Resource Catalog
Document
Variation in plant N resorption may change with stand development because plants tend to adjust their ecophysiological traits with aging. In addition, changes in soil nitrogen (N) pools associated with stand development may also affect plant N resorption. Here, we examined green- and senesced-leaf N concentrations and resorption of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) in boreal forest stands of different ages (7, 25, 85 and 139 years, respectively). All sampled stands originated from wildfires and established on similar parent materials (glacial tills) and had similar climates. N concentrations in both green and senesced leaves increased between 27% and 54% along the stand age chronosequence. Resorption efficiency (percentage difference of N between green and senesced leaves) and proficiency (N concentration in senesced leaves) were higher for leaves in younger stands than in older stands. An analysis of covariance indicated that the patterns of leaf N concentration and resorption were affected significantly by stand age, but not by available soil N concentration. Our results indicate that at an intra-specific level, plants could adjust their N resorption efficiency and proficiency with stand development. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009. Abstract reproduced by permission.
Cataloging Information
- age classes
- Betula papyrifera
- boreal forests
- boreal forests
- Canada
- carbon
- catastrophic fires
- coniferous forests
- disturbance
- fire frequency
- fire intensity
- fire management
- foliar nutrients
- forest management
- leaves
- nitrogen
- nitrogen cycling
- nutrient cycling
- Ontario
- Picea mariana
- Pinus banksiana
- Populus
- Populus tremuloides
- resorption
- sampling
- senesced vs. green leaves
- soil management
- soil nutrients
- soils
- stand development
- wildfires
This bibliographic record was either created or modified by Tall Timbers and is provided without charge to promote research and education in Fire Ecology. The E.V. Komarek Fire Ecology Database is the intellectual property of Tall Timbers.