Impact of prescribed burning on the nutrient balance of heathlands with particular reference to nitrogen and phosphorus

Thomas Niemeyer; Marion Niemeyer; A. Mohamed; S. Fottner; Werner Härdtle

doi:10.1111/j.1654-109X.2005.tb00644.x

Impact of prescribed burning on the nutrient balance of heathlands with particular reference to nitrogen and phosphorus

Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research

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Impact of prescribed burning on the nutrient balance of heathlands with particular reference to nitrogen and phosphorus. / Niemeyer, Thomas ; Niemeyer, Marion ; Mohamed, A. et al.
In: Applied Vegetation Science, Vol. 8, No. 2, 11.2005, p. 183-192.

Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research

Bibtex

@article{9be1db0af46b40d599c29eedd8f6866b,

title = "Impact of prescribed burning on the nutrient balance of heathlands with particular reference to nitrogen and phosphorus",

abstract = "Question: Can prescribed winter burning compensate atmospheric nutrient loads for dry heathlands? What effects does prescribed burning have on nutrient balances, particularly as regards the limiting nutrients N and P? Location: Lueneburg Heath, NW Germany. Methods: In two burning experiments (in 10/15 year old Calluna-stands) nutrient balances (for N, Ca, K, Mg, P) were calculated by analysing nutrient inputs (atmospheric deposition, ash deposition), nutrient stores (above-ground biomass, organic horizon) and nutrient outputs (biomass combustion, leaching). Results: Atmospheric nutrient deposition amounted to 22.8 kg.ha -1.a -1 for N and < 0.5 kg.ha -1.a -1 for P. Nutrient stores in the above-ground biomass were 95/197 kg.ha -1 for N and 5/13 kg.ha -1 for P (first/second experiment, respectively). From these stores 90/53% (for N) and 25/14% (for P) were removed by burning. Effects of leaching on nutrient balances were low. In the first two years after burning, leaching rates of N increased by about 4/6 kg.ha -1, whereas leaching rates of P did not change significantly. Input/output-ratios showed that prescribed burning leads to positive nutrient balances for N, Ca and Mg in the long term. For example, the amounts of N removed by prescribed burning are equivalent to ca. five years of atmospheric inputs. Applied in ten-year cycles, this measure alone cannot prevent N accumulation in the long term. Conclusion: Regarding 10/15 year old Calluna-heaths, we assume that prescribed burning cannot compensate for atmospheric N inputs, thus making long-term changes in the nutritional state inevitable. Therefore, prescribed burning should be applied in combination with high-intensity management measures.",

keywords = "Ecosystems Research, Biology, Above-ground biomass, Atmospheric nutrient deposition, Calluna vulgaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Heathland management, Leaching, Nutrient removal",

author = "Thomas Niemeyer and Marion Niemeyer and A. Mohamed and S. Fottner and Werner H{\"a}rdtle",

year = "2005",

month = nov,

doi = "10.1111/j.1654-109X.2005.tb00644.x",

language = "English",

volume = "8",

pages = "183--192",

journal = "Applied Vegetation Science",

issn = "1402-2001",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.",

number = "2",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Impact of prescribed burning on the nutrient balance of heathlands with particular reference to nitrogen and phosphorus

AU - Niemeyer, Thomas

AU - Niemeyer, Marion

AU - Mohamed, A.

AU - Fottner, S.

AU - Härdtle, Werner

PY - 2005/11

Y1 - 2005/11

N2 - Question: Can prescribed winter burning compensate atmospheric nutrient loads for dry heathlands? What effects does prescribed burning have on nutrient balances, particularly as regards the limiting nutrients N and P? Location: Lueneburg Heath, NW Germany. Methods: In two burning experiments (in 10/15 year old Calluna-stands) nutrient balances (for N, Ca, K, Mg, P) were calculated by analysing nutrient inputs (atmospheric deposition, ash deposition), nutrient stores (above-ground biomass, organic horizon) and nutrient outputs (biomass combustion, leaching). Results: Atmospheric nutrient deposition amounted to 22.8 kg.ha -1.a -1 for N and < 0.5 kg.ha -1.a -1 for P. Nutrient stores in the above-ground biomass were 95/197 kg.ha -1 for N and 5/13 kg.ha -1 for P (first/second experiment, respectively). From these stores 90/53% (for N) and 25/14% (for P) were removed by burning. Effects of leaching on nutrient balances were low. In the first two years after burning, leaching rates of N increased by about 4/6 kg.ha -1, whereas leaching rates of P did not change significantly. Input/output-ratios showed that prescribed burning leads to positive nutrient balances for N, Ca and Mg in the long term. For example, the amounts of N removed by prescribed burning are equivalent to ca. five years of atmospheric inputs. Applied in ten-year cycles, this measure alone cannot prevent N accumulation in the long term. Conclusion: Regarding 10/15 year old Calluna-heaths, we assume that prescribed burning cannot compensate for atmospheric N inputs, thus making long-term changes in the nutritional state inevitable. Therefore, prescribed burning should be applied in combination with high-intensity management measures.

AB - Question: Can prescribed winter burning compensate atmospheric nutrient loads for dry heathlands? What effects does prescribed burning have on nutrient balances, particularly as regards the limiting nutrients N and P? Location: Lueneburg Heath, NW Germany. Methods: In two burning experiments (in 10/15 year old Calluna-stands) nutrient balances (for N, Ca, K, Mg, P) were calculated by analysing nutrient inputs (atmospheric deposition, ash deposition), nutrient stores (above-ground biomass, organic horizon) and nutrient outputs (biomass combustion, leaching). Results: Atmospheric nutrient deposition amounted to 22.8 kg.ha -1.a -1 for N and < 0.5 kg.ha -1.a -1 for P. Nutrient stores in the above-ground biomass were 95/197 kg.ha -1 for N and 5/13 kg.ha -1 for P (first/second experiment, respectively). From these stores 90/53% (for N) and 25/14% (for P) were removed by burning. Effects of leaching on nutrient balances were low. In the first two years after burning, leaching rates of N increased by about 4/6 kg.ha -1, whereas leaching rates of P did not change significantly. Input/output-ratios showed that prescribed burning leads to positive nutrient balances for N, Ca and Mg in the long term. For example, the amounts of N removed by prescribed burning are equivalent to ca. five years of atmospheric inputs. Applied in ten-year cycles, this measure alone cannot prevent N accumulation in the long term. Conclusion: Regarding 10/15 year old Calluna-heaths, we assume that prescribed burning cannot compensate for atmospheric N inputs, thus making long-term changes in the nutritional state inevitable. Therefore, prescribed burning should be applied in combination with high-intensity management measures.

KW - Ecosystems Research

KW - Biology

KW - Above-ground biomass

KW - Atmospheric nutrient deposition

KW - Calluna vulgaris

KW - Deschampsia flexuosa

KW - Heathland management

KW - Leaching

KW - Nutrient removal

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=32044464789&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/27f40993-9a91-3509-9791-61f38378dfb9/

U2 - 10.1111/j.1654-109X.2005.tb00644.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1654-109X.2005.tb00644.x

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 8

SP - 183

EP - 192

JO - Applied Vegetation Science

JF - Applied Vegetation Science

SN - 1402-2001

IS - 2

ER -