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Influence Of Nitrogen And Phosphorus On Ecosystem Co2 Exchange In A Restored Temperate Grassland, Lynn M. Socha

Biology Theses

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) affect the structure and function of grasslands by altering plant competitive interactions, shifting patterns of above- and belowground biomass allocation, and by increasing net primary production. However, the influence of N and P on net ecosystem productivity is poorly understood. In the context of a field-based factorial N- and P-addition experiment, I measured soil moisture, leaf area index and component fluxes of ecosystem CO₂ exchange throughout the growing season in a restored temperate grassland near Buffalo, New York. I predicted that N-addition would enhance ecosystem CO₂ uptake (GEE) while P-addition would stimulate ecosystem …