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Seasonal dynamics of nitrogen cycling for a Prosopis woodland in the Sonoran Desert

Dinamica estacional del ciclo de nitrógeno de un bosque de Prosopis en el desierto Sonorense

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Abstract

Prosopis woodlands in the Sonoran Desert have levels of above-ground biomass and productivity much higher than those predicted for desert plant communities with such low levels of precipitation. A stand ofP. glandulosa near the Salton Sea, California, has 13,000 kg ha−1 aboveground biomass and a productivity of 3700 kg ha−1 yr−1. Such a high level of productivity is possible because Prosopis is decoupled from the normal limiting factors of water and nitrogen availability. Soil nitrogen contents for the upper 60 cm of soil beneath Prosopis canopies have 1020 g m−2 total nitrogen, 25 per cent of which is in the form of nitrate. Such accumulations of nitrogen may be the result of active symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Early estimates suggest that about 25–30 kg N ha−1 yr−1 is fixed in these stands. Since Prosopis covers only 34% of the ground surface and its water resources are not limiting, much higher levels of nitrogen fixation and productivity may be possible in managed stands at greater densities.

Resumen

Los bosques de Prosopis en el desierto Sonorense tienen niveles de producción de biomasa (parte aérea) y productividad mucho mayores que las predecibles para comunidades de plantas de desierto con muy bajos niveles de precipitación. Los bosques freatofiticos deP. glandulosa cerca del Mar de Salton, California, producen 13 000 kg ha−1 de biomasa aérea con una productividad 3700 kg ha−1 año−1. Tan alto nivel de productividad es posible porque Prosopis no es afectado por los factores que limitan la aprovechabilidad de agua y nitrógeno.

Los primeros 60 cm del perfil del suelo bajo el dosel de Prosopis contienen 1020 g m−2 de nitrógeno total, el 25% existe en la forma de nitrato. Tales acumulaciones de nitrógeno pueden ser el resultado de la fijación simbiótica activa. Los primeros valores estimados sugieren que son fijados entre 25–30 kg N ha−1 año−1 en estos bosques. Puesto que Prosopis cubre solamente 34% de esta área y sus recursos de agua no son limitantes, puede ser posible la obtención de mayores niveles de fijación de nitrógeno y productividad de los cultivos si se manejan con mayores densidades.

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Rundel, P.W., Nilsen, E.T., Sharifi, M.R. et al. Seasonal dynamics of nitrogen cycling for a Prosopis woodland in the Sonoran Desert. Plant Soil 67, 343–353 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02182781

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