Variations in the foliar nutrient content of mire plants: effects of growth-form based grouping and habitat

摘要: We determined concentrations of major nutrients in the vegetation six habitat types (hummock, scrub, lawn, fen meadow, hollow and marginal stream), spanning a broad range environmental conditions as regards water-table depth water chemistry, five mires on southern Alps Italy. Our study was based chemical analyses living tissues plant species, grouped into growth-form functional (PFTs). aimed at assessing to what extent observed differences tissue nutrient content were accounted for by community composition (both terms species PFTs) habitat. Nutrient overall lowest Sphagnum mosses highest forbs, although latter showed large variations presumably due heterogeneity mechanisms adaptations acquiring among within this PFT. patterns other three PFTs varied greatly relation individual nutrients, with evergreen shrubs showing low nitrogen (N) concentrations, graminoids high N but potassium (K) magnesium (Mg) deciduous rather phosphorus (P) concentrations. Habitat modest fraction variation concentration all except P. concluded that status mire is primarily controlled structure does exert direct control P vegetation, through availability uptake.