scholarly journals Context dependency of insect and mammalian herbivore effects on tall thistle (Cirsium altissimum) populations

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 531-541
Author(s):  
F Leland Russell ◽  
Gregory R Houseman
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Context Dependency ◽  
Soil Nutrient Availability ◽  
Plant Populations ◽  
Population Growth Rates

Abstract Aims Identifying factors that drive variation in herbivore effects on plant populations can provide insight for explaining plant distributions and for limiting weeds. Abiotic resource availability to plants is a key explanation for variation in herbivore effects on individual plants, but the role of resources in determining herbivore effects on plant populations is largely unexplored. We tested the hypothesis that soil nutrient availability drives variation in insect and mammal herbivore effects on tall thistle (Cirsium altissimum) population growth. Methods In a Kansas USA restored tallgrass grassland that experienced prescribed fires, we manipulated soil nutrients, through fertilizer addition, and presence of insect and mammal herbivores, using combinations of insecticide and fencing, in experimental plots. Over 7 years, we quantified herbivore damage to reproductive tall thistles, tall thistle seed production and population growth rates. Important Findings Seed production was reduced by insect herbivores and increased by fertilizer addition, but treatment effects were independent. Herbivore effects on tall thistle population growth depended upon soil nutrients in only one of seven annual transitions. Herbivores reduced thistle population growth in two of three annual transitions that included prescribed fire, whereas they reduced population growth in only one of four transitions without fire. Soil nutrient availability does not provide a general explanation for variation in herbivore effects on tall thistle population growth rates. Disturbance regime may be a more important aspect of ecological context for influencing herbivore effects on tall thistle populations in mesic grasslands.

scholarly journals Ground-layer composition affects tree fine root biomass and soil nutrient availability in jack pine and black spruce forests under extreme drainage conditions

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marine Pacé ◽  
Nicole J. Fenton ◽  
David Paré ◽  
Yves Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Ground Layer ◽  
Soil Nutrient Availability ◽  
Layer Composition

In the boreal forest, long-lasting canopy gaps are associated with lichens on dry sites and with Sphagnum spp. on wet sites. We hypothesize that ground-layer composition plays a role in maintaining gaps through its effects on fine root biomass (diameter ≤ 2 mm) and soil nutrient availability. Along gradients of canopy openness in both jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) – lichen and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) – moss forests, the relationships between canopy closure, ground-layer composition, tree fine root biomass, and soil nutrients were analyzed and decomposed using path analysis. The effects of lichen and Sphagnum spp. removal on tree fine root biomass and soil nutrients were tested in situ. Although variations in pine fine root biomass were mainly explained by stand aboveground biomass, lichen removal locally increased fine root biomass by more than 50%, resin extractable soil potassium by 580%, and base cations by 180%. While Sphagnum cover was identified as a key driver of stand aboveground biomass reduction in paludified forest sites, its removal had no short-term effects on spruce fine root biomass and soil nutrients. Our results suggest that lichens, more than Sphagnum spp., affect tree growth via direct effects on soil nutrients. These two different patterns call for different silvicultural solutions to maintain productive stands.

scholarly journals One Year Residual Effect of Sewage Sludge Biochar as a Soil Amendment for Maize in a Brazilian Oxisol

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2226
Author(s):  
Joisman Fachini ◽  
Thais Rodrigues Coser ◽  
Alyson Silva de Araujo ◽  
Ailton Teixeira do Vale ◽  
Keiji Jindo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Pyrolysis Temperature ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Soil Nutrient Availability ◽  
One Year

The thermochemical transformation of sewage sludge (SS) to biochar (SSB) allows exploring the advantages of SS and reduces possible environmental risks associated with its use. Recent studies have shown that SSB is nutrient-rich and may replace mineral fertilizers. However, there are still some questions to be answered about the residual effect of SSB on soil nutrient availability. In addition, most of the previous studies were conducted in pots or soil incubations. Therefore, the residual effect of SSB on soil properties in field conditions remains unclear. This study shows the results of nutrient availability and uptake as well as maize yield the third cropping of a three-year consecutive corn cropping system. The following treatments were compared: (1) control: without mineral fertilizer and biochar; (2) NPK: with mineral fertilizer; (3) SSB300: with biochar produced at 300 °C; (4) SSB300+NPK; (5) SSB500: with biochar produced at 500 °C; and (6) SSB500+NPK. The results show that SSB has one-year residual effects on soil nutrient availability and nutrient uptake by maize, especially phosphorus. Available soil P contents in plots that received SSB were around five times higher than the control and the NPK treatments. Pyrolysis temperature influenced the SSB residual effect on corn yield. One year after suspending the SSB application, SSB300 increased corn yield at the same level as the application of NPK. SSB300 stood out and promoted higher grain yield in the residual period (8524 kg ha−1) than SSB500 (6886 kg ha−1). Regardless of pyrolysis temperature, biochar boosted the mineral fertilizer effect resulting in higher grain yield than the exclusive application of NPK. Additional long-term studies should be focused on SSB as a slow-release phosphate fertilizer.

Nutrient use strategy and not competition determines native and invasive species response to changes in soil nutrient availability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda E. Knauf ◽  
Creighton M. Litton ◽  
Rebecca J. Cole ◽  
Jed P. Sparks ◽  
Christian P. Giardina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Soil Nutrient Availability ◽  
Species Response ◽  
Nutrient Use

scholarly journals Estimates of regional annual abundance and population growth rates of white sharks off central California

2021 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
pp. 109104
Author(s):  
Paul E. Kanive ◽  
Jay J. Rotella ◽  
Taylor K. Chapple ◽  
Scot D. Anderson ◽  
Timothy D. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Central California ◽  
Population Growth Rates

Conocarpus Biochar Induces Changes in Soil Nutrient Availability and Tomato Growth Under Saline Irrigation

Pedosphere ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel Rabie A. USMAN ◽  
Mohammad I. AL-WABEL ◽  
Yong S. OK ◽  
Abdulaziz AL-HARBI ◽  
Mahmoud WAHB-ALLAH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Soil Nutrient Availability ◽  
Saline Irrigation ◽  
Tomato Growth

Does soil nutrient availability influence night-time water flux of aspen saplings?

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priit Kupper ◽  
Gristin Rohula ◽  
Liina Saksing ◽  
Arne Sellin ◽  
Krista Lõhmus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Soil Nutrient Availability

Logging impacts on the biogeochemistry of boreal forest soils and nutrient export to aquatic systems: A review

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (NA) ◽  
pp. 157-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Kreutzweiser ◽  
Paul W. Hazlett ◽  
John M. Gunn
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Soil Nutrient Availability ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Partial Harvest ◽  
Forest Watersheds ◽  
Logging Impacts ◽  
Receiving Waters

Logging disturbances in boreal forest watersheds can alter biogeochemical processes in soils by changing forest composition, plant uptake rates, soil conditions, moisture and temperature regimes, soil microbial activity, and water fluxes. In general, these changes have often led to short-term increases in soil nutrient availability followed by increased mobility and losses by leaching to receiving waters. Among the studies we reviewed, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exports usually increased after logging, and nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification often increased with resulting increased N availability and exports to receiving waters. Similar processes and responses occurred for phosphorus (P), but to a lesser extent than for N. In most cases, base cations were released and exported to receiving waters after logging. Several studies demonstrated that stem-only or partial-harvest logging reduced the impacts on nutrient release and exports in comparison to whole-tree clear-cutting. Despite these logging-induced increases in soil nutrient availability and movement to receiving waters, most studies reported little or no change in soil chemical properties. However, responses to logging were highly variable and often site specific. The likelihood, extent and magnitude of logging impacts on soil nutrient cycling and exports in boreal forest watersheds will be dependent on soil types, stand and site conditions, hydrological connectivity, post-logging weather patterns, and type and timing of harvest activities. Additionally, logging impacts can interact with, and be confounded by, atmospheric pollutant deposition and climate change. Further watershed-level empirical studies and modeling efforts are required to elucidate these interactions, to improve predictive capabilities, and to advance forest management guidelines for sustaining forest soil productivity and limiting nutrient exports.

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