What is it about?
The present study reports the effects of different levels of N application on species composition, and diversity, primary productivity, temporal stability of primary productivity and their relationships in a tropical grassland. The study revealed that the N applied caused variations in species composition, diversity, primary productivity, temporal stability of primary productivity. Below 90 kg N-dose; diversity was positively related to primary productivity and its temporal stability, while above this level, the relations were negative due to N induced responses of species and functional group composition as well as biomass distribution among them. The optimum applied N levels for maximum diversity (50-60 Kg N), primary productivity (120 Kg N) and a positive relation of temporal stability of primary productivity with diversity up to 90-Kg N-treatment suggested that the 90 Kg N-dose could be a maximum dose of N which the grassland can tolerate. Hence, N application should not exceed 90 Kg level for sustainability of the structure and functioning of tropical grassland ecosystem.
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Why is it important?
Such study is lacking from the tropical grassland.
Perspectives
Attention should be needed on the limit of N application. This study highlighted that N fertilization should not go beyond 90 Kg N per hectare per year for the sustainability of the structure and functioning of the tropical grassland, otherwise, there will be a negative impact on the structure and functioning of the tropical grassland.
R Sagar
Banaras Hindu University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Responses of diversity, productivity, and stability to the nitrogen input in a tropical grassland, Ecological Applications, December 2019, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/eap.2037.
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