Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Nutrient limitations on aboveground grass production in four savanna types along the Kalahari Transect
Author
O'Halloran, Lydia R
Shugart, Herman H
Wang, Lixin
Caylor, Kelly K
Ringrose, Susan
Kgope, Barney
Publisher
Journal of Arid Environments
Publication Year
2010
Body

The Kalahari Transect (KT) is an International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme mega-transect designed to examine hydrological and ecological patterns and processes throughout the savannas of southern Africa. The KT traverses a precipitation gradient ranging from 920 mm rain/year in the north to 260 mm rain/year in the south. Previous research shows a positive correlation between canopy cover and precipitation suggesting a water limitation on productivity. However, there has been minimal research on other possible sources of limitations, such as soil Nitrogen (N) and/or Phosphorus (P). We used a factorial in-situ experimental design to test for increased aboveground grass production (measured as peak season standing stock) under elevated soil P and P + N levels. Four sites along the KT precipitation gradient were used in this study: Mongu (Zambia), Pandamatenga (Botswana), Ghanzi (Botswana) and Tshane (Botswana). Soils at each site were amended with N and P fertilizers during the dry season. We extracted soil samples during the following growing season to analyze for plant available soil P. Vegetation samples were harvested from which we measured foliar P and aboveground grass biomass production. We saw differences in foliar P at the treatment and site level but not for the interaction between treatment and site. There were individual effects from site on biomass but not for any interactions with nutrient treatments. Despite higher levels of foliar P, we did not detect an increase in aboveground biomass. This may be explained by luxury uptake or allocation to belowground resources.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Journal Volume
74
Journal Number
2
Journal Pages
284-290
Journal Name
Journal of Arid Environments
Keywords
grass biomass
Kalahari
phosphorus
precipitation
savanna
rainfall
ecology
hydrology
plant production
Soil Condition
fertilizer
southern Africa