Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland

Autores
Mathijssen, Paul; Münchberger, Wiebke; Borken, Werner; Pancotto, Veronica Andrea; Kleinebecker, Till; Knorr, Klaus Holger
Año de publicación
2020
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
documento de conferencia
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
Elemental stoichiometry of plant litter is typically interpreted to reflect nutrient availability and limitation, e.g. the N:P ratio indicates whether plant growth is N- or P-limited and might point towards the presence of N-fixation. However, in the case of plant litter and peat organic matter, resorption of nutrients during senescence, and preferential loss of nutrients during decomposition have to be taken into account. Here we study how small scale variability in species composition within peatlands affects the stoichiometry and long term apparent uptake rates of nutrients (C, N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg) in an ombrotrophic peatland in southern Patagonia. Assuming that nutrient availability is similar within one site, observed variation should be driven by vegetation and decomposition processes linked to microtopography. We studied a transect spanning 800 m. where the vegetation changed from cushion plant (Astelia pumila) dominated, to graminoid dominated, ending in Sphagnum magellanicum dominated. From six peat cores along this transect we analysed nutrient concentrations by X-ray fluorescence. The peat decomposition state, expressed as FTIR-humification index, was the best predictor of stoichiometric variation (particularly ratios C:N, C:S, and N:P), followed by current plant species composition. Comparison of average peat core stoichiometry across the transect showed that C:N and C:S ratios were larger in Sphagnum cores than cushion plant and graminoid cores (C:N 56±14 vs. 38±6; C:S 312±61 vs. 268±57; respectively), controlled by lower decomposition state in Sphagnum cores and larger C:N ratios in living biomass of Sphagnum vs. A. pumila. Larger N:P ratios in cushion plant and graminoid vs. Sphagnum cores (N:P 50±12 vs. 38±11; respectively) could furthermore indicate the presence of N-fixation in the former. Comparison with two additional Patagonian bogs showed similar distinction in C:N and C:S ratios (both: Sphagnum > cushion plant), but variation between cores within sites was more pronounced than between different peatlands. Taking the variable peat accumulation rate (0.09 ? 0.52 mm yr-1) into account, there was notable variation in apparent long term nutrient uptake rates along the transect. N and S uptake rates were larger in cushion plant and graminoid versus Sphagnum cores, while Mg uptake rates were largest in Sphagnum cores. Overall, the stoichiometry of these Patagonian peatlands suggests lower availability of N, P, and Ca compared to peatlands in Ontario, Canada, resulting in lower apparent N, P, and Ca uptake rates. In contrast, apparent Mg uptake rates were larger in Patagonia than Ontario. These results indicate that small scale variability in long term accumulation of nutrients in these ecosystems might be more pronounced than variability in long term C accumulation, and highlights the variability in nutrient availability between peatlands of different regions.
Fil: Mathijssen, Paul. University of Münster; Alemania
Fil: Münchberger, Wiebke. University of Münster; Alemania
Fil: Borken, Werner. University of Bayreuth; Alemania
Fil: Pancotto, Veronica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina
Fil: Kleinebecker, Till. Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen; Alemania
Fil: Knorr, Klaus Holger. University of Bayreuth; Alemania
21th European Geosciences Union General Assembly
Viena
Austria
Asamblea General de European Geosciences Union
Materia
peatland
nutrients
microambients
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
Condiciones de uso
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
Repositorio
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Institución
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
OAI Identificador
oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/195027

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network_name_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
spelling Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatlandMathijssen, PaulMünchberger, WiebkeBorken, WernerPancotto, Veronica AndreaKleinebecker, TillKnorr, Klaus Holgerpeatlandnutrientsmicroambientshttps://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1Elemental stoichiometry of plant litter is typically interpreted to reflect nutrient availability and limitation, e.g. the N:P ratio indicates whether plant growth is N- or P-limited and might point towards the presence of N-fixation. However, in the case of plant litter and peat organic matter, resorption of nutrients during senescence, and preferential loss of nutrients during decomposition have to be taken into account. Here we study how small scale variability in species composition within peatlands affects the stoichiometry and long term apparent uptake rates of nutrients (C, N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg) in an ombrotrophic peatland in southern Patagonia. Assuming that nutrient availability is similar within one site, observed variation should be driven by vegetation and decomposition processes linked to microtopography. We studied a transect spanning 800 m. where the vegetation changed from cushion plant (Astelia pumila) dominated, to graminoid dominated, ending in Sphagnum magellanicum dominated. From six peat cores along this transect we analysed nutrient concentrations by X-ray fluorescence. The peat decomposition state, expressed as FTIR-humification index, was the best predictor of stoichiometric variation (particularly ratios C:N, C:S, and N:P), followed by current plant species composition. Comparison of average peat core stoichiometry across the transect showed that C:N and C:S ratios were larger in Sphagnum cores than cushion plant and graminoid cores (C:N 56±14 vs. 38±6; C:S 312±61 vs. 268±57; respectively), controlled by lower decomposition state in Sphagnum cores and larger C:N ratios in living biomass of Sphagnum vs. A. pumila. Larger N:P ratios in cushion plant and graminoid vs. Sphagnum cores (N:P 50±12 vs. 38±11; respectively) could furthermore indicate the presence of N-fixation in the former. Comparison with two additional Patagonian bogs showed similar distinction in C:N and C:S ratios (both: Sphagnum > cushion plant), but variation between cores within sites was more pronounced than between different peatlands. Taking the variable peat accumulation rate (0.09 ? 0.52 mm yr-1) into account, there was notable variation in apparent long term nutrient uptake rates along the transect. N and S uptake rates were larger in cushion plant and graminoid versus Sphagnum cores, while Mg uptake rates were largest in Sphagnum cores. Overall, the stoichiometry of these Patagonian peatlands suggests lower availability of N, P, and Ca compared to peatlands in Ontario, Canada, resulting in lower apparent N, P, and Ca uptake rates. In contrast, apparent Mg uptake rates were larger in Patagonia than Ontario. These results indicate that small scale variability in long term accumulation of nutrients in these ecosystems might be more pronounced than variability in long term C accumulation, and highlights the variability in nutrient availability between peatlands of different regions.Fil: Mathijssen, Paul. University of Münster; AlemaniaFil: Münchberger, Wiebke. University of Münster; AlemaniaFil: Borken, Werner. University of Bayreuth; AlemaniaFil: Pancotto, Veronica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Kleinebecker, Till. Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen; AlemaniaFil: Knorr, Klaus Holger. University of Bayreuth; Alemania21th European Geosciences Union General AssemblyVienaAustriaAsamblea General de European Geosciences UnionCopernicus2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceObjectConferenciaJournalhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_5794info:ar-repo/semantics/documentoDeConferenciaapplication/pdfapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11336/195027Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland; 21th European Geosciences Union General Assembly; Viena; Austria; 2019; 1-12391-5447CONICET DigitalCONICETenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2019/EGU2019-8796.pdfInternacionalinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas2025-09-29T09:44:27Zoai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/195027instacron:CONICETInstitucionalhttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/oai/requestdasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:34982025-09-29 09:44:27.385CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicasfalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland
title Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland
spellingShingle Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland
Mathijssen, Paul
peatland
nutrients
microambients
title_short Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland
title_full Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland
title_fullStr Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland
title_full_unstemmed Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland
title_sort Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Mathijssen, Paul
Münchberger, Wiebke
Borken, Werner
Pancotto, Veronica Andrea
Kleinebecker, Till
Knorr, Klaus Holger
author Mathijssen, Paul
author_facet Mathijssen, Paul
Münchberger, Wiebke
Borken, Werner
Pancotto, Veronica Andrea
Kleinebecker, Till
Knorr, Klaus Holger
author_role author
author2 Münchberger, Wiebke
Borken, Werner
Pancotto, Veronica Andrea
Kleinebecker, Till
Knorr, Klaus Holger
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv peatland
nutrients
microambients
topic peatland
nutrients
microambients
purl_subject.fl_str_mv https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv Elemental stoichiometry of plant litter is typically interpreted to reflect nutrient availability and limitation, e.g. the N:P ratio indicates whether plant growth is N- or P-limited and might point towards the presence of N-fixation. However, in the case of plant litter and peat organic matter, resorption of nutrients during senescence, and preferential loss of nutrients during decomposition have to be taken into account. Here we study how small scale variability in species composition within peatlands affects the stoichiometry and long term apparent uptake rates of nutrients (C, N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg) in an ombrotrophic peatland in southern Patagonia. Assuming that nutrient availability is similar within one site, observed variation should be driven by vegetation and decomposition processes linked to microtopography. We studied a transect spanning 800 m. where the vegetation changed from cushion plant (Astelia pumila) dominated, to graminoid dominated, ending in Sphagnum magellanicum dominated. From six peat cores along this transect we analysed nutrient concentrations by X-ray fluorescence. The peat decomposition state, expressed as FTIR-humification index, was the best predictor of stoichiometric variation (particularly ratios C:N, C:S, and N:P), followed by current plant species composition. Comparison of average peat core stoichiometry across the transect showed that C:N and C:S ratios were larger in Sphagnum cores than cushion plant and graminoid cores (C:N 56±14 vs. 38±6; C:S 312±61 vs. 268±57; respectively), controlled by lower decomposition state in Sphagnum cores and larger C:N ratios in living biomass of Sphagnum vs. A. pumila. Larger N:P ratios in cushion plant and graminoid vs. Sphagnum cores (N:P 50±12 vs. 38±11; respectively) could furthermore indicate the presence of N-fixation in the former. Comparison with two additional Patagonian bogs showed similar distinction in C:N and C:S ratios (both: Sphagnum > cushion plant), but variation between cores within sites was more pronounced than between different peatlands. Taking the variable peat accumulation rate (0.09 ? 0.52 mm yr-1) into account, there was notable variation in apparent long term nutrient uptake rates along the transect. N and S uptake rates were larger in cushion plant and graminoid versus Sphagnum cores, while Mg uptake rates were largest in Sphagnum cores. Overall, the stoichiometry of these Patagonian peatlands suggests lower availability of N, P, and Ca compared to peatlands in Ontario, Canada, resulting in lower apparent N, P, and Ca uptake rates. In contrast, apparent Mg uptake rates were larger in Patagonia than Ontario. These results indicate that small scale variability in long term accumulation of nutrients in these ecosystems might be more pronounced than variability in long term C accumulation, and highlights the variability in nutrient availability between peatlands of different regions.
Fil: Mathijssen, Paul. University of Münster; Alemania
Fil: Münchberger, Wiebke. University of Münster; Alemania
Fil: Borken, Werner. University of Bayreuth; Alemania
Fil: Pancotto, Veronica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina
Fil: Kleinebecker, Till. Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen; Alemania
Fil: Knorr, Klaus Holger. University of Bayreuth; Alemania
21th European Geosciences Union General Assembly
Viena
Austria
Asamblea General de European Geosciences Union
description Elemental stoichiometry of plant litter is typically interpreted to reflect nutrient availability and limitation, e.g. the N:P ratio indicates whether plant growth is N- or P-limited and might point towards the presence of N-fixation. However, in the case of plant litter and peat organic matter, resorption of nutrients during senescence, and preferential loss of nutrients during decomposition have to be taken into account. Here we study how small scale variability in species composition within peatlands affects the stoichiometry and long term apparent uptake rates of nutrients (C, N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg) in an ombrotrophic peatland in southern Patagonia. Assuming that nutrient availability is similar within one site, observed variation should be driven by vegetation and decomposition processes linked to microtopography. We studied a transect spanning 800 m. where the vegetation changed from cushion plant (Astelia pumila) dominated, to graminoid dominated, ending in Sphagnum magellanicum dominated. From six peat cores along this transect we analysed nutrient concentrations by X-ray fluorescence. The peat decomposition state, expressed as FTIR-humification index, was the best predictor of stoichiometric variation (particularly ratios C:N, C:S, and N:P), followed by current plant species composition. Comparison of average peat core stoichiometry across the transect showed that C:N and C:S ratios were larger in Sphagnum cores than cushion plant and graminoid cores (C:N 56±14 vs. 38±6; C:S 312±61 vs. 268±57; respectively), controlled by lower decomposition state in Sphagnum cores and larger C:N ratios in living biomass of Sphagnum vs. A. pumila. Larger N:P ratios in cushion plant and graminoid vs. Sphagnum cores (N:P 50±12 vs. 38±11; respectively) could furthermore indicate the presence of N-fixation in the former. Comparison with two additional Patagonian bogs showed similar distinction in C:N and C:S ratios (both: Sphagnum > cushion plant), but variation between cores within sites was more pronounced than between different peatlands. Taking the variable peat accumulation rate (0.09 ? 0.52 mm yr-1) into account, there was notable variation in apparent long term nutrient uptake rates along the transect. N and S uptake rates were larger in cushion plant and graminoid versus Sphagnum cores, while Mg uptake rates were largest in Sphagnum cores. Overall, the stoichiometry of these Patagonian peatlands suggests lower availability of N, P, and Ca compared to peatlands in Ontario, Canada, resulting in lower apparent N, P, and Ca uptake rates. In contrast, apparent Mg uptake rates were larger in Patagonia than Ontario. These results indicate that small scale variability in long term accumulation of nutrients in these ecosystems might be more pronounced than variability in long term C accumulation, and highlights the variability in nutrient availability between peatlands of different regions.
publishDate 2020
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2020
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceObject
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Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland; 21th European Geosciences Union General Assembly; Viena; Austria; 2019; 1-1
2391-5447
CONICET Digital
CONICET
url http://hdl.handle.net/11336/195027
identifier_str_mv Plant community controls small-scale variation in nutrient stoichiometry in a Patagonian peatland; 21th European Geosciences Union General Assembly; Viena; Austria; 2019; 1-1
2391-5447
CONICET Digital
CONICET
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