Exposure to nitrogen does not eliminate N2 fixation in the feather moss Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Background and aims: The feather moss Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. is colonized by cyanobacteria, which fix substantial amounts of atmospheric nitrogen (N) in pristine and N-poor ecosystems. Cyanobacterial N fixation is inhibited by N deposition. However, the threshold of N input that leads to the inhibition of N fixation has not been adequately investigated. Further, the ability of N fixation to recover in mosses from high N deposition areas has not been studied to date. Methods: We conducted two laboratory studies in which we (1) applied a range of concentrations of N as NHNO to mosses from low N-deposition areas, and (2) we deprived mosses from a high N-deposition area of N to test their ability to recover N fixation. Results: Higher addition rates (up to 10 kg N ha) did not systematically inhibit N fixation in P. schreberi. Conversely, upon weeks of N deprivation of mosses from a high N environment, N fixation rates increased. Conclusions: The threshold of total N deposition above which N fixation in P. schreberi is inhibited is likely to be > 10 kg N ha. Further, cyanobacteria are able to recover from high N inputs and are able to fix atmospheric N after a period of N deprivation.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Plant and Soil |
Volume | 374 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
Pages (from-to) | 513-521 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISSN | 0032-079X |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
ID: 97387195