Early Stages Of Primary Succession Research Articles

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil developmental stages on herbaceous plants growing in the early stage of primary succession on Mount Fuji

AbstractA pot culture experiment was conducted to examine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and soil developmental stages on the growth and nutrient absorption of pioneer plants growing in the early stage of primary succession on Mt. Fuji. Four herbaceous plants, Polygonum cuspidatum (Polygonaceae), Miscanthus oligostachyus (Gramineae), Aster ageratoides var. ovatus (Compositae), and Hedysarum vicioides (Leguminosae), were grown from seed in soils collected from two different successional stages, bare ground and an herbaceous plant community. Spores of indigenous AM fungi collected from the herbaceous plant community were used as inoculum. The initial colonizer P. cuspidatum showed very low levels of AM colonization (<0.4%), whereas the average AM colonization levels of M. oligostachyus, A. ageratoides var. ovatus, and H. vicioides were within the range of 13–49%. AM fungi had positive effects on the growth and N acquisition of the leguminous species (H. vicioides) irrespective of soil developmental stages. In contrast, AM colonization did not increase the plant dry weight and N content of the non‐leguminous species (P. cuspidatum, M. oligostachyus, and A. ageratoides var. ovatus) in both soil developmental stages. A positive effect of AM colonization on P content was observed in M. oligostachyus, A. ageratoides var. ovatus, and H. vicioides only in soil collected from the herbaceous plant community. P. cuspidatum showed no or a negative response to AM colonization in all cases. These results suggest that the effect of AM fungi on plant growth depends more on the plant species than soil developmental stages in the early stage of primary succession in this volcanic area.

Impacts of herbivorous insects on decomposer communities during the early stages of primary succession in a semi-arid woodland

Changes in nutrient inputs due to aboveground herbivory may influence the litter and soil microbial community responsible for processes such as decomposition. The mesophyll-feeding scale insect ( Matsucoccus acalyptus) found near Sunset Crater National Monument in northern Arizona, USA significantly increases piñon ( Pinus edulis) needle litter nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations by 50%, as well as litter inputs to soil by 21%. Because increases in needle litter quality and quantity of this magnitude should affect the microbial communities responsible for decomposition, we tested the hypothesis that insect herbivory causes a shift in soil microbial and litter microarthropod function. Four major findings result from this research: (1) Despite increases in needle inputs due to herbivory, soil carbon (C) was 56% lower beneath scale-susceptible trees than beneath resistant trees; however, soil moisture, N, and pH were similar among treatments. (2) Microbial biomass was 80% lower in soils beneath scale-susceptible trees when compared to resistant trees in the dry season, while microbial enzyme activities were lower beneath susceptible trees in the wet season. (3) Bacterial community-level physiological profiles differed significantly between susceptible and resistant trees during the dry season but not during the wet season. (4) There was a 40% increase in Oribatida and 23% increase in Prostigmata in susceptible needle litter relative to resistant litter. Despite these changes, the magnitude of microbial biomass, activity, and community structure response to herbivory was lower than expected and appears to take a long time to develop. These results suggest that herbivores impact soils in subtle, but important ways; we suggest that while litter chemistry may strongly mediate soil fertility and microbial communities in mesic ecosystems, the influence is lower than expected in this primary succession xeric ecosystem where season mediates differences in microbial populations. Understanding how insect herbivores alter the distribution of susceptible and resistant trees and their associated decomposer communities in arid environments may lead to better prediction of how these ecosystems respond to climatic change.

Contrasting impacts of a native and an invasive exotic shrub on flood‐plain succession

Abstract. Question: How do Coriaria arborea, an N‐fixing native shrub, and Buddleja davidii, a non‐N‐fixing exotic shrub, affect N:P stoichiometry in plants and soils during early stages of primary succession on a flood‐plain?Location: Kowhai River Valley, northeast South Island, New Zealand.Methods: We measured soil and foliar nutrient concentrations, light levels, plant community composition and the above‐ground biomass of Coriaria and Buddleja in four successional stages: open, young, vigorous and mature.Results: Coriaria occurred at low density but dominated above‐ground biomass by the vigorous stage. Buddleja occurred at 5.3 ± 1.0 stems/m2 in the young stage and reached a maximum biomass of 520–535 g.m‐2 during the young and vigorous stages. Mineral soil N increased with above‐ground Coriaria biomass (r2= 0.45), but did not vary with Buddleja biomass. In contrast, soil P increased with Buddleja biomass (r2= 0.35), but not with Coriaria biomass. In early successional stages, 70–80% of the species present were exotic, but this declined to about 15% by the mature stage. Exotic plant species richness declined with increasing Coriaria biomass, but no other measures of diversity varied with either Coriaria or Buddleja biomass.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Buddleja dominates early succession and accumulates P whereas Coriaria dominates later succession and accumulates N. A key ecosystem effect of the invasive exotic Buddleja is alteration of soil N:P stoichiometry.

Contrasting impacts of a native and an invasive exotic shrub on flood-plain succession

Question: How do Coriaria arborea, an N-fixing native shrub, and Buddleja davidii, a non-N-fixing exotic shrub, affect N:P stoichiometry in plants and soils during early stages of primary succession on a flood-plain? Location: Kowhai River Valley, northeast South Island, New Zealand. Methods: We measured soil and foliar nutrient concentrations, light levels, plant community composition and the aboveground biomass of Coriaria and Buddleja in four successional stages: open, young, vigorous and mature. Results: Coriaria occurred at low density but dominated above-ground biomass by the vigorous stage. Buddleja occurred at 5.3 ± 1.0 stems/m 2 in the young stage and reached a maximum biomass of 520-535 g.m –2 during the young and vigorous stages. Mineral soil N increased with above-ground Coriaria biomass (r 2 = 0.45), but did not vary with Buddleja biomass. In contrast, soil P increased with Buddleja biomass (r 2 = 0.35), but not with Coriaria biomass. In early successional stages, 70-80% of the species present were exotic, but this declined to about 15% by the mature stage. Exotic plant species richness declined with increasing Coriaria biomass, but no other measures of diversity varied with either Coriaria or Buddleja biomass. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Buddleja dominates early succession and accumulates P whereas Coriaria dominates later succession and accumulates N. A key ecosystem effect of the invasive exotic Buddleja is alteration of soil N:P stoichiometry.

Dynamics of microbial biomass and nitrogen supply during primary succession on blastfurnace slag dumps in dry tropics

This paper reports the role of microbial biomass in the establishment of N pools in the substratum during primary succession (till 40-year age) in Blastfurnace Slag Dumps, an anthropogenically created land form in the tropics. Initially in the depressions in the slag dumps fine soil particles (silt+clay) accumulate, retaining moisture therein, and providing microsites for the accumulation of microbial biomass. In all sites microbial biomass showed distinct seasonality, with summer-peak and rainy season-low standing crops. During the summer season microbial biomass C ranged from 18.6 μg g −1 in the 1-year old site to ca. 235 μg g −1 in the 40-year old site; correspondingly, microbial biomass N ranged from 1.22 to 40 μg g −1. On sites 2.5-years of age and younger, the microbial biomass N content accounted for more than 50% of the organic N in the soil, whereas the proportion of microbial biomass N was ca. 7% of organic N in 40-year old site. The strong correlation between microbial biomass and total N in soil indicated a significant role of microbes in the build-up of nitrogen during the initial stages of succession in the slag dumps. Though the organic N pool in the soil was low (594 mg kg −1) even after 40 years of succession, the available N (NH 4-N and NO 3-N) contents in the soil were generally high through the entire age series (ca. 16–32 μg g −1) during the rainy season (which supports active growth of the herbaceous community). The high mineral-N status on the slag dump was related with high N-mineralization rates, particularly in the young sites (20.6 and 13.9 μg g −1 month −1 at 1 and 2.5-year age). We suggest that along with the abiotic factors having strong effect on ecosystem functioning, the microbial biomass, an important biotic factor, shows considerable influence on soil nutrient build-up during early stages of primary succession on the slag dumps. The microbial biomass dynamics initiates biotic control in developing slag dumps ecosystem through its effect on nitrogen pools and availability.

Predictability of early stages of primary succession in post‐mining landscapes of Lower Lusatia, Germany

Abstract. The predictability of early primary succession in post‐mining landscapes of eastern Germany was studied at sites 5–70 yr following dumping. This chronosequence was investigated using indirect ordination methods. The position of the vegetation types in the ordination diagram was found not to infer any temporal sequence. Independent observations show that the change of vegetation type is slow and does not necessarily occur among types adjacent in the ordination diagram. Furthermore, direct ordination revealed that environmental parameters such as pH, the levels of available phosphate and organic carbon as well as the age of the study sites do not significantly account for the variance. Instead, attention needs to be paid to the influence of spatial aspects and also what recultivation measures have been carried out. A detailed account of the vegetation dynamics of individual sample plots showed ‐ depending on the respective vegetation type ‐ divergence, convergence, and fluctuation at the smallest spatial scale. While the species richness of the sample plots remained more or less constant after initial colonization, mean vegetation cover continuously increases with age, although some sites still remain free of vegetation after as long as 70 yr. No general trend in dominant life forms was indicated. A conceptual model of early succession mechanisms is outlined and five basic mechanisms are identified (i.e. site availability, site suitability, availability of diaspores, strategies of colonizing species and biotic interactions). Their respective importance in three different stages of early succession is estimated and compared. The predictability of vegetation dynamics at each stage is rated differently.

Central Die-back of Monoclonal Stands of Reynoutria japonicain an Early Stage of Primary Succession on Mount Fuji

Reynoutria japonicais a common perennial pioneer species on Japanese volcanoes. In a volcanic desert (1500m above sea level) on Mount Fuji (3776m), central Japan, this species forms circular stands (patches). As a patch develops, shoot density decreases in its centre (‘central die-back’). The central die-back has been considered a key process in the early stages of primary succession, though its mechanism has been unknown. The pattern of patch development, population dynamics of aerial shoots, and growth patterns of below-ground organs were analysed in order to investigate the mechanism of die-back, and the following traits are clarified: (1) central die-back areas occur in most small patches (approx. 1m 2) without later successional species; (2) shoot characteristics are dependent both on their position within a patch and on patch size; (3) despite the large differences in shoot density, neither time course of shoot growth nor their mortality differs between the centre and periphery of patches; and (4) rhizomes of R. japonicagrow outwards with regular sympodial branching. From these results, it is concluded that neither interspecific nor intraspecific competition is likely to be a primary cause of the die-back phenomenon, but that central die-back is brought about intrinsically by the growth pattern of the rhizome systems. We also discuss the importance of the central die-back in facilitating establishment of later successional species in the early stages of primary succession.

Resource heterogeneity generated by shrubs and topography on coastal sand dunes

In early stages of primary succession, colonizing plants can create resource patches that influence the abundance and distribution of other species. To test whether different colonizing shrubs generate contrasting patches on coastal sand dunes, we compared soil characteristics and light availability under the nitrogen-fixing shrub Lupinus arboreus, under the non-nitrogen-fixing shrub Artemisia pycnocephala, and between shrubs on dunes at a site in northern California. Concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and net nitrogen mineralization rates were generally 1–10 times greater in soil under Lupinus than under Artemisia or between shrubs. Soil water content was mostly lower under shrubs. Mean photon flux density near ground level was reduced by at least 80% at ≥ 35 cm inside shrub canopies. Topography appeared to have more effect on soil moisture but less direct effect on nitrogen availability than did Lupinus. However, Lupinus probably increases nitrogen levels more on higher, drier dunes. Microhabitats under and between nitrogen-fixing shrubs constitute a mosaic of individually poor but complementary patches in which high levels of light and moderate levels of soil nitrogen are present but tend not to occur together.

Growth and Fertilization Responses of Hawaiian Tree Ferns

Responses of a tree fern (Cibotium glaucum) to nutrient additions were examined in two rain forest sites in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. In the younger forest (ca 200 yr old), separate additions of nitrogen and of phosphorus (but not additions of all other macro- and micronutrients) increased fern stem height growth. Nitrogen but not phosphorus increased leaf production, but fertilization had no effect on maximum leaf longevity (39 mo). In the older forest (> 1000 yr old), nitrogen additions did not alter fern growth parameters; fern stem height growth and leaf production were greater in unfertilized plots of the > 1000 yr old forest than in unfertilized plots in the younger forest; and leaf longevity (maximum of 34 mo) was shorter. Leaf production (February-April) and leaf mortality (August-November) were highly seasonal, with mortality occurring several months after expansion of new leaves. The asynchronous leaf recruitment and mortality resulted in cyclic monthly variability in leaves per fern. Our data support other studies suggesting that more rapid leaf turnover occurs in nutrient-rich sites, and that nitrogen appears to be the nutrient most limiting to growth in the early stages of primary succession.

Nitrogen Acquisition and Use in Three Perennials in the Early Stage of Primary Succession

Different patterns of nitrogen acquisition and use among species were important determinants of a successional sequence in the early stage of primary succession on Mt. Fuji. The first colonizer, Polygonum cuspidatum, had the highest relative growth rate (RGR) under nitrogen-limited conditions, which arose from the higher plant nitrogen concentration (PNC) than the second colonizer, Miscanthus oligostachyus, and higher nitrogen productivity (NP) than the third colonizer, Aster ageratoides. Polygonum cuspidatum allocated proportionately the least biomass to roots, while it had the highest specific root length and maintained a high absorption rate per unit root weight. NP of Polygonum cuspidatum was high because allocation of nitrogen to the leaves was high (...)

Effects of Alien Plant Invasions on Native Vegetation Remnants on La Réunion (Mascarene Islands, Indian Ocean)

Although most of the lowland endemic forests of the mountainous Indian Ocean island of La Réunion have been converted by Man to other land-uses, relatively intact ecosystems still survive at higher elevations. Given the particular conservational value of these remnants of primary forest, detailed knowledge of the threats faced by these native ecosystems was urgently needed. Accordingly we conducted field surveys through the various plant communities on the island in order to answer particular questions regarding the vulnerability of native vegetation remnants to invasive, introduced plant species.Our results indicated that most invaders colonize human-disturbed sites most successfully. However, such alien plants are also frequent in the Réunion primary forest remnants, with at least 62 species penetrating into areas which have experienced no or little human disturbance. Nevertheless, the forest remnants were still mainly dominated by indigenous or endemic plant species and maintain what is, presumably, their original vegetational structure.The most threatening plant invaders are the trees Psidium cattleianum and Ligustrum robustwn, the bramble Rubus alceifolius, the shrubs Fuchsia magellanica and Lantana camara, and the herbaceous Hedychium gardnerianum, Boehmeria macrophylla, and Boehmeria penduliflora.We found the early stages of primary succession on young volcanic sites to be dominated by aggressively expanding populations of alien species. It appears very unlikely that native species will replace the invaders as the succession proceeds, and furthermore the survival of many indigenous species probably hinges on the active control of alien species.In order for alien plant management efforts to be successful, we propose a priority ranking based on the current and potential future extent of specific infestation, the rate of spread, the difficulty with which a species can be controlled, and its ecological impact on the areas invaded.Finally, the long-term survival of the Réunion ecosystems depends largely upon the drawing up and implementation of an adequate overall conservation policy regarding human-caused invasions by alien plants in the native vegetation.

Nitrification and nitrogen accumulation in the early stages of primary succession on Mt. Fuji

AbstractThe relationship between nitrification potential and nitrogen accumulation was studied in an early successional sere on Mt. Fuji. Soil organic nitrogen accumulated with the invasion of Polygonum cuspidatum and successively with Miscanthus oligostachyus and other species. Laboratory incubation experiments showed a higher nitrification potential at the M. oligostachyus state. The numbers of nitrifying bacteria increased with the progress of succession. No significant difference in nitrate reductase activity was found between pioneer and succeeding species. The soil solution at the M. oligostachyus stage contained a lower level of nitrate than rainwater, while that of the bare ground and the P. cuspidatum stage contained a higher nitrate level than rainwater. It was concluded that the high nitrate levels in the soil solution of the bare ground and the P. cuspidatum stage were due to lower nitrate‐absorbing activity, leading to loss of nitrogen with precipitation, while the lower nitrate levels at the M. oligostachyus stage when higher nitrification activity occurred were due to higher nitrate‐absorbing activity, preventing net loss of nitrogen from the ecosystem.

An Experimental Study of Variation in the Agropyron spicatum-A. inerme Complex

1. Studies in an experimental garden demonstrated that progenies from rhizomatous and caespitose individuals of Agropyron spicatum are genetically different with respect to this character. 2. Segregation of these biotypes in the field apears to be a result of habitat selection that allows rhizomatous individuals to prosper in less arid grassland, whereas only caespitose individuals survive in more arid grassland and semidesert. 3. In eastern Washington and northern Idaho early stages of primary succession favor the caespitose biotype, but, where aridity is not intense, the subsequent development of a dense vegetative cover results in a replacement of caespitose pioneers by rhizomatous plants, so that the two ecotypes have both a time and a space sequence. 4. Since inerme is distinguished from A. spicatum only by its awnless character, since awn lengths intergrade completely, and since the rhizomatous and caespitose differentiation cuts across both groups, it is proposed to group all plants under the ...