Seabird colony effects on soil properties and vegetation zonation patterns on King George Island, Maritime Antarctic

Zwolicki, Adrian; Barcikowski, Mateusz; Barcikowski, Adam; Cymerski, Mariusz; Stempniewicz, Lech; Convey, Peter

doi:10.1007/s00300-015-1730-z

Cited by 38 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Large amounts of bird droppings, remains of dead fledglings, eggshells etc. ensure lush growth of the plants during the short season (Anderson and Polis 1999;Vidal et al 2003;Stempniewicz et al 2007;Zwolicki et al 2015). Nutrient enrichment consistently selects for fastgrowing species that outcompete slower-growing, more stress-tolerant species (Hooper et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The structure of Cochlearia groenlandica population along the bird colony influence gradient (Hornsund, Spitsbergen)

et al. 2015

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In spite of general knowledge that guano deposited near seabird colonies enhances fertility of poor polar soils, improves primary production and influences the tundra plant community, there are very few quantitative studies concerning plant responses to ornithogenic fertilization on the population level. We studied density, size variability and proportions of generative to vegetative individuals of polar scurvygrass Cochlearia groenlandica along a seabird influence gradient in south-west Spitsbergen. We found the seabird colony effect to being a predominant factor determining local ascurvygrass population structure. Plant density was increasing starting from the foot of the cliff (820 ind/m 2 ) and reaching the highest value (7500 ind/m 2 ) about 30 m from the colony. This density peak was a result of the flowering plants occurring in the area above in the highest number which produced plenty of seeds germinating several metres below. The density of flowering plants was significantly correlated with the physical and chemical features of the soil but concerned only small individuals (1-4 cm), whose numbers were negatively correlated with the level of available nutrients, and large-sized (13-20 cm) plants, which were correlated positively. The only significant factor influencing flowering plant density along the bird colony gradient was the content of organic matter in the soil. In the control transect, total plant density was three orders of magnitude lower. No or weak correlations were found between plant density and soil characteristics along that transect. Our study supports the hypothesis that seabirds have fundamental importance not only for vegetation abundance in the nutrient-poor Arctic environment but also to determine plant population structure in the vicinity of large breeding colonies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The structure of Cochlearia groenlandica population along the bird colony influence gradient (Hornsund, Spitsbergen)

et al. 2015

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“…60 t dry mass of feces km -2 within the breeding colony, and ∼25 t km -2 area around the colony (Stempniewicz, 1990). Such enormous amounts of fertilization, constituting locally the major source of nutrients for terrestrial ecosystems, have large impacts on arctic plant communities (Erskine et al, 1998; Ellis, 2005; Ellis et al, 2011; Zwolicki et al, 2015, 2016). Seabird nesting sites and their vicinities are characterized by much higher concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, and many other salts as compared to areas beyond the influence of the birds (Anderson and Polis, 1999; García et al, 2002; Zwolicki et al, 2013, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such enormous amounts of fertilization, constituting locally the major source of nutrients for terrestrial ecosystems, have large impacts on arctic plant communities (Erskine et al, 1998; Ellis, 2005; Ellis et al, 2011; Zwolicki et al, 2015, 2016). Seabird nesting sites and their vicinities are characterized by much higher concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, and many other salts as compared to areas beyond the influence of the birds (Anderson and Polis, 1999; García et al, 2002; Zwolicki et al, 2013, 2015). Local soil fertilization causes a significant increase in plant biomass and changes in life history strategy (Anderson and Polis, 1999; Vidal et al, 2003; Ellis et al, 2006; Zmudczyńska-Skarbek et al, 2013; Wojciechowska et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential Responses of Arctic Vegetation to Nutrient Enrichment by Plankton- and Fish-Eating Colonial Seabirds in Spitsbergen

Zwolicki

Zmudczyńska-Skarbek

Matuła³

et al. 2016

Front. Plant Sci.

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The role of seabirds as sea-land biovectors of nutrients is well documented. However, no studies have examined whether and how colonial seabirds that differ in diet may influence terrestrial vegetation. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to describe and compare plant communities located in the vicinity of the two most common types of seabird colonies in Arctic, occupied by piscivorous or planktivorous species. Within 46 plots arranged in four transects in the vicinity of planktivorous (little auk, Alle alle) and piscivorous colonies (mixed colony of Brunnich’s guillemot, Uria lomvia, and black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla) we measured the following: guano deposition, physical and chemical characteristics of soil, total nitrogen and its stable isotope signatures in soil and plants, ground vegetation cover of vascular plants and mosses, and the occurrence of lichens, algae and cyanobacteria. Using LINKTREE analysis, we distinguished five plant communities, which reflected declining influence along a birds fertilization gradient measured as guano deposition. SIMPROOF test revealed that these communities differed significantly in species composition, with the differences related to total soil nitrogen content and δ15N, distinctive levels of phosphates, potassium and nitrates, and physical soil properties, i.e., pH, conductivity and moisture. The communities were also clearly distinguished by distance from the bird colony. The two colony types promoted development of specific plant communities: the immediate vicinity of the planktivorous colony characterized by a Deschampsia alpina–Cerastium arcticum community while under the piscivorous colony a Cochlearia groenlandica–Poa alpina community was present. Despite the similar size of the colonies and similar magnitude of guano input, differences between ornithogenic communities were connected mostly to phosphate content in the soil. Our results show that the guano input from seabirds which have different diets can affect High Arctic vegetation in specific and more complex ways than previously realized.

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“…Depending on requirements, tolerance and adaptation capabilities, species richness and plant community coverage (including cyanobacterial and algal assemblages) change (Theodose and Bowman 1997;Pennings et al 2005;Zelenskaya and Khoreva 2006;Smykla et al 2007). That way ornithocoprophilous habitats characterized by particular cyanobacterial and algal assemblages, mosses and vascular plant communities form in the range of nesting birds (Hogg and Morton 1983;Myrcha and Tatur 1991;Elvebakk 1994;Matuła et al 2007;Jakubas et al 2008;Richter et al 2009Richter et al , 2014Richter et al , 2015Zwolicki et al 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyanobacterial and algal diversity in the vicinity of two different seabird colonies in Spitsbergen

Pietryka¹,

Richter²,

Matuła³

2016

Polish Polar Research

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Abstract:The aim of the study was to compare cyanobacterial and algal assemblages occurring in ornithocoprophilous habitats formed under the influence of two seabird colonies (mixed colony of piscivorous Uria lomvia and Rissa tridactyla and planktivorous Alle alle) nesting on the southwest side of Hornsund (Spitsbergen). Various influences of the bird colonies (e.g. surface trophy, treading) lead to the formation of ornithogenic habitats with quantitatively and qualitatively diverse cyanobacterial and algal assemblages. Only 6 species common to both habitats were identified, but due to their different proportions the similarity ended there. Cyanobacterial and algal assemblages of both ornithogenic habitats also react rather differently to the intensity of the bird colonies' influence. The assemblages located directly beneath piscivorous bird nests were characterized by a larger number of species, which decreased the farther from the colony it was. Cyanobacterial and algal assemblages located directly next to planktivorous bird nests were species poor, but species richness increased at locations farther from their direct influence. The obtained results confirmed that bird colonies characterized by different diet and behavior influenced the formation of two separate, quantitatively and qualitatively different cyanobacterial and algal assemblages. Species such as Eucapsis sp., Gleocapsopsis sp., Gloeothece sp., Woronichinia sp., Hematococcus sp. were characteristic for algae and cyanobacteria assemblages in the vicinity of piscivorous bird colonies, whereas Aphanocapsa sp., Gloeothece sp., Komvophoron minutum, Pseudanabaena sp., Gloeocystis sp. 2 occurred in the vicinity of planktivorous bird colonies.

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Seabird colony effects on soil properties and vegetation zonation patterns on King George Island, Maritime Antarctic

Cited by 38 publications

References 46 publications

The structure of Cochlearia groenlandica population along the bird colony influence gradient (Hornsund, Spitsbergen)

The structure of Cochlearia groenlandica population along the bird colony influence gradient (Hornsund, Spitsbergen)

Differential Responses of Arctic Vegetation to Nutrient Enrichment by Plankton- and Fish-Eating Colonial Seabirds in Spitsbergen

Cyanobacterial and algal diversity in the vicinity of two different seabird colonies in Spitsbergen

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