Premium
Biomass distribution of two subalpine dwarf‐shrubs in relation to soil moisture and nutrient content
Author(s) -
Gerdol Renato,
Anfodillo Tommaso,
Gualmini Matteo,
Can Nicoletta,
Bragazza Luca,
Brancaleoni Lisa
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.1111/j.1654-1103.2004.tb02284.x
Subject(s) - vaccinium myrtillus , biomass (ecology) , water content , nutrient , soil water , agronomy , shrub , chemistry , waterlogging (archaeology) , botany , peat , environmental science , biology , ecology , soil science , wetland , geotechnical engineering , engineering
Question: Do soil water content and/or soil nitrogen (N) content and/or soil phosphorus (P) content affect the biomass of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis‐idaea in a sub‐alpine heath? Location: Dolomites, northern Italy, 1800 m a.s.l. Methods: We determined above‐ground and below‐ground biomass of the shrubs at three sites, each on a different substrate type. At each site, we determined soil N‐ and P‐contents. We also determined leaf water potential (Psi; 1 ), N‐ and P‐concentrations in plant tissues and litter, as well as δ 13 C and δ 15 N in mature leaves. Results:V. myrtillus biomass was highest at the silicate site, V. vitis‐idaea biomass was highest at the carbonate site. Both shrubs had low biomass at the peat site, possibly due to a toxic effect of waterlogging in wet soils. For both species, pre‐dawn Psi; 1 indicated optimal hydration and midday Psi; 1 did not show any sign of water stress. Water use efficiency (WUE) did not differ among sites for any species. Whole‐plant nutrient concentrations showed that, with increasing biomass, N was diluted in V. myrtillus tissues while P was diluted in V. vitis‐idaea tissues. Foliar N‐concentration was higher overall for V. myrtillus . Foliar P‐concentration in V. myrtillus peaked at the silicate site. Foliar N : P ratios suggested that V. myrtillus was primarily P‐limited and V. vitis‐idaea primarily N‐limited. Conclusions: Water content affected the distribution of the two shrubs in a similar way, higher P‐availability in the soil enhanced V. myrtillus rather than V. vitis‐idaea .