IANIGLA   20881
INSTITUTO ARGENTINO DE NIVOLOGIA, GLACIOLOGIA Y CIENCIAS AMBIENTALES
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Spatial and temporal litterfall heterogeneity generated by woody species in the Central Monte
Autor/es:
ALVAREZ, J.A.; VILLAGRA, P.E.; ROSSI, B.E.; CESCA, E.M
Revista:
PLANT ECOLOGY
Editorial:
SPRINGER
Referencias:
Año: 2009 vol. 205 p. 295 - 303
ISSN:
1385-0237
Resumen:
In arid and semiarid environments, the
presence of woody species generates a series of
environmental gradients that increase spatial heterogeneity
and modify the pattern of distribution of the
other species. We postulate that the temporal and
spatial variability in litter input generated by woody
species is a relevant factor in the generation of
edaphic heterogeneity by redistribution of nutrients
and the physical effects of litter. The objective of this
study was to determine the temporal and spatial
variability in the amount of litter input under the
canopy of dominant woody plants (Prosopis flexuosaProsopis flexuosa
and Larrea divaricata) and in exposed areas at the
N
acuna´n Reserve, in the central zone of the Monte
desert. Litterfall was collected during 2 years
from 30-cm-diameter litter traps distributed at
three microsites: under P. flexuosa canopy, underLarrea divaricata) and in exposed areas at the
N
acuna´n Reserve, in the central zone of the Monte
desert. Litterfall was collected during 2 years
from 30-cm-diameter litter traps distributed at
three microsites: under P. flexuosa canopy, underP. flexuosa canopy, under
L. divaricata canopy, and in exposed areas. Microhabitats
beneath Prosopis showed the highest litter
input per m2 (between 320 and 527 g/m2), and,
consequently, more than 50% of it fell to the soil
beneath the canopy of P. flexuosa. Only 10% fell on
exposed areas, which exhibited an annual input rate
per m2 of a lower order of magnitude than the sites
under Prosopis. Litterfall presented a peak in summer
as a consequence of convective storms, and a second
one in autumn due to phenological shedding. Our
results suggest that woody species have a central
importance in the dynamics of nutrients in arid lands
by both the increase of total productivity and litterfall,
and the spatial and temporal regulation of litter input.canopy, and in exposed areas. Microhabitats
beneath Prosopis showed the highest litter
input per m2 (between 320 and 527 g/m2), and,
consequently, more than 50% of it fell to the soil
beneath the canopy of P. flexuosa. Only 10% fell on
exposed areas, which exhibited an annual input rate
per m2 of a lower order of magnitude than the sites
under Prosopis. Litterfall presented a peak in summer
as a consequence of convective storms, and a second
one in autumn due to phenological shedding. Our
results suggest that woody species have a central
importance in the dynamics of nutrients in arid lands
by both the increase of total productivity and litterfall,
and the spatial and temporal regulation of litter input.Prosopis showed the highest litter
input per m2 (between 320 and 527 g/m2), and,
consequently, more than 50% of it fell to the soil
beneath the canopy of P. flexuosa. Only 10% fell on
exposed areas, which exhibited an annual input rate
per m2 of a lower order of magnitude than the sites
under Prosopis. Litterfall presented a peak in summer
as a consequence of convective storms, and a second
one in autumn due to phenological shedding. Our
results suggest that woody species have a central
importance in the dynamics of nutrients in arid lands
by both the increase of total productivity and litterfall,
and the spatial and temporal regulation of litter input.2 (between 320 and 527 g/m2), and,
consequently, more than 50% of it fell to the soil
beneath the canopy of P. flexuosa. Only 10% fell on
exposed areas, which exhibited an annual input rate
per m2 of a lower order of magnitude than the sites
under Prosopis. Litterfall presented a peak in summer
as a consequence of convective storms, and a second
one in autumn due to phenological shedding. Our
results suggest that woody species have a central
importance in the dynamics of nutrients in arid lands
by both the increase of total productivity and litterfall,
and the spatial and temporal regulation of litter input.P. flexuosa. Only 10% fell on
exposed areas, which exhibited an annual input rate
per m2 of a lower order of magnitude than the sites
under Prosopis. Litterfall presented a peak in summer
as a consequence of convective storms, and a second
one in autumn due to phenological shedding. Our
results suggest that woody species have a central
importance in the dynamics of nutrients in arid lands
by both the increase of total productivity and litterfall,
and the spatial and temporal regulation of litter input.2 of a lower order of magnitude than the sites
under Prosopis. Litterfall presented a peak in summer
as a consequence of convective storms, and a second
one in autumn due to phenological shedding. Our
results suggest that woody species have a central
importance in the dynamics of nutrients in arid lands
by both the increase of total productivity and litterfall,
and the spatial and temporal regulation of litter input.Prosopis. Litterfall presented a peak in summer
as a consequence of convective storms, and a second
one in autumn due to phenological shedding. Our
results suggest that woody species have a central
importance in the dynamics of nutrients in arid lands
by both the increase of total productivity and litterfall,
and the spatial and temporal regulation of litter input.