Nutrient Dynamics During Terrestial Ecosystem Development : Hypotheses

Abstract

Generalization of nutrient conservation with respect to succession is complicated due to specific mineralization rates of organic elements, species nutrient requirements, dependency of element cyclings on soil chemistry and indirect feedback controls of ecosystems as well as net ecosystem production. Elemental specificity on such biogeochemical processes and the influences of successional status and disturbance should be considered in assessing nutrient dynamics during ecosystem development. Here more comprehensive hypotheses are presented to describe nutrient dynamics with terrestrial ecosystem processes. The hypotheses suggest that accumulation rates of nitrogen are highest during the intermediate stages of ecosystem succession. Phosphorus, however, becomes less leacky during ecosystem development due to relatively later and consistent organic accumulation. especially at its limiting soils, a lack of its release from decomposing organic matter in excess of biotic demands, enhanced, retention capacity of soil component through soil aggregation. chemical reactivity by organic acids, and biotic consumption Including microbial immobilization. Sulfur retention may depend on whether its availability is in excess or deficient and if the major supply is from atmosphere or soil components.