Is intensity of plant root mycorrhizal colonization a good proxy for plant growth rate, dominance and decomposition in nutrient poor conditionsстатья
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Аннотация:Questions. Mycorrhizas may be a key element of plant nutritional strategies and carbon and nutrient cycling, and recent research suggests that in natural conditions, intensity of mycorrhizal colonization could be considered as an important plant feature. How are interspecific variation in mycorrhizal colonization rate, plant relative growth rate (RGR), and leaf litter decomposability related? Is (arbuscular) mycorrhizal colonization linked to the dominance of plant species in nutrient-stressed ecosystems?
Location. Teberda State Biosphere Reserve, Northwestern Caucasus, Russia
Methods. We measured plant RGR under a regime of mycorrhizal limitation and natural nutritional conditions, leaf litter decomposability, and field intensity of mycorrhizal colonization across a wide range of plant species, typical for alpine communities of European Mountains. We applied regression analysis to test whether the intensity of mycorrhizal colonization is a good predictor for RGR and decomposition rate, and tested how these traits predict plant dominance in communities.
Results. Forb species with a high level of field mycorrhizal colonization had lower RGR under nutritional and mycorrhizal limitation, while grasses did not. Litter decomposition rate was not related to the intensity of mycorrhizal colonization. Dominants mostly had a higher level of mycorrhizal colonization and lower RGR without mycorrhizal colonization than subordinate species, implying that they were more dependent on mycorrhizal symbionts. There were no differences in litter decomposability.
Conclusions. In alpine herbaceous plant communities dominated by arbuscular mycorrhiza, nutrient dynamics are to a large extent controlled by mycorrhizal symbiosis. Intensity of mycorrhizal colonization is a negative predictor for whole plant RGR. Our study highlights the importance of mycorrhiza as a key trait underpinning the role of plant species in carbon and nutrient dynamics in nutrient limited herbaceous plant communities.