Frank et al. determined how nitrogen (N) cycling in Yellowstone National Park related to topography and ungulate use. As found in previous grassland studies, the N mineralization rates in Yellowstone grasslands varied by topographic position; however, the rates measured in Yellowstone were higher than those previously reported for other grassland sties. Ungulate use may have contributed to the increase in N mineralization rates because grazers added large amounts of fecal and urinary N to the system and altered soil physical conditions. These results suggest that ungulate grazing does not alter the topographic N dynamics of Yellowstone grasslands but enhances N cycling in this system.
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