Seawater spray as a significant nitrogen source across coastal dune vegetation gradients
Background Nitrogen significantly influences plant performance and vegetation development in nutrient-poor ecosystems like coastal dunes. While various sources contribute nitrogen, including N2 fixation and marine inputs, the significance of seawater spray remains understudied. In this study, we aim...
| Autores: | , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2024 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad de Sevilla (US) |
| Repositorio: | idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:idus.us.es:11441/170668 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/11441/170668 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2024.108941 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Coastal dune gradient Foliar nitrogen content Nitrogen uptake N2-fixing species Stable isotopes δ15N δ13C |
| Sumario: | Background Nitrogen significantly influences plant performance and vegetation development in nutrient-poor ecosystems like coastal dunes. While various sources contribute nitrogen, including N2 fixation and marine inputs, the significance of seawater spray remains understudied. In this study, we aimed to assess the relevance of seawater spray as a source of nitrogen input and its potential role in plant community composition in dune ecosystems. Methods The δ15N, δ13C, N, and C content of leaves from the most abundant 21 species were measured in 6 positions across a beach inland gradient in a Mediterranean dune system in SW Spain. Soil samples at different depths were collected in each position and N, C, P, K, NH4+, NO3=, and organic matter were measured. Salt spray accumulation was determined on Achillea maritima leaves across the gradient. Results Leaf nitrogen content did not exhibit a beach-inland gradient, but δ15N decreased with distance from the sea. Species displayed three distinct N uptake strategies along the gradient: species from Upper Beach and Foredune communities showed high δ15N values, suggesting a marine origin; species distributed across the gradient exhibited decreasing δ15N patterns from the Upper Beach to the Inland, indicative of seawater spray influence; species farthest from the sea relied on non-marine nitrogen sources. Conclusions These results indicate the importance of seawater nitrogen income for the dune system vegetation and evidence that dune plant species exhibit varied N uptake strategies influenced by their position across the beach-inland gradient. |
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