The role of polyphenols in terrestrial ecosystem nutrient cycling

Hättenschwiler, Stephan; Vitousek, Peter M.

doi:10.1016/s0169-5347(00)01861-9

Cited by 959 publications

(794 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…6), suggesting that if appropriate conditions for their development are attained, this taxon may impair the health of the P. halepensis plantations, from the Porto Santo Island. In spite of the sheltered habitat offered by the litter layer of the E. ficifolia plantation in the Castelo Peak (CPE) this area showed the lower number of taxa, in winter, what may be explained by the high levels of phenolic compounds in the leaves of trees of the genus Eucalyptus whose effects on fungi and on the reproduction and mortality of isopods were already reported [13,17,31,51]. On the other hand, as it can be observed on the triplot from the CCA analysis, the highest diversity of the herbaceous cover of the Ana Ferreira (AFPH) and Facho (FPH) peaks may be explained by the association of most generalist taxa with these areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Spatial and temporal distribution of litter arthropods in different vegetation covers of Porto Santo Island (Madeira Archipelago, Portugal)

Antunes

Pereira

Sousa

et al. 2008

European Journal of Soil Biology

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t r a c tThe main objective of this study is to assess the soil diversity and temporal and spatial distribution of litter macro-arthropods, captured with pitfall traps, on different vegetation covers from Porto Santo Island (Portugal) with different soil physical and chemical characteristics. The PCA clearly separated sampling areas geographically more exposed to winds and solar radiation, from the others that were not. In this analysis, seasons seemed to have no influence on this distribution. Non-exposed areas were characterized by high soil temperatures, water and organic matter contents. Among these areas, those that were covered by Pinus halepensis and Eucalyptus ficifolia showed the highest C/N ratios in winter, which may be explained by likely inhibitory effects of phenolic compounds of the leaves of both species on the decomposition process. The highest number of organisms was recorded on the exposed areas. Variance partitioning using CCA showed that the different vegetation covers and environmental variables explained 19% and 30%, respectively, of the variance in macro-arthropods distribution. Four environmental variables (exposure, temperature, C/N ratio and exchangeable K) were positively correlated with the taxa abundance matrix. The results showed that non-exposed areas with E. ficifolia and Cupressus macrocarpa seemed to favour the establishment of a high diversity of taxa, especially in the summer, when soil conditions tend to be extreme.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Spatial and temporal distribution of litter arthropods in different vegetation covers of Porto Santo Island (Madeira Archipelago, Portugal)

Antunes

Pereira

Sousa

et al. 2008

European Journal of Soil Biology

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“…Most studies have failed to find a relationship between aspen tannin concentrations and mammalian or arthropod preferences or performance (Lindroth and Hwang, 1996a). Tannins may play diverse Balternative^roles in plants, from defenses against photooxidative stress (Close and McArthur, 2002) and microbial pathogens (Kellam et al, 1992), to modifying local soil processes and nutrient cycling rates (Hä ttenschwiler and Vitousek, 2000). For example, variation in tannin concentrations can alter leaf litter quality (Lindroth et al, 2002;Madritch et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, variation in tannin concentrations can alter leaf litter quality (Lindroth et al, 2002;Madritch et al, 2006). Concentrations of both nitrogen and phenolics (especially tannins) play important roles in litter decomposition and soil nutrient dynamics in forest soils (Schimel et al, 1996;Northup et al, 1998;Hä ttenschwiler and Vitousek, 2000;Kraus et al, 2003;Schweitzer et al 2004). In fact, an alternative hypothesis to the role of tannins as antiherbivore defenses posits that they may be adaptive in their capacity to regulate proximal nutrient cycling (Northup et al, 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, primary plant compounds such as protein and water are critical for herbivore growth and development (Awmack and Leather, 2002), and qualitative or quantitative variation in phytochemical defenses within a species also strongly influences herbivore behavior and performance (Crawley, 1983;Schultz, 1988;Shelton, 2000). At the ecosystem level, phytochemical variation can influence litter decomposition and nutrient cycling rates (Schimel et al, 1996;Hä ttenschwiler and Vitousek, 2000;Kraus et al, 2003;Madritch et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Age-Related Shifts in Leaf Chemistry of Clonal Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

et al. 2006

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Developmental changes in plant structure and function can influence both mammalian and arthropod feeding preferences for many woody plant species. This study documents age-related changes that occur in the leaf chemistry of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx., Salicaceae) and discusses implications for the herbivore community and ecosystem processes. We collected leaves from replicate ramets from six age classes (1-25+ yr) in each of seven aspen clones growing in south central Wisconsin, USA. Chemical analyses were conducted to determine concentrations of condensed tannins, phenolic glycosides (salicortin and tremulacin), nitrogen, starch, and soluble sugars. Each variable differed significantly among clones and among age classes. On average, condensed tannin concentrations doubled in the first five years and then remained fairly constant among older age classes. Combined phenolic glycoside (salicortin + tremulacin) concentrations were high in the youngest ramets (ca. 19%) and decreased sharply with age. Developmental changes in tannin, salicortin, and tremulacin concentrations exceeded those of nitrogen and carbohydrates. Developmental shifts of this magnitude, and the agerelated tradeoff that occurs between condensed tannins and phenolic glycosides, are likely to have significant influence on the herbivore community of aspen and may influence leaf litter decomposition and nutrient cycling.

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“…While growth responses leading to changes in community structure have been widely studied (Aerts and Berendse 1988;Craft et al 1995;Miao and Sklar 1998;, far less is known about changes in plant secondary metabolites following increased input of nutrients. They may have important consequences for ecological interactions and processes such as herbivory and decomposition (Aerts and de Caluwe 1997;Peñuelas and Estiarte 1998;Hättenschwiler and Vitousek 2000;Wong et al 2010;Kagata and Ohgushi 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenolic content and growth of wetland macrophytes: Is the allocation to secondary compounds driven by nutrient availability?

Rejmánková

2015

Folia Geobot

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This study compares soluble phenolics and lignin content in two wetland macrophytes with contrasting life strategies grown under a varying nutrient supply in the field and in a greenhouse experiment. The differences are explained in terms of the protein competition model (PCM) hypothesis relating changes in secondary metabolites to changing nutrient limitation. The two study species, Eleocharis cellulosa (EC) and Typha domingensis (TD), are both widespread in tropical and subtropical freshwater and brackish marshes of the New World, and are often found in P-limited rather than Nlimited conditions. TD is a fast-growing competitor with large nutrient requirements. EC is a stress tolerator, quite well adapted to growth in nutrient-limiting environments. In both species, the concentration of phenolics was negatively correlated with increasing growth (due to increasing nutrient levels). This is in agreement with the PCM hypothesis, which predicts an increase in phenolic synthesis when protein synthesis (and consequently growth) is low due to limited resource availability. An interesting difference was found in the correlation between tissue nutrients and phenolics. TD from both the field and the greenhouse showed a negative correlation between tissue P and phenolics, while EC displayed a significant negative correlation between tissue N and phenolics. EC is adapted to low P, and increased tissue P content represents luxury consumption (uptake of P for storage) which is not reflected in increased growth and thus is not correlated with phenolics. These are the first steps in elucidating the relationship among nutrient availability, growth and phenolic content in two important primary producers of tropical and subtropical marshes.

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The role of polyphenols in terrestrial ecosystem nutrient cycling

Cited by 959 publications

References 33 publications

Spatial and temporal distribution of litter arthropods in different vegetation covers of Porto Santo Island (Madeira Archipelago, Portugal)

Spatial and temporal distribution of litter arthropods in different vegetation covers of Porto Santo Island (Madeira Archipelago, Portugal)

Age-Related Shifts in Leaf Chemistry of Clonal Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Phenolic content and growth of wetland macrophytes: Is the allocation to secondary compounds driven by nutrient availability?

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