Soil nutrient heterogeneity and competitive ability of three grass species (Festuca ovina, Arrhenatherum elatius and Calamagrostis epigejos) in experimental conditions

AbstractWe studied the effects of differences in root growth and nutrient pool on the competitive ability of Festuca ovina (short grass), Arrhenatherum elatius and Calamagrostis epigejos (tall grasses) grown in monocultures and in mixtures of homogeneous and heterogeneous environments during two growing seasons. Analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of plant species on nutrient concentrations in above-ground biomass and of substrate type on contents of N, K, Ca, Mg in biomass. The ANOVA also confirmed the significant effect of competitive environment on the concentration of N, K in above-ground biomass. In heterogeneous environments, both tall grasses (in competition with F. ovina) were able to produce more roots in the nutrient-rich patches and to accumulate more nitrogen in plant tissues, which was associated with higher yield of their above-ground biomass. Thus, the relative competitive ability for nutrients of both tall grasses was higher than that of F. ovina. This competitive ability of A. elatius to C. epigejos increased in heterogeneous treatments.

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Effect of nitrogen addition and drought on above-ground biomass of expanding tall grasses Calamagrostis epigejos and Arrhenatherum elatius

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-011-0001-x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Karel Fiala ◽

Ivan Tůma ◽

Petr Holub

Keyword(s):

Competitive Ability ◽

Nitrogen Availability ◽

Nitrogen Addition ◽

Relative Increase ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

Dry Conditions ◽

Calamagrostis Epigejos ◽

Arrhenatherum Elatius ◽

Set Up

AbstractTall expansive grasses act as serious weeds since they spread intensively and are a important threat to biodiversity of various plant communities. A field experiment was set up based on three sets of paired plots, where Calamagrostis epigejos and Arrhenatherum elatius dominated and a mixture of both these tall grasses occurred. Parallel plots were treated by additional amounts of nitrogen (50 kg N ha−1) for six years (2002–2007). Above-ground biomass was harvested in both wet (2004) and dry (2007) years, separated in individual fractions, and weighed to determine the above-ground biomass. We wanted to know if a higher nitrogen availability in dry year can support above-ground growth of expansive tall grasses C. epigejos and A. elatius and what their competitive ability of these tall grasses in mixture is in dry conditions. Drought resulted in a decrease in above-ground biomass production of studied tall expansive grasses, and, in a relative increase in mortality of A. elatius shoots in comparison with C. epigejos. Drought can substantially reduce the effect of applied nitrogen on above-ground growth of expansive tall grasses. However, A. elatius appears to be producing more above-ground biomass after application of N even in relatively dry conditions.

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Different nutrient use strategies of expansive grasses Calamagrostis epigejos and Arrhenatherum elatius

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-012-0050-9 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 67 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Petr Holub ◽

Ivan Tůma ◽

Jaroslav Záhora ◽

Karel Fiala

Keyword(s):

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Nutrient Release ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Grass Species ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Total Biomass ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Nutrient Use ◽

Calamagrostis Epigejos ◽

Arrhenatherum Elatius

AbstractEnhanced nitrogen (N) levels accelerate expansion of Calamagrostis epigejos and Arrhenatherum elatius, highly aggressive expanders displacing original dry acidophilous grassland vegetation in the Podyjí National Park (Czech Republic). We compared the capability of Calamagrostis and Arrhenatherum under control and N enhanced treatments to (i) accumulate N and phosphorus (P) in plant tissues, (ii) remove N and P from above-ground biomass during senescence and (iii) release N and P from plant material during decomposition of fresh formed litter. In control treatment, significantly higher amounts of total biomass and fresh aboveground litter were observed in Calamagrostis than in Arrhenatherum. Contrariwise, nutrient concentrations were significantly higher (11.6–14.3 mg N g−1 and 2.3 mg P g−1) in Arrhenatherum peak aboveground biomass than in Calamagrostis (8.4–10.3 mg N g−1 and 1.6–1.7 mg P g−1). Substantial differences between species were found in resorption of nutrients, mainly P, at the ends of growing seasons. While P concentrations in Arrhenatherum fresh litter were twice and three times higher (1.6–2.5 mg P g−1) than in Calamagrostis (0.7–0.8 mg P g−1), N concentrations were nearly doubled in Arrhenatherum (13.1–15.6 mg N g−1) in comparison with Calamagrostis (7.4–8.7 mg N g−1). Thus, the nutrients (N and mainly P) were retranslocated from the aboveground biomass of Calamagrostis probably more effectively in comparison with Arrhenatherum at the end of the growing season. On the other hand, Arrhenatherum litter was decomposed faster and consequently nutrient release (mainly N and P) was higher in comparison with Calamagrostis which pointed to different growth and nutrient use strategies of studied grass species.

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Post-harvest biomass stock and productivity of Calamagrostis epigejos community under beech and spruce forest stand

Forestry Journal ◽

10.2478/v10114-011-0027-6 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

František Máliš ◽

Bohdan Konôpka ◽

Miriam Maľová

Keyword(s):

Average Length ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Rubus Idaeus ◽

Carbon Accumulation ◽

Spruce Forest ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Standing Biomass ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

Below Ground ◽

Calamagrostis Epigejos

AbstractWe investigated the above- and below-ground standing biomass and production of plant communities dominated by bushgrass (Calamagrostis epigejos) colonizing forest clearings created by harvesting beechspruce forest stands. Above-ground living biomass of these communities was 6.6 t.ha-1, while above-ground litter made up 5.6 t.ha-1. Below-ground standing biomass was 6.6 t.ha-1 and production was 1.6 t.ha-1. Inter-annual fluctuations in production were rather high and did not clearly follow weather alternations. We hypothesize about some of the reasons for this. A negative correlation between litter and production of bushgrass rhizomes and root were found. The amount of bushgrass above-ground biomass did not affect species’ richness, but a higher amount of its roots inhibited occurrence of other species, especially other dominants in the forest clearings Epilobium angustifolium and Rubus idaeus. The bushgrass produced rhizomes mainly at micro-sites with higher proportions to other species. The number and average length of the bushgrass blades are related to its above-ground biomass. We conclude that the competition between bushgrass and other species takes place most heavily in the top soil layer. Biomass production of bushgrass communities is not sensitive to weather patterns under the conditions of beech-spruce forest clearings. In terms of the carbon accumulation and nutrient cycling, these communities have an important role in certain periods of forest life.

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Seasonal variation of soluble carbohydrates and starch in Echinolaena inflexa, a native grass species from the Brazilian savanna, and in the invasive grass Melinis minutiflora

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842010000200023 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 395-404 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. Souza ◽

CZ. Sandrin ◽

MFA. Calió ◽

ST. Meirelles ◽

VR. Pivello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Growth Cycle ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Brazilian Savanna ◽

Grass Species ◽

Soluble Carbohydrates ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Invasive Grass ◽

Melinis Minutiflora ◽

Ground Biomass

Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase is an abundant C3 grass species with high biomass production in the Brazilian savanna (cerrado); Melinis minutiflora Beauv. is an African C4 forage grass widespread in cerrado and probably displacing some native herbaceous species. In the present work, we analysed seasonally the content and composition of soluble carbohydrates, the starch amounts and the above-ground biomass (phytomass) of E. inflexa and M. minutiflora plants harvested in two transects at 5 and 130 m from the border in a restrict area of cerrado at the Biological Reserve and Experimental Station of Mogi-Guaçu (SP, Brazil). Results showed that water soluble carbohydrates and starch amounts from the shoots of both species varied according to the time of the year, whilst in the underground organs, variations were observed mainly in relation to the transects. Marked differences in the pattern of the above-ground biomass production between these two grasses relative to their location in the Reserve were also observed, with two peaks of the invasive species (July and January) at the Reserve border. The differences in carbohydrate accumulation, partitioning and composition of individual sugars concerning time of the year and location in the Reserve were more related to the annual growth cycle of both grasses and possibly to specific physiological responses of M. minutiflora to disturbed environments in the Reserve border.

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Long-term grazing effects on rough fescue grassland soils in southern British Columbia

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss2013-019 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 94 (3) ◽

pp. 337-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Maja Krzic ◽

Sarah F. Lamagna ◽

Reg F. Newman ◽

Gary Bradfield ◽

Brian M. Wallace

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Grass Species ◽

Mechanical Resistance ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Grassland Soils ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

Grazing Effects ◽

Rough Fescue

Krzic, M., Lamagna, S. F., Newman, R. F., Bradfield, G. and Wallace, B. M. 2014. Long-term grazing effects on rough fescue grassland soils in southern British Columbia. Can. J. Soil Sci. 94: 337–345. Rough fescue (Festuca campestris Rydb.) is a highly palatable forage species with little resistance to continuous grazing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term cattle grazing on soil properties, above-ground biomass, and canopy cover of key grass species on rough fescue grasslands in the southern interior British Columbia. Soil and vegetation properties were determined on a total of six open grassland sites located at the Lac du Bois and Hamilton Mountain. At all sites, grazing use has decreased over time, with the heaviest grazing occurring prior to 1960. The long-term (25–75 yr) elimination of grazing on these semi-arid grasslands has led to greater above-ground biomass and canopy cover of rough fescue, as well as increased soil polysaccharides; however, no differences in total soil C, N, and aggregate stability were found between pastures with and without grazing. Both soil bulk density and mechanical resistance were greater on grazed plots compared with those without grazing, with differences being more pronounced at the Hamilton Mountain location. The current grazing regime has not allowed for the elimination of negative effects of overgrazing on soil compaction on these rough fescue grasslands, especially at the location that continued to be grazed more heavily (i.e., Hamilton Mountain). Our findings suggest that soils in these grazing-sensitive grasslands need more than 75 yr to fully recover from the impacts of overgrazing.

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Effects of exotic grasses on potential fine fuel loads in the groundcover of south Florida slash pine savannas

International Journal of Wildland Fire ◽

10.1071/wf01016 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 155 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

William J. Platt ◽

Robert M. Gottschalk

Keyword(s):

Slash Pine ◽

South Florida ◽

Imperata Cylindrica ◽

Grass Species ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Exotic Grasses ◽

Fuel Loads ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

Pine Savannas ◽

Fine Fuels

Invasive exotic grasses have been hypothesized to increase fine fuel loads, thereby increasing the frequency and intensity of fires. Most studies, however, have been conducted in habitats in which natural fires do not occur frequently. We investigated the effects of two invasive grass species, Imperata cylindrica and Neyraudia reynaudiana, on potential fine fuel loads of south Florida slash pine savannas, which naturally experience frequent fires during the lightning season. Total above-ground biomass of fine fuels and litter biomass were greater in areas where exotic grasses were present than in nearby areas not containing these grasses. In addition, less above-ground biomass of native species was present in areas where N. reynaudiana was present. The increases in both potential total fine fuels and litter suggest that exotic grass invasions can change fire characteristics, even in ecosystems where fires occur very frequently.

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Temperate grass response to extent and timing of grazing

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps2013-404 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 94 (5) ◽

pp. 827-833 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

N. B. Alber ◽

G. E. Brink ◽

R. D. Jackson

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Perennial Grasses ◽

Grass Species ◽

Root Production ◽

Mature Stage ◽

Maturity Stage ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Meadow Fescue ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

Below Ground

Alber, N. B., Brink, G. E. and Jackson, R. D. 2014. Temperate grass response to extent and timing of grazing. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 827–833. Considerable differences exist among cool-season grass species in their production potential and response to management variables. We examined the effects of grazing management on forage and root production of two temperate perennial grasses, meadow fescue [Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.] and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). Grazing factors studied were extent of defoliation (50 or 100% biomass removal) and stage of maturity (vegetative or mature) at grazing. In 2009 and 2010, orchardgrass produced more above-ground biomass than meadow fescue despite yearly precipitation differences. In the drier year (2009), both grasses produced greater above-ground biomass under 100% extent of defoliation at either maturity stage. In 2010, orchardgrass produced greater above-ground biomass when grazed at a mature stage for either extent of defoliation, while few differences existed among grazing treatments imposed on meadow fescue. Grazing treatments had no effect on below-ground growth of orchardgrass either year. Meadow fescue root production was effected in 2010 only; grazing at a mature stage increased below-ground growth for either extent of defoliation. Results suggest that grazing at maturity to remove 100% of biomass maximizes above-ground production of both meadow fescue and orchardgrass, but lengthens the grazing interval and may have a deleterious effect on grass persistence and nutritive value.

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ESTIMATION OF ABOVE GROUND BIOMASS OF THE THREE SITES (GRAZED SITE, PROTECTED SITE AND SEED SOWN SITE) FOR COMPARING THEIR PRODUCTIVITY IN KASHMIR VALLEY

FLORA AND FAUNA ◽

10.33451/florafauna.v23i2pp259-262 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

Author(s):

AFSHAN ANJUM BABA ◽

SYED NASEEM UL-ZAFAR GEELANI ◽

ISHRAT SALEEM ◽

MOHIT HUSAIN ◽

PERVEZ AHMAD KHAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Summer Season ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Spring Season ◽

Kashmir Valley ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

Maximum Value ◽

Protected Site

The plant biomass for protected areas was maximum in summer (1221.56 g/m2) and minimum in winter (290.62 g/m2) as against grazed areas having maximum value 590.81 g/m2 in autumn and minimum 183.75 g/m2 in winter. Study revealed that at Protected site (Kanidajan) the above ground biomass ranged was from a minimum (1.11 t ha-1) in the spring season to a maximum (4.58 t ha-1) in the summer season while at Grazed site (Yousmarag), the aboveground biomass varied from a minimum (0.54 t ha-1) in the spring season to a maximum of 1.48 t ha-1 in summer seasonandat Seed sown site (Badipora), the lowest value of aboveground biomass obtained was 4.46 t ha-1 in spring while as the highest (7.98 t ha-1) was obtained in summer.

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The climatic imprint of bimodal distributions in vegetation cover for western Africa

Biogeosciences ◽

10.5194/bg-13-3343-2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 3343-3357 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Zun Yin ◽

Stefan C. Dekker ◽

Bart J. J. M. van den Hurk ◽

Henk A. Dijkstra

Keyword(s):

Land Cover ◽

Congo Basin ◽

Shortwave Radiation ◽

Mean Annual Precipitation ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Precipitation Regime ◽

Ground Biomass ◽

Western Africa ◽

Precipitation Regimes ◽

Woody Cover

Abstract. Observed bimodal distributions of woody cover in western Africa provide evidence that alternative ecosystem states may exist under the same precipitation regimes. In this study, we show that bimodality can also be observed in mean annual shortwave radiation and above-ground biomass, which might closely relate to woody cover due to vegetation–climate interactions. Thus we expect that use of radiation and above-ground biomass enables us to distinguish the two modes of woody cover. However, through conditional histogram analysis, we find that the bimodality of woody cover still can exist under conditions of low mean annual shortwave radiation and low above-ground biomass. It suggests that this specific condition might play a key role in critical transitions between the two modes, while under other conditions no bimodality was found. Based on a land cover map in which anthropogenic land use was removed, six climatic indicators that represent water, energy, climate seasonality and water–radiation coupling are analysed to investigate the coexistence of these indicators with specific land cover types. From this analysis we find that the mean annual precipitation is not sufficient to predict potential land cover change. Indicators of climate seasonality are strongly related to the observed land cover type. However, these indicators cannot predict a stable forest state under the observed climatic conditions, in contrast to observed forest states. A new indicator (the normalized difference of precipitation) successfully expresses the stability of the precipitation regime and can improve the prediction accuracy of forest states. Next we evaluate land cover predictions based on different combinations of climatic indicators. Regions with high potential of land cover transitions are revealed. The results suggest that the tropical forest in the Congo basin may be unstable and shows the possibility of decreasing significantly. An increase in the area covered by savanna and grass is possible, which coincides with the observed regreening of the Sahara.

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