Ecosystem properties and forest decline in contrasting long-term chronosequences

被引:808
作者
Wardle, DA [1 ]
Walker, LR
Bardgett, RD
机构
[1] Swedish Univ Agr Sci, Dept Forest Vegetat Ecol, SE-90183 Umea, Sweden
[2] Landcare Res, Lincoln, New Zealand
[3] Univ Nevada, Dept Biol Sci, Las Vegas, NV 89154 USA
[4] Univ Lancaster, Inst Environm & Nat Sci, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, England
关键词
D O I
10.1126/science.1098778
中图分类号
O [数理科学和化学]; P [天文学、地球科学]; Q [生物科学]; N [自然科学总论];
学科分类号
07 ; 0710 ; 09 ;
摘要
During succession, ecosystem development occurs; but in the long-term absence of catastrophic disturbance, a decline phase eventually follows. We studied six long-term chronosequences, in Australia, Sweden, Alaska, Hawaii, and New Zealand; for each, the decline phase was associated with a reduction in tree basal area and an increase in the substrate nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio, indicating increasing phosphorus limitation over time. These changes were often associated with reductions in litter decomposition rates, phosphorus release from litter, and biomass and activity of decomposer microbes. Our findings suggest that the maximal biomass phase reached during succession cannot be maintained in the long-term absence of major disturbance, and that similar patterns of decline occur in forested ecosystems spanning the tropical, temperate, and boreal zones.
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页码:509 / 513
页数:5
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