当前位置： SCI文献检索 > AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY期刊下所有文献 > Differential responses to guano fertilization among tropical tree species with varying functional traits.

Differential responses to guano fertilization among tropical tree species with varying functional traits.

Abstract：

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:Seabirds often cause significant changes to soil properties, and seabird-dominated systems often host unique plant communities. This study experimentally (1) examined species-specific responses to seabird guano gradients, (2) considered the role that differential functional traits among species play in altering plant response to guano, and (3) investigated the implications of seabird guano on range-expanding species. METHODS:Using a greenhouse fertilization experiment, we examined how guano fertilization affects the growth and functional traits of four tree species dominant in the Pacific Islands: Cocos nucifera, Pisonia grandis, Scaevola sericea, and Tournefortia argentea. In these systems, seabirds are frequently found in association with three of these four species; the remaining species, C. nucifera, is a recently proliferating species commonly found in the region but rarely associated with seabirds. KEY RESULTS:We determined that responses to guano addition differed significantly between species in ways that were consistent with predictions based on differing functional traits among species. Notably, we demonstrated that C. nucifera showed no growth responses to guano additions, whereas all seabird-associated plants showed strong responses. CONCLUSIONS:These results provide experimental evidence of differential species response to guano additions, suggesting that differences in species functional traits may contribute to changes in plant communities in seabird-dominated areas, with seabird-associated species garnering performance advantages in these high-nutrient environments. Among these species, results also suggest that C. nucifera may have a competitive advantage in low-nutrient environments, providing an unusual example of how a range-expanding plant species can profit from low-nutrient environments.

journal_name

Am J Bot

journal_title

American journal of botany

authors

Young HS,McCauley DJ,Dirzo R

doi

10.3732/ajb.1000159

subject

Has Abstract

pub_date

2011-02-01 00:00:00

pages

207-14

issue

eissn

0002-9122

issn

1537-2197

pii

ajb.1000159

journal_volume

pub_type

杂志文章

在线工具

Differential responses to guano fertilization among tropical tree species with varying functional traits.