Nutrient cycling in Patagonian ecosystems
Abstract
The knowledge on nutrient cycling in Patagonian ecosystems of Argentina is scarce. However, studies not directly focused on nutrient cycling provide relevant information about the mechanisms of nutrient conservation in the climatically different ecosystems of the region. Here, we identified indicators of litter decomposition and soil N mineralization rates of some representative species of the dominant plant functional groups along the wide precipitation gradient of Patagonia. Senescent leaves and litter of forest trees have higher C concentration and C/N ratio and lower N concentration than steppe shrubs. Within the tree life form, evergreen species have higher C/N ratio than deciduous species. Differences in N concentration between green and senescent leaves suggest a higher N use efficiency in forest trees than in steppe shrubs. Within the steppe, grasses have higher nutrient use efficiency than shrubs due to their higher C and much lower N, P and K content in senescent leaves and litter. Thus, we hypothesize the occurrence of (i) a gradient from nutrient- conserving ecosystems in wetter sites (Andean-Patagonian forest) to relatively nutrient-rich (low nutrient use efficient) ecosystems in drier sites (Patagonian steppe), and (ii) differences in nutrient conservation mechanisms among different functional groups: in the Andean-Patagonian forests N conservation and N use efficiency is greater in evergreens than in deciduous woody species and in conifers than in broad-leaf species, whereas in the Patagonian steppe, grasses have higher nutrient resorption than shrubs. Likely as a consequence of these differences in litter quality, potential N mineralization is greater in deciduous than in evergreen Patagonian forests. Within the steppe, N inineralization seems to depend on grass and shrub cover, which in turn is regulated by disturbance, largely grazing. Since nutrient conservation in vegetation, specially N, is associated to the rates of litter decomposition and soil N mineralization, the confirmation of these patterns would allow to predict ecosystem resilience and resistance to nutrient losses, and contribute to understand and predict the response of the different Patagonian species or functional groups to interannual climatic variability and natural or anthropogenic disturbances. There is a special need for further research on P cycling, nutrient allocation in vegetation, and field measurements of litter decomposition and N mineralization.
References
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Aerts, R. 1996. Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves of perennials: are there general patterns? Journal of Ecology 84:597-608.
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Bertiller, M.B. 1996. Grazing effects on sustainable semiarid rangelandsinPatagonia: The state and dynamics of the soilseed bank. Environmental Management 20:123-132.
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Killingbeck, K.T. andW.G.Whitford. 1996. High foliar nitrogen in desertshrubs: An important ecosystemtrait or defective desert doctrine? Ecology 77:1728-1737.
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Aguiar, M.R. and O.E. Sala. 1994. Competition, facilitation, seed distribution and the origin of patches in a Patagonian steppe. Oikos 70:26-34.
Ares,J., A.M. Beeskow, M.B. Bertiller, C.M. Rostagno, M. Irisarri,J. Anchorena, G. Defossé and C. Merino. 1990. Structural and dynamic characteristics of overgrazed lands of northern Patagonia, Argentina. Pp. 149-175. In: Breymeyer, A. (ed.). Managed Grasslands. ElsevierScience, Amsterdam.
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Austin, A.T. and P.M. Vitousek. 1998. Nutrient dynamics on a precipitation gradient in Hawaii. Oecologia 113:519-529.
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Beeskow, A. M., N. Elissalde and C.M.Rostagno. 1995. Ecosystem changes associated with grazing intensity on the Punta Ninfas rangelands of Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Range Management 48:517-522.
Bernhard-Reversat,F. 1982. Biochemical cycle of nitrogen in a semiarid savanna. Oikos 38:321-332.
Bertiller, M.B. 1984. Specific primary productivity dynamics in arid ecosystems: a case study in Patagonia, Argentina. Acta Oecologica. Oecologia Generalis 5:365- 381.
Bertiller, M.B. 1996. Grazing effects on sustainable semiarid rangelandsinPatagonia: The state and dynamics of the soilseed bank. Environmental Management 20:123-132.
Bertiller, M.B., A.M. Beeskow andF. Coronato. 1991.Seasonal environmental variation and plant phenology in aridPatagonia (Argentina).Journal of Arid Environments 21:1-11.
Binkley, D. 1986.Forest nutrition management. John Wiley andSons, New York. 290 pp.
Binkley, D. 1994. The influence of tree species on forest soils.Processes andPatterns.Pp. 1-24. In: Mead, D. and G. Will (eds.) Trees and Soil Workshop Proceedings. Lincoln Univ., New Zealand.
Bisigato, A.J. and M.B. Bertiller. 1997. Grazing effects on patchy dryland vegetation in northern Patagonia. Journal of Arid Environments 36:639-653.
Buamscha, M.G., M. Gobbi, M.J. Mazzarino and F. Laos. 1998. Indicators of nitrogen conservation in Austrocedrus chilensis forests along a moisture gradient in Argentina. Forest Ecology and Management 112:253-261.
Cabrera, A L. 1976.RegionesFitogeográficas Argentinas. Enciclopedia Argentina de Agricultura y Jardinería. Tomo II.Segunda Edición. Editorial Acmé. Buenos Aires. 85 pp.
Chaia, E.E. 1997. La simbiosis actinorrícica en las Rhamnaceas del Parque y Reserva Nacional Nahuel Huapi. Tesis Doctoral. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. 123 pp.
Chapin,F.S.111. 1980.Themineral nutrition of wild plants. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 11:233- 260.
del Valle, H.F. 1996. Procesos de fragmentación de paisajes y suelos a diferentes escalas en un sector de la biozona del Monte patagónico. Tesis Doctoral. Universidad Nacional delSur. Bahía Blanca. 194 pp.
delValle,H.F.,N.O.Elissalde,D.A.Gagliardini and J.Milovich. 1998.Status of desertification in thePatagonian region: Assessment andmapping fromsatellite imagery. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 12:95-122.
del Valle, H.F. and R.A. Rosell. 1999. Mineral composition of perennial vegetation of shrub patches in NortheasternPatagonia. AridSoil Research and Rehabilitation 13:24-35.
Dezzotti, A. 1994. Ecology of temperate forest of Austrocedrus chilensis and Nothofagus dombeyi in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. Thesis of MSc in Forest Ecology and Silviculture. Wageningen Agricultural University. Netherlands. 29 pp.
Dyer, M.L., V. Meentemeyer and B. Berg. 1990. Apparent controls of masslossrate of leaf litter on a regional scale.Scandinavian Journal ofForest Research 5:311-323.
Enright, N.J. and J. Ogden. 1995. TheSouthernConifers- A Synthesis.Pp. 271-287.In: Enright, N.J. andR.S. Hill, R.S. (eds.). Ecology of the Southern Conifers. Melbourne Univ. Press, Victoria.
Ferrer, J.A. 1981. Geografía y propiedades de los suelos de la Patagonia. Primeras Jornadas Regionales de Suelos de Patagonia. Asociación Argentina de la Ciencia del Suelo. Neuquén, S.C. de Bariloche. Pp. 11- 58.
Fisher, R.A. and N.C. Turner. 1978.Plant productivity in the arid and semiarid zones. Annual Review of Plant Physiology 29:277-317.
Fontenla,S.,M. Havrylenko andP.H.Rosso. 1991.Micorrizas vesículo-arbusculares enAustrocedrus chilensis. Suelo y Planta 1:251-255.
Frangi, J.L., L.L. Richter, M.D. Barrera and M. Aloggia. 1997. Decomposition of Nothqfagus fallen woody debris in forests of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 27:1095-1102.
Gallardo, A. and W.H.Schlesinger. 1992. Carbon and nitrogen limitations ofsoil microbial biomassin desert ecosystems. Biogeochemistry 18:1-17.
García, F.O. and C.W. Rice. 1994. Microbial biomass dynamics in tallgrass prairie. Soil Science Society of America Journal 58:816-823.
Godeas, A.M. 1988. Procesos de descomposición en bosques de Nothofagus en la Argentina. Monografías Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas,Físicas y Naturales.Simposio sobre Nothofagus. 4:49-54.
Gosz,J.R. 1981. Nitrogen cycling in coniferous ecosystems. Ecological Bulletin 33:405-426.
Gower,S.T. and Y.Son. 1992. Differencesin soil and leaflitterfall nitrogen dynamicsforfive forest plantations. Soil Science Society of America Journal 56:1959-1966.
Gutiérrez, E., V.R. Vallejo, J. Romaha and J. Forts. 1991. The subantartic Nothofagus forests of Tierra del Fuego: Distribution, structure and production. Oecologia Aquatica 10:1-14.
Killingbeck, K.T. 1993. Nutrient resorption in desertshrubs. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 66:345-355.
Killingbeck, K.T. 1996. Nutrientsin senesced leaves: keysto the search for potentialresorption and resorption proficiency. Ecology 77:1716-1727.
Killingbeck, K.T. andW.G.Whitford. 1996. High foliar nitrogen in desertshrubs: An important ecosystemtrait or defective desert doctrine? Ecology 77:1728-1737.
Lanciotti, M.L.,F.Colmet-Daage and H. Morrds. 1993. Lossuelos de los hirantales de la Tierra del Fuego.Pp. 413-414. XIV Congreso Argentino de la Ciencia del Suelo, Mendoza.
León, R.J.C. and M.R. Aguiar. 1985. El deterioro por uso pasturil en estepas herbáceas patagónicas. Phytocoenologia 13:181-196.
Martin, M.E. and J.D. Aber. 1997. High spectral resolution remote sensing of forest canopy lignin, nitrogen, and ecosystem processes. Ecological Applications 7:431-443.
Mazzarino, M.J., L. Oliva, A. Abril and M. Acosta. 1991. Factors affecting nitrogen dynamics in a semiarid woodland (Dry Chaco, Argentina). Plant andSoil 138:85-98.
Mazzarino, M.J., M.B. Bertiller, C.L. Sain, F. Laos and F.R. Coronato. 1996. Spatial patterns of nitrogen availability, mineralization and immobilization in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 10:295-309.
Mazzarino, M.J., M.B.Bertiller,C.Sain,P.Satti andF.Coronato. 1998. Soil nitrogen dynamicsin northeastern Patagonia steppe under different precipitation regimes. Plant and Soil 202:125-131.
McGill, W.B., K.R. Cannon, J.A. Robertson, and F.D. Cook. 1986. Dynamics of soil microbial biomass and water-soluble organic C in Breton L after 50 years of cropping to two rotations. Canadian Journal ofSoil Science 66:1-19.
Melillo, J.M., J.D. Aber and J.M. Muratore. 1982. Nitrogen and lignin control of hardwood leaf litter decomposition dynamics. Ecology 63:621-626.
Nadelhoffer, K.J., J.D. Aber and J.M. Melillo. 1985. Fine roots, net primary production, and soil nitrogen availability: A new hypothesis. Ecology 66:1377-1390.
Ogden, J., G.H. Stewart and R.B. Allen. 1996. Ecology of New Zealand Nothqfagus forests. Pp. 25-82. In: Veblen, T.T., R.S. Hill and J. Read (eds.) The Ecology and Biogeography of Nothofagus Forests. Yale UniversityPress.
Paruelo, J.M., M.B. Bertiller, T. Schlichter and F. Coronato (eds.).1993. Secuencias de deterioro en distintos ambientes patagónicos. Su caracterización mediante el modelo de estados y transiciones. Convenio Argentino-Alemán de Cooperación técnica INTA-GTZ. Proyecto LUDEPA-SME. Sa nCarlos de Bariloche.
Parton, W.J., J.W.B. Stewart and C.V. Cole. 1988. Dynamics of C, N, P and S in grassland soils: a model. Biogeochemistry 5:109-132.
Prohaska,F. 1976. The climate of Argentina,Paraguay and Uruguay.Pp.57-69. In:Schwerderdtfeger, E. (ed.) Climate of Central andSouth America. WorldSurvey of Climatology 12. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Richter, L.L. and J.L. Frangi. 1992. Bases ecológicas para el manejo del bosque de Nothofagus pumilio de Tierra delFuego. Revista de laFacultad de Agronomía, LaPlata 68:35-52.
Robertson, G.P., M.A. Huston, F.C. Evans and J.M. Tiedje. 1988. Spatial variability in a successional plant community: Patterns of nitrogen availability. Ecology 69:1517-1524.
Rostagno,C.M. andH.F. delValle. 1988. Mounds associated with shrubsin aridic soils of northeastern Patagonia: Characteristics and probable genesis. Catena 15:347-359.
Rostagno, C.M., H.F. del Valle and L. Videla. 1991. The influence of shrubs on some chemical and physicalproperties of an aridic soil in north-eastern Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Arid Environments 20:179-188.
Sala, O.E., R.A. Golluscio, W.K. Lauenroth and A. Soriano. 1989. Resource partitioning between shrubs and grasses in the Patagonian steppe. Oecologia 81:501-505.
Schlesinger, W.H., J.F. Reynolds, G.L. Cunningham, L.F. Huenneke, W.M. Jarrell, R.A. Virginia and W.G. Whitford. 1990. Biological feedbacks in global desertification.Science 247:1043-1048.
Schlesinger, W.H. 1991. Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change. Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, California.
Skujins,J. 1981. Nitrogen cycling in arid ecosystems. In: Clark,F.E., Rosswall,T. (eds.). Terrestrial Nitrogen Cycles. Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Stockholm. Ecol. Bull. 33:477-491.
Somlo, R. and L. Cohen. 1995. Valor nutritivo de especies forrajeras patagónicas. Cordillera-precordillera. Informe técnico INTA-Bariloche.
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1998-12-01
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Mazzarino, M. J., Bertiller, M. B., Schlichter, T., & Gobbi, M. E. (1998). Nutrient cycling in Patagonian ecosystems. Ecología Austral, 8(2), 167–181. Retrieved from https://ojs.ecologiaaustral.com.ar/index.php/Ecologia_Austral/article/view/1618
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