Increasing and declining native species in urban remnant grasslands respond differently to nitrogen addition and disturbance.

ABSTRACT: Background and Aims:Atmospheric nitrogen deposition and natural fire regime suppression are key drivers of vegetation change in urbanizing grasslands. Some species thrive under these conditions, while others face local extinction. In the natural grasslands that surround Melbourne, Australia, biotic homogenization has occurred with intensifying urbanization. Some native species have become rarer (decreaser species) across the landscape, while others have become more widespread (increaser species). This study experimentally examined the response of increaser and decreaser plant species to nitrogen addition/depletion, and examined the presence/absence of annual disturbance to the vegetation. Methods:Decreaser and increaser species were planted into 60 field plots established in an urban Melbo

SUBMITTER: Zeeman BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5853002 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature