Summary
Manuring by the many seals and seabirds forms the major source of N and P to the Marion Island terrestrial ecosystem and plants at manured sites exhibit enhanced vitality and increased N and P contents in their leaf tissue and saps. A similar effect results from small applications of NPK fertilizer. Non-manured soils possess very low levels of available N but substantial quantities of organic N.
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Smith, V.R. Animal-plant-soil nutrient relationships on Marion Island (Subantarctic). Oecologia 32, 239–253 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00366075
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00366075