Soil P in a forested seabird colony: inventories, parent material contributions, and N : P stoichiometry
David J. HawkeSchool of Applied Science, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, PO Box 540, Christchurch 8015, New Zealand. Email: hawked@cpit.ac.nz
Australian Journal of Soil Research 43(8) 957-962 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR05075
Submitted: 7 June 2005 Accepted: 8 September 2005 Published: 8 December 2005
Abstract
Guano from breeding seabirds provides a large external source of nutrients to the soils of breeding colonies. However, little is known of guano P retention relative to N or the relative importance of guano and soil parent material as P sources. Soil profile N and P inventories (0–0.60 m, n = 4; 0–0.36 m, n = 1) and guano N and P concentrations were measured at a Westland petrel colony, and the parent material contributions of P were calculated using Ca, Al, Fe, Ti, and Zr as reference elements. Median inventories (0–0.60 m) were 1.49 kg N/m2 and 332 × 10–3 kg P/m2, the N result being similar to that from a seabird colony on peat soil where N retention was very low. Calculated parent material contributions were smallest (32–66% of soil P) when based on Ca and largest (47–102% of soil P) when based on Zr. Contributions were similar for Al, Fe, and Ti; Al (41–87% soil P) was selected for subsequent calculations. Regardless of the reference element, parent material therefore contributed a large part of soil P. Phosphorus in excess of parent material supply (Pexcess) was significantly correlated with soil C, implying that guano P is held primarily in organic form. The median soil N : P molar ratios were 9.6 : 1 based on total P and 11.2 : 1 based on Pexcess, compared with ratios for Westland petrel guano of 4.1 : 1 (when birds were consuming fisheries waste) and 16.4 : 1 (when fisheries waste was replaced by fish). The similarity between soil and guano N : P ratios implies that both N and P are lost from soil at similar rates, although volatilisation of N would enrich soil drainage water in P. Calculations using guano deposition rates from the literature yielded P residence times of 4–15 years (Pexcess) and 11–41 years (total P), consistent with a highly dynamic soil system.
Additional keywords: ecological stoichiometry, nutrient cycles, New Zealand, nutrient limitation, stable isotope, Westland petrel.
Acknowledgments
This study benefited from guidance through the Westland petrel colony by G. C. Wood (New Zealand Department of Conservation, DoC), and discussions with R. N. Holdaway. The author acknowledges the generous assistance given by DoC Conservancy staff in facilitating Permit applications. Referee comments are also gratefully acknowledged.
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