Menezes et al. evaluated carbon and nitrogen dynamics in plots where willows (Salix spp.) were exposed to no grazing, heavy clipping or natural elk (Cervus elaphus) herbivory. Although willows exposed to elk herbivory and clipping treatments had similar amounts of biomass removed, clipping did not accurately simulate natural herbivory. Elk herbivory reduced total litter biomass and willow litter biomass, and increased willow litter N content compared to other plots. In plots exposed to elk herbivory, fecal and urinary N inputs exceeded the amount of N entering the system from litterfall in ungrazed plots, however, willow growth was still limited by N availability in all plots. These results indicate that elk herbivory can significantly alter C and N dynamics and the authors suggest that the primary and secondary effects of elk herbivory could affect plant competition and species composition in this plant community.
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