Journal
PLANT AND SOIL
Volume 438, Issue 1-2, Pages 239-250Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s11104-019-04024-x
Keywords
Alpine meadow; Annual net primary productivity; Eutrophication; Qinghai-Tibet plateau; Soil pH; Soil seed bank; Vegetation composition
Categories
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [31600335, 31702163, 31860668, 41430749]
- National key research and development program of China [2016YFC0501901-03]
- Natural Science Foundation of Qinghai Province of China [2015-ZJ-919Q]
- Project of Qinghai Science & Technology Department [2016-ZJ-Y01, 2017-ZJ-Y20]
- Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University [2017-ZZ-11, 2018-KF-01]
- Szechenyi 2020 programme of the Hungarian Government
- European Regional Development Fund [GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00056]
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Background and aimsIf and how eutrophication influences the persistent soil seed bank is poorly understood. Here, we hypothesized that eutrophication alters the composition of the persistent seed bank indirectly through changes in the soil characteristics and aboveground plant community and productivity. We also hypothesized that changes in the persistent seed bank will consequently impact the aboveground vegetative composition.MethodsWe tested these hypotheses using data from a 9-year nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization experiment in an alpine meadow ecosystem on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet plateau.ResultsWe found that long-term nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization indirectly impacted the composition of the persistent seed bank through changes in soil pH, aboveground vegetation composition and annual net primary productivity (ANPP). Changes in the composition of the persistent seed bank, however, were relatively minor in comparison to changes in aboveground vegetation composition. Finally, changes in the persistent seed bank did not feedback on aboveground vegetation composition.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate the importance of soil pH, ANPP and vegetation composition in regulating the persistent seed bank under eutrophication. Our results also highlight the relative stability of the persistent seed bank to long-term eutrophication and their important contribution to the sustainability of grassland ecosystems.
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