Impact of prescribed burning on the nutrient balance of heathlands with particular reference to nitrogen and phosphorus
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In: Applied Vegetation Science, Vol. 8, No. 2, 11.2005, p. 183-192.
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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 -