Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Grassland biomass dynamics along an altitudinal gradient in the Pampa
Author
Pérez, C. A.
Frangi, J. L.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2000-09-01
Body

Above and below-ground biomass and necromass dynamics were assessed for 3 grassland sites located at 550, 850, and 1,025 m elevation in Sierra de la Ventana range (38 degrees 1'S 62 degrees 2'W) in Argentina. The objective was to determine if differences existed in dry matter structure, mycorrhizae infection, net primary productivity (NPP) partitioning to aboveground and belowground tissues, senescence and litter fall, and seasonal patterns of dry matter fluxes with altitude. Soil properties, water budgets and temperature at the sites were also assessed. Biomass plus necromass (without litter) was 1,184 +/- 41, 1,208 +/- 70, and 1,507 +/- 63 gDM m-2 for the lower, intermediate and upper sites, respectively. The below:aboveground biomass ratio increased with elevation. Total NPP was 1,131, 1,280, and 1,157 gDM m-2 year-1, respectively, for the 3 grassland sites. belowground allocation of net productivity increased with altitude. Both mass and proportion of thin roots increased with elevation, and so did mycorrhizae infection. The aboveground and belowground turnover rates decreased with altitude, but rates were faster for aboveground tissues. We found different temporal patterns in productivity, senescence and disappearance among grassland sites despite similar total NPP. Water holding capacity of soils and temperature were important factors related to several of the observed trends in structure and function. Differences in grassland structure and fluxes are discussed as related to soils and local climate at each site. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2307/4003653
Additional Information
Pérez, C. A., & Frangi, J. L. (2000). Grassland biomass dynamics along an altitudinal gradient in the Pampa. Journal of Range Management, 53(5), 518-528.
IISN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/643803
Journal Volume
53
Journal Number
5
Journal Pages
518-528
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
mycorrhizae
dry matter partitioning
senescence
pampas
particle size distribution
water holding capacity
soil density
water balance
dry matter accumulation
roots
root shoot ratio
hill grasslands
soil pH
biomass production
soil chemistry
biomass
plant litter
seasonal variation
Argentina
altitude
aboveground
belowground
litter
phytomass
productivity
roots