Nitrogen Enrichmentmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Seedling Survivorshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facilitative effects of a sand dune shrub on species growing beneath the shrub canopy

Shumway¹

2000

Oecologia

217

117

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“…personal communication, 8 June 2010). In addition to legume inputs, large nitrogen inputs are possible from bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), whose nodule fixation rates are of the same order as that of legumes or alders (Morris et al 1974). The bayberry is a key player in the nitrogen economy of dunes and it is particularly resistant to dune blow-outs (Morris et al 1974).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to legume inputs, large nitrogen inputs are possible from bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), whose nodule fixation rates are of the same order as that of legumes or alders (Morris et al 1974). The bayberry is a key player in the nitrogen economy of dunes and it is particularly resistant to dune blow-outs (Morris et al 1974). Despite the claims made of the structural qualities of the massive invasive, R. rugosa, its competitive exclusion of all the nitrogen-fixing associates in this beach community will lead to an unstable ecosystem in the long-term.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<em>Rosa rugosa</em> as an Invader of Coastal Sand Dunes of Cape Breton Island and Mainland of Nova Scotia

et al. 2010

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Rosa rugosa is described for the first time as an invasive species associated with coastal sand dunes in Atlantic Canada. Our surveys of 24 beaches on western Cape Breton Island and the mainland of northern Nova Scotia from Cheticamp to Fox Harbour showed that 11 of the dune systems (ca. 45%) were colonized. This was more prevalent in Cape Breton where R. rugosa occurred on 9 of 13 systems, whereas only 2 of 9 mainland systems were colonized. Four dunes (three in Cape Breton) were considered heavily colonized with 0.4 -8.8% of the dune area with cover of R. rugosa. These beaches had 12 -42 independent clumps with almost monospecific stands over 90 % cover. In general, heavily colonized beaches were found adjacent to communities where extensive domestic planting and hedges of R. rugosa occurred and where escapes onto roadsides had occurred. In most colonized beach systems, rhizomes from clones extended 1 -5 m to produce younger shoots. The absence of Ammophila breviligulata, Lathyrus maritimus and Myrica pensylvanica, from the interior of many clumps of R. rugosa suggests that native dune communities are being negatively impacted. This exacerbates dune integrity already compromised by impacts of sea level rise.

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“…Commonly known as wax myrtle, M. cerifera is well adapted to low-nutrient coastal soils (Young 1992). A symbiotic association between members of Myricaceae (which includes the genera Morella and Myrica) and the actinomycete Frankia assures an adequate source of N (Morris et al 1974;Vitousek and Walker 1989;Young et al 1992). Furthermore, the evergreen leaf habit aides in nutrient conservation by allowing plants to retain and transport other foliar nutrients, including P, more efficiently (Monk 1966;Killingbeck 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Shifts in litterfall and dominant nitrogen sources after expansion of shrub thickets

Brantley

Young

2007

Oecologia

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Woody encroachment into herbaceous ecosystems is emerging as an important ecological response to global change. A primary concern is alterations in C and N cycling and associated variations across a variety of ecosystems. We quantified seasonal variation in litterfall and litter N concentration in Morella cerifera shrub thickets to assess changes in litterfall and associated N input after shrub expansion on an Atlantic coast barrier island. We also used the natural abundance of (15)N to estimate the proportion of litterfall N originating from symbiotic N fixation. Litterfall for shrub thickets ranged from 8,991 +/- 247 to 3,810 +/- 399 kg ha(-1) year(-1) and generally declined with increasing thicket age. Litterfall in three of the four thickets exceeded previous estimates of aboveground annual net primary production in adjacent grasslands by 300-400%. Leaf N concentration was also higher after shrub expansion and, coupled with low N resorption efficiency and high litterfall, resulted in a return of as much as 169 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) to the soil. We estimated that approximately 70% of N returned to the soil was from symbiotic N fixation resulting in an ecosystem input of between 37 and 118 kg ha(-1) year(-1) of atmospheric N depending on site. Considering the extensive cover of shrub thickets on Virginia barrier islands, N fixation by shrubs is likely the largest single source of N to the system. The shift from grassland to shrub thicket on barrier islands results in a substantial increase in litterfall and foliar N concentration that will likely have a major impact on the size and cycling of ecosystem C and N pools. Increasing C and N availability in these nutrient-poor soils is likely to permanently reduce cover of native grasses and alter community structure by favoring species with greater N requirements.

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Nitrogen Fixation in the Bayberry (Myrica Pensylvanica) and Its Role in Coastal Succession

Cited by 45 publications

References 18 publications

Facilitative effects of a sand dune shrub on species growing beneath the shrub canopy

Facilitative effects of a sand dune shrub on species growing beneath the shrub canopy

<em>Rosa rugosa</em> as an Invader of Coastal Sand Dunes of Cape Breton Island and Mainland of Nova Scotia

Shifts in litterfall and dominant nitrogen sources after expansion of shrub thickets

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