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N:P Ratio and the Nature of Nutrient Limitation in Calluna-Dominated Heathlands

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Abstract

There is growing evidence from different sources that prolonged high N deposition causes a shift from nitrogen (N) limitation to nitrogen and phosphorus (P) co-limitation or even P limitation in many terrestrial ecosystems. However, the number of ecosystems where the type of limitation has been directly tested by longer-term full-factorial field experiments is very limited. We conducted a 5-year fertilization experiment with N and P in the Lüneburger Heide (NW Germany) to test the hypothesis that, following decades of elevated atmospheric N inputs, plant growth in dry lowland heaths may have shifted from N to N–P co-limitation or P limitation. We also tested whether the plant tissue N:P ratio reflects the type of nutrient limitation in a continental lowland heathland. Experimental plots dominated by Calluna vulgaris received regular additions of N (50 kg N ha−1 y−1), P (20 kg P ha−1 y−1), a combination of both, or water only (control) from 2004 to 2008. Over the whole study period, a highly significant positive N effect on shoot length was found, thus indicating N limitation. We conclude that a clear shift from N limitation to N–P co-limitation or P limitation has not yet occurred. Tissue N:P ratios showed a high temporal variability and no relationship between tissue N:P ratio and the shoot length response of Calluna to nutrient addition was found. The N:P tool is thus of limited use at the local scale and within the range of N:P ratio observed in this study, and should only be used as a rough indicator for the prediction of the type of nutrient limitation in lowland heathland on a larger geographical scale with a broader interval of N:P ratio.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Verein Naturschutzpark e.V. for collaboration and for permission to conduct this study in the nature reserve. We thank Claudia Drees, Thomas Huk and Walter Seidling for statistical advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ecology and Environmental Chemistry, University of Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany

    Goddert von Oheimb, Kirsten Falk, Uta Friedrich, Abdelmenam Mohamed, Angelika Krug, Nora Boschatzke & Werner Härdtle

  2. Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK

    Sally A. Power

  3. United Nations Development Programme, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, 69/71 Turkia Street, Dahra, P.O. Box 358, Tripoli, Libya

    Abdelmenam Mohamed

  4. Institute of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany

    Angelika Krug

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  1. Goddert von Oheimb
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Correspondence to Goddert von Oheimb.

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Author contributions

SAP, AM, and WH designed the study; GvO, KF, UF, AM, AK, and NB performed the research; GvO, SAP, KF, UF, AM, AK, and WH analysed the data; SAP, AM, and AK contributed new methods; GvO, SAP, KF, and WH wrote the article.

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von Oheimb, G., Power, S.A., Falk, K. et al. N:P Ratio and the Nature of Nutrient Limitation in Calluna-Dominated Heathlands. Ecosystems 13, 317–327 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-010-9320-y

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