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Verrillo M, Cianciullo P, Cozzolino V, De Ruberto F, Maresca V, Di Fraia A, Fusaro L, Manes F, Basile A. Oxidative Stress Response Mechanisms Sustain the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Quercus ilex. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1154. [PMID: 38674563 PMCID: PMC11055132 DOI: 10.3390/plants13081154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of new natural antibiotics is considered as the heart of several investigations in the nutraceutical field. In this work, leaves of Quercus ilex L. treated by tropospheric ozone (O3) and nitrogen (N) deposition, exhibited a clear antimicrobial efficacy against five multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains (two gram-positive and three gram-negative). Under controlled conditions, it was studied how simulated N deposition influences the response to O3 and the antibacterial and antioxidant activity, and antioxidant performance. The extraction was performed by ultra-pure acetone using two different steps. A higher antioxidant activity was measured in the presence of interaction between O3 and N treatments on Quercus leaves. At the same time, all organic extracts tested have shown bacteriostatic activity against all the tested strains with a MIC comprised between 9 and 4 micrograms/mL, and a higher antioxidant efficacy shown by spectrophotometric assay. Stronger antimicrobial activity was found in the samples treated with O3, whereas N-treated plants exhibited an intermediate antibacterial performance. This performance is related to the stimulation of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system induced by the oxidative stress, which results in an increase in the production of antimicrobial bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariavittoria Verrillo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Piazza Carlo di Borbone 1, 80055 Portici, Italy;
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per la Risonanza Magnetica Nucleare per l’Ambiente, l’Agroalimentare, ed i Nuovi Materiali (CERMANU), University of Naples “Federico II”, Piazza Carlo di Borbone 1, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio Cianciullo
- Department of Biology, University Federico II Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.C.); (V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Vincenza Cozzolino
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Piazza Carlo di Borbone 1, 80055 Portici, Italy;
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per la Risonanza Magnetica Nucleare per l’Ambiente, l’Agroalimentare, ed i Nuovi Materiali (CERMANU), University of Naples “Federico II”, Piazza Carlo di Borbone 1, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Francesca De Ruberto
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University Federico II Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.C.); (V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Alessia Di Fraia
- Department of Biology, University Federico II Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.C.); (V.M.); (A.D.F.)
| | - Lina Fusaro
- National Research Council, Institute of BioEconomy, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Fausto Manes
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, p.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University Federico II Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (P.C.); (V.M.); (A.D.F.)
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2
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Valliere JM, Irvine IC, Allen EB. Nitrogen deposition suppresses ephemeral post-fire plant diversity. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17117. [PMID: 38273574 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Fire is a dominant force shaping patterns of plant diversity in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. In these biodiversity hotspots, including California's endangered coastal scrub, many species remain hidden belowground as seeds and bulbs, only to emerge and flower when sufficient rainfall occurs after wildfire. The unique adaptations possessed by these species enable survival during prolonged periods of unfavorable conditions, but their continued persistence could be threatened by nonnative plant invasion and environmental change. Furthermore, their fleeting presence aboveground makes evaluating these threats in situ a challenge. For example, nitrogen (N) deposition resulting from air pollution is a well-recognized threat to plant diversity worldwide but impacts on fire-following species are not well understood. We experimentally evaluated the impact of N deposition on post-fire vegetation cover and richness for three years in stands of coastal sage scrub that had recently burned in a large wildfire in southern California. We installed plots receiving four levels of N addition that corresponded to the range of N deposition rates in the region. We assessed the impact of pre-fire invasion status on vegetation dynamics by including plots in areas that had previously been invaded by nonnative grasses, as well as adjacent uninvaded areas. We found that N addition reduced native forb cover in the second year post-fire while increasing the abundance of nonnative forbs. As is typical in fire-prone ecosystems, species richness declined over the three years of the study. However, N addition hastened this process, and native forb richness was severely reduced under high N availability, especially in previously invaded shrublands. An indicator species analysis also revealed that six functionally and taxonomically diverse forb species were especially sensitive to N addition. Our results highlight a new potential mechanism for the depletion of native species through the suppression of ephemeral post-fire bloom events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Valliere
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | | | - Edith B Allen
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
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3
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Pérez-Uz B, Galfione VC, Ochoa-Hueso R, Martín-Cereceda M. Protist Diversity Responses to Experimental N Deposition in Biological Crusts of a Semiarid Mediterranean Ecosystem. Protist 2023; 174:125929. [PMID: 36455480 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2022.125929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Biological soil crusts (BSC) are associations of different macro and microorganisms and aggregated soil particles located on the surface of soils in many different habitats. BSC harbour a diverse and complex community of ciliates and testate amoebae. These phagotrophic protists play an important role in C and N recycling in soil ecosystems but have not been frequently studied in BSC. In this context, the effects of three increasing N inputs on ciliates and testate amoebae in crusts from a semi-arid Mediterranean ecosystem were evaluated. A field experiment with artificial N-deposition was designed to mimic the effects caused by anthropogenic N depositions. The results have shown that the protist populations of these semi-arid Mediterranean environments have lower species richness than other soil environments. The increase in N produces a net loss of diversity in the populations studied and shifts in the community structure. It has also been shown that some ciliates and testate amoebae, due to their population responses to increased N concentrations, could potentially be used as bio-indicators of N contamination in these BSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Pérez-Uz
- Dept. Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Fac. Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Virginia C Galfione
- Dept. Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Fac. Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raul Ochoa-Hueso
- Instituto de Investigación Vitivinicola y Agroalimentaria, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Mercedes Martín-Cereceda
- Dept. Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Fac. Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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4
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Luo M, Moorhead DL, Ochoa‐Hueso R, Mueller CW, Ying SC, Chen J. Nitrogen loading enhances phosphorus limitation in terrestrial ecosystems with implications for soil carbon cycling. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Min Luo
- Academy of Geography and Ecological Environment Fuzhou University Fuzhou China
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering Fuzhou University Fuzhou China
| | - Daryl L. Moorhead
- Department of Environmental Sciences University of Toledo Toledo OH USA
| | - Raúl Ochoa‐Hueso
- Department of Biology, IVAGRO University of Cádiz, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario (CeiA3), Campus del Rio San Pedro, 11510 Puerto Real Cádiz Spain
- Department of Terrestrial Ecology Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) AB Wageningen the Netherlands
| | - Carsten W. Mueller
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Samantha C. Ying
- Environmental Sciences Department University of California‐ Riverside CA USA
| | - Ji Chen
- Department of Agroecology Aarhus University Tjele Denmark
- Aarhus University Centre for Circular Bioeconomy, Aarhus University Tjele Denmark
- iCLIMATE Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change Aarhus University Roskilde Denmark
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5
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Valliere JM, Flores RG, Cason BJ, Hernández MJ. Phenological and physiological advantages of invasive annuals are strengthened by nitrogen enrichment. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin M. Valliere
- Department of Biology California State University Dominguez Hills Carson
- La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles
| | - Rhay G. Flores
- Department of Biology California State University Dominguez Hills Carson
- La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles
| | - Branden J. Cason
- La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles
| | - Mayra J. Hernández
- Department of Biology California State University Dominguez Hills Carson
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Aurelle D, Thomas S, Albert C, Bally M, Bondeau A, Boudouresque C, Cahill AE, Carlotti F, Chenuil A, Cramer W, Davi H, De Jode A, Ereskovsky A, Farnet A, Fernandez C, Gauquelin T, Mirleau P, Monnet A, Prévosto B, Rossi V, Sartoretto S, Van Wambeke F, Fady B. Biodiversity, climate change, and adaptation in the Mediterranean. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Didier Aurelle
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS Sorbonne Université, EPHE Paris France
| | - Séverine Thomas
- Aix Marseille Université, Labex‐OT‐Med Aix‐en‐Provence France
| | - Cécile Albert
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | - Marc Bally
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
| | - Alberte Bondeau
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | | | | | - François Carlotti
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
| | - Anne Chenuil
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | - Wolfgang Cramer
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | - Hendrik Davi
- INRAE, Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes (URFM) Avignon France
| | - Aurélien De Jode
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
- Department of Marine Sciences‐Tjärnö University of Gothenburg, Tjärnö Marine Laboratory Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Alexander Ereskovsky
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
- Saint‐Petersburg State University St. Petersburg Russia
| | - Anne‐Marie Farnet
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | | | - Thierry Gauquelin
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | - Pascal Mirleau
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE Marseille France
| | | | | | - Vincent Rossi
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
| | | | - France Van Wambeke
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO Marseille France
| | - Bruno Fady
- INRAE, Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes (URFM) Avignon France
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7
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Mo L, Xu G, Zhang J, Wu Z, Yu S, Chen X, Peng B, Squartini A, Zanella A. Threshold Reaction of Soil Arthropods to Simulative Nitrogen Deposition in Urban Green Spaces. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.711774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustained nitrogen (N) deposition has a wide-ranging impact on terrestrial ecosystems. However, still little attention has been paid to responses of urban soil fauna to the increasing N deposition. To clarify such effects on the soil properties and soil fauna in typical urban lawns (featuring Cynodon dactylon vegetation), a control experiment was conducted for 1 year, in which NH4NO3 was added as the external N source with four treatments of N addition: N0 (i.e., only water), N1 (50 kg N ha–1 yr–1), N2 (100 kg N ha–1 yr–1), N3 (150 kg N ha–1 yr–1). Results showed that N additions influence soil faunal communities in the urban lawns soil. The relative abundance of Oribatida increased with the N treatment level, partially replacing the more sensitive Collembola. Significant differences in the Shannon-Wiener and Margalef indices (p < 0.01) supported this statement. Although higher doses of N addition showed adverse effects on soil fauna communities, low N inputs increased the soil fauna diversity and richness, especially at 5–10 cm depth. A threshold effect appears to exist: low N addition (<25 kg N ha–1) did not negatively affect pedofauna structure and composition, while in the range from these values up to 50 kg N ha–1, the composition of the soil fauna underwent major changes which were confirmed by the decline of biodiversity indices. These changes are accompanied by the decreased pH values with increasing N inputs.
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8
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Zhong H, Zhou J, Wong WS, Cross A, Lambers H. Exceptional nitrogen-resorption efficiency enables Maireana species (Chenopodiaceae) to function as pioneers at a mine-restoration site. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 779:146420. [PMID: 33743470 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Tailings are among the most challenging mined substrates for plant re-establishment, in particular because of a lack of soil-like structure and nitrogen. Potential pioneer plants are sometimes found in such disturbed and infertile sites. We present a group of pioneer species from the genus Maireana (Chenopodiaceae) that are promising candidates for the restoration of magnetite tailings. We found that these Maireana species did not rely on biologically fixed N from the atmosphere, but exhibited an exceptionally high leaf N-resorption efficiency (about 95%) during leaf senescence, at the same time effectively scavenging trace amount of N from the substrate, in part through rapid transpiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Zhong
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Centre for Mine Site Restoration, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.
| | - Jun Zhou
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei-San Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Centre for Mine Site Restoration, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Adam Cross
- EcoHealth Network, 1330 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446, United States; School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Hans Lambers
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Centre for Mine Site Restoration, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
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9
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Zhang Q, Li Y, Wang M, Wang K, Meng F, Liu L, Zhao Y, Ma L, Zhu Q, Xu W, Zhang F. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition: A review of quantification methods and its spatial pattern derived from the global monitoring networks. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 216:112180. [PMID: 33865187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is a vital component of the global N cycle. Excessive N deposition on the Earth's surface has adverse impacts on ecosystems and humans. Quantification of atmospheric N deposition is indispensable for assessing and addressing N deposition-induced environmental issues. In the present review, we firstly summarized the current methods applied to quantify N deposition (wet, dry, and total N deposition), their advantages and major limitations. Secondly, we illustrated the long-term N deposition monitoring networks worldwide and the results attained via such long-term monitoring. Results show that China faces heavier N deposition than the United States, European countries, and other countries in East Asia. Next, we proposed a framework for estimating the atmospheric wet and dry N deposition using a combined method of surface monitoring, modeling, and satellite remote sensing. Finally, we put forth the critical research challenges and future directions of the atmospheric N deposition. CAPSULE: A review of quantification methods and the global data on nitrogen deposition and a systematic framework was proposed for quantifying nitrogen deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yanan Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mengru Wang
- Water Systems and Global Change Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kai Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fanlei Meng
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lei Liu
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuanhong Zhao
- College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 286 Huaizhong Road, Shijiazhuang 050021, Hebei, China
| | - Qichao Zhu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wen Xu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions of MOE, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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10
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De La Peña-Lastra S. Seabird droppings: Effects on a global and local level. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:142148. [PMID: 33254937 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seabirds, with approximately 1 billion specimens, are the main exchangers of nutrients between Terrestial and Marine Systems and they have become an emerging interest group because of their effects on the planet's ecosystem. This review paper aims to highlight the impact of seabird droppings at different trophic levels, their occurrence, ecological risks and effects on soil, water, atmosphere and biota at global and local level to try to understand the ecological and climatic changes associated with the activities of these birds. Seabirds they have a very marked influence on the ecosystems where they form their colonies since, in addition to their function as predators, alongside with their depositions, they condition the primary producers and, consequently, the rest of the food chain. Their excrements contain large amounts of N, P and trace elements, most of which are bioavailable. In this study, besides bringing together the different works on nutrients and trace elements in excrements and differentiating some terms referring to these excrements, a brief historical overview of their importance for agriculture is made. In addition, the impacts produced by these birds on the ecosystem are also analysed according to two levels, at a global and local level. At each of these levels, a current state of the effects on the different compartments of the ecosystems is made, from the biota to the soils, the water or the atmosphere. This review supports the idea that more studies are needed both at the atmospheric level and in the terrestrial or marine environment for a better understanding of the changes these birds generate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saúl De La Peña-Lastra
- CRETUS Institute, Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia. Spain.
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11
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Phillips ML, Winkler DE, Reibold RH, Osborne BB, Reed SC. Muted responses to chronic experimental nitrogen deposition on the Colorado Plateau. Oecologia 2021; 195:513-524. [PMID: 33415421 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04841-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is significantly altering both community structure and ecosystem processes in terrestrial ecosystems across the globe. However, our understanding of the consequences of N deposition in dryland systems remains relatively poor, despite evidence that drylands may be particularly vulnerable to increasing N inputs. In this study, we investigated the influence of 7 years of multiple levels of simulated N deposition (0, 2, 5, and 8 kg N ha-1 year-1) on plant community structure and biological soil crust (biocrust) cover at three semi-arid grassland sites spanning a soil texture gradient. Biocrusts are a surface community of mosses, lichens, cyanobacteria, and/or algae, and have been shown to be sensitive to N inputs. We hypothesized that N additions would decrease plant diversity, increase abundance of the invasive annual grass Bromus tectorum, and decrease biocrust cover. Contrary to our expectations, we found that N additions did not affect plant diversity or B. tectorum abundance. In partial support of our hypotheses, N additions negatively affected biocrust cover in some years, perhaps driven in part by inter-annual differences in precipitation. Soil inorganic N concentrations showed rapid but ephemeral responses to N additions and plant foliar N concentrations showed no response, indicating that the magnitude of plant and biocrust responses to N fertilization may be buffered by endogenous N cycling. More work is needed to determine N critical load thresholds for plant community and biocrust dynamics in semi-arid systems and the factors that determine the fate of N inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michala L Phillips
- Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Moab, UT, USA.
| | - Daniel E Winkler
- Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Moab, UT, USA
| | - Robin H Reibold
- Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Moab, UT, USA
| | - Brooke B Osborne
- Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Moab, UT, USA
| | - Sasha C Reed
- Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Moab, UT, USA
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12
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Climatic and Anthropogenic Impacts on Environmental Conditions and Phytoplankton Community in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea). WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12092652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
During the last century, human activities have exerted an increasing pressure on coastal ecosystems, primarily inducing their eutrophication, with a more recent partial mitigation of this phenomenon where improvements of environmental management practices were adopted. However, a reanalysis of the pressures on coastal zones and surrounding drainage basins is needed because of the alterations induced nowadays by the climate changes. A comparative analysis of long-term oceanographic and environmental data series (1986–2018) was performed, in order to highlight the effects of anthropogenic and climatic disturbances on the phytoplankton community in the Gulf of Trieste (GoT). After the 1980s, the decline in phytoplankton abundance was matched to increasing periods of low runoff, an overall deficit of the precipitation and to a decrease in phosphate availability in the coastal waters (−0.003 µmol L−1 yr−1), even in the presence of large riverine inputs of nitrogen and silicates. This trend of oligotrophication was reversed in the 2010s by the beginning of a new and unexpected phase of climatic instability, which also caused changes of the composition and seasonal cycle of the phytoplankton community. Beyond the management of nutrient loads, it was shown that climatic drivers such as seawater warming, precipitation and wind regime affect both nutrient balance and phytoplankton community in this coastal zone.
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13
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Preece C, Farré-Armengol G, Peñuelas J. Drought is a stronger driver of soil respiration and microbial communities than nitrogen or phosphorus addition in two Mediterranean tree species. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 735:139554. [PMID: 32492563 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The drivers of global change, such as increasing drought and nutrient deposition, are affecting soils and their microbial communities in many different habitats, but how these factors interact remains unclear. Quercus ilex and Pinus sylvestris are two important tree species in Mediterranean montane areas that respond differently to drought, which may be associated with the soils in which they grow. We measured soil respiration and physiologically profiled microbial communities to test the impact of drought and subsequent recovery on soil function and diversity for these two species. We also tested whether the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus modified these effects. Drought was the stronger driver of changes to the soil communities, decreasing diversity (Shannon index), and evenness for both species and decreasing soil respiration for Q. ilex when N was added. Soil respiration for P. sylvestris during the drought period was positively affected by N addition but was not affected by water stress. P addition during the drought period did not affect soil respiration for either tree species but did interact with soil-water content to affect community evenness for P. sylvestris. The two species also differed following the recovery from drought. Soil respiration for Q. ilex recovered fully after the drought treatment ended but decreased for P. sylvestris, whereas the soil community was more resilient for P. sylvestris than Q. ilex. Nutrient addition did not affect respiration or community composition or diversity during the recovery period. Soil respiration was generally weakly positively correlated with soil diversity. We demonstrate that short-term water stress and nutrient addition can have variable effects on the soil communities associated with different tree species and that the compositions of the communities can become uncoupled from soil respiration. Overall, we show that drought may be a stronger driver of changes to soil communities than nitrogen or phosphorus deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Preece
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Catalonia, Spain; CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Gerard Farré-Armengol
- Department of Biosciences, University Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Catalonia, Spain; CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra 08193, Catalonia, Spain
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14
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Benvenutto‐Vargas VP, Ochoa‐Hueso R. Effects of nitrogen deposition on the spatial pattern of biocrusts and soil microbial activity in a semi‐arid Mediterranean shrubland. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Raúl Ochoa‐Hueso
- Department of Ecology Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Madrid Spain
- Department of Biology IVAGROUniversity of CádizCampus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario (ceiA3) Puerto Real Cádiz Spain
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15
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Valliere JM, Bucciarelli GM, Bytnerowicz A, Fenn ME, Irvine IC, Johnson RF, Allen EB. Declines in native forb richness of an imperiled plant community across an anthropogenic nitrogen deposition gradient. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Justin M. Valliere
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences University of California Riverside Riverside California 92521 USA
| | - Gary M. Bucciarelli
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles California 90095 USA
| | - Andrzej Bytnerowicz
- Pacific Southwest Research Station United States Forest Service Riverside California 92507 USA
| | - Mark E. Fenn
- Pacific Southwest Research Station United States Forest Service Riverside California 92507 USA
| | - Irina C. Irvine
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area National Park Service Thousand Oaks California 91360 USA
| | - Robert F. Johnson
- Center for Conservation Biology University of California Riverside Riverside California92521USA
| | - Edith B. Allen
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences University of California Riverside Riverside California 92521 USA
- Center for Conservation Biology University of California Riverside Riverside California92521USA
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16
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Assessment of Atmospheric Deposition and Vitality Indicators in Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11236805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Considering the fragility of the Mediterranean environment, there is an increasing need to improve the knowledge of this forest environment. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of air pollution on the forest ecosystem’s condition by analyzing tree vitality. The study area was chosen to represent the most important and the most common species in Mediterranean forest ecosystems of the Eastern Adriatic coast. Quercus pubescens, Quercus ilex, Pinus halepensis, and Pinus nigra plots were equipped with rain collectors and dendrometer bands. Sampling, measurements, and analyses of atmospheric deposition, foliar nutrient, defoliation, and growth were all carried out. Results showed that actual N deposition loads were the lowest in Aleppo pine forest and the highest in holm oak forests. This, however, did not have an effect on the concentrations of N in foliage. Most elements’ concentrations were in the plausible range. No relevant differences in mean defoliation between the plots were observed. The plots with a lower percentage of basal area increment (BAI%) were found to have lower defoliation. The research was conducted to bridge the gap in the knowledge of air pollutants and vitality indicators in different forest types. These findings are a valuable contribution to the sustainable forest management of Mediterranean forest.
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17
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Morris KA, Nair RKF, Moreno G, Schrumpf M, Migliavacca M. Fate of N additions in a multiple resource‐limited Mediterranean oak savanna. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kendalynn A. Morris
- Department of Biogeochemical Integration Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry Hans Knöll Straße 10 07745 Jena Germany
| | - Richard K. F. Nair
- Department of Biogeochemical Integration Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry Hans Knöll Straße 10 07745 Jena Germany
| | - Gerardo Moreno
- Department of Forestry University of Extremadura Calle Virgen Puerto 2 10600 Plasencia Spain
| | - Marion Schrumpf
- Department of Biogeochemical Integration Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry Hans Knöll Straße 10 07745 Jena Germany
| | - Mirco Migliavacca
- Department of Biogeochemical Integration Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry Hans Knöll Straße 10 07745 Jena Germany
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18
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Chen Y, Zhang L, Shi X, Ban Y, Liu H, Zhang D. Life history responses of spring-and autumn-germinated ephemeral plants to increased nitrogen and precipitation in the Gurbantunggut Desert. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 659:756-763. [PMID: 31096405 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen deposition and precipitation change are not only hot topics of current global change but also the main environmental factors affecting plant growth. Thus, the effects of nitrogen and precipitation on the life history of spring-(SG) and autumn-germinated (AG) ephemeral plants of Erodium oxyrhynchum were researched in the Gurbantunggut Desert, northern China, and the aim was to understand the response of plants from different germination seasons to global change. SG and AG plants with increased nitrogen and precipitation plus nitrogen treatments were measured to determine seedling survival, phenology, plant traits, biomass accumulation and allocation and dormancy characteristics of offspring (seeds). The results showed that increased nitrogen and precipitation plus nitrogen treatments significantly improved the survival of SG and AG plants during the seedling stage, and precipitation plus nitrogen treatments also improved the growth and seed production of SG and AG plants, but increased nitrogen significantly inhibited their growth and seed production. Therefore, precipitation plays an important role in regulating nitrogen uptake by plants in arid and semiarid ecosystems. With increased nitrogen, SG and AG plants allocated more biomass into root and reproductive organs but allocated significantly less biomass into the leaf, with almost no change in biomass allocation to the stem. With nitrogen plus precipitation treatments, biomass allocation in all organs of SG and AG plants showed almost no change. Clearly, changes in soil moisture also affected biomass allocation of SG and AG plants. For offspring dormancy, SG and AG plants produced more nondormancy seeds with increased nitrogen but produced more dormancy seeds under precipitation plus nitrogen treatments. Hence, in a harsh environment, SG and AG plants produced more nondormancy offspring with low reproduction in order to occupy the habitat rapidly in the following year or produced more dormancy offspring with high reproduction in a suitable environment intended for spreading germination risk in time and conserve the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfeng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urümqi 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lingwei Zhang
- College of Grassland and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Soil and Plant Ecological Processes, Urümqi 830052, China
| | - Xiang Shi
- College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, China
| | - Ying Ban
- Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urümqi 830011, China
| | - Huiliang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urümqi 830011, China; Yili Botanical Garden, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Xinyuan 835800, China.
| | - Daoyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biogeography and Bioresource in Arid Land, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urümqi 830011, China; Turpan Eremophytes Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Turpan 838008, China
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19
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Gravuer K, Gennet S, Throop HL. Organic amendment additions to rangelands: A meta-analysis of multiple ecosystem outcomes. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2019; 25:1152-1170. [PMID: 30604474 PMCID: PMC6849820 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Interest in land application of organic amendments-such as biosolids, composts, and manures-is growing due to their potential to increase soil carbon and help mitigate climate change, as well as to support soil health and regenerative agriculture. While organic amendments are predominantly applied to croplands, their application is increasingly proposed on relatively arid rangelands that do not typically receive fertilizers or other inputs, creating unique concerns for outcomes such as native plant diversity and water quality. To maximize environmental benefits and minimize potential harms, we must understand how soil, water, and plant communities respond to particular amendments and site conditions. We conducted a global meta-analysis of 92 studies in which organic amendments had been added to arid, semiarid, or Mediterranean rangelands. We found that organic amendments, on average, provide some environmental benefits (increased soil carbon, soil water holding capacity, aboveground net primary productivity, and plant tissue nitrogen; decreased runoff quantity), as well as some environmental harms (increased concentrations of soil lead, runoff nitrate, and runoff phosphorus; increased soil CO2 emissions). Published data were inadequate to fully assess impacts to native plant communities. In our models, adding higher amounts of amendment benefitted four outcomes and harmed two outcomes, whereas adding amendments with higher nitrogen concentrations benefitted two outcomes and harmed four outcomes. This suggests that trade-offs among outcomes are inevitable; however, applying low-N amendments was consistent with both maximizing benefits and minimizing harms. Short study time frames (median 1-2 years), limited geographic scope, and, for some outcomes, few published studies limit longer-term inferences from these models. Nevertheless, they provide a starting point to develop site-specific amendment application strategies aimed toward realizing the potential of this practice to contribute to climate change mitigation while minimizing negative impacts on other environmental goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Gravuer
- Center for Biodiversity OutcomesArizona State UniversityTempeArizona
- The Nature ConservancyArlingtonVirginia
| | | | - Heather L. Throop
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeArizona
- School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeArizona
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20
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Bell MD, Lulow ME, Balazs KR, Huxman KA, McCollum JR, Huxman TE, Kimball S. Restoring a Mediterranean-climate shrub community with perennial species reduces future invasion. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Bell
- Center for Environmental Biology; University of California; Irvine CA 92697-1450 U.S.A
| | | | | | - Kimberly A. Huxman
- Center for Environmental Biology; University of California; Irvine CA 92697-1450 U.S.A
| | - Johannah R. McCollum
- Center for Environmental Biology; University of California; Irvine CA 92697-1450 U.S.A
| | - Travis E. Huxman
- Center for Environmental Biology; University of California; Irvine CA 92697-1450 U.S.A
| | - Sarah Kimball
- Center for Environmental Biology; University of California; Irvine CA 92697-1450 U.S.A
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21
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Comprehensive Analysis of Nitrogen Deposition in Urban Ecosystem: A Case Study of Xiamen City, China. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10124673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition can supply nitrogen for ecosystems while posing a serious threat to ecological security. An assessment of the ecological risks caused by atmospheric nitrogen deposition is critical for urban sustainable development. Based on “Ecological Risk Analysis” and the “Driver-Pressure-State-Response (DPSR) framework,” this paper established a comprehensive ecological risk assessment model and assessed the ecological risk of nitrogen deposition in Xiamen City, China. The results showed that the risk from nitrogen deposition to the forest ecosystem is high due to the impact of nitrogen deposition on the residual rate of litter and survival rate of seedlings. The risks to freshwater and marine ecosystems were determined to be high and moderate, respectively, due to the promotion of eutrophication by nitrogen. The risk to farm ecosystems was low due to the impact on weeds. The proportion of high-risk areas in Xiamen City was 37.1%. Among the districts of Xiamen City, Tong’an and Xiang’an had the highest proportion of high-risk areas (48%) and low-risk areas (31.8%), respectively.
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Taboada A, Calvo-Fernández J, Marcos E, Calvo L. Plant and vegetation functional responses to cumulative high nitrogen deposition in rear-edge heathlands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 637-638:980-990. [PMID: 29763879 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Elevated atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is a major driver of change, altering the structure/functioning of nutrient-poor Calluna vulgaris-heathlands over Europe. These effects amply proven for north-western/central heathlands may, however, vary across the ecosystem's distribution, especially at the range limits, as heathlands are highly vulnerable to land-use changes combined with present climate change. This is an often overlooked and greatly understudied aspect of the ecology of heathlands facing global change. We investigated the effects of five N-fertilisation treatments simulating a range of N deposition rates (0, 10, 20, and 50 kg N ha-1 yr-1 for 1 year; and 56 kg N ha-1 yr-1 for 9 years) on the Calluna-plants, the plant functional groups, species composition and richness of two life-cycle stages (building/young- and mature-phase) of Calluna-heathlands at their rear-edge limit. Our findings revealed a dose-related response of the shoot length and number of flowers of young and mature Calluna-plants to the addition of N, adhering to the findings from other heathland locations. However, cumulative high-N loading reduced the annual growth and flowering of young plants, showing early signs of N saturation. The different plant functional groups showed contrasting responses to the cumulative addition of N: annual/perennial forbs and annual graminoids increased with quite low values; perennial graminoids were rather abundant in young heathlands but only slightly augmented in mature ones; while bryophytes and lichens strongly declined at the two heathland life-cycle stages. Meanwhile there were no significant N-driven changes in plant species composition and richness. Our results demonstrated that Calluna-heathlands at their low-latitude distribution limit are moderately resistant to cumulative high-N loading. As north-western/central European heathlands under high-N inputs broadly experienced the loss of plant diversity and pronounced changes in plant species dominance, rear-edge locations may be of critical importance to unravel the mechanisms of heathland resilience to future global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Taboada
- Area of Ecology, University of León, E-24071 León, Spain; Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of Léon, E-24071 León, Spain.
| | - Javier Calvo-Fernández
- Area of Ecology, University of León, E-24071 León, Spain; Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of Léon, E-24071 León, Spain
| | - Elena Marcos
- Area of Ecology, University of León, E-24071 León, Spain; Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of Léon, E-24071 León, Spain
| | - Leonor Calvo
- Area of Ecology, University of León, E-24071 León, Spain; Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of Léon, E-24071 León, Spain
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23
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Pinho P, Dias T, Cordovil CMDS, Dragosits U, Dise NB, Sutton MA, Branquinho C. Mapping Portuguese Natura 2000 sites in risk of biodiversity change caused by atmospheric nitrogen pollution. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198955. [PMID: 29927996 PMCID: PMC6013174 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we assess and map the risk that atmospheric nitrogen (atN) pollution poses to biodiversity in Natura 2000 sites in mainland Portugal. We first review the ecological impacts of atN pollution on terrestrial ecosystems, focusing on the biodiversity of Natura 2000 sites. These nature protection sites, especially those located within the Mediterranean Basin, are under-characterized regarding the risk posed by atN pollution. We focus on ammonia (NH3) because this N form is mostly associated with agriculture, which co-occurs at or in the immediate vicinity of most areas of conservation interest in Portugal. We produce a risk map integrating NH3 emissions and the susceptibility of Natura 2000 sites to atN pollution, ranking habitat sensitivity to atN pollution using expert knowledge from a panel of Portuguese ecological and habitat experts. Peats, mires, bogs, and similar acidic and oligotrophic habitats within Natura 2000 sites (most located in the northern mountains) were assessed to have the highest relative risk of biodiversity change due to atN pollution, whereas Natura 2000 sites in the Atlantic and Mediterranean climate zone (coastal, tidal, and scrubland habitats) were deemed the least sensitive. Overall, results allowed us to rank all Natura 2000 sites in mainland Portugal in order of evaluated risk posed by atN pollution. The approach is of great relevance for stakeholders in different countries to help prioritize site protection and to define research priorities. This is especially relevant in countries with a lack of expertise to assess the impacts of nitrogen on biodiversity and can represent an important step up from current knowledge in such countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Pinho
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- CERENA, Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Teresa Dias
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Ulrike Dragosits
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Nancy B. Dise
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A. Sutton
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Díaz-Álvarez EA, Lindig-Cisneros R, de la Barrera E. Biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition: potential uses and limitations. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy011. [PMID: 29564134 PMCID: PMC5848806 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is the third largest cause of global biodiversity loss, with rates that have more than doubled over the past century. This is especially threatening for tropical regions where the deposition may soon exceed 25 kg of N ha-1 year-1, well above the threshold for physiological damage of 12-20 kg of N ha-1 year-1, depending on plant species and nitrogenous compound. It is thus urgent to monitor these regions where the most diverse biotas occur. However, most studies have been conducted in Europe, the USA and recently in China. This review presents the case for the potential use of biological organisms to monitor nitrogen deposition, with emphasis on tropical plants. We first present an overview of atmospheric chemistry and the nitrogen metabolism of potential biomonitors, followed by a framework for monitoring nitrogen deposition based on the simultaneous use of various functional groups. In particular, the tissue nitrogen content responds to the rate of deposition, especially for mosses, whose nitrogen content increases by 1‰ per kilogram of N ha-1 year-1. The isotopic signature, δ15N, is a useful indicator of the nitrogen source, as the slightly negative values (e.g. 5‰) of plants from natural environments can become very negative (-11.2‰) in sites with agricultural and husbandry activities, but very positive (13.3‰) in urban environments with high vehicular activity. Mosses are good biomonitors for wet deposition and atmospheric epiphytes for dry deposition. In turn, the nitrogen saturation of ecosystems can be monitored with trees whose isotopic values increase with saturation. Although given ecophysiological limitations of different organisms, particular studies should be conducted in each area of interest to determine the most suitable biomonitors. Overall, biomonitors can provide an integrative approach for characterizing nitrogen deposition in regions where the deployment of automated instruments or passive monitoring is not feasible or can be complementary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edison A Díaz-Álvarez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 3000, C.U., Mexico City 04510, Mexico
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ant. Ctra. a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia, Michoacán 58190, Mexico
| | - Roberto Lindig-Cisneros
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ant. Ctra. a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia, Michoacán 58190, Mexico
| | - Erick de la Barrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ant. Ctra. a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia, Michoacán 58190, Mexico
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25
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Calvo-Fernández J, Taboada Á, Fichtner A, Härdtle W, Calvo L, Marcos E. Time- and age-related effects of experimentally simulated nitrogen deposition on the functioning of montane heathland ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 613-614:149-159. [PMID: 28910717 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystems adapted to low nitrogen (N) conditions such as Calluna-heathlands are especially sensitive to enhanced atmospheric N deposition that affects many aspects of ecosystem functioning like nutrient cycling, soil properties and plant-microbial-enzyme relationships. We investigated the effects of five levels of experimentally-simulated N deposition rates (i.e., N fertilization treatments: 0, 10, 20 and 50kgNha-1yr-1 for 3years, and 56kgNha-1yr-1 for 10years) on: plant, litter, microbial biomass and soil nutrient contents, soil extracellular enzymatic activities, and plant root ericoid mycorrhizal colonization. The study was conducted in marginal montane Calluna-heathlands at different developmental stages resulting from management (young/building-phase and mature-phase). Our findings revealed that many soil properties did not show a statistically significant response to the experimental addition of N, including: total N, organic carbon (C), C:N ratio, extractable N-NO3-, available phosphorus (P), urease and β-glucosidase enzyme activities, and microbial biomass C and N. Our results also evidenced a considerable positive impact of chronic (10-year) high-N loading on soil extractable N-NH4+, acid phosphatase enzyme activity, Calluna root mycorrhizal colonization by ericoid fungi, Calluna shoot N and P contents, and litter N content and N:P ratio. The age of heathland vegetation influenced the effects of N addition on ericoid mycorrhizal colonization, resulting in higher colonized roots in young heathlands at the control, low and medium N-input rates; and in mature ones at the high and chronically high N rates. Also, young heathlands exhibited greater soil extractable N-NO3-, available P, microbial biomass N, Calluna shoot N and P contents, and litter N content, compared to mature ones. Our results highlighted that accounting for the N-input load and duration, as well as the developmental stage of the vegetation, is important for assessing the effects of added N, particularly at the heathlands' southern distribution limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Calvo-Fernández
- Area of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, 24071 León, Spain.
| | - Ángela Taboada
- Area of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Andreas Fichtner
- Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Scharnhorststrasse 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Werner Härdtle
- Institute of Ecology, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Scharnhorststrasse 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Leonor Calvo
- Area of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Elena Marcos
- Area of Ecology, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences & Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, 24071 León, Spain
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26
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Guttová A, Košuthová A, Barbato D, Paoli L. Functional and morphological traits of epiphytic lichens in the Western Carpathian oak forests reflect the influence of air quality and forest history. Biologia (Bratisl) 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/biolog-2017-0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Cabal C, Ochoa-Hueso R, Pérez-Corona ME, Manrique E. Long-term simulated nitrogen deposition alters the plant cover dynamics of a Mediterranean rosemary shrubland in Central Spain through defoliation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:26227-26237. [PMID: 28386899 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8879-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) deposition due to anthropogenic pollution is a major driver of the global biodiversity loss. We studied the effect of experimental N and phosphorus (P) fertilization (0, 10, 20, and 50 kg N ha-1 year-1 and 14 kg P ha-1 year-1 over the background deposition levels) on plant cover dynamics of a rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) shrubland after 8 years of nutrient addition in a semiarid Mediterranean ecosystem from Central Spain. We specifically aimed at testing whether N deposition has the potential to influence the observed expanding trend of woody vegetation into areas dominated by grassland, biological soil crusts, and bare soil. Our results show that N addition loads above 10 kg N ha-1 year-1 reverted the cover dynamics of shrubs. Under N addition conditions, N was no longer a limiting nutrient and other elements, especially P and calcium, determined the seasonal growth of young twigs. Interestingly, N fertilization did not inhibit the growth of young shoots; our estimates point to a reduced rosemary leaf lifespan that is driving individuals to death. This may be triggered by long-term accumulation of N compounds in leaves, suggesting the need to consider the old organs and tissues in long-lived perennial plants, where N toxicity effects could be more mediated by accumulation processes. Shrublands are a widely distributed ecosystem type in biodiverse Mediterranean landscapes, where shrubs play a key role as nurse plants. Therefore, the disappearance of shrublands may accelerate the biodiversity loss associated with other global change drivers, hamper the recruitment of seedlings of woody species, and, as a consequence, accelerate desertification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Cabal
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales CSIC, Serrano 115 dpdo, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| | - Raúl Ochoa-Hueso
- Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Esther Pérez-Corona
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C/José Antonio Novais 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esteban Manrique
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales CSIC, Serrano 115 dpdo, 28006, Madrid, Spain
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Ochoa-Hueso R, Munzi S, Alonso R, Arróniz-Crespo M, Avila A, Bermejo V, Bobbink R, Branquinho C, Concostrina-Zubiri L, Cruz C, Cruz de Carvalho R, De Marco A, Dias T, Elustondo D, Elvira S, Estébanez B, Fusaro L, Gerosa G, Izquieta-Rojano S, Lo Cascio M, Marzuoli R, Matos P, Mereu S, Merino J, Morillas L, Nunes A, Paoletti E, Paoli L, Pinho P, Rogers IB, Santos A, Sicard P, Stevens CJ, Theobald MR. Ecological impacts of atmospheric pollution and interactions with climate change in terrestrial ecosystems of the Mediterranean Basin: Current research and future directions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 227:194-206. [PMID: 28460237 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mediterranean Basin ecosystems, their unique biodiversity, and the key services they provide are currently at risk due to air pollution and climate change, yet only a limited number of isolated and geographically-restricted studies have addressed this topic, often with contrasting results. Particularities of air pollution in this region include high O3 levels due to high air temperatures and solar radiation, the stability of air masses, and dominance of dry over wet nitrogen deposition. Moreover, the unique abiotic and biotic factors (e.g., climate, vegetation type, relevance of Saharan dust inputs) modulating the response of Mediterranean ecosystems at various spatiotemporal scales make it difficult to understand, and thus predict, the consequences of human activities that cause air pollution in the Mediterranean Basin. Therefore, there is an urgent need to implement coordinated research and experimental platforms along with wider environmental monitoring networks in the region. In particular, a robust deposition monitoring network in conjunction with modelling estimates is crucial, possibly including a set of common biomonitors (ideally cryptogams, an important component of the Mediterranean vegetation), to help refine pollutant deposition maps. Additionally, increased attention must be paid to functional diversity measures in future air pollution and climate change studies to establish the necessary link between biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services in Mediterranean ecosystems. Through a coordinated effort, the Mediterranean scientific community can fill the above-mentioned gaps and reach a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying the combined effects of air pollution and climate change in the Mediterranean Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Ochoa-Hueso
- Autonomous University of Madrid, Department of Ecology, 2 Darwin Street, Madrid 28049, Spain.
| | - Silvana Munzi
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rocío Alonso
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - María Arróniz-Crespo
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Avila
- Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Victoria Bermejo
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Roland Bobbink
- B-WARE Research Centre, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Laura Concostrina-Zubiri
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristina Cruz
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Cruz de Carvalho
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Teresa Dias
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - David Elustondo
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, University of Navarre, Irunlarrea, 1-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Susana Elvira
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Belén Estébanez
- Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Botánica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Darwin 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lina Fusaro
- Dept. of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Gerosa
- Dept. of Mathematics and Physics, Catholic University of Brescia, Via dei Musei 41, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sheila Izquieta-Rojano
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, University of Navarre, Irunlarrea, 1-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Mauro Lo Cascio
- Department of Science for Nature and Natural Resources, University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Riccardo Marzuoli
- Dept. of Mathematics and Physics, Catholic University of Brescia, Via dei Musei 41, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paula Matos
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Simone Mereu
- Department of Science for Nature and Natural Resources, University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - José Merino
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera km. 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Lourdes Morillas
- Department of Science for Nature and Natural Resources, University of Sassari, Via Enrico De Nicola 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Alice Nunes
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elena Paoletti
- IPSP-CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Paoli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pedro Pinho
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; CERENA-IST-UL, Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel B Rogers
- Lancaster Environment Center, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Arthur Santos
- cE3c Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, C2, Piso 5, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pierre Sicard
- ACRI-ST, 260 route du Pin Montard, BP 234, 06904 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France
| | - Carly J Stevens
- Lancaster Environment Center, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Mark R Theobald
- Air Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 22 (edif. 70), Madrid 28040, Spain
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Kimball S, Funk JL, Spasojevic MJ, Suding KN, Parker S, Goulden ML. Can functional traits predict plant community response to global change? Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kimball
- Center for Environmental Biology University of California Irvine California 92697 USA
| | - Jennifer L. Funk
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences Chapman University Orange California 92866 USA
| | - Marko J. Spasojevic
- Department of Biology and Tyson Research Center Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis Missouri 63130 USA
| | - Katharine N. Suding
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Colorado Boulder Colorado 80303 USA
| | - Scot Parker
- Department of Earth System Science University of California Irvine California 92697 USA
| | - Michael L. Goulden
- Department of Earth System Science University of California Irvine California 92697 USA
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Ruiz-Navarro A, Barberá GG, Albaladejo J, Querejeta JI. Plant δ 15 N reflects the high landscape-scale heterogeneity of soil fertility and vegetation productivity in a Mediterranean semiarid ecosystem. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2016; 212:1030-1043. [PMID: 27405992 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the magnitude and drivers of spatial variability in soil and plant δ15 N across the landscape in a topographically complex semiarid ecosystem. We hypothesized that large spatial heterogeneity in water availability, soil fertility and vegetation cover would be positively linked to high local-scale variability in δ15 N. We measured foliar δ15 N in three dominant plant species representing contrasting plant functional types (tree, shrub, grass) and mycorrhizal association types (ectomycorrhizal or arbuscular mycorrhizal). This allowed us to investigate whether δ15 N responds to landscape-scale environmental heterogeneity in a consistent way across species. Leaf δ15 N varied greatly within species across the landscape and was strongly spatially correlated among co-occurring individuals of the three species. Plant δ15 N correlated tightly with soil δ15 N and key measures of soil fertility, water availability and vegetation productivity, including soil nitrogen (N), organic carbon (C), plant-available phosphorus (P), water-holding capacity, topographic moisture indices and normalized difference vegetation index. Multiple regression models accounted for 62-83% of within-species variation in δ15 N across the landscape. The tight spatial coupling and interdependence of the water, N and C cycles in drylands may allow the use of leaf δ15 N as an integrative measure of variations in moisture availability, biogeochemical activity, soil fertility and vegetation productivity (or 'site quality') across the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Ruiz-Navarro
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Spanish National Research Council (CEBAS-CSIC), PO Box 164, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Espinardo, Murcia, E-30100, Spain
| | - Gonzalo G Barberá
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Spanish National Research Council (CEBAS-CSIC), PO Box 164, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Espinardo, Murcia, E-30100, Spain
| | - Juan Albaladejo
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Spanish National Research Council (CEBAS-CSIC), PO Box 164, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Espinardo, Murcia, E-30100, Spain
| | - José I Querejeta
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Spanish National Research Council (CEBAS-CSIC), PO Box 164, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Espinardo, Murcia, E-30100, Spain
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Maestre FT, Eldridge DJ, Soliveres S, Kéfi S, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Bowker MA, García-Palacios P, Gaitán J, Gallardo A, Lázaro R, Berdugo M. Structure and functioning of dryland ecosystems in a changing world. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS 2016; 47:215-237. [PMID: 28239303 PMCID: PMC5321561 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-121415-032311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how drylands respond to ongoing environmental change is extremely important for global sustainability. Here we review how biotic attributes, climate, grazing pressure, land cover change and nitrogen deposition affect the functioning of drylands at multiple spatial scales. Our synthesis highlights the importance of biotic attributes (e.g. species richness) in maintaining fundamental ecosystem processes such as primary productivity, illustrate how N deposition and grazing pressure are impacting ecosystem functioning in drylands worldwide, and highlight the importance of the traits of woody species as drivers of their expansion in former grasslands. We also emphasize the role of attributes such as species richness and abundance in controlling the responses of ecosystem functioning to climate change. This knowledge is essential to guide conservation and restoration efforts in drylands, as biotic attributes can be actively managed at the local scale to increase ecosystem resilience to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando T Maestre
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Spain
| | - David J Eldridge
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Santiago Soliveres
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Alternbengrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Kéfi
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, CC 065, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, 2751, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew A Bowker
- School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, 200 East Pine Knoll Drive, AZ 86011, Flagstaff, USA
| | - Pablo García-Palacios
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Spain
| | - Juan Gaitán
- Instituto de Suelos, CIRN, INTA, Nicolas Repetto y de los Reseros Sin Número, 1686 Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antonio Gallardo
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera kilómetro 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Roberto Lázaro
- Departamento de Desertificación y Geoecología. Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, CSIC, Almería, Spain
| | - Miguel Berdugo
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Spain
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32
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Taboada A, Marcos E, Calvo L. Disruption of trophic interactions involving the heather beetle by atmospheric nitrogen deposition. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 218:436-445. [PMID: 27470539 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition impacts the structure and functioning of heathland ecosystems across Europe. Calluna plants under high N-inputs are very sensitive to secondary stress factors, including defoliation attacks by the heather beetle. These attacks result in serious damage or death of Calluna, its rapid replacement by grasses, and the subsequent loss of heathland. We know very little about the mechanisms that control the populations and trigger outbreaks of the heather beetle, impeding proper management measures to mitigate the damage. We investigated the effects of N deposition on the relationships between the heather beetle, its host plant, and two arthropod predators at building (rejuvenated through fire) and mature heathlands. The study combines field manipulation experiments simulating a range of N deposition rates (0, 1, 2, 5 g N m-2 year-1 for 2 years, and 5.6 g N m-2 year-1 for 10 years), and food-choice laboratory experiments testing the preferences of adults and larvae of the heather beetle for N-treated Calluna plants, and the preferences of predators for larvae grown on plants with different N-content. The larvae of the heather beetle achieved the highest abundances after the long-term (10-year) addition of N at mature Calluna plots in the field. Contrary to the adults, the larvae foraged preferentially on the most N-rich Calluna shoots under laboratory conditions. Predators showed no aggregative numerical responses to the accumulation of heather beetle larvae at high N-input experimental plots. During the feeding trials, predators consumed a small number of larvae, both in total and per individual, and systematically avoided eating the larvae reared on high-N Calluna shoots. Our study showed that the most severe defoliation damage by the heather beetle is inflicted at the larval stage under prolonged availability of high-N inputs, and that arthropod predators might not act as effective regulators of the beetle's populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Taboada
- Area of Ecology, University of León, E-24071 León, Spain; Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, E-24071 León, Spain.
| | - Elena Marcos
- Area of Ecology, University of León, E-24071 León, Spain; Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, E-24071 León, Spain
| | - Leonor Calvo
- Area of Ecology, University of León, E-24071 León, Spain; Institute of Environmental Research (IMA), University of León, E-24071 León, Spain
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Global resource acquisition patterns of invasive and native plant species do not hold at the regional scale in Mediterranean type ecosystems. Biol Invasions 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-016-1297-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Tulloss EM, Cadenasso ML. The Effect of Nitrogen Deposition on Plant Performance and Community Structure: Is It Life Stage Specific? PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156685. [PMID: 27253718 PMCID: PMC4890792 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) deposition is a key global change factor that is increasing and affecting the structure and function of many ecosystems. To determine the influence of N deposition on specific systems, however, it is crucial to understand the temporal and spatial patterns of deposition as well as the response to that deposition. Response of the receiving plant communities may depend on the life stage-specific performance of individual species. We focus on the California oak savanna because N deposition to this system is complex—characterized by hotspots on the landscape and seasonal pulses. In a greenhouse experiment, we investigated the relative influence of N deposition on plant performance during early growth, peak biomass, and senescent life stages across different soil types, light, and community compositions. To represent the community we used three grass species—a native, naturalized exotic, and invasive exotic. At early growth and peak biomass stages performance was measured as height, and shoot and root biomass, and at the senescent stage as seed production. Simulated N deposition 1) increased shoot biomass and height of the native and, even more so, the naturalized exotic during early growth, 2) positively affected root biomass in all species during peak biomass, and 3) had no influence on seed production at the senescent stage. Alone, N deposition was not a strong driver of plant performance; however, small differences in performance among species in response to N deposition could affect community composition in future years. In particular, if there is a pulse of N deposition during the early growth stage, the naturalized exotic may have a competitive advantage that could result in its spread. Including spatial and temporal heterogeneity in a complex, manipulative experiment provides a clearer picture of not only where N management efforts should be targeted on the landscape, but also when.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise M. Tulloss
- University of California Davis, Department of Plant Sciences, Davis, California, United States of America
- La Salle High School, Yakima, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Mary L. Cadenasso
- University of California Davis, Department of Plant Sciences, Davis, California, United States of America
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Erskine-Ogden J, Grotkopp E, Rejmánek M. Mediterranean, invasive, woody species grow larger than their less-invasive counterparts under potential global environmental change. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2016; 103:613-624. [PMID: 27026213 DOI: 10.3732/ajb.1500494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE OF THE STUDY Revealing biological differences between invasive and noninvasive species is essential for predicting species' distribution changes with global environmental change. While most research has focused on differences between invasive and noninvasive species under favorable conditions using herbaceous species, invasive woody angiosperms are also of great ecological concern. Our study focused on how growth and allocation may change for invasive and noninvasive, mediterranean, woody angiosperms under future conditions caused by global change, specifically increased nitrogen deposition and drought. METHODS We tested how seedling functional traits differed between invasive and noninvasive woody angiosperms under different experimental conditions in a greenhouse setting. We compared growth rates and allocation patterns using two levels of soil nitrogen and three levels of watering. We also examined trait log response ratios to increases in nitrogen and increases in water. Our study sampled angiosperm trees and shrubs, incorporating congeneric/confamilial relationships through 13 phylogenetically controlled contrasts. KEY RESULTS Three functional traits were highly and positively associated with plant invasiveness for most conditions studied: seedling plant mass, leaf area, and height. Invasive species also had significantly higher root mass ratios at low water regardless of nitrogen input. Invasive and noninvasive species had similar log response ratios to increases in nitrogen and watering for studied traits. CONCLUSIONS Mediterranean, woody, invasive species' larger mass, leaf area, and early height advantage under elevated nitrogen input and increased root production in drought conditions may lead to increased invasion of these species with expected global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Erskine-Ogden
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 USA
| | - Eva Grotkopp
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 USA
| | - Marcel Rejmánek
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 USA
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36
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Izquieta-Rojano S, García-Gomez H, Aguillaume L, Santamaría JM, Tang YS, Santamaría C, Valiño F, Lasheras E, Alonso R, Àvila A, Cape JN, Elustondo D. Throughfall and bulk deposition of dissolved organic nitrogen to holm oak forests in the Iberian Peninsula: Flux estimation and identification of potential sources. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 210:104-12. [PMID: 26708764 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 11/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Deposition of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in both bulk precipitation (BD) and canopy throughfall (TF) has been measured for the first time in the western Mediterranean. The study was carried out over a year from 2012 to 2013 at four evergreen holm oak forests located in the Iberian Peninsula: two sites in the Province of Barcelona (Northeastern Spain), one in the Province of Madrid (central Spain) and the fourth in the Province of Navarra (Northern Spain). In BD the annual volume weighted mean (VWM) concentration of DON ranged from 0.25 mg l(-1) in Madrid to 1.14 mg l(-1) in Navarra, whereas in TF it ranged from 0.93 mg l(-1) in Barcelona to 1.98 mg l(-1) in Madrid. The contribution of DON to total nitrogen deposition varied from 34% to 56% in BD in Barcelona and Navarra respectively, and from 38% in Barcelona to 72% in Madrid in TF. Agricultural activities and pollutants generated in metropolitan areas were identified as potential anthropogenic sources of DON at the study sites. Moreover, canopy uptake of DON in Navarra was found in spring and autumn, showing that organic nitrogen may be a supplementary nutrient for Mediterranean forests, assuming that a portion of the nitrogen taken up is assimilated during biologically active periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Izquieta-Rojano
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - H García-Gomez
- Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - L Aguillaume
- CREAF, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - J M Santamaría
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Y S Tang
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Edinburgh, EH26 0QB, UK
| | - C Santamaría
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - F Valiño
- Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - E Lasheras
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - R Alonso
- Ecotoxicology of Air Pollution, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Àvila
- CREAF, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - J N Cape
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Edinburgh, EH26 0QB, UK
| | - D Elustondo
- LICA, Department of Chemistry and Soil Science, Universidad de Navarra, Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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Hernández DL, Vallano DM, Zavaleta ES, Tzankova Z, Pasari JR, Weiss S, Selmants PC, Morozumi C. Nitrogen Pollution Is Linked to US Listed Species Declines. Bioscience 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biw003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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38
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Biocrusts in the Context of Global Change. BIOLOGICAL SOIL CRUSTS: AN ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE IN DRYLANDS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-30214-0_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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39
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Long-term Wood Production in Water-Limited Forests: Evaluating Potential CO2 Fertilization Along with Historical Confounding Factors. Ecosystems 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-015-9882-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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40
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Shibata H, Branquinho C, McDowell WH, Mitchell MJ, Monteith DT, Tang J, Arvola L, Cruz C, Cusack DF, Halada L, Kopáček J, Máguas C, Sajidu S, Schubert H, Tokuchi N, Záhora J. Consequence of altered nitrogen cycles in the coupled human and ecological system under changing climate: The need for long-term and site-based research. AMBIO 2015; 44:178-93. [PMID: 25037589 PMCID: PMC4357624 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-014-0545-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Revised: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenically derived nitrogen (N) has a central role in global environmental changes, including climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, greenhouse gas emission, water pollution, as well as food production and human health. Current understanding of the biogeochemical processes that govern the N cycle in coupled human-ecological systems around the globe is drawn largely from the long-term ecological monitoring and experimental studies. Here, we review spatial and temporal patterns and trends in reactive N emissions, and the interactions between N and other important elements that dictate their delivery from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems, and the impacts of N on biodiversity and human society. Integrated international and long-term collaborative studies covering research gaps will reduce uncertainties and promote further understanding of the nitrogen cycle in various ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Shibata
- />Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, Kita-9, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0809 Japan
| | - Cristina Branquinho
- />Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, 5° Piso, sala 37, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - William H. McDowell
- />Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, 56 College Rd., Durham, NH 03824 USA
| | - Myron J. Mitchell
- />College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA
| | - Don T. Monteith
- />NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP UK
| | - Jianwu Tang
- />Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL St., Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA
| | - Lauri Arvola
- />Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, Pääjärventie 320, 16900 Lammi, Finland
| | - Cristina Cruz
- />Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, 5° Piso, sala 37, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniela F. Cusack
- />Department of Geography, University of California - Los Angeles, 1255 Bunche Hall, Box 951524, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Lubos Halada
- />Institute of Landscape Ecology SAS, Branch Nitra, Akademicka 2, POB 22, 949 10 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Jiří Kopáček
- />Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre ASCR, Na Sádkách 7, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Cristina Máguas
- />Center for Environmental Biology, SIIAF - Stable Isotopes and Instrumental Analysis Facility, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, 5° Piso, sala 12, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Samson Sajidu
- />Chemistry Department, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, P.O Box 280, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Hendrik Schubert
- />Institut für Biowissenschaften, Lehrstuhl Ökologie, Universität Rostock, Albert-Einsteinstraße 3, 18051 Rostock, Germany
| | - Naoko Tokuchi
- />Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan
| | - Jaroslav Záhora
- />Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1/1665, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Wang C, Xiao H, Liu J, Wang L, Du D. Insights into Ecological Effects of Invasive Plants on Soil Nitrogen Cycles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2015.61005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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42
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Carnicer J, Sardans J, Stefanescu C, Ubach A, Bartrons M, Asensio D, Peñuelas J. Global biodiversity, stoichiometry and ecosystem function responses to human-induced C-N-P imbalances. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 172:82-91. [PMID: 25270104 PMCID: PMC6485510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2014.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Global change analyses usually consider biodiversity as a global asset that needs to be preserved. Biodiversity is frequently analysed mainly as a response variable affected by diverse environmental drivers. However, recent studies highlight that gradients of biodiversity are associated with gradual changes in the distribution of key dominant functional groups characterized by distinctive traits and stoichiometry, which in turn often define the rates of ecosystem processes and nutrient cycling. Moreover, pervasive links have been reported between biodiversity, food web structure, ecosystem function and species stoichiometry. Here we review current global stoichiometric gradients and how future distributional shifts in key functional groups may in turn influence basic ecosystem functions (production, nutrient cycling, decomposition) and therefore could exert a feedback effect on stoichiometric gradients. The C-N-P stoichiometry of most primary producers (phytoplankton, algae, plants) has been linked to functional trait continua (i.e. to major axes of phenotypic variation observed in inter-specific analyses of multiple traits). In contrast, the C-N-P stoichiometry of higher-level consumers remains less precisely quantified in many taxonomic groups. We show that significant links are observed between trait continua across trophic levels. In spite of recent advances, the future reciprocal feedbacks between key functional groups, biodiversity and ecosystem functions remain largely uncertain. The reported evidence, however, highlights the key role of stoichiometric traits and suggests the need of a progressive shift towards an ecosystemic and stoichiometric perspective in global biodiversity analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jofre Carnicer
- Community and Conservation Ecology Group, Centre for Life Sciences, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.; CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain; Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia 08028, Spain..
| | - Jordi Sardans
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain.; CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain
| | - Constantí Stefanescu
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain.; CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain; Museu de Ciències Naturals de Granollers, Granollers, Catalonia 08402, Spain
| | - Andreu Ubach
- Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia 08028, Spain
| | - Mireia Bartrons
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain.; CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain
| | - Dolores Asensio
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain.; CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain.; CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, Cerdanyola del Valles, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain
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Ferretti M, Marchetto A, Arisci S, Bussotti F, Calderisi M, Carnicelli S, Cecchini G, Fabbio G, Bertini G, Matteucci G, de Cinti B, Salvati L, Pompei E. On the tracks of Nitrogen deposition effects on temperate forests at their southern European range - an observational study from Italy. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2014; 20:3423-3438. [PMID: 24729460 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We studied forest monitoring data collected at permanent plots in Italy over the period 2000-2009 to identify the possible impact of nitrogen (N) deposition on soil chemistry, tree nutrition and growth. Average N throughfall (N-NO3 +N-NH4 ) ranged between 4 and 29 kg ha(-1) yr(-1) , with Critical Loads (CLs) for nutrient N exceeded at several sites. Evidence is consistent in pointing out effects of N deposition on soil and tree nutrition: topsoil exchangeable base cations (BCE) and pH decreased with increasing N deposition, and foliar nutrient N ratios (especially N : P and N : K) increased. Comparison between bulk openfield and throughfall data suggested possible canopy uptake of N, levelling out for bulk deposition >4-6 kg ha(-1) yr(-1) . Partial Least Square (PLS) regression revealed that - although stand and meteorological variables explained the largest portion of variance in relative basal area increment (BAIrel 2000-2009) - N-related predictors (topsoil BCE, C : N, pH; foliar N-ratios; N deposition) nearly always improved the BAIrel model in terms of variance explained (from 78.2 to 93.5%) and error (from 2.98 to 1.50%). N deposition was the strongest predictor even when stand, management and atmosphere-related variables (meteorology and tropospheric ozone) were accounted for. The maximal annual response of BAIrel was estimated at 0.074-0.085% for every additional kgN. This corresponds to an annual maximal relative increase of 0.13-0.14% of carbon sequestered in the above-ground woody biomass for every additional kgN, i.e. a median value of 159 kgC per kgN ha(-1) yr(-1) (range: 50-504 kgC per kgN, depending on the site). Positive growth response occurred also at sites where signals of possible, perhaps recent N saturation were detected. This may suggest a time lag for detrimental N effects, but also that, under continuous high N input, the reported positive growth response may be not sustainable in the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ferretti
- TerraData environmetrics, Via L. Bardelloni 19, Monterotondo Marittimo, I-58025, Italy; Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Agrarie, Sezione di Botanica Ambientale ed Applicata, Università di Firenze, Piazzale Cascine 28, Firenze, I-50144, Italy
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García-Gómez H, Garrido JL, Vivanco MG, Lassaletta L, Rábago I, Àvila A, Tsyro S, Sánchez G, González Ortiz A, González-Fernández I, Alonso R. Nitrogen deposition in Spain: modeled patterns and threatened habitats within the Natura 2000 network. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 485-486:450-460. [PMID: 24742555 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Revised: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The Mediterranean Basin presents an extraordinary biological richness but very little information is available on the threat that air pollution, and in particular reactive nitrogen (N), can pose to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This study represents the first approach to assess the risk of N enrichment effects on Spanish ecosystems. The suitability of EMEP and CHIMERE air quality model systems as tools to identify those areas where effects of atmospheric N deposition could be occurring was tested. For this analysis, wet deposition of NO3(-) and NH4(+) estimated with EMEP and CHIMERE model systems were compared with measured data for the period 2005-2008 obtained from different monitoring networks in Spain. Wet N deposition was acceptably predicted by both models, showing better results for oxidized than for reduced nitrogen, particularly when using CHIMERE. Both models estimated higher wet deposition values in northern and northeastern Spain, and decreasing along a NE-SW axis. Total (wet+dry) nitrogen deposition in 2008 reached maxima values of 19.4 and 23.0 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) using EMEP and CHIMERE models respectively. Total N deposition was used to estimate the exceedance of N empirical critical loads in the Natura 2000 network. Grassland habitats proved to be the most threatened group, particularly in the northern alpine area, pointing out that biodiversity conservation in these protected areas could be endangered by N deposition. Other valuable mountain ecosystems can be also threatened, indicating the need to extend atmospheric deposition monitoring networks to higher altitudes in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- H García-Gómez
- Atmospheric Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | - J L Garrido
- Atmospheric Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | - M G Vivanco
- Atmospheric Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | - L Lassaletta
- CNRS/Université Pierre et Marie Curie, UMR Sisyphe, 4 Place Jussieu, Paris 75005, France.
| | - I Rábago
- Atmospheric Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | - A Àvila
- CREAF (Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain.
| | - S Tsyro
- MSC-W of EMEP, Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Henrik Mohns plass 1, Oslo 0313, Norway.
| | - G Sánchez
- Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (ICP Forests), c/Ríos Rosas 24-6°, Madrid 28003, Spain.
| | - A González Ortiz
- Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Air Quality and Industrial Environment), Pza. S. Juan de la Cruz, s/n, Madrid 28071, Spain.
| | - I González-Fernández
- Atmospheric Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | - R Alonso
- Atmospheric Pollution Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain.
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45
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Homyak PM, Sickman JO, Miller AE, Melack JM, Meixner T, Schimel JP. Assessing Nitrogen-Saturation in a Seasonally Dry Chaparral Watershed: Limitations of Traditional Indicators of N-Saturation. Ecosystems 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-014-9792-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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46
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Pinho P, Llop E, Ribeiro MC, Cruz C, Soares A, Pereira MJ, Branquinho C. Tools for determining critical levels of atmospheric ammonia under the influence of multiple disturbances. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2014; 188:88-93. [PMID: 24568792 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Critical levels (CLEs) of atmospheric ammonia based on biodiversity changes have been mostly calculated using small-scale single-source approaches, to avoid interference by other factors, which also influence biodiversity. Thus, it is questionable whether these CLEs are valid at larger spatial scales, in a multi- disturbances context. To test so, we sampled lichen diversity and ammonia at 80 sites across a region with a complex land-cover including industrial and urban areas. At a regional scale, confounding factors such as industrial pollutants prevailed, masking the CLEs. We propose and use a new tool to calculate CLEs by stratifying ammonia concentrations into classes, and focusing on the highest diversity values. Based on the significant correlations between ammonia and biodiversity, we found the CLE of ammonia for Mediterranean evergreen woodlands to be 0.69 μg m(-3), below the previously accepted value of 1.9 μg m(-3), and below the currently accepted pan-European CLE of 1.0 μg m(-3).
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pinho
- CERENA-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-IST-UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA-FC-UL), Portugal.
| | - E Llop
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA-FC-UL), Portugal; Universtitat de Barcelona, Dpt. Biologia Vegetal-Botànica, Spain
| | - M C Ribeiro
- CERENA-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-IST-UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Cruz
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA-FC-UL), Portugal
| | - A Soares
- CERENA-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-IST-UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M J Pereira
- CERENA-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (CERENA-IST-UL), Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Branquinho
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental (CBA-FC-UL), Portugal
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Dias T, Clemente A, Martins-Loução MA, Sheppard L, Bobbink R, Cruz C. Ammonium as a driving force of plant diversity and ecosystem functioning: observations based on 5 years' manipulation of N dose and form in a Mediterranean ecosystem. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92517. [PMID: 24695101 PMCID: PMC3973647 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Accepted: 02/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced nitrogen (N) availability is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystem functions. However, in very nutrient-poor ecosystems, enhanced N input can, in the short-term, promote diversity. Mediterranean Basin ecosystems are nutrient-limited biodiversity hotspots, but no information is available on their medium- or long-term responses to enhanced N input. Since 2007, we have been manipulating the form and dose of available N in a Mediterranean Basin maquis in south-western Europe that has low ambient N deposition (<4 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and low soil N content (0.1%). N availability was modified by the addition of 40 kg N ha−1 yr−1 as a 1∶1 NH4Cl to (NH4)2SO4 mixture, and 40 and 80 kg N ha−1 yr−1 as NH4NO3. Over the following 5 years, the impacts on plant composition and diversity (richness and evenness) and some ecosystem characteristics (soil extractable N and organic matter, aboveground biomass and % of bare soil) were assessed. Plant species richness increased with enhanced N input and was more related to ammonium than to nitrate. Exposure to 40 kg NH4+-N ha−1 yr−1 (alone and with nitrate) enhanced plant richness, but did not increase aboveground biomass; soil extractable N even increased under 80 kg NH4NO3-N ha−1 yr−1 and the % of bare soil increased under 40 kg NH4+-N ha−1 yr−1. The treatment containing less ammonium, 40 kg NH4NO3-N ha−1 yr−1, did not enhance plant diversity but promoted aboveground biomass and reduced the % of bare soil. Data suggest that enhanced NHy availability affects the structure of the maquis, which may promote soil erosion and N leakage, whereas enhanced NOx availability leads to biomass accumulation which may increase the fire risk. These observations are relevant for land use management in biodiverse and fragmented ecosystems such as the maquis, especially in conservation areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Dias
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Adelaide Clemente
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, Jardim Botânico, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Lucy Sheppard
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology - Edinburgh, Bush Estate, United Kingdom
| | - Roland Bobbink
- B-Ware Research Centre, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Cruz
- Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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48
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Kimball S, Goulden ML, Suding KN, Parker S. Altered water and nitrogen input shifts succession in a southern California coastal sage community. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2014; 24:1390-1404. [PMID: 29160662 DOI: 10.1890/13-1313.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Vegetation-type conversions between grasslands and shrublands have occurred worldwide in semiarid regions over the last 150 years. Areas once covered by drought-deciduous shrubs in Southern California (coastal sage scrub) are converting to grasslands dominated by nonnative species. Increasing fire frequency, drought, and nitrogen deposition have all been hypothesized as causes of this conversion, though there is little direct evidence. We constructed rain-out shelters in a coastal sage scrub community following a wildfire, manipulated water and nitrogen input in a split-plot design, and collected annual data on community composition for four years. While shrub cover increased through time in all plots during the postfire succession, both drought and nitrogen significantly slowed recovery. Four years after the fire, average native shrub cover ranged from over 80% in water addition, ambient-nitrogen plots to 20% in water reduction, nitrogen addition plots. Nonnative grass cover was high following the fire and remained high in the water reduction plots through the third spring after the fire, before decreasing in the fourth year of the study. Adding nitrogen decreased the cover of native plants and increased the cover of nonnative grasses, but also increased the growth of one crown-sprouting shrub species. Our results suggest that extreme drought during postfire succession may slow or alter succession, possibly facilitating vegetation-type conversion of coastal sage scrub to grassland. Nitrogen addition slowed succession and, when combined with drought, significantly decreased native cover and increased grass cover. Fire, drought, and atmospheric N deposition are widespread aspects of environmental change that occur simultaneously in this system. Our results imply these drivers of change may reinforce each other, leading to a continued decline of native shrubs and conversion to annual grassland.
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49
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Ochoa-Hueso R, Maestre FT, de Los Ríos A, Valea S, Theobald MR, Vivanco MG, Manrique E, Bowker MA. Nitrogen deposition alters nitrogen cycling and reduces soil carbon content in low-productivity semiarid Mediterranean ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2013; 179:185-93. [PMID: 23685631 PMCID: PMC4427509 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic N deposition poses a threat to European Mediterranean ecosystems. We combined data from an extant N deposition gradient (4.3-7.3 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) from semiarid areas of Spain and a field experiment in central Spain to evaluate N deposition effects on soil fertility, function and cyanobacteria community. Soil organic N did not increase along the extant gradient. Nitrogen fixation decreased along existing and experimental N deposition gradients, a result possibly related to compositional shifts in soil cyanobacteria community. Net ammonification and nitrification (which dominated N-mineralization) were reduced and increased, respectively, by N fertilization, suggesting alterations in the N cycle. Soil organic C content, C:N ratios and the activity of β-glucosidase decreased along the extant gradient in most locations. Our results suggest that semiarid soils in low-productivity sites are unable to store additional N inputs, and that are also unable to mitigate increasing C emissions when experiencing increased N deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Ochoa-Hueso
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Serrano 115 Bis, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
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50
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Maestre FT, Salguero-Gómez R, Quero JL. It is getting hotter in here: determining and projecting the impacts of global environmental change on drylands. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 367:3062-75. [PMID: 23045705 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2011.0323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Drylands occupy large portions of the Earth, and are a key terrestrial biome from the socio-ecological point of view. In spite of their extent and importance, the impacts of global environmental change on them remain poorly understood. In this introduction, we review some of the main expected impacts of global change in drylands, quantify research efforts on the topic, and highlight how the articles included in this theme issue contribute to fill current gaps in our knowledge. Our literature analyses identify key under-studied areas that need more research (e.g. countries such as Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Somalia, and deserts such as the Thar, Kavir and Taklamakan), and indicate that most global change research carried out to date in drylands has been done on a unidisciplinary basis. The contributions included here use a wide array of organisms (from micro-organisms to humans), spatial scales (from local to global) and topics (from plant demography to poverty alleviation) to examine key issues to the socio-ecological impacts of global change in drylands. These papers highlight the complexities and difficulties associated with the prediction of such impacts. They also identify the increased use of long-term experiments and multidisciplinary approaches as priority areas for future dryland research. Major advances in our ability to predict and understand global change impacts on drylands can be achieved by explicitly considering how the responses of individuals, populations and communities will in turn affect ecosystem services. Future research should explore linkages between these responses and their effects on water and climate, as well as the provisioning of services for human development and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando T Maestre
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, ESCET, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Spain.
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