Nitrogen and phosphorus effects on secondary succession dynamics on a semi-arid sagebrush site

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Ecology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6914229

McLendon, T; Redente, E F ^[1]

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1. Colorado State University, Fort Collins (United States)

A sagebrush steppe community in northwestern Colorado was disturbed in 1984 and subjected to annual applications of nitrogen and phosphorus, and successional responses were studied over a 5-yr period. Phosphorus was not found to be significant but nitrogen did significantly affect succession for all years except the first. Three seral groups developed on the non-fertilized plots, the first two dominated by annuals and lasting 3 yr, the third transitional and dominated by perennials. The addition of N altered this successional pattern by allowing annuals to remain as site dominants through the 5th yr. Results of this study suggests that dominance of a site by annuals in early stages of secondary succession is related to high nutrient availability.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-87ER60612
• OSTI ID: 6914229
• Journal Information: Ecology; (United States), Journal Name: Ecology; (United States) Vol. 72:6; ISSN 0012-9658; ISSN ECOLAR
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ARID LANDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GROWTH
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHATES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SHRUBS
SOILS