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Nutrient limitation in species‐rich Calthion grasslands in relation to opportunities for restoration in a peat meadow landscape
Author(s) -
Van de Riet B.P.,
Barendregt A.,
Brouns K.,
Hefting M.M.,
Verhoeven J.T.A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
applied vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.096
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1654-109X
pISSN - 1402-2001
DOI - 10.1111/j.1654-109x.2009.01070.x
Subject(s) - nutrient , peat , phosphorus , environmental science , biomass (ecology) , grassland , vegetation (pathology) , ecology , agronomy , restoration ecology , ecosystem , productivity , agroforestry , biology , chemistry , macroeconomics , organic chemistry , pathology , economics , medicine
Questions: Which nutrient(s) limit(s) vegetation productivity in Calthion grasslands? Is phosphorus release a bottleneck for restoration of species‐rich Calthion grasslands on rewetted dairy meadows? Location: Three species‐rich Calthion grasslands in the Western Peat District in the Netherlands. Methods: We conducted a field fertilization experiment with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in three existing Calthion grasslands to evaluate the potential for restoration on rewetted dairy meadows. Responses of above‐ground biomass, tissue nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios were determined after 2 yr of fertilization. Results: Biomass increased with fertilization with N‐only and K‐only but did not react to P‐only additions. Comparisons of tissue nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios also gave indications of N and K limitation. Conclusions: The strong P release expected after rewetting should not necessarily interfere with restoration of Calthion communities on rewetted dairy meadows. It is concluded that for successful restoration management measures should focus on reducing N and/or K availability. Potassium might be an overlooked bottleneck in the restoration of species‐rich grasslands.