Contrasting nutrient-capture strategies in shrubs and grasses of a Patagonian arid ecosystem

摘要: Abstract Shallow-rooted grasses and deep-rooted shrubs dominate arid ecosystems where nitrogen is concentrated in the upper layers of soil water distributed throughout. Analysis mineral absorption patterns using a tracer indicated that Patagonia absorbed nutrients from lower, relatively nutrient-poor soil. Are they, consequently, at competitive disadvantage with have opposite pattern? Studies economy shrub grass species similar N-use efficiency but they achieve it through mechanisms. Shrubs conservative N absorbing annually only small fraction their content, whereas more open economy. This study about N-capture strategies conjunction previous studies water-use by Patagonian Steppe suggest coupling water-capture strategies. Our findings implications for response semiarid to global warming, deposition, biodiversity change. For example, climate change scenarios predict, most regions, decreases moisture availability will result reduction deep water, which turn reduce density less