Abstract
SummaryThis study compares data statistically that were collected from both long‐term drained and undrained plots to test hypotheses concerning the effect of drainage on plant community, soil total nitrogen (TN), soil total carbon (TC) and stable isotopic (δ15N, δ13C) contents in a permanent grassland. In addition, the effects of soil depth, topography (elevation, slope, aspect and compound topographic index (CTI)) and spatial autocorrelation were taken into account. Data were collected in 2010 at Rowden Moor, North Wyke, Devon, UK, where, for the plots of this study, subsurface drainage was introduced in 1987. The results of a set of six linear mixed models showed that: (i) plant community did not depend on drainage, but on elevation and spatial effects, (ii) both TN and TC not only depended on drainage, but also topography and sample depth, (iii) the TC to TN ratio did not depend on drainage, but on elevation, CTI and sample depth only, (iv) δ15N values did not depend on drainage, but on topography and sample depth and (v) δ13C values depended on drainage together with topography and sample depth. Thus, drainage represented a significant effect for only TN, TC and δ13C. Furthermore, changes in soil physicochemical conditions, following the introduction of drainage in the clay soil 24 years previously, induced a shift in the plant community from a Lolium perenne L. dominated grassland with numerous patches of Juncus species, towards one with Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens L.HighlightsThe effect of drainage on plant community, and C and N cycling on permanent grassland. Soil depth, topography and associated spatial effects are taken into consideration. Plant community (species diversity) depended on topography and spatial effects only. Soil chemistry depended on topography and depth, and N, C and δ13C also depended on drainage.
Highlights
Global climate change is projected to change seasonality and the intensity of rainfall patterns substantially, which is of particular importance for large areas acrossEurope where such climatic events can have a strong influence on agricultural practices (IPCC, 2007)
This study compares data statistically that were collected from both long-term drained and undrained plots to test hypotheses concerning the effect of drainage on plant community, soil total nitrogen (TN), soil total carbon (TC) and stable isotopic (δ15N, δ13C) contents in a permanent grassland
The results of a set of six linear mixed models showed that: (i) plant community did not depend on drainage, but on elevation and spatial effects, (ii) both TN and TC depended on drainage, and topography and sample depth, (iii) the TC to TN ratio did not depend on drainage, but on elevation, compound topographic index (CTI) and sample depth only, (iv) δ15N values did not depend on drainage, but on topography and sample depth and (v) δ13C values depended on drainage together with topography and sample depth
Summary
Global climate change is projected to change seasonality and the intensity of rainfall patterns substantially (i.e. more extreme events), which is of particular importance for large areas across. Europe where such climatic events can have a strong influence on agricultural practices (IPCC, 2007). The artificial removal of water improves growing conditions of plants, promotes mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM), reduces the risk of soil erosion and floods, and increases agricultural production (Lal, 2004; Herzon & Helenius, 2008). Even though drainage has been common practice for many centuries, there has been little research into its long-term effects on a decadal range with respect to changes in biodiversity and the elemental composition of a grassland system, clear effects have been proposed (Lal, 2004)
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