Plants actively control nitrogen cycling : uncorking the microbial bottleneck

Ecologists have tried to link plant species composition and ecosystem properties since the inception of the ecosystem concept in ecology. Many have observed that biological communities could feed back to, and not simply result from, soil properties. But which group of organisms, plants or microorgan...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:The New phytologist. - 1979. - 169(2006), 1 vom: 01., Seite 27-34
1. Verfasser: Chapman, Samantha K (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Langley, J Adam, Hart, Stephen C, Koch, George W
Format: Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2006
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:The New phytologist
Schlagworte:Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Review Nitrogen N762921K75
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Ecologists have tried to link plant species composition and ecosystem properties since the inception of the ecosystem concept in ecology. Many have observed that biological communities could feed back to, and not simply result from, soil properties. But which group of organisms, plants or microorganisms, drive those feedback systems? Recent research asserts that soil microorganisms preclude plant species feedback to soil nitrogen (N) transformations due to strong microbial control of soil N cycling. It has been well documented that litter properties influence soil N cycling. In this review, we stress that under many circumstances plant species exert a major influence over soil N cycling rates via unique N attainment strategies, thus influencing soil N availability and their own fitness. We offer two testable mechanisms by which plants impart active control on the N cycle and thereby allow for plant-litter-soil-plant feedback. Finally, we describe the characteristics of plants and ecosystems that are most likely to exhibit feedback
Beschreibung:Date Completed 17.02.2006
Date Revised 08.04.2022
published: Print
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1469-8137