Mowing exacerbates the loss of ecosystem stability under nitrogen enrichment in a temperate grassland.

ABSTRACT: 1. Global reactive nitrogen (N) is projected to further increase in the coming years. Previous studies have demonstrated that N enrichment weakens the temporal stability of the ecosystem and the primary productivity through decreased biodiversity and species asynchrony. Mowing is a globally common practise in grasslands; and infrequent mowing can maintain or increase plant diversity under N enrichment conditions. However, it is unclear how infrequent mowing affects ecosystem stability in the face of N enrichment. 2. By independently manipulating the frequency (twice vs. monthly additions per year) and rate (i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 50 g N m^-2 year^-1) of NH₄NO₃ inputs and mowing (unmown vs. mown) over 3 years (2011-2013) i

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5575818 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature