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The effect of macro-invertebrates and plant litter of different quality on the release of N from litter to plant on alpine pastureland

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Abstract

The effect of 15N-labelled litter of different quality (Luzula sylvatica, a grass species, Vaccinium gaultheroides, a deciduous dwarf shrub, and Calluna vulgaris, a hardy dwarf shrub) and the presence of macro-decomposers (Lumbricus rubellus, Lumbricidae, and Enantiulus nanus, Diplopoda) on the growth of Dactylis glomerata (Poaceae), a grass species abundant on alpine pastureland, was investigated. After 4 months, the presence of soil animals significantly increased litter mass loss of L. sylvatica, V. gaultheroides and C. vulgaris by 27%, 11% and 40%, respectively. Soil animals generally reduced microbial biomass but significantly increased it in treatments where either L. sylvatica or C. vulgaris was present. The presence of soil animals significantly increased shoot and root biomass of D. glomerata by 48% and 64%, respectively. L. rubellus increased the transfer of 15N from the litter into plants. We conclude that macro-decomposers increased nutrient mobilization and plant uptake of nutrients mineralized from recalcitrant litter materials. Litter of L. sylvatica contributed most to the 15N uptake by D. glomerata, suggesting that litter quality is crucial for the cycling of nutrients on abandoned alpine pastureland.

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Acknowledgements

The study was financially supported by the FWF (Austrian Science Fund, P16027). We thank S. Zangerle for the assistance in the lab work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Terrestrial Ecology and Taxonomy, Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Julia Seeber & Erwin Meyer

  2. Social Science Methods Group, University of Innsbruck, Universitätsstr. 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    G. U. H. Seeber

  3. Kompetenzzentrum Stabile Isotope, Forschungszentrum Waldökosysteme, Universität Göttingen, Büsgenweg 1, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Reinhard Langel

  4. Institute of Zoology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany

    Stefan Scheu

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  1. Julia Seeber
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  2. G. U. H. Seeber
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  4. Stefan Scheu
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Correspondence to Julia Seeber.

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Seeber, J., Seeber, G.U.H., Langel, R. et al. The effect of macro-invertebrates and plant litter of different quality on the release of N from litter to plant on alpine pastureland. Biol Fertil Soils 44, 783–790 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-008-0282-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-008-0282-6

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