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Calcium induces long-term legacy effects in a subalpine ecosystem
Urs Schaffner1, Christine Alewell, René Eschen
1CABI, Delémont, Switzerland. U.Schaffner@cabi.org
Plos One
|January 4, 2013
Summary
Historical liming significantly increased soil and plant calcium pools over 70 years later, impacting ecosystem services. Nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer had no lasting effects, highlighting calcium
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Soil Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Human activities significantly alter land surfaces and ecosystem processes.
- Macronutrient application (nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium) is common in land management.
- The long-term legacy of historical fertilization and liming is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the legacy effects of historical liming and fertilization on terrestrial ecosystems.
- To understand the mechanisms behind these long-term impacts.
- To assess the continued influence on ecosystem services.
Main Methods:
- Studied a subalpine grassland with historical lime and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer applications from the 1930s.
- Measured soil and plant calcium pools more than 70 years after the last application.
- Compared limed/fertilized plots with unlimed/unfertilized control plots.
Main Results:
- Limed plots showed significantly larger soil and plant calcium pools after 70 years.
- The calcium/aluminium ratio shift in limed plots continued to affect primary production.
- Nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilized plots showed no significant differences from controls.
Conclusions:
- Historical liming has a profound and persistent legacy effect on mountain ecosystems.
- Long-term storage of calcium in stable soil pools explains the lasting impact.
- Single calcium applications can alter ecosystem processes and services for decades.
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