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Strategies in nitrogen uptake and use by deciduous and evergreen woody species in a seasonally dry sandhill community

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Abstract

Background

Dry seasonal ecosystems such as the Florida sandhill are defined by a pronounced and consistent dry season that results in both water and nutrient limitation. Deciduous and evergreen species have evolved different leaf phenologies, which change the temporal pattern of nutrient demands for leaf growth.

Methods

To measure N uptake for deciduous and evergreen species during late dry season deciduous leaf-out, we labeled the shallow soil with 15N by spreading a mixture of native sand and 15N-KNO3 around each tree and measured foliar nitrogen isotopic composition. We also measured foliar N content and nitrogen resorption efficiency (NRE).

Results

Evergreen and deciduous species were not consistently different in foliar N content and NRE, but natural foliar δ15N values were consistently higher in deciduous species. Labeling experiments show that uptake rate of 15N- labeled NO3 − was lowest for the deciduous species.

Conclusions

Inconsistent results in foliar N content and NRE do not explain the differences in leaf habit in nutrient-poor ecosystems. Low N uptake during leaf-out limits deciduous species to the most fertile regions of the Florida scrub as well as in several other ecosystems, so that they can take up sufficient N to meet the demands of leaf growth.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Archbold Biological Station for allowing access to the Florida sandhill to conduct this research. Thanks to Patricia V. Ellsworth for assistance in field work and to Sonali Saha for reviewing this manuscript and giving insight and comments on how to improve it.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, PO Box 644236, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA

    Patrick Z. Ellsworth

  2. Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA

    Leonel S. L. Sternberg

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  1. Patrick Z. Ellsworth
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  2. Leonel S. L. Sternberg
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Correspondence to Patrick Z. Ellsworth.

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Responsible Editor: Ad C. Borstlap.

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Ellsworth, P.Z., Sternberg, L.S.L. Strategies in nitrogen uptake and use by deciduous and evergreen woody species in a seasonally dry sandhill community. Plant Soil 400, 165–175 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2715-y

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