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Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum L. kuhn) promotes an open nitrogen cycle in heathland soils

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Abstract

Background and Aims

In spite of the broad array of studies conducted on the ecology of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) kuhn), there is currently only a limited understanding of how P. aquilinum alters the soil environment in which it succeeds. P. aquilinum is one of the world’s most aggressive invasive species and is known to effectively invade conservation priority habitats such as Calluna vulgaris (L.) heathland. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in soil properties between intact stands of C. vulgaris and neighboring P. aquilinum to assess how P. aquilinum alters soil N transformations in a manner that might promote its success.

Methods

Replicate plots in five independently paired stands of P. aquilinum and C. vulgaris were established on land in which P. aquilinum is actively invading. Soils under the two plant types were evaluated for total N, mineralisable N, net nitrification, nitrifier activity, denitrification enzyme activity, polyphenol N complexing capacity, and resin sorption of inorganic N.

Results

Soils under P. aquilinum were consistently higher in NO3 - and NH4 + concentrations compared to C. vulgaris. Extractable organic and inorganic N concentrations for soil under P. aquilinum were respectively 65 %, 77 % and 358 % greater in amino N NH4 +-N and NO3 --N compared to that under C. vulgaris. In-situ net nitrification (NO3 - sorption to ionic resins) was found to be nearly 300 times greater under P. aquilinum than under C. vulgaris.

Conclusions

P. aquilinum alters the soil environment as to create an inorganic N-rich environment that is favorable to its growth and development.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Sanatan Das Gupta, Kathi Ackermann, Rose Rusbridge, Emil DeLuca, Henry DeLuca, Sarah Chesworth, Sophie Ackermann, and Prabi Basnet for their assistance with field and laboratory work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, 107 Anderson Hall, Seattle, WA, 98195-2100, USA

    T. H. DeLuca

  2. School of the Environment, Natural Resources and Geography, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK

    T. H. DeLuca, S. A. Zewdie, J. R. Healey & D. L. Jones

  3. Institute for Subarctic Landscape Research, Silvermuseet, Arjeplog, S930 90, Sweden

    T. H. DeLuca & O. Zackrisson

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  1. T. H. DeLuca
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  2. S. A. Zewdie
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  3. O. Zackrisson
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  4. J. R. Healey
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  5. D. L. Jones
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Correspondence to T. H. DeLuca.

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DeLuca, T.H., Zewdie, S.A., Zackrisson, O. et al. Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum L. kuhn) promotes an open nitrogen cycle in heathland soils. Plant Soil 367, 521–534 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1484-0

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