Ungulate and topographic control of nitrogen: phosphorus stoichiometry in a temperate grassland; soils, plants and mineralization rates

Although the link between the nitrogen (N): phosphorus (P) stoichiometry of biota and availability has received considerable attention in aquatic systems, there has been relatively little effort to compare the elemental composition of biota and supply in terrestrial habitats. In this study, I explored the effects of a prominent topo-edaphic gradient, from dry hilltop to wet slope-base, and native ungulates on N and P of soils, plants, and rates of in situ net mineralization in grasslands of Yellowstone National Park. Nitrogen and P measurements were made May?September, 2000, in paired, grazed and 38?42 year fenced, ungrazed grassland at five topographically variable sites. Similar to findings from other grassland...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation, Journal Citation; Tags: Oikos, decomposition, microbe, mineralization: nitrogen, rhizosphere, All tags... root, Fewer tags