The effects of low levels of nitrogen deposition and grazing on dune grassland

Plassmann, Katharina; Edwards‐Jones, Gareth; Jones, Melanie

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.10.012

Cited by 49 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Experimental studies have shown elevated N pools in dune vegetation, primarily in the moss biomass (Plassmann et al, 2009). Over longer timescales, as the moss layer decomposes, this nitrogen will subsequently enter the soil N pool, with implications for long-term rates of soil development (Jones et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are also sensitive to N deposition, showing loss of plant species diversity, altered soil processes and accumulated N in plant and soil pools under enhanced deposition (Jones et al, 2004(Jones et al, , 2008Plassmann et al, 2009). As in other habitats, many of these changes are driven by increased biomass of nitrophilous species, particularly graminoids (Remke et al, 2010;van den Berg et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As in other habitats, many of these changes are driven by increased biomass of nitrophilous species, particularly graminoids (Remke et al, 2010;van den Berg et al, 2005). The current critical load for 'Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation' ("grey dunes") is 8 -15 kg N ha -1 yr -1 (Bobbink and Hettelingh, 2011), and bryophytes and lichens comprise a major component of the vegetation cover (Plassmann et al, 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Upwind impacts of ammonia from an intensive poultry unit

Jones

Nizam

Reynolds

et al. 2013

Environmental Pollution

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Abstract:This study investigated potential ammonia impacts on a sand dune nature reserve 600 m upwind of an intensive poultry unit. Ammonia concentrations and total nitrogen deposition were measured over a calendar year. A series of ammonia and nitrogen exposure experiments using dune grassland species were conducted in controlled manipulations and in the field.Ammonia emissions from the intensive poultry unit were detected up to 2.8 km upwind, contributing to exceedance of critical levels of ammonia 800 m upwind and exceedance of critical loads of nitrogen 2.8 km upwind. Emissions contributed 30% of the total N load in parts of the upwind conservation site. In the nitrogen exposure experiments, plants showed elevated tissue nitrogen contents, and responded to ammonia concentrations and nitrogen deposition loads observed in the conservation site by increasing biomass. Estimated longterm impacts suggest an increase in the soil carbon pool of 9% over a 50-year timescale.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Upwind impacts of ammonia from an intensive poultry unit

Jones

Nizam

Reynolds

et al. 2013

Environmental Pollution

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“…Fixed sand dune grasslands are species rich, low-productivity semi-natural grasslands, and a (Maddock, 2008;Plassmann et al 2009). Grazed vegetation is characteristic of UK National Vegetation Classification (NVC) plant communities: Carex arenaria -Festuca ovina -Agrostis capillaris dune grassland (SD12) and Festuca rubra -Galium verum fixed dune grassland (SD8) (Rodwell, 2000).…”

Section: Study Site and Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen and phosphorus co-limitation and grazing moderate nitrogen impacts on plant growth and nutrient cycling in sand dune grassland

Ford

Roberts

Jones

2016

Science of The Total Environment

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Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition alters plant biodiversity and ecosystem function in grasslands worldwide. This study examines the impact of 6 years of nutrient addition and grazing management on a sand dune grassland. Results indicate that co-limitation of N and phosphorus (P) moderates the impact of realistic rates of N addition (7.5, 15 kg N ha −1 year −1 ). Combined NP addition (15 kg N + 10 kg P ha −1 year −1 ) was the only nutrient treatment to differ significantly from the control, with greater above-ground biomass (mainly moss), and enhanced N and P mineralisation rates. Grazing management altered plant functional group composition, reduced above-ground biomass and meso-faunal feeding rates, and decoupled N and P mineralisation. There were no synergistic effects of grazing and N treatment. Although NP co-limitation apparently prevents adverse impacts of N deposition above the critical load, excess N is likely to be stored in moss biomass and soil, with unknown future consequences.Capsule: This study shows that at realistic levels of N addition, NP co-limitation in a dune grassland appears to prevent adverse impacts of N on plant growth and nutrient cycling.

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“…While the effects of atmospheric deposition have received recent attention in dry dune 60 habitats (Plassmann et al, 2009; Remke et al 2009;Jones et al 2013), relatively little attention has 61 been given to the impact of other sources of nutrients in dune wetlands, indeed in wetlands in general, 62 and the issue of groundwater or surface water-derived nutrients is not explicitly considered within 63 atmospheric critical loads frameworks. In dune systems that are not isolated hydrologically from 64 surrounding groundwater, there is the potential for nutrient inputs to these habitats from agricultural and 65 other sources via groundwater to add to the nutrient load already received from atmospheric deposition.…”

Section: Contact Ceh Nora Team At Noraceh@cehacukmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for sensitivity of dune wetlands to groundwater nutrients

Rhymes

Wallace²,

Fenner

et al. 2014

Science of The Total Environment

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. 2014. Evidence for sensitivity of dune wetlands to groundwater nutrients. Contact CEH NORA team at noraceh@ceh.ac.ukThe NERC and CEH trademarks and logos ('the Trademarks') are registered trademarks of NERC in the UK and other countries, and may not be used without the prior written consent of the Trademark owner.Manuscript for Science of the total environment ACCEPTED Dune slacks are seasonal wetlands, high in biodiversity, which experience considerable within-year and 24 between-year variations in water-table. They are subject to many pressures including climate change, 25 land use change and eutrophication. Despite their biological importance and the threats facing them, 26 the hydrological and nutrient parameters that influence their soil properties and biodiversity are poorly 27 understood and there have been no empirical studies to date testing for biological effects in dune 28Manuscript for Science of the total environment ACCEPTED 2 systems resulting from groundwater nutrients at low concentrations. In this study we examined the 29 impact of groundwater nutrients on water chemistry, soil chemistry and vegetation composition of dune 30 slacks at three distance classes (0-150 m, 150-300 m, 300-450 m) away from known (off-site) nutrient 31 sources at Aberffraw dunes in North Wales, whilst controlling for differences in water- (Provoost et al., 2011;Jones et al. 2011; Beaumont et 56 al. 2014). With regard to the latter; nutrients from atmospheric deposition have increased dramatically 57 from their pre-industrial levels of 2 -6 kg N ha -1 yr -1 (Fowler, 2004). As a consequence, the critical load 58 defined for dune slacks, 10-15kg N ha -1 yr -1 (Bobbink and Hettelingh, 2011), is exceeded across much 59Manuscript for Science of the total environment ACCEPTED 3 of Europe. While the effects of atmospheric deposition have received recent attention in dry dune 60 habitats (Plassmann et al., 2009; Remke et al. 2009;Jones et al. 2013), relatively little attention has 61 been given to the impact of other sources of nutrients in dune wetlands, indeed in wetlands in general, 62 and the issue of groundwater or surface water-derived nutrients is not explicitly considered within 63 atmospheric critical loads frameworks. In dune systems that are not isolated hydrologically from 64 surrounding groundwater, there is the potential for nutrient inputs to these habitats from agricultural and 65 other sources via groundwater to add to the nutrient load already received from atmospheric deposition. grasslands (Heil and Diemont, 1983). However, in dune slacks there is still relatively little empirical 82 evidence of nutrient impacts either from atmospheric deposition or from other sources, especially at 83 realistic N loads. One of the few studies, using high nutrient loads on dune vegetation at Braunton 84 Burrows demonstrated that Agrostis stolonifera dominated a dune slack following surface additions of N 85 and P (Willis, 1963). 86 87 Dune slack water tables tend to be at their highest in winter and fall in the summer m...

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The effects of low levels of nitrogen deposition and grazing on dune grassland

Cited by 49 publications

References 44 publications

Upwind impacts of ammonia from an intensive poultry unit

Upwind impacts of ammonia from an intensive poultry unit

Nitrogen and phosphorus co-limitation and grazing moderate nitrogen impacts on plant growth and nutrient cycling in sand dune grassland

Evidence for sensitivity of dune wetlands to groundwater nutrients

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