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Water and nitrogen dynamics in an arid woodland

Oecologia volume 99, pages 233–242 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

Arid environments are characterized by spatial and temporal variation in water and nitrogen availability. differences in δ15N and δD of four co-occurring species reveal contrasting patterns of plant resource acquisition in response to this variation. Mineralization potential and nitrogen concentration of surface soils associated with plant canopies were greater than inter-canopy locations, and values decreased with increasing depth in both locations. Mineralization potential and nitrogen concentration were both negatively correlated with soil δ15N. The spatial variation in soil δ15N caused corresponding changes in plant δ15N such that plant δ15N values were negatively correlated with nitrogen concentration of surface soils. Plants occurring on soils with relatively high nitrogen concentrations had lower δ15N, and higher leaf nitrogen concentrations, than plants occurring on soils with relatively low nitrogen concentrations. Two general temporal patterns of water and nitrogen use were apparent. Three species (Juniperus, Pinus andArtemisia) relied on the episodic availability of water and nitrogen at the soil surface. δ15N values did not vary through the year, while xylem pressure potentials and stem-water δD values fluctuated with changes in soil moisture at the soil surface. In contrast,Chrysothamnus switched to a more stable water and nitrogen source during drought. δ15N values ofChrysothamnus increased throughout the year, while xylem pressure potentials and stem-water δD values remained constant. The contrasting patterns of resource acquisition have important implications for community stability following disturbance. Disturbance can cause a decrease in nitrogen concentration at the soil surface, and so plants that rely on surface water and nitrogen may be more susceptible than those that switch to more stable water and nitrogen sources at depth during drougnt.

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Author notes

  1. R. D. Evans

    Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, 72701, Fayetteville, AR, USA

Affiliations

  1. Stable Isotope Ratio Facility for Environmental Research, Department of Biology, University of Utah, 84112, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    R. D. Evans & J. R. Ehleringer

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  2. J. R. Ehleringer
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Evans, R.D., Ehleringer, J.R. Water and nitrogen dynamics in an arid woodland. Oecologia 99, 233–242 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00627735

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00627735

Key words

  • Cryptobiotic crust
  • Desert ecology
  • Nitrogen cycle
  • Stable isotopes
  • Water source