Soil-geomorphology relationships determine the distribution of the main subalpine grasslands in the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain)

Badía, David; Buendía-García, Lucía; Longares-Aladrén, Luis Alberto; Martí-Dalmau, Clara; Peña-Monné, Jose Luís; González‐Pérez, José Antonío; Gómez-García, D.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139121

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 47 publications

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“…Armas-Herrera et al (2020) showed that patches of Nardus grassland can coexist within a few meters of patches of grasses and herbs that prefer calcareous soils (usually referred to as chalk grassland), resulting in a repeating vegetation mosaic characteristic of certain high-mountain areas of the Pyrenees. This pattern results from differential soil erosion, which creates soil conditions conducive to either chalk grasslands or Nardus grasslands (Badía-Villas et al 2020). The studies by Armas-Herrera et al (2020) and Badía-Villas et al (2020) revealed contrasting soil thickness, stoniness, acid/base status (pH, Ca) and organic matter-related properties among patches of Nardus and chalk grasslands.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient stoichiometry mediates the patchy coexistence of two subalpine grassland types

Hernández,

Armas-Herrera,

Badía-Villas

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background and Aims High mountain areas often show high soil heterogeneity that allows for the close coexistence of plant species and communities with contrasting resource requirements. This study investigates the nutritional factors driving the mosaic distribution of Nardus stricta L. grasslands and chalk grasslands dominated by forbs in the subalpine southern Pyrenees (Spain). Methods The concentrations of C, N, P, S, K, Ca and fiber fractions were analyzed in herbage in relation to soil nutrient availability, soil β–glucosidase, urease, phosphatase and arylsulfatase activity and plant species and functional type composition. Results The chalk grassland showed higher N:P ratios in herbage and higher enzyme demand for P relative to N in the soil, which indicate a greater limitation of P versus N compared to the Nardus grassland. This limitation was related to the higher soil and plant Ca levels in the chalk grassland, where the calcareous bedrock lies close to the soil surface. In the Nardus grasslands, the alleviation of P limitation translated into higher productivity and replacement of forbs with taller graminoids rich in structural carbohydrates, which was accompanied by greater β–D–glucosidase activity. The plant N:K and P:K ratios indicated potential K deficiency in both grasslands, which resulted from a decreased uptake of K due to competition from Ca, as indicated by the correlation between plant K and the soil K+:Ca2+ ratio. Conclusions Our results highlight the effect of the heterogeneity of soil nutrient constraints, as mediated by their stoichiometry and controlled by local topography, on the biodiversity of high mountain ecosystems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient stoichiometry mediates the patchy coexistence of two subalpine grassland types

Hernández,

Armas-Herrera,

Badía-Villas

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Mosaic coexistence of two subalpine grassland types as a consequence of soil nutrient heterogeneity

Mora,

Armas–Herrera,

Gómez

et al. 2024

CATENA

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Topsoil microstructure changes after a shrubland prescribed burn (Central Pyrenees, NE Spain)

Badía

Esteban-Piñeiro

Girona-García

et al. 2020

Science of The Total Environment

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Soil-geomorphology relationships determine the distribution of the main subalpine grasslands in the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain)

Abstract: Soil-geomorphology relationships determine the distribution of the main subalpine grasslands in the Central Pyrenees (NE, Spain)

Cited by 3 publications

References 47 publications

Nutrient stoichiometry mediates the patchy coexistence of two subalpine grassland types

Nutrient stoichiometry mediates the patchy coexistence of two subalpine grassland types

Mosaic coexistence of two subalpine grassland types as a consequence of soil nutrient heterogeneity

Topsoil microstructure changes after a shrubland prescribed burn (Central Pyrenees, NE Spain)

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