학술논문

An experimental investigation into the effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on two semi-natural grasslands
Document Type
Academic Journal
Source
The Journal of Ecology. Sept, 1994, Vol. 82 Issue 3, p475, 9 p. table
Subject
Soils -- Nitrogen content
Grasslands -- Environmental aspects
Biomineralization -- Research
Language
ISSN
0022-0477
Abstract
1 A series of ammonium nitrate additions have been made to calcareous and acidi grasslands in the Peak District of Great Britain to simulate increasing loads o nitrogen deposition. Supplementary plots investigated (i) the effects of glucos addition, (ii) the role of phosphorus limitation, and (iii) compared the impact of ammonium nitrate with that of ammonium sulphate. 2 Ammonium sulphate caused a decline in the moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus on the acid site, but no other change in vegetation composition was detected after 3 years of any treatment. 3 Plant nitrogen concentration and nitrate reductase activity increased with increasing nitrogen supply in most of the vascular plants, and there was no los of the capacity for induction in nitrate reductase activity. In contrast, nitrate reductase activity declined in the moss R. squarrosus and there was a loss of induceability. Leaf and shoot growth did not change with nitrogen additions. 4 Plant growth appeared to be colimited by phosphorus and nitrogen supply on th calcareous site. Any changes in vegetation composition would result from subtle changes in chemical composition and physiology, rather than differences in growth response of different species, and would be expected to take many years. 5 Data gathered at the site suggest that atmospheric deposition is a larger source of plant nitrogen supply than mineralization in the soil. Soil nitrogen mineralization rate was also stimulated by additional nitrogen input.