Plant Responses to Varying Nitrogen Levels
2012
APAYDIN, FATMA MUGE
Studies show that nitrogen enrichment of the soil decreases plant diversity. From this point ofview, anthropogenic N enrichment is a threat to global plant biodiversity. Roadside verges remained one ofthe high potential of floral diversity. Regularly managed roadside verges could partly replace the grasslandhabitats loss in recent decades. However grassland biodiversity is under the threat of high anthropogenicinput of nitrogen.On the other hand roadside verges have been qualified as a habitat for grassland species in the modernchanging landscape but little comparative knowledge exists on how management regimes affect thepopulation dynamics of such species. Especially, semi-natural grasslands have a long history of grazing andmowing and correspondingly they are one of the most species rich habitats for vascular plants in Europe.Due to the management techniques these habitats tend to be species rich but with increasing nitrogen theirrichness has been threatened. In recent years nitrogen enrichment in the soils has been a big problem for thespecies richness of grassland across Europe.Correspondingly, the present study focuses on an experimental study carried out with fifteen plant speciesoften found in grasslands in Sweden. The species growth and germination with various nitrogen levels havebeen monitored for 16 weeks. This study will reveal the growth and germination responses of the chosenspecies classified by Grime’s theory to various nitrogen levels. It will also investigate the consequences ofplant species loss and what conservation measure should be taken for managing the grassland communitiesin Sweden.
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