Experimental nutrient enrichment of forest streams reduces ecosystem nitrogen and phosphorus storage
Persistent URL
Author(s)
Bumpers, Phillip M.
Rosemond, Amy D.
Manning, David W. P.
Kominoski, John S.
Benstead, Jonathan P.
Demi, Lee M.
Date Issued
May 30, 2023
Abstract
Streams store nutrients in standing stocks of organic matter (OM) and associated biologically sequestered elements. Unlike standing stocks of autotrophs, detritus is depleted by nutrient enrichment, potentially reducing areal storage of detritus-associated nutrients. To test effects of nutrient-loading on storage of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) by autotrophic and detrital-pool compartments, we quantified the effects of 2 yr of continuous experimental N and P additions on fine benthic organic matter (FBOM), leaves, wood, and biofilms in five forest streams. Our design tested the relative strength of N vs. P on OM nutrient content, areal OM storage, and areal nutrient storage in OM types. Enrichment increased nutrient content of all OM types; %P increased more than %N in leaves, wood, and biofilms, but not FBOM. Biofilm %P and %N increased more than in all detrital types. Areal FBOM and leaf storage declined with nutrient enrichment. Biofilm standing stocks were generally higher with enrichment but were not related to the streamwater N and P gradients. Despite increased OM nutrient content, total areal nutrient storage in leaves and wood decreased due to reduced OM storage. Although annual nutrient storage was stabilized by FBOM, seasonal variation in nutrient storage increased with enrichment. Leaf-associated nutrient storage was reduced in most seasons, whereas FBOM and biofilm nutrient storage increased in winter and spring, respectively, relative to pretreatment. Overall, the combined responses of all OM types to enrichment resulted in reduced storage and altered seasonal availability of carbon and nutrients, which has implications for consumers and downstream processes.
Journal
Limnology and Oceanography
Department
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Citation
Bumpers, P.M., Rosemond, A.D., Manning, D.W.P., Kominoski, J.S., Benstead, J.P. and Demi, L.M. (2023), Experimental nutrient enrichment of forest streams reduces ecosystem nitrogen and phosphorus storage. Limnol Oceanogr. https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12376
Publisher
Wiley
Version of Article
Published version
DOI
10.1002/lno.12376
ISSN
0024-3590
1939-5590
Rights
© 2023 The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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