Record ID No. |
1966 |
Author(s) |
Huber E., Wanek W., Gottfried M., Pauli H., Schweiger P., Arndt S.K., Reiter K., Richter A , 2007 |
Affiliation |
University of Vienna, Department of Chemical Ecology & Ecosystem Research, Althanstr 14, A-1090 Vienna, AUSTRIA |
Title |
Shift in soil-plant nitrogen dynamics of an alpine-nival ecotone |
Source. Vol.(no):Page |
Plant and Soil.301(1-2):65-76p. |
Categories |
Mycorrhiza General |
Subjects |
Biochemistry |
Sub-subjects |
Miscellaneous |
Organism |
n.a. |
Country |
AUSTRIA, Europe |
Abstracts |
We investigated the nitrogen (N) dynamics of an alpine-nival ecotone on Mt.
Schrankogel, Tyrol, Austria, in relation to temperature. Natural abundance of N-15 was used as a
tool to elucidate differences in N cycling along an altitudinal transect ranging from 2,906 to
3,079 m, corresponding to a gradient in mean annual temperature of 2.4 degrees C. The amount of
total soil N, of plant available N and soil C/N ratio decreased significantly with increasing
altitude, whereas soil pH increased. Soil delta N-15 decreased with increasing altitude from +2.2
to -2.1 parts per thousand and delta N-15 of plant tissues (roots and leaves) decreased from -3.7
to -5.5 parts per thousand. The large shift in soil delta N-15 of 4.3 parts per thousand from the
lowest to the highest site suggested substantial differences in N cycling in alpine and nival
ecosystems in the alpine nival ecotone investigated. We concluded that N cycling at the
alpine-nival ecotone is likely to be controlled by various factors: temperature, soil age and
development, atmospheric N deposition and plant competition. Our results furthermore demonstrate
that the alpine-nival ecotone may serve as a sensitive indicator of global change. |