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A CO2 Concentration Gradient Facility for Testing CO2 Enrichment and Soil Effects on Grassland Ecosystem Function
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A link between plant diversity, elevated CO2 and soil nitrate.

Pascal A Niklaus1, E Kandeler2, P W Leadley1,3

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Oecologia
|May 27, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Reductions in plant diversity increase soil nitrate, while elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) decreases it. These effects on soil nitrogen dynamics suggest complex interactions in grassland ecosystems.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science
  • Soil Science

Background:

  • Plant species diversity influences ecosystem functions, including nutrient cycling.
  • Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are rising, impacting plant communities and soil processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interactive effects of reduced plant species diversity and elevated atmospheric CO2 on soil nitrate dynamics in calcareous grassland.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms driving changes in soil nitrate concentrations under these experimental conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Long-term field experiment manipulating plant species diversity and CO2 levels.
  • Measurement of soil nitrate ([NO3-]), potential nitrification rates, soil water content, and related soil properties.
  • Analysis of plant community characteristics, including root length density and legume content.

Main Results:

  • Low plant species diversity consistently increased soil nitrate levels.
  • CO2 enrichment reduced soil nitrate across all diversity levels.
  • Potential nitrification rates mirrored soil nitrate trends, suggesting nitrification as the primary driver.
  • Observed effects were independent of root density, microbial biomass, legume content, and total soil nitrogen pools.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced plant diversity leads to increased soil nitrate, likely due to altered nitrogen uptake patterns and increased nitrification.
  • Elevated CO2 reduces soil nitrate, potentially by increasing soil moisture and affecting nitrification rates.
  • The interaction between plant diversity reduction and elevated CO2 on soil nitrate is antagonistic and may not be universally applicable.