Potential inputs of nitrogen by seeder legumes to the jarrah forest ecosystem [Eucalyptus marginata; Western Australia]
1988
Hansen, A.P. | Bell, D.T. (Western Australian Univ., Nedlands. Dept. of Botany) | Stoneman, G. (Western Australian Dept. of Conservation and Land management, Dwellingup. Research Centre)
With an increase in density of seed-regenerated legumes on the jarrah forest floor, induced by an appropriate burning treatment, combined with moderate thinning of the forest to increase available soil moisture, it was estimated that the symbiotic activity of understorey legume species could account for up to 10 kg of fixed N per hectare per year over a 6 year growth period. Acacia pulchella was the most active legume in the ability to capture atmospheric N. The contributions of N from Acacia alata, A. extensa and Bossiaea aquifolium under possible ameliorated field conditions, were estimated to be less than half that of A. pulchella but still a significant input to the ecosystem. The additional N fixed by understorey stands of seeder legumes, promoted by appropriate burning and thinning treatments, could be sufficient to increase the growth of jarrah by 10 to 25 percent.
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