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The impact of 36 years of grazing management on soil nitrogen (N) supply rate and Salix repens N status and internal cycling in dune slacks

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A Commentary to this article was published on 27 September 2015

Abstract

Aims

To determine the impact of long-term rabbit and sheep grazing on Salix repens N status (green and abscised leaf N content and C:N ratio), internal N dynamics and soil N supply rate in dune slacks.

Methods

Herbivore exclosures were erected in dune slacks at Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR, creating three grazing treatments: rabbit grazing; rabbits excluded for 36 years; rabbit grazing followed by sheep and rabbit grazing for 18 years. Soil N supply rate was analysed using ion exchange membranes; leaf N dynamics of S. repens were measured over one summer.

Results

Soil N supply rate was higher in ungrazed plots. There was no difference in green leaf NMASS or C:N ratio between treatments, but N dynamics differed. Adding sheep to existing rabbit grazing reduced S. repens N resorption efficiency (REFF) from 67 to 37 %; excluding rabbits had no impact. Litter NMASS was lower and C:N ratio higher in ungrazed plots.

Conclusions

Grazing can impact significantly on leaf N resorption, but this impact depends on the grazing regime.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Botanical Society of the British Isles. The manuscript was greatly improved by the comments of three anonymous reviewers and Harry Olde Venterink.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Hydrological and Ecosystem Sciences, Department of Geography, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK

    J. Millett

  2. Prescot, Merseyside, UK

    S. Edmondson

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  1. J. Millett
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  2. S. Edmondson
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Correspondence to J. Millett.

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Responsible Editor: Harry Olde Venterink.

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Millett, J., Edmondson, S. The impact of 36 years of grazing management on soil nitrogen (N) supply rate and Salix repens N status and internal cycling in dune slacks. Plant Soil 396, 411–420 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2628-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2628-9

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