Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Pages: 274-282

Journal: Forest Ecology and Management

Volume number: 313

ISSN: 0378-1127

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2013.11.021

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
We hypothesized that biodiversity improves ecosystem functioning and services such as nutrient cycling because of increased complementarity. We examined N canopy budgets of 27 Central European forests of varying dominant tree species, stand density, and tree and shrub species diversity (Shannon index) in three study regions by quantifying bulk and fine particulate dry deposition and dissolved below canopy N fluxes. Average regional canopy N retention ranged from 16% to 51%, because of differences in the N status of the ecosystems. Canopy N budgets of coniferous forests differed from deciduous forest which we attribute to differences in biogeochemical N cycling, tree functional traits and canopy surface area. The canopy budgets of N were related to the Shannon index which explained 14% of the variance of the canopy budgets of N, suggesting complementary aboveground N use of trees and diverse understorey vegetation. The relationship between plant diversity and canopy N retention varied among regional site conditions and forest types. Our results suggest that the traditional view of belowground complementarity of nutrient uptake by roots in diverse plant communities can be transferred to foliar uptake in forest canopies. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Harvard Citation style: Schwarz, M., Bischoff, S., Blaser, S., Boch, S., Schmitt, B., Thieme, L., et al. (2014) More efficient aboveground nitrogen use in more diverse Central European forest canopies, Forest Ecology and Management, 313, pp. 274-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2013.11.021

APA Citation style: Schwarz, M., Bischoff, S., Blaser, S., Boch, S., Schmitt, B., Thieme, L., Fischer, M., Michalzik, B., Schulze, E., Siemens, J., & Wilcke, W. (2014). More efficient aboveground nitrogen use in more diverse Central European forest canopies. Forest Ecology and Management. 313, 274-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2013.11.021