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- Title
Exploring continental-scale stand health - N : P ratio relationships for European forests.
- Authors
Veresoglou, Stavros D.; Peñuelas, Josep; Fischer, Richard; Rautio, Pasi; Sardans, Jordi; Merilä, Päivi; Tabakovic‐Tosic, Mara; Rillig, Matthias C.
- Abstract
Understanding the relationship between nitrogen ( N) availability and stand health in forest ecosystems is crucial, because a large proportion of European forests is subjected to N-deposition levels beyond their retention capacity., We used data from a long-term forest monitoring programme ( ICP Forests) to test the relationship between an index of N availability, foliar nitrogen : phosphorus ( N : P) ratios, tree defoliation and discoloration. We hypothesized a segmented response of stand health to N : P ratios and an improved model-fit after correcting for climatic covariates., In accordance with the hypothesis, we found a segmented response with a breakpoint for conifer defoliation at N : P ratios as low as 7.3. Inclusion of climatic variables improved the fit of the models, but there was significant collinearity with N : P., Increases in N availability appear, at least for conifers, to have a negative effect on tree health even under N-limiting conditions. Regulation of N-deposition levels is consequently as timely as ever. We propose that increases in tree defoliation, other than resulting in serious plant fitness issues, may represent early diagnostic symptoms of N-addition related imbalances.
- Subjects
NITROGEN; FORESTS &; forestry; ECOSYSTEMS; PHOSPHORUS; DEFOLIATION; CONIFERS
- Publication
New Phytologist, 2014, Vol 202, Issue 2, p422
- ISSN
0028-646X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/nph.12665