ISSN:
1573-5052
Keywords:
Biomass
;
Heathland
;
Inland dunes
;
Nitrogen
;
Organic matter
;
Phosphorus
;
Production
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Inland dunes in northwestern Europe support a number of dry vegetation types. These ecosystems are poor in nutrients and it has been suggested that accumulation of nutrients triggers succession in such systems. We studied the accumulation of organic matter and N and P over a 30 months period in two adjacent ecosystems, the Spergulo-Corynephoretum and the Genisto-Callunetum. Amounts of plant matter and soil organic matter significantly accumulated during the sampling period in the Genisto-Callunetum but not in the Spergulo-Corynephoretum. While nutrient concentrations of live and dead phytomass in the Spergulo-Corynephoretum were significantly higher than in the Genisto-Callunetum, total nutrient contents in the systems showed the opposite pattern. N and P concentrations in litter were relatively high compared with the other fractions of plant matter and the amount of N significantly increased in both ecosystems during the sampling period. Soil moisture contents showed a seasonal pattern. It was highest in the top soil layer and higher in the Genisto-Callunetum than in the Spergulo-Corynephoretum. The estimated annual increase of total N in these two ecosystems was consistent with rates of atmospheric N deposition (wet fall + dry fall) measured in comparable Dutch sites.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00034345
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