Responses ofDrosera capensisandD. binatavar.multifida(Droseraceae) to manipulations of insect availability and soil nutrient levels

Stewart, C. Neal; Nilsen, Erik T.

doi:10.1080/0028825x.1993.10419516

Cited by 9 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…5 C). Overall, these studies lend further support to the hypothesis that the primary nutrient gained from carnivory is P (Chandler and Anderson, 1976;Stewart and Nilsen, 1993;Wakefield et al, 2005).…”

Section: Nutrient Stoichiometry Of Carnivorous Plantssupporting

confidence: 70%

Nutrient Limitation and Stoichiometry of Carnivorous Plants

2006

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The cost-benefit model for the evolution of carnivorous plants posits a trade-off between photosynthetic costs associated with carnivorous structures and photosynthetic benefits accrued through additional nutrient acquisition. The model predicts that carnivory is expected to evolve if its marginal benefits exceed its marginal costs. Further, the model predicts that when nutrients are scarce but neither light nor water is limiting, carnivorous plants should have an energetic advantage in competition with non-carnivorous plants. Since the publication of the cost-benefit model over 20 years ago, marginal photosynthetic costs of carnivory have been demonstrated but marginal photosynthetic benefits have not. A review of published data and results of ongoing research show that nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium often (co-)limit growth of carnivorous plants and that photosynthetic nutrient use efficiency is 20 - 50 % of that of non-carnivorous plants. Assessments of stoichiometric relationships among limiting nutrients, scaling of leaf mass with photosynthesis and nutrient content, and photosynthetic nutrient use efficiency all suggest that carnivorous plants are at an energetic disadvantage relative to non-carnivorous plants in similar habitats. Overall, current data support some of the predictions of the cost-benefit model, fail to support others, and still others remain untested and merit future research. Rather than being an optimal solution to an adaptive problem, botanical carnivory may represent a set of limited responses constrained by both phylogenetic history and environmental stress.

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Section: Nutrient Stoichiometry Of Carnivorous Plantssupporting

confidence: 70%

Nutrient Limitation and Stoichiometry of Carnivorous Plants

2006

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“…Carnivorous plants are generally N + P co-limited (Ellison 2006), and carnivory has been shown experimentally to mainly supply P (Chandler and Anderson, 1976;Stewart and Nilsen 1993;Wakefield et al 2005). This appears to be confirmed with the data from the present study, with much higher foliar P in…”

Section: Effect Of Soil Chemistry On Nepenthes Foliar Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant diversity and foliar elemental profiles in relation to soil chemistry and altitude on ultramafic edaphic islands in Kinabalu Park (Malaysia)

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This research project was multifaceted and aimed to develop an understanding of how plant diversity and foliar elemental chemistry interact with soil chemistry and altitude on ultramafic outcrops in Kinabalu Park (Sabah, Malaysia, Borneo Island). The research site, Kinabalu Park, is the world's most species-rich hotspot (>5000 plant species in <1200 km 2 ), and the presence of widely-scattered ultramafic outcrops is thought to have stimulated plant evolution in the area. Tambuyukon host exceptionally species-rich plant communities, but also contribute to the extreme stunting of this vegetation. The vegetation of serpentinite soils, however, are characterised by trees in the family Casuarinaceae and is species-poor. Although vastly different chemically, both hypermagnesian and serpentinite soils host high levels of ultramafic obligate species. In contrast, obligate ultramafic species are virtually absent in the lowland forest, but the combination of a number of dipterocarps is a characteristic of these forests.The foliar elemental profiles of plants growing on ultramafic soils were characterised by higher concentrations of Fe, Mg, Co, Cr, and Ni, but lower concentrations of Ca, K and P. This research identified hyperaccumulator behaviour in a range of plant species: Al >1000 µg/g (38 spp.), Mn >10 mg/g (7 spp.), Cu >300 µg/g (1 sp.), Cr > 300 µg/g (3 spp.), Co >300 (3 spp.), Ni >1000 µg/g (24 spp.) and Zn >3000 µg/g (2 spp.) The foliar frequency distribution of Ni follows a distinct bimodal distribution, with the modes ('non-accumulators' and 'hyperaccumulators') separated at approximately 850 µg/g Ni (the lower limit of the 'hyperaccumulator mode'). This indicates a distinct ecophysiological trait, as opposed to just the upper tail of a normal frequency distribution.In Sabah, Ni hyperaccumulation occurs most frequently in the Order Malpighiales (families: 3 Dichapetalaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Salicaceae, Violaceae), and is particularly common in the Phyllanthaceae (genera Phyllanthus, Glochidion). Ni concentrations belong to the highest recorded globally attaining up to 2.4% in foliage (Psychotria sarmentosa complex) and up to 16.9% in the phloem exudate (Phyllanthus balgooyi). The phloem tissue of many of these species appears to act as a 'Ni-sink', which could function to re-distribute Ni to emerging shoots, hence potentially aiding insect herbivory-protection, although specialist Ni-tolerant insects were also found. Ni hyperaccumulators were localised in successional habitats on serpentinite soils with active mineral weathering. These soils showed a 'threshold response' with >20 µg/g carboxylic extractable Ni or > 630 µg/g pseudo-total Ni, and pH >6. The soil chemistry in this zone is extreme, and the most probable cause for the stunted vegetation.Carnivorous Nepenthes provide examples of ultramafic obligate and endemic species, and N. rajah, N. villosa, N. burbidgeae and N. edwardsiana were studied. The results showed that these species are restricted to a very unusual combination of factors: extremely...

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Algal fixation of atmospheric nitrogen

Stewart

1970

Plant Soil

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Responses ofDrosera capensisandD. binatavar.multifida(Droseraceae) to manipulations of insect availability and soil nutrient levels

Cited by 9 publications

References 7 publications

Nutrient Limitation and Stoichiometry of Carnivorous Plants

Nutrient Limitation and Stoichiometry of Carnivorous Plants

Plant diversity and foliar elemental profiles in relation to soil chemistry and altitude on ultramafic edaphic islands in Kinabalu Park (Malaysia)

Algal fixation of atmospheric nitrogen

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