Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on vegetation dynamics of a degraded native grassland in semi-arid south-eastern Australia
R. B. Hacker A B , I. D. Toole A and G. J. Melville A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Industry & Investment NSW, PMB 19, Trangie, NSW 2823, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: ron.hacker@industry.nsw.gov.au
The Rangeland Journal 33(1) 87-97 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ10030
Submitted: 17 June 2010 Accepted: 12 February 2011 Published: 23 March 2011
Abstract
The roles of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in controlling vegetation transitions in a degraded semi-arid grassland were investigated in a factorial experiment that combined two initial levels of perennial plant density (low and high), three levels of N (N+, N0 and N–) and two levels of P (P+ and P0). Increased levels of both N and P were achieved by fertiliser addition while sucrose was used to reduce the level of N. Vegetation dynamics were driven primarily by soil N rather than P. Addition of sucrose, which was inferred to result in the immobilisation of mineral N, reduced the growth of annual species and facilitated the establishment and growth of native perennial grasses. Addition of P generally had no significant effect on dry matter production, either in total or for species grouped as forbs, annual grasses and perennial grasses, or on recruitment and mortality of perennial grasses. However, at some times of observation addition of P increased ground cover and/or the basal circumference of some perennial grass species. Basal circumference for Enteropogon acicularis was also increased by addition of N. Soil biological activity, measured by decomposition of cotton strips, was increased by addition of N, which maintained vegetation in an annual-dominated condition, and was not affected by addition of P. Carbon addition has the potential to assist restoration of this grassland. However, the capacity of some native grass species to respond to increased fertility suggests that once restoration is achieved some increase in fertility may be beneficial for pastoral production.
Additional keywords: fertility, state and transition, succession.
References
Badgery, W., and Millar, G. (2009). ‘Pasture cropping.’ Primefact 875. (NSW Department of Primary Industries: Orange.) Available at: http://dpi.nsw.gov.au/primefacts (accessed 2 November 2009).Badgery, W. B., Kemp, D. R., Michalk, D. L., King, W., and Mc, G. (2008). Studies of competition between Nassela trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav. (serrated tussock) and native pastures. 1. Adult plants. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 59, 226–236.
| Studies of competition between Nassela trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav. (serrated tussock) and native pastures. 1. Adult plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Beadle, N. C. W. (1948). ‘The Vegetation and Pastures of Western New South Wales.’ (NSW Government Printer: Sydney.)
Bell, A. (2007). ‘Measuring herbage biomass – the median quadrat technique.’ Primefact 324. 2nd edn. (NSW Department of Primary Industries: Orange.) Available at: www.nsw.gov.au/Primefacts (accessed 27 October 2009).
Blumenthal, D. M., Jordan, N. R., and Russelle, M. P. (2003). Soil carbon addition controls weeds and facilitates prairie restoration. Ecological Applications 13, 605–615.
| Soil carbon addition controls weeds and facilitates prairie restoration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
BOM (2010). Bureau of Meteorology Climate Data Online. Available at: www.bom/gov.au/climate/averages/tables (accessed 27 April 2010).
Bowman, A. M., Alemseged, Y., Melville, G. J., Smith, W. J., and Syrch, F. (2009). Increasing the perennial grass component of native pastures through grazing management in the 400–600 mm rainfall zone of central western NSW. The Rangeland Journal 31, 369–376.
| Increasing the perennial grass component of native pastures through grazing management in the 400–600 mm rainfall zone of central western NSW.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chalmers, A., McIntyre, S., Whalley, R. B. D., and Reid, N. (2005). Grassland species response to soil disturbance and nutrient enrichment on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Botany 53, 485–499.
| Grassland species response to soil disturbance and nutrient enrichment on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coombes, N. E. (2002). The Reactive Tabu search for efficient correlated experimental designs. PhD Thesis, John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
Dorrough, J., Moxham, C., Turner, V., and Sutter, G. (2006). Soil phosphorus and tree cover modify the effects of live stock grazing on plant species richness in Australian grassy woodland. Biological Conservation 130, 394–405.
| Soil phosphorus and tree cover modify the effects of live stock grazing on plant species richness in Australian grassy woodland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dorrough, J., Stol, J., and McIntyre, S. (2008). ‘Biodiversity in the Paddock: a Land Managers Guide.’ (Future Farm Industries CRC: Crawley.)
Garden, D. L., Dowling, P. M., Eddy, D. A., and Nicol, H. I. (2000). A survey of farms on the Central, Southern and Monaro Tablelands of New South Wales: management practices, farmer knowledge of native grasses, and extent of native grass areas. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 40, 1081–1088.
| A survey of farms on the Central, Southern and Monaro Tablelands of New South Wales: management practices, farmer knowledge of native grasses, and extent of native grass areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hacker, R. B., Hodgkinson, K. C., Melville, G. J., Bean, J., and Clipperton, S. P. (2006). Death model for tussock perennial grasses: thresholds for grazing-induced mortality of mulga Mitchell grass (Thyridolepis mitchelliana). The Rangeland Journal 28, 105–114.
| Death model for tussock perennial grasses: thresholds for grazing-induced mortality of mulga Mitchell grass (Thyridolepis mitchelliana).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hacker, R., Toole, I., and Melville, G. (2008). Managing soil fertility for restoration of native grasslands. In: ‘A Climate of Change in the Rangelands. Proceedings 15th Biennial Conference’. Charters Towers, Qld. CD-ROM. (Australian Rangeland Society)
Herron, G. J., Sheley, R. L., Maxwell, B. D., and Jacobsen, J. S. (2001). Influence of nutrient availability on the interaction between spotted knapweed and bluebunch wheatgrass. Restoration Ecology 9, 326–331.
| Influence of nutrient availability on the interaction between spotted knapweed and bluebunch wheatgrass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hill, J. O., Simpson, R. J., Moore, A. D., Graham, P., and Chapman, D. F. (2004). Impact of phosphorus application and sheep grazing on the botanical composition of sown pasture and naturalised, native grass pasture. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 1213–1225.
| Impact of phosphorus application and sheep grazing on the botanical composition of sown pasture and naturalised, native grass pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhtFWqsLjP&md5=3d846f4ef59290643dd7c7feeb4252d2CAS |
Horn, B. E., and Redente, E. F. (1998). Soil nitrogen and plant cover of an old-field on the shortgrass steppe in southeastern Colorado. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 12, 193–206.
Hulme, P. (2003). ‘Glovebox Guide to Soils of the Macquarie-Bogan Flood Plain.’ (Sustainable Soils Management: Warren.)
King, K. L., and Pankhurst, C. E. (1996). Biotic indicators of soil health. In: ‘Indicators of Catchment Health: A Technical Perspective’. (Eds J. Walker and D. J. Reuter.) pp. 121–130. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Klein, D. A., McLendon, T., Paschke, M. W., and Redente, E. F. (1996). Nitrogen availability and fungal-bacterial responses in successional semiarid steppe soils. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation 10, 321–332.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXkt1Oisw%3D%3D&md5=28b4d757370ca49455bebef9fe89fb61CAS |
Lodge, G. M. (1979). Effect of fertility level on the yield of some native perennial grasses on the north-west slopes, New South Wales. Australian Rangeland Journal 1, 327–333.
| Effect of fertility level on the yield of some native perennial grasses on the north-west slopes, New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lodge, G. M., and Roberts, E. A. (1979). The effects of phosphorus, sulphur and stocking rate on the yield, chemical and botanical composition of natural pastures, NW slopes, NSW. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 19, 698–705.
| The effects of phosphorus, sulphur and stocking rate on the yield, chemical and botanical composition of natural pastures, NW slopes, NSW.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mazzola, M. B., Allcock, K. G., Chambers, J. C., Blank, R. R., Schupp, E. W., Doescher, P. S., and Nowak, R. S. (2008). Effects of nitrogen availability and cheatgrass competition on establishment of Vavilov Siberian Wheatgrass. Rangeland Ecology and Management 61, 475–484.
| Effects of nitrogen availability and cheatgrass competition on establishment of Vavilov Siberian Wheatgrass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McGufficke, B. R. (2003). Native grassland management: a botanical study of two native grassland management options on a commercial cattle property. The Rangeland Journal 25, 37–46.
| Native grassland management: a botanical study of two native grassland management options on a commercial cattle property.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McIntyre, S., and Lavorel, S. (2007). A conceptual model of land use effects on the structure and function of herbaceous vegetation. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 119, 11–21.
| A conceptual model of land use effects on the structure and function of herbaceous vegetation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McKenzie, N. J. (1992). ‘Soils of the Lower Macquarie Valley, New South Wales.’ Division of Soils Divisional Report Series No. 117. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
McLendon, T., and Redente, E. F. (1991). Nitrogen and phosphorus effects on secondary succession dynamics on a semiarid sagebrush site. Ecology 72, 2016–2024.
| Nitrogen and phosphorus effects on secondary succession dynamics on a semiarid sagebrush site.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McLendon, T., and Redente, E. F. (1992). Effects of nitrogen limitation on species replacement dynamics during early secondary succession on a semiarid sagebrush site. Oecologia 91, 312–317.
| Effects of nitrogen limitation on species replacement dynamics during early secondary succession on a semiarid sagebrush site.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Michalk, D. L., and Robards, G. E. (1993). Stability of windmill grass pastures grazed by sheep for 24 years in semi-arid south-eastern Australia. In: ‘Proceedings of the XVII International Grassland Congress’. (Eds M. J. Baker, J. R. Crush and L. L. Humphreys.) pp. 320–321. (New Zealand Grassland Association: Palmerston North.)
Millar, G. D., and Badgery, W. B. (2009). Pasture cropping: a new approach to integrate crop and livestock farming systems. Animal Production Science 49, 777–787.
| Pasture cropping: a new approach to integrate crop and livestock farming systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moore, R. M. (1966). Man as a factor in the dynamics of plant communities. Proceedings of the Ecological Society of Australia 1, 106–110.
Morgan, J. W. (1998). Patterns of invasion of an urban remnant of a species-rich grassland in southeastern Australia by non-native plant species. Journal of Vegetation Science 9, 181–190.
| Patterns of invasion of an urban remnant of a species-rich grassland in southeastern Australia by non-native plant species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nichols, P. W. B., Morris, E. C., and Keith, D. A. (2010). Testing a facilitation model for ecosystem restoration: does tree planting restore ground layer species in grassy woodland? Austral Ecology 35, 888–897.
| Testing a facilitation model for ecosystem restoration: does tree planting restore ground layer species in grassy woodland?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Paschke, M. W., McLendon, T., and Redente, E. F. (2000). Nitrogen availability and old-field succession in a short grass steppe. Ecosystems 3, 144–158.
| Nitrogen availability and old-field succession in a short grass steppe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXktFGhtrY%3D&md5=d4d2feb09f39b95b42d0a774a84c9575CAS |
Prober, S. M., and Thiele, K. R. (2005). Restoring Australia’s temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands: integrating function and diversity. Ecological Management & Restoration 6, 16–27.
| Restoring Australia’s temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands: integrating function and diversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Prober, S. M., Lunt, I. D., and Thiele, K. R. (2002). Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little grazed remnants. Australian Journal of Botany 50, 687–697.
| Determining reference conditions for management and restoration of temperate grassy woodlands: relationships among trees, topsoils and understorey flora in little grazed remnants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Redente, E. T., Friedlander, F. E., and McLendon, T. (1992). Response of early and later semiarid seral species to nitrogen and phosphorus gradients. Plant and Soil 140, 127–135.
| Response of early and later semiarid seral species to nitrogen and phosphorus gradients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38XitFemtrs%3D&md5=bb6848b5a6a407f567a11176ca200f39CAS |
Reever Morghan, K. J., and Seastedt, T. R. (1999). Effects of soil nitrogen reduction on non-native plants in restored grassland. Restoration Ecology 7, 51–55.
| Effects of soil nitrogen reduction on non-native plants in restored grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Semple, W. S., Koen, T. B., and Cole, I. A. (1999). Establishing native grasses in degraded pastures on central New South Wales. The Rangeland Journal 21, 153–168.
| Establishing native grasses in degraded pastures on central New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sheley, R. L., Mangold, J. M., and Anderson, J. L. (2006). Potential for successional theory to guide restoration of invasive-plant-dominated rangeland. Ecological Monographs 76, 365–379.
| Potential for successional theory to guide restoration of invasive-plant-dominated rangeland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smallbone, L. T., Prober, S. M., and Lunt, I. D. (2007). Restoration treatments enhance early establishment of native forbs in degraded temperate grassy woodland. Australian Journal of Botany 55, 818–830.
| Restoration treatments enhance early establishment of native forbs in degraded temperate grassy woodland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Szili-Kovács, T., and Török, K. (2005). Effect of carbon addition on soil microbial activity and biomass on abandoned sandy fields. Agrokménia és Talajtan 54, 149–162.
Thompson, B. (2005). ‘Economics of Lucerne Establishment for the Western Wheatbelt.’ Primefact 119. (NSW Department of Primary Industries: Orange.)
Wedin, D. A. (1999). Nitrogen availability, plant-soil feedbacks and grassland stability. In: ‘People and Rangelands: Building the Future. Proceedings of the VI International Rangelands Congress. Vol. 1’. (Eds D. Eldridge and D. Freudenberger.) pp. 193–197. (International Rangeland Congress, Inc.: Aitkenvale.)
