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How Phosphorus Availability Affects the Impact of Nitrogen Deposition on Sphagnum and Vascular Plants in Bogs

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Abstract

To elucidate the impact of high nitrogen (N) deposition on intact bog vegetation, as affected by phosphorus (P) availability, we conducted a 4-year fertilization experiment with N and P at six sites, one with moderate N deposition and five with high N deposition. During the growing season, N (40 kg ha−1 ya−1), P (3 kg ha−1 y−1), or a combination of both elements was applied to the vegetation. The fertilization effects turned out to be additive in nature. Adding P decreased the inorganic N concentration and increased the P concentration in the rhizosphere at two sites. Furthermore, P stimulated Sphagnum growth and Sphagnum net primary productivity (NPP) at two sites; it also seemed to encourage growth at two other sites including the moderate-deposition site. Vascular plant growth remained largely unaffected but was depressed at one high-deposition site. Adding N increased the concentration of inorganic N in the rhizosphere at the moderate-deposition site and at two of the three high-deposition sites; vascular plant growth and litter production were encouraged at three high-deposition sites. The addition of N depressed Sphagnum height increment at four high deposition sites and reduced Sphagnum NPP at two sites. Shading by vascular plants was of minor importance in explaining the negative effects of N on Sphagnum. We conclude that because P alleviates the negative impact N has on Sphagnum by enhancing its capability to assimilate the deposited N, P availability is a major factor determining the impact of N deposition on Sphagnum production and thus on carbon sequestration in bogs.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management, and Fisheries. We are also indebted to Jan van Walsem for analyses of the never-ending flow of water samples, Monique Heijmans for her sympathetic ear, and Hilde Tomassen for her considerable help and support during shared moments of misery in the field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Bornsesteeg 69, NL-6708 PD, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Juul Limpens, Frank Berendse & Herman Klees

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  1. Juul Limpens
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  2. Frank Berendse
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  3. Herman Klees
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Correspondence to Juul Limpens.

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Limpens, J., Berendse, F. & Klees, H. How Phosphorus Availability Affects the Impact of Nitrogen Deposition on Sphagnum and Vascular Plants in Bogs. Ecosystems 7, 793–804 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-004-0274-9

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