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Effects of nutrient additions on plant biomass and diversity of the herbaceous-subshrub layer of a Brazilian savanna (Cerrado)

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Abstract

The Brazilian Cerrado is a diversity hotspot due to its high level of endemism and rapid loss of habitats. It is estimated that the number of herbaceous species is four times higher than that of woody species. Increasing levels of nitrogen additions to natural ecosystems have been indicated as a determinant of biodiversity loss. We investigated the effects of nutrient additions on the productivity (aboveground and belowground) and on diversity of the herbaceous-subshrub layer of a Brazilian savanna (cerrado stricto sensu). The experiment was carried out in the IBGE Ecological Reserve, near Brasília, Brazil. Between 1998 and 2006, N, P, N plus P, or Ca were applied to sixteen 225 m2 plots, arranged in a completely randomized design. Aboveground biomass was compared 1 year after the first fertilization and 10 years later. Floristic diversity was significantly different (P < 0.01) between the treatments. The highest and lowest species richness were presented in control and NP, respectively. The addition of P alone or in combination with N induced invasion by Melinis minutiflora (exotic C4 grass). The aboveground biomass of this species was higher in NP and P plots. In the N treatment, Echinolaena inflexa (native C3 grass) presented elevated cover and biomass but M. minutiflora was absent. The invasion by alien species resulted in negative impacts on native grass species. Besides changes in aboveground biomass, addition of N and P also led, although to a lesser extent, to changes in the root morphology and biomass, but these responses were modulated by seasonal variation in soil moisture. The results suggest that environmental changes in nutrient availability can lead to important consequences for diversity and functioning of this savanna where the numerous rare species have more chance to persist under dystrophic conditions as some species that tend to be dominant would be less competitive.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like thank the UnB Ecology Lab staff, especially Viviane Miranda, Felipe Lenti and Karla Moita, and the administration and staff of the Ecological Reserve of IBGE. This study was funded by IAI, LBA (ND-07) and CNPq (474071/2006-5). G. Luedemann, T. R. B. Mello and D. Q. de Brito were supported by CNPq scholarships and F. S. C. Takahashi by a PNPD–CAPES fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70919-970, Brazil

    Mercedes M. C. Bustamante, Darlan Q. de Brito, Gustavo Luedemann, Alexandre de Siqueira Pinto & Frederico S. C. Takahashi

  2. Departamento de Biodiversidade, Evolução e Meio Ambiente, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil

    Alessandra R. Kozovits

  3. Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada, Brasília, DF, Brazil

    Gustavo Luedemann

  4. Departamento de Botânica, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

    Thiago R. B. de Mello & Cássia B. R. Munhoz

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  1. Mercedes M. C. Bustamante
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  2. Darlan Q. de Brito
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  3. Alessandra R. Kozovits
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  4. Gustavo Luedemann
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  6. Alexandre de Siqueira Pinto
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  7. Cássia B. R. Munhoz
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  8. Frederico S. C. Takahashi
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Correspondence to Mercedes M. C. Bustamante.

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Bustamante, M.M.C., de Brito, D.Q., Kozovits, A.R. et al. Effects of nutrient additions on plant biomass and diversity of the herbaceous-subshrub layer of a Brazilian savanna (Cerrado). Plant Ecol 213, 795–808 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-012-0042-4

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