Long-term effects of drainage and hay-removal on nutrient dynamics and limitation in the Biebrza mires, Poland.

Harry Olde Venterink, Ignacy Kardel, Wiktor Kotowski, Wilma H.m. Peeters, Martin J. Wassen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To provide a reference for wetlands elsewhere we analysed soil nutrients and the vegetation of floodplains and fens in the relatively undisturbed Biebrza-valley, Poland. Additionally, by studying sites along a water-table gradient, and by comparing pairs of mown and unmown sites, we aimed with exploring long-term effects of drainage and annual hay-removal on nutrient availabilities and vegetation response. In undrained fens and floodplains, N mineralization went slowly (0-30 kg N ha?1 year?1) but it increased strongly with decreasing water table (up to 120 kg N ha?1 year?1). Soil N, P and K pools were small in the undisturbed mires. Drainage had caused a shift from fen to meadow species and the disappearance of bryophytes. Biomass of vascular plants increased with increasing N mineralization and soil P. Annual hay-removal tended to have reduced N mineralization and soil K pools, but it had increased soil P. Moreover, N concentrations in vascular plants were not affected, but P and K concentrations and therefore N:P and N:K ratios tended to be changed. Annual hay-removal had induced a shift from P to K limitation in the severely drained fen, and from P to N limitation in the floodplain. The low nutrient availabilities and productivity of the undisturbed Biebrza mires illustrate the vulnerability of such mires to eutrophication in Poland and elsewhere. In nutrient-enriched areas, hay removal may prevent productivity increase of the vegetation, but also may severely alter N:P:K stoichiometry, induce K-limitation at drained sites, and alter vegetation structure and composition.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)235-252
Number of pages18
JournalBiogeochemistry
Volume93
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Keywords

  • Biebrza

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