Denitrification in a semi-arid grazing ecosystem
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Authors: D. A. Frank, and P. M. Groffman
Date: 1998
Journal: Oecologia
Volume: 117
Number: 4
Pages: 564-569
Summary of Methods: Frank and Groffman examined the influence of native migratory ungulates on denitrification in grasslands of Yellowstone National Park in two ways, by (1) examining the effect of artificial urine application on denitrification, and (2) comparing rates inside and outside long-term exclosures at topographically diverse locations. Artificial urine did not influence denitrification 3 and 12 days after application at any sites. Grazers had no effect on community-level denitrification at dry exclosure sites, where rates were low. At mesic sites, however, ungulates enhanced denitrification by as much as 4 kg N ha-1 year-1. Irrigation increased denitrification, as did glucose addition. Frank and Groffman hypothesize that ungulates increase labile carbon in soils, and subsequently denitrification, provided that sufficient moisture is present.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: denitrification, grassland, herbivory, nitrogen, yellowstone national park
Annotation: Grazing intensity is not specified.
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