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Separation of grassland litter and ecosite influences on seasonal soil moisture and plant growth dynamics

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Abstract

While plant litter is known to regulate soil moisture, little is known about the extent to which litter impacts moisture over and above the physical environment (i.e., ecosite) throughout the growing season, particularly in cool-temperate grasslands where moisture is considered less limiting for plant growth. In this study, we examined the relative impact of litter and ecosite on growing season soil moisture in a northern rough fescue (Festuca hallii) grassland. We also examined the relationship between litter and plant biomass throughout the growing season, including linkages between litter, plant growth, and the effects of litter on microclimate. During May, only ecosite was found to be associated with soil moisture, with a similar finding for plant biomass. Litter became important in maintaining greater soil moisture in June and July, however, likely through its corresponding negative impact on soil temperature and associated evaporation. In general, litter had a stronger and more consistent influence on soil moisture than ecosite. Finally, litter had a positive relationship with above-ground biomass, but only during June and July, the same months when litter exhibited the strongest relationship with soil moisture. Litter therefore appears to promote mid-season plant growth in these temperate grasslands, presumably through its ability to reduce evaporation and maintain greater soil water during seasonal moisture limitations.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (CGS-M scholarship to ESD), the Alberta Conservation Association (Biodiversity Challenge Grants Program), and the University of Alberta (Range Management Post-Graduate Endowment). Support was also received through a Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship, a Margaret (Peg) Brown Award in Environmental Studies, and a Government of Alberta Graduate Student Scholarship. We thank Jennifer Caudron and Ivan Adamyk for field assistance, and Drs. David Chanasyk, Barry Irving, and Anne Naeth for providing feedback on an earlier version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2P5, Canada

    Eliza S. Deutsch & Edward W. Bork

  2. Agricultural and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, Lethbridge, AB, Canada

    Walter D. Willms

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  1. Eliza S. Deutsch
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  2. Edward W. Bork
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  3. Walter D. Willms
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Correspondence to Edward W. Bork.

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Deutsch, E.S., Bork, E.W. & Willms, W.D. Separation of grassland litter and ecosite influences on seasonal soil moisture and plant growth dynamics. Plant Ecol 209, 135–145 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-010-9729-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-010-9729-6

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