Nutrients, competition and plant zonation in a New England salt marsh

摘要: 1  We examined the effects of nutrient availability on competitive interactions New England salt marsh perennials that occupy discrete vegetational zones parallel to shoreline. 2  Fertilized and unfertilized plots pair-wise mixtures monocultures Spartina alterniflora, S. patens Juncus gerardi were compared in order assess addition dynamics these species field. In addition, we competition between some Distichlis spicata, a common disturbed habitats. 3  After two growing seasons, changes above-ground biomass indicated fertilized plots, alterniflora outcompeted patens, J. gerardi, D. spicata both patens. This was reverse seen under ambient conditions, suggested that, conditions limitation, dominance may result from efficient for nutrients. 4  Using conceptual model zonation as function competition, physical stress hypothesize nutrient-induced reversal among modification pattern plant this similar marshes.