N-P co-limitation of primary production and response of arthropods to N and P in early primary succession on Mount St. Helens volcano.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The effect of low nutrient availability on plant-consumer interactions during early succession is poorly understood. The low productivity and complexity of primary successional communities are expected to limit diversity and abundance of arthropods, but few studies have examined arthropod responses to enhanced nutrient supply in this context. We investigated the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition on plant productivity and arthropod abundance on 24-yr-old soils at Mount St. Helens volcano.

Methodology/principal findings

We measured the relative abundance of eight arthropod orders and five families in plots that received N, P, or no nutrients for 3-5 years. We also measured plant % cover, leaf %N, and plant diversity. Vegetation responded rapidly to

SUBMITTER: Bishop JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2964294 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature