Trait-based responses to cessation of nutrient enrichment in a tundra plant community.

ABSTRACT: Plant communities worldwide show varied responses to nutrient enrichment-including shifts in species identity, decreased diversity, and changes in functional trait composition-but the factors determining community recovery after the cessation of nutrient addition remain uncertain. We manipulated nutrient levels in a tundra community for 6 years of nutrient addition followed by 8 years of recovery. We examined how community recovery was mediated by traits related to plant resource-use strategy and plant ability to modify their environment. Overall, we observed persistent effects of fertilization on plant communities. We found that plants with fast-growing traits, including higher specific leaf area, taller stature and lower foliar C:N, were more likely to show a persistent increase in ferti

SUBMITTER: Werner CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8585805 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature