Symbiotic nitrogen fixation during long-term ecosystem development: environmental constraints and ecological consequences

Guochen Kenny Png

doi:10.4225/23/59a3c76fa6eb4

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation during long-term ecosystem development: environmental constraints and ecological consequences

Guochen Kenny Png

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis

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Abstract

Nitrogen (N)-fixing plants are major contributors to biological N fixation (BNF). However, questions remain as to whether declining soil phosphorus (P) availability constrains BNF, and whether ecological interactions involving N-fixing plants vary during long-term ecosystem development (LTEO). To resolve these, I studied N-fixing plants along a 2-million-year dune chronosequence. I found that greater phosphatase activity of legumes than non-legumes could explain legume distribution, while conservative P-use traits enable N-fixing species to persist on P-impoverished soils. Additionally, shifts in plant-soil feedback during LTED depend on N-acquisition strategy and soil nutrients. My research advances understanding of factors driving plant community structure during LTED.

Original language	English
Qualification	Doctorate
Awarding Institution	The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors	Laliberte, Etienne, Supervisor Lambers, Hans, Supervisor
Award date	28 Jul 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4225/23/59a3c76fa6eb4
Publication status	Unpublished - 2017

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10.4225/23/59a3c76fa6eb4

THESIS - DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - PNG Guochen Kenny - 2017
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title = "Symbiotic nitrogen fixation during long-term ecosystem development: environmental constraints and ecological consequences",

abstract = "Nitrogen (N)-fixing plants are major contributors to biological N fixation (BNF). However, questions remain as to whether declining soil phosphorus (P) availability constrains BNF, and whether ecological interactions involving N-fixing plants vary during long-term ecosystem development (LTEO). To resolve these, I studied N-fixing plants along a 2-million-year dune chronosequence. I found that greater phosphatase activity of legumes than non-legumes could explain legume distribution, while conservative P-use traits enable N-fixing species to persist on P-impoverished soils. Additionally, shifts in plant-soil feedback during LTED depend on N-acquisition strategy and soil nutrients. My research advances understanding of factors driving plant community structure during LTED.",

keywords = "symbiotic nitrogen fixation, long-term ecosystem development, Plant-soil (below-ground) interactions, Plant-soil feedback, Nutrient-acquisition strategies, Chronosequence, plant functional ecology, Phosphorus",

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year = "2017",

doi = "10.4225/23/59a3c76fa6eb4",

language = "English",

school = "The University of Western Australia",

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AU - Png, Guochen Kenny

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Nitrogen (N)-fixing plants are major contributors to biological N fixation (BNF). However, questions remain as to whether declining soil phosphorus (P) availability constrains BNF, and whether ecological interactions involving N-fixing plants vary during long-term ecosystem development (LTEO). To resolve these, I studied N-fixing plants along a 2-million-year dune chronosequence. I found that greater phosphatase activity of legumes than non-legumes could explain legume distribution, while conservative P-use traits enable N-fixing species to persist on P-impoverished soils. Additionally, shifts in plant-soil feedback during LTED depend on N-acquisition strategy and soil nutrients. My research advances understanding of factors driving plant community structure during LTED.

AB - Nitrogen (N)-fixing plants are major contributors to biological N fixation (BNF). However, questions remain as to whether declining soil phosphorus (P) availability constrains BNF, and whether ecological interactions involving N-fixing plants vary during long-term ecosystem development (LTEO). To resolve these, I studied N-fixing plants along a 2-million-year dune chronosequence. I found that greater phosphatase activity of legumes than non-legumes could explain legume distribution, while conservative P-use traits enable N-fixing species to persist on P-impoverished soils. Additionally, shifts in plant-soil feedback during LTED depend on N-acquisition strategy and soil nutrients. My research advances understanding of factors driving plant community structure during LTED.

KW - symbiotic nitrogen fixation

KW - long-term ecosystem development

KW - Plant-soil (below-ground) interactions

KW - Plant-soil feedback

KW - Nutrient-acquisition strategies

KW - Chronosequence

KW - plant functional ecology

KW - Phosphorus

U2 - 10.4225/23/59a3c76fa6eb4

DO - 10.4225/23/59a3c76fa6eb4

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

ER -

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation during long-term ecosystem development: environmental constraints and ecological consequences

Abstract

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