Open AccessPlant community composition affects the species biogeochemical niche
Author(s) -
Urbina Ifigenia,
Sardans Jordi,
Grau Oriol,
Beierkuhnlein Carl,
Jentsch Anke,
Kreyling Jüergen,
Peñuelas Josep
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ecosphere
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.255
H-Index - 57
ISSN - 2150-8925
DOI - 10.1002/ecs2.1801
Subject(s) - holcus lanatus , vaccinium myrtillus , biogeochemical cycle , biology , calluna , botany , plant community , niche , ecology , ericaceae , lolium perenne , ecological succession , poaceae
Nutrients are essential for plant development, and their availability and stoichiometric ratios can influence the composition of plant communities. We investigated the possibility of the reverse influence: whether the conditions of contrasting species coexistence determine foliar element concentrations and plant stoichiometry, that is, species biogeochemical niche ( BN ). The experiment was conducted at the Ecological‐Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth, Germany. We analyzed foliar element concentrations of two dwarf shrubs ( Calluna vulgaris and Vaccinium myrtillus ) and two grasses ( Holcus lanatus and Arrhenatherum elatius ) growing in different community compositions (monocultures and various mixed stands). Foliar nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry (taken as a proxy of species BN ) were species specific; each species showed its own BN in all communities. Furthermore, V. myrtillus and H. lanatus species shifted their BN in response to changes in their community, accomplishing the “ biogeochemical niche displacement ” hypothesis. We conclude that plants can readjust their foliar element concentration if they grow in communities with contrasting plant composition, suggesting a differential use of element resources when the patterns of species coexistence change. These results also support the complementary niche hypothesis.