Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nitrogen uptake

Apparent pattern during old field succession in Southeastern U.S.

  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Nitrogen uptake from applied nutrient solutions was evaluated in two old fields, in a pine plantation, and in a hardwood stand, to test the idea that plant communities become more efficient trappers and retainers of plant nutrients during succession. Uptake was estimated as the difference between nutrient concentrations in water collected from beneath soil profiles with and without roots by lysimeters within each successional stage. Results suggest that nitrate uptake decreased while ammonia uptake increased with succession. This apparent shift from a nitrate to an ammonia nitrogen economy during succession has been reported by other workers and is evolutionarily significant as an energy, nitrogen, and cation saving mechanism.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aydelott, D.G., Green, T.W.: Soils of the savannah river project. Aiken, South Carolina. Unpubl. Manuscript, Forest Service Hdq., Savannah River Plant (1971)

  • Chapin F.S. III: Morphological and physiological mechanisms of temperature compensation in phosphate absorption along a latitudinal gradient. Ecology 55, 1180–1189 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochran, P.H., Marion, G.M., Leaf, A.L.: Variations in tension lysimeter leachate volumes. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc. 34, 309–311 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole, D.W.: A system for measuring conductivity, acidity, and rate of water flow in a forest soil. Water Resources Research 4(5), 1127–1136 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dugdale, R.C.: Nutrient limitation in the sea: dynamics, indentification, and significance. Limnol. & Oceanogr. 12, 685–695 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eppley, R.W., Rogers, J.N., McCarthy, J.H.: Half-saturation constants for uptake of nitrate and ammonium by marine phytoplankton. Limnol. & Oceanogr. 14, 912–920 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, F.: Mineral nutrition of plants: principles and perspectives, 412 pp. New York: Wiley 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Fried, M., Broeshart, H.: The soil-plant system in relation to inorganic nutrition, 358 pp. New York: Academic Press 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Jefferies, R.L., Laycock, D., Stewart, G.R., Sims, A.P.: The properties of mechanisms involved in the uptake and utilization of calcium and potassium by plants in relation to an understanding of plant distribution, pp. 281–307. In: Ecological aspects of mineral nutrition of plants. (I.H. Rorison, ed.) 484 pp. Oxford: Blackwell 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Koroleff, F.: Direct determination of ammonia as indophenol blue. ICES information on techniques and methods for sea water analysis. Interlab Rep. 3, 19–22 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Likens, G.E., Bormann, G.H., Johnson, N.M.: Nitrification: importance to nutrient losses from a cutover forest ecosystem. Science 163, 1205–1206 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Likens, G.E., Bormann, F.H., Johnson N.M., Fisher, D.W., Pierce, R.S.: Effect of forest cutting and herbicide treatment on nutrient budgets in Hubbard-Brook watershed-ecosystem. Ecol. Monogr. 40, 23–47 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum, E.P.: Organic production and turnover in old field succession. Ecology 41(1), 34–49 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum, E.P.: The strategy of ecolsystem development. Science 164, 262–270 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice, E.L., Pancholy, S.K.: Inhibition of nitrification by climax ecosystems. Amer. J. Bot. 59(10), 1033–1040 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice, E.L., Pancholy, S.K.: Inhibition of nitrification by climax ecosystems. II. Additional evidence and possible role of tannins. Amer. J. Bot. 60(7), 691–702 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Solorzano, L.: Determination of ammonia in natural waters by the phenolhypochlorite method. Limnol. & Oceanogr. 14, 799–801 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickland, J.D.H. Parsons, T.R.: A practical handbook of seawater analysis. Bulletin 167, Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 311 pp. (1968)

  • Tanner, C.B. Bourget, S.J., Holmes, W.E.: Moisture tension plates constructed from alundum filter discs. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. Proc. 18, 222–223 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd, R.L., Swank, W.T., Douglass, J.E., Kerr, P.C., Brockway, D.L., Monk, C.D.: The relationship between nitrate concentration in the Southern Appalachian mountain streams and terrestrial nitrifiers. Agro-Ecosystems 2, 127–132 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Went, F.W., Stark, N. Mycorrhiza. Bioscience 18(11) 1035–1039 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiltshire, G.H.: Response of grasses to nitrogen source. J. Appl. Ecol. 10(2), 429–435 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodwell, G.M.: Success, succession, and Adam Smith. Bioscience 24(2), 81–87 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. B. L. Haines

    Present address: Botany Department, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, Georgia, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Illinois State University, 61761, Normal, Illinois, USA

    B. L. Haines

Authors
  1. B. L. Haines
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Haines, B.L. Nitrogen uptake. Oecologia 26, 295–303 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345529

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345529

Keywords

Search

Navigation