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  • Overlap in nitrogen sources and redistribution of nitrogen between trees and grasses in a semi-arid savanna

    Author(s)
    Priyadarshini, K. V. R.
    Prins, Herbert H. T.
    Bie, Steven
    Heitkonig, Ignas M. A.
    Woodborne, Stephan
    Gort, Gerrit
    Kirkman, Kevin
    Fry, Brian
    Kroon, Hans
    Griffith University Author(s)
    Fry, Brian D.
    Year published
    2014
    Metadata
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    Abstract
    A key question in savanna ecology is how trees and grasses coexist under N limitation. We used N stable isotopes and N content to study N source partitioning across seasons from trees and associated grasses in a semi-arid savanna. We also used 15N tracer additions to investigate possible redistribution of N by trees to grasses. Foliar stable N isotope ratio (δ15N) values were consistent with trees and grasses using mycorrhiza-supplied N in all seasons except in the wet season when they switched to microbially fixed N. The dependence of trees and grasses on mineralized soil N seemed highly unlikely based on seasonal variation ...
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    A key question in savanna ecology is how trees and grasses coexist under N limitation. We used N stable isotopes and N content to study N source partitioning across seasons from trees and associated grasses in a semi-arid savanna. We also used 15N tracer additions to investigate possible redistribution of N by trees to grasses. Foliar stable N isotope ratio (δ15N) values were consistent with trees and grasses using mycorrhiza-supplied N in all seasons except in the wet season when they switched to microbially fixed N. The dependence of trees and grasses on mineralized soil N seemed highly unlikely based on seasonal variation in mineralization rates in the Kruger Park region. Remarkably, foliar δ15N values were similar for all three tree species differing in the potential for N fixation through nodulation. The tracer experiment showed that N was redistributed by trees to understory grasses in all seasons. Our results suggest that the redistribution of N from trees to grasses and uptake of N was independent of water redistribution. Although there is overlap of N sources between trees and grasses, dependence on biological sources of N coupled with redistribution of subsoil N by trees may contribute to the coexistence of trees and grasses in semi-arid savannas.
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    Journal Title
    Oecologia
    Volume
    174
    Issue
    4
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-013-2848-8
    Subject
    Ecosystem Function
    Ecology
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/58474
    Collection
    • Journal articles

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