We determined aboveground net primary production (ANPP) in five mires in the South-eastern Alps of Italy. The mires differed considerably from each other with regard to pore-water chemistry, ranging from bog to rich fen. In different habitat types (hummock, scrub, lawn, fenmeadow, hollow and marginal stream) within each mire type we assessed nutrient status based on measurements of nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios in the plant biomass in order to test whether ANPP patterns along the poor-rich gradient could be related to the limiting effects of one or several nutrients for biomass production. Vegetation composition varied considerably both among mire sites and among habitat types in terms of individual species and plant functional types (PFTs). Nonetheless, mean ANPP was similar in the five mires. However, ANPP showed a positive correlation with total P concentration and negative correlations with the N:P ratio andwith theK:P ratio of the vegetation.Weconclude that plant biomass production is limited by P, rather than by other nutrients, across a broad range of mire types in this region.
Aboveground production and nutrient status of the vegetation of different mire types in the South-eastern Alps (Italy).
GERDOL, Renato;
2010
Abstract
We determined aboveground net primary production (ANPP) in five mires in the South-eastern Alps of Italy. The mires differed considerably from each other with regard to pore-water chemistry, ranging from bog to rich fen. In different habitat types (hummock, scrub, lawn, fenmeadow, hollow and marginal stream) within each mire type we assessed nutrient status based on measurements of nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios in the plant biomass in order to test whether ANPP patterns along the poor-rich gradient could be related to the limiting effects of one or several nutrients for biomass production. Vegetation composition varied considerably both among mire sites and among habitat types in terms of individual species and plant functional types (PFTs). Nonetheless, mean ANPP was similar in the five mires. However, ANPP showed a positive correlation with total P concentration and negative correlations with the N:P ratio andwith theK:P ratio of the vegetation.Weconclude that plant biomass production is limited by P, rather than by other nutrients, across a broad range of mire types in this region.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
