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Growth and tissue nitrogen of epiphytic Atlantic bryophytes: effects of increased and decreased atmospheric N deposition

  1. R. J. MITCHELL1,*,
  2. M. A. SUTTON2,
  3. A.-M. TRUSCOTT1,
  4. I. D. LEITH2,
  5. J. N. CAPE2,
  6. C. E. R. PITCAIRN2,
  7. N. VAN DIJK2

Article first published online: 14 MAY 2004

DOI: 10.1111/j.0269-8463.2004.00828.x

Issue

Functional Ecology

Functional Ecology

Volume 18, Issue 3, pages 322–329, June 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

MITCHELL, R. J., SUTTON, M. A., TRUSCOTT, A.-M., LEITH, I. D., CAPE, J. N., PITCAIRN, C. E. R. and VAN DIJK, N. (2004), Growth and tissue nitrogen of epiphytic Atlantic bryophytes: effects of increased and decreased atmospheric N deposition. Functional Ecology, 18: 322–329. doi: 10.1111/j.0269-8463.2004.00828.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Banchory Research Station, Hill of Brathens, Banchory, Aberdeenshire AB31 4BW

  2. 2

    Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OQB, UK

* †Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: rujm@ceh.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 MAY 2004
  2. Article first published online: 14 MAY 2004
  3. Received 2 October 2003; accepted 13 November 2003

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Keywords:

  • liverworts;
  • mosses;
  • nitrogen deposition;
  • recovery;
  • transplant

Summary

  • 1
    Atlantic bryophytes are of European conservation importance, yet the effect on them of excess atmospheric nitrogen is relatively unknown. This study assesses the effects of increased atmospheric N deposition on the growth and tissue N of epiphytic Atlantic bryophytes, and their potential to recover following a decline in N deposition.
  • 2
    The N received in stemflow by bryophytes at two sites was measured and compared to model predictions.
  • 3
    Four species of epiphytic bryophytes (Isothecium myosuroides, Dicranum scoparium, Frullania tamarisci and Ulota crispa), typical of Atlantic Oak woods, were studied in a 12-month reciprocal transplant experiment between a pristine Oak woodland receiving a modelled atmospheric deposition of 12 kg N ha−1 year−1 and a polluted one receiving 54 kg N ha−1 year−1.
  • 4
    Tissue N concentration increased and growth declined following an increase in atmospheric N deposition in all species except Ulota crispa. Conversely, tissue N concentration decreased and growth increased in Frullania tamarisci following a decrease in atmospheric N deposition, with similar non-significant patterns in the other species.
  • 5
    The reciprocal transplants indicate a detrimental effect of increased N deposition on the bryophyte species studied. The study indicated recovery following a decrease in atmospheric N deposition, but the responses caused by decreased N deposition were smaller than those due to increased N deposition. This suggests that the time-scale for recovery of bryophytes from excess N deposition is longer than the timescale of nitrogen impacts.
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