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Nitrogen or phosphorus limitation in rich fens? - Edaphic differences explain contrasting results in vegetation development after fertilization

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Abstract

Background and aims

Many rich fens are threatened by high nutrient inputs, but the literature is inconsistent with respect to the type of nutrient limitation and the influence of edaphic characteristics.

Methods

We performed experiments with N- and P-fertilization in three endangered rich fen types: floating fen with Scorpidium scorpioides, non-floating fen with Scorpidium cossonii, floodplain fen with Hamatocaulis vernicosus. In addition, K-fertilization was carried out in the floodplain fen.

Results

The floodplain fen showed no response to P-addition, but N- and K-addition led to grass encroachment and decline of moss cover and species richness. In contrast, in the P-limited floating fen with S. scorpioides, P-addition led to increased vascular plant production at the expense of moss cover. Scorpidium scorpioides, however, also declined after N-addition, presumably due to ammonium toxicity. The fen with S. cossonii took an intermediate position, with NP co-limitation. These striking contrasts corresponded with edaphic differences. The N-limited fen showed low Ca:Fe ratios and labile N-concentrations, and high concentrations of plant-available P and Fe-bound P. The P-limited fen showed an opposite pattern with high Ca:Fe ratios and labile N-concentrations, and low P-concentrations.

Conclusions

This implies that edaphic characteristics dictate the nature of nutrient limitation, and explain contrasting effects of N- and P-eutrophication in different fens.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Roy Peters, Germa Verheggen, Jelle Eygensteyn, Leen de Lange, Richard van Heck and Leo Hoitinga for their technical assistance, Jan Roelofs for critically reviewing the manuscript, my family for their kind assistance during the fieldwork, and Emiel van Loon for his statistical advice. Natuurmonumenten and State Forestry (SBB) are thanked for allowing us to carry out the fertilization experiments in their nature reserves. We also want to thank Scotts International, in particular Marieke de Vries, for donating slow-release fertilizer. This study was funded by the Water Management Authority “Reest & Wieden”, the Dutch province of Overijssel and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, as a part of the Research Programme “Ontwikkeling + Beheer Natuurkwaliteit” (OBN).

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Correspondence to Casper Cusell.

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Responsible Editor: Harry Olde Venterink..

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Initial soil characteristics (per unit mass) for the three rich fens. (PDF 338 kb)

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Cusell, C., Kooijman, A. & Lamers, L.P.M. Nitrogen or phosphorus limitation in rich fens? - Edaphic differences explain contrasting results in vegetation development after fertilization. Plant Soil 384, 153–168 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2193-7

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