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

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

McClendon, Terry; Redente, Edward F.

Source:

Ecology, Ecological Society of America, Volume 72, Issue 6, p.2016-2024 (1991)

Call Number:

A91MCL01IDUS

URL:

http://www.jstor.org/stable/1941556

Keywords:

Agropyron smithii, Artemisia tridentata, Bromus tectorum, Kochia scoparia, Salsola iberica, semi-arid, site disturbance, succession

Abstract:

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 (N) did significantly affect succession for all years except the first. Three seral groups developed on the nonfertilized 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 suggest that dominance of a site by annuals in early stages of secondary succession is related to high nutrient availability.