Nutrient cycling and nutrient limitation in tropical montane cloud forests

Benner, Jon W.; Vitousek, Peter M.; Ostertag, Rebecca

doi:10.1017/cbo9780511778384.009

Cited by 29 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…The similar density of non‐herbivore caterpillars in both elevational zones was surprising, as we expected that mid‐elevational zones of montane rainforest might represent more suitable habitats for especially these guild. Here, dead organic matter shows a beneficial ratio between the decomposition rate and nutrient content, whereas at higher elevations nutrient content in litter might be too low to serve as an appropriate food source (Benner et al ., ; Werner & Homeier, ). However, this does not seem to affect the non‐herbivore caterpillar‐feeding guild associated with Chusquea .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caterpillar assemblages on Chusquea bamboos in southern Ecuador: abundance, guild structure, and the influence of host plant quality

Seifert

Lehner

Bodner

et al. 2016

Ecological Entomology

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1. Information on the guild structure of foliage‐associated tropical insects is scarce, especially as caterpillars are mostly considered only as herbivores feeding on living leaves. However, many caterpillar species display alternative trophic associations, feeding on dead or withered leaves or epiphylls (‘non‐herbivores’). 2. To determine the contribution of these non‐herbivores, caterpillar communities associated with Chusquea Kunth (Poaceae) in the Andes of southern Ecuador were investigated. Caterpillars were collected at two elevation levels (montane rainforest ∼2000 m and elfin forest at ∼3000 m a.s.l.) and assigned to three feeding guilds (strict herbivores, non‐herbivores, and switchers) based on feeding trials. Foliage quality and leaf area were recorded to test for their influence on guild composition and caterpillar density. 3. Three hundred and eighty‐nine individuals belonging to 175 Lepidoptera species associated with Chusquea bamboos were found. The species richness of caterpillars was similarly high at both elevation levels but varied between feeding guilds. Approximately half (46.5%) displayed an alternative feeding association, i.e. were non‐herbivores (31.1%) or switchers (15.4%). 4. Caterpillar density was nearly two‐fold higher in the elfin forest, but only strict herbivores and switchers increased significantly with elevation. Leaf area positively influenced the density of strict herbivores and switchers; foliage quality only affected strict herbivores. The density of non‐herbivores did not differ significantly between the forest types and was not related to leaf area or foliage quality. 5. The present study underpins that non‐herbivores make up a considerable fraction of caterpillar communities in tropical mountain ecosystems and demonstrates that elevation, foliage quality and available plant biomass further shape feeding guild composition.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caterpillar assemblages on Chusquea bamboos in southern Ecuador: abundance, guild structure, and the influence of host plant quality

Seifert

Lehner

Bodner

et al. 2016

Ecological Entomology

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“…These variables have been investigated in lowland tropical forests, but they have rarely been studied in tropical montane forests. Tropical montane forests typically maintain lower above-ground productivity, lower soil nutrient concentrations and slower nutrient turnover than tropical lowland forests (Bruijnzeel and Proctor 1995;Benner et al 2010). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal production, allocation and cycling of carbon in two mid-elevation tropical montane forest plots in the Peruvian Andes

Huasco

Girardin

Doughty

et al. 2013

Plant Ecology & Diversity

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Background: Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) are unique ecosystems with high biodiversity and large carbon reservoirs. To date there have been limited descriptions of the carbon cycle of TMCF. Aims: We present results on the production, allocation and cycling of carbon for two mid-elevation (1500-1750 m) tropical montane cloud forest plots in San Pedro, Kosñipata Valley, Peru. Methods: We repeatedly recorded the components of net primary productivity (NPP) using biometric measurements, and autotrophic (R a ) and heterotrophic (R h ) respiration, using gas exchange measurements. From these we estimated gross primary productivity (GPP) and carbon use efficiency (CUE) at the plot level. Results: The plot at 1500 m was found very productive, with our results comparable with the most productive lowland Amazonian forests. The plot at 1750 m had significantly lower productivity, possibly because of greater cloud immersion. Both plots had similar patterns of NPP allocation, a substantial seasonality in NPP components and little seasonality in R a . Conclusions: These two plots lie within the ecotone between lower and upper montane forests, near the level of the cloud base. Climate change is likely to increase elevation of the cloud base, resulting in shifts in forest functioning. Longer-term surveillance of the carbon cycle at these sites would yield valuable insights into the response of TMCFs to a shifting cloud base.

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“…1993, Vitousek et al . 1994, Pendry & Proctor 1996, Kitayama & Aiba 2002), leading to larger soil N stocks in montane forests than in lowland forests (Bruijnzeel & Proctor 1995, Benner et al . in press). All else being equal, these soil N pools should accumulate to the point where even slow turnover of a large soil N pool is sufficient to supply the vegetation with adequate N, but the persistence of low N cycling and reduced foliar N suggests that N accumulation does not continue to this point in most montane forests.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2000, Carrillo et al . 2002), inputs via biological N fixation may be substantially lower (Benner et al . in press). Montane forests have few legumes and actinorhizal fixers, especially compared to lowland forests (Gentry 1995, Crews 1999), so symbiotic fixation by vegetation is probably not a major N input.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Phosphorus Fertilization Increases the Abundance and Nitrogenase Activity of the Cyanolichen Pseudocyphellaria crocata in Hawaiian Montane Forests

et al. 2007

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Nitrogen‐fixing epiphytes (especially lichens with a cyanobacterial symbiont—cyanolichens) have the potential to contribute significant amounts of nitrogen (N) to montane tropical forests, which are typically low in N—but the factors controlling the abundance and distribution of epiphytic cyanolichens are poorly understood. In long‐term fertilization experiments in montane forests on a 4.l million‐yr‐old Oxisol on the island of Kauà'i and on a 152‐yr‐old lava flow on the island of Hawai'i, the epiphytic cyanolichen Pseudocyphellaria crocata increased significantly in abundance in canopies of host trees fertilized with phosphorus (P). There was no response to fertilization with N or other essential elements. Nitrogen‐fixation rates were also elevated in lichens in P‐fertilized plots at both sites. Phosphorus supply to host trees may be an important factor controlling N inputs to montane tropical forests by N‐fixing epiphytes.

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Nutrient cycling and nutrient limitation in tropical montane cloud forests

Cited by 29 publications

References 99 publications

Caterpillar assemblages on Chusquea bamboos in southern Ecuador: abundance, guild structure, and the influence of host plant quality

Caterpillar assemblages on Chusquea bamboos in southern Ecuador: abundance, guild structure, and the influence of host plant quality

Seasonal production, allocation and cycling of carbon in two mid-elevation tropical montane forest plots in the Peruvian Andes

Phosphorus Fertilization Increases the Abundance and Nitrogenase Activity of the Cyanolichen Pseudocyphellaria crocata in Hawaiian Montane Forests

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