Nitrogen (N) deposition alters ecosystem structure and functioning. To study potential impacts on Mediterranean ecosystems, we designed a field fertilization experiment where NH4NO3was added at four rates (0, 10, 20 and 50 kg N ha-1year-1). The terricolous moss Pleurochaete squarrosa was sampled and pigments extracted in spring-autumn 2008 and spring 2009. Simulated N deposition increased lutein and VAZ pigments to chlorophyll ratios in autumn 2008; ß-carotene to chlorophyll ratio was reduced in spring 2009; (neoxantin + lutein) to ß-carotene increased with N supply and this was explained as higher investment in light-harvesting complexes than in reaction centres. Response of carotene to chlorophylls and of (neoxantin + lutein)/ß-carotene to N enrichment were only evident when soil NH4and Mn, respectively, were used as covariates. Thus, covariance analyses are highly recommended to detect N fertilization effects on terricolous species when field experiments are set up in highly heterogeneous environments.
CITATION STYLE
Ochoa-Hueso, R., Paradela, C., Pérez-Corona, M. E., & Manrique, E. (2014). Pigment ratios of the mediterranean bryophyte pleurochaete squarrosa respond to simulated nitrogen deposition. In Nitrogen Deposition, Critical Loads and Biodiversity: Proceedings of the International Nitrogen Initiative Workshop, Linking Experts of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the Convention on Biological Diversity (pp. 207–216). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7939-6_23
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