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Comparison of P and cation cycling in two contrasting seasonally dry forest ecosystems

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Abstract

Context

Interactions of N and P cycles and those of other macro-elements in forests are scarcely known.

Aim

This study compares the P cycle in two very different forest ecosystems where soil P availability is low (tropical dry forest in Mexico and Mediterranean forest in Spain) in relation to Ca, K, and Mg cycles.

Methods

Compiled data belonging to these two forest sites are discussed, comparing the P and base cation budgets and exploring relationships among P and base cation cycles.

Results

Broad differences between input and output of base cations were observed. Analysis of the P budget indicates P retention inside both forest ecosystems. The tropical dry forest has higher nutrient contents than those found in the Mediterranean temperate forest. Chemical composition of forest leaves and litters, and base cation–P ratios varied according to soil P availability and cation concentrations. However, P resorption is higher in the tropical dry forest than in the temperate one.

Conclusion

This study reveals the existence of P retention at the ecosystem level in both forests, but suggested P limitation at the Mediterranean forest seems to be stronger than that occurring at the tropical forest.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the three anonymous reviewers for their very useful and constructive comments.

Funding

Fist author was partially supported by sabbatical fellowships from the Mexican Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (138403), the Dirección General de Apoyo al Personal Académico from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and the Spanish Ministerio de Educación.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 70-275, Mexico, DF, 04510, Mexico

    Julio Campo

  2. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología, CSIC, 37071, Salamanca, Spain

    Juan F. Gallardo

Authors
  1. Julio Campo
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  2. Juan F. Gallardo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julio Campo.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Matthias Dobbertin

Contribution of the co-authors

Julio Campo: designing the study, and writing the paper.

Juan F. Gallardo: writing the paper.

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Campo, J., Gallardo, J.F. Comparison of P and cation cycling in two contrasting seasonally dry forest ecosystems. Annals of Forest Science 69, 887–894 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-012-0216-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-012-0216-1

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