uid=HFR,o=lter,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
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public
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doi:10.6073/pasta/cb75dacd8dfbde1ae75ebb690cb42899
Nitrogen Deposition and Pitcher Plant Morphology in Massachusetts and Vermont 1998-1999
Aaron
Ellison
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4151-6081
Nicholas
Gotelli
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5409-7456
2023
English
Atmospheric transport and deposition of nutrients, especially nitrogen, is a global environmental problem with well-documented consequences for ecosystem dynamics. However, monitoring nitrogen deposition is relatively expensive, monitoring stations are widely spaced, and estimates and predicted impacts of nitrogen deposition are currently derived from spatial modeling and interpolation of limited data. Bogs are nutrient-poor ecosystems that are especially sensitive to increasing nutrient input, and carnivorous plants, which are characteristic of these widespread ecosystem types, may be especially sensitive indicators of N deposition. Botanical carnivory is thought to have evolved in nutrient-poor and well-lit habitats such as bogs because the marginal benefits accruing from carnivory exceed the marginal photosynthetic costs associated with the maintenance of carnivorous organs. However, the production of carnivorous organs can be a phenotypically plastic trait. The northern pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, produces leaves specialized for prey capture and nutrient uptake (pitchers) and leaves that are more efficient at photosynthesis (phyllodia). We hypothesized that relative allocation to these two types of leaves reflects ambient nitrogen availability. We manipulated nutrient availability to plants with leaf enrichment and whole-plot fertilization experiments. Increased nitrogen, but not phosphorus, reduced production of pitchers relative to phyllodia; this result provided empirical support for the cost–benefit model of the evolution of botanical carnivory. Because this phenotypic shift in leaf production occurs in ecological time, our results suggest that S. purpurea could be a reliable and inexpensive biological indicator of nitrogen deposition rates. This suggestion is supported by field observations across a geographic gradient of nitrogen deposition.
atmospheric deposition
carnivorous plants
nitrogen
morphology
photosynthesis
LTER controlled vocabulary
primary production
inorganic nutrients
disturbance
LTER core area
Harvard Forest
HFR
LTER
USA
HFR default
This dataset is released to the public under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 (No Rights Reserved). Please keep the dataset creators informed of any plans to use the dataset. Consultation with the original investigators is strongly encouraged. Publications and data products that make use of the dataset should include proper acknowledgement.
Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal
https://spdx.org/licenses/CC0-1.0.html
CC0-1.0
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf***
Massachusetts, Vermont. Coordinates based on WGS84 datum.
-73.5
-70.0
+45.0
+41.25
1
543
meter
1998
2000
genus
Sarracenia
species
purpurea
northern pitcher plant
complete
Information Manager
Harvard Forest
324 North Main Street
Petersham
MA
01366
USA
(978) 724-3302
hf-im@lists.fas.harvard.edu
Harvard Forest
324 North Main Street
Petersham
MA
01366
USA
(978) 724-3302
(978) 724-3595
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu
Direct effects of nitrogen additions on S. purpurea morphology
In May 1998, we randomly selected 90 adult (rosette diameter ≥10 cm) S. purpurea plants at Hawley Bog, Massachusetts. We randomly assigned each of these plants to one of nine different nutrient treatments: two control treatments (distilled H2O or 10% concentration of micronutrients only from Hoagland’s solution); two N treatments (0.1 mg or 1.0 mg NH4-N/liter as NH4Cl); two phosphorus (P) treatments (0.025 mg or 0.25 mg PO4-P/liter as NaH2PO4); and three treatments in which we altered the N:P ratio. All N and P treatments also received micronutrients as 10% Hoagland’s solution.
Every two weeks during the growing seasons (June 1 to September 30) of 1998, 1999, and 2000, 5 ml of the assigned nutrient solution was added directly to each open pitcher on each plant. pH of pitcher water in the experimental plants during the growing season remained within the range (3.5–5.5) observed in control pitchers. After each nutrient addition, leaves were plugged with glass wool to prevent colonization by common pitcher inhabitants and capture of prey. All leaves were measured in mid-September every year, before senescence. Pitcher height was measured with a flexible vinyl tape (±1 mm), and mouth diameter, tube width, and keel width were measured with calipers (±0.1 mm). Data: hf330-01-amax-morphology.csv
In September 1998 and 1999 after measurements, the largest leaf on each plant was clipped, dried at 70 °C for 3–5 days, and individually weighed and ground for nutrient analysis at the University of Vermont Agricultural and Environmental Testing Laboratory. Carbon and N content of the finely ground, dried samples were determined using a Leeman Lab model 440 CHN elemental analyzer. Mineral content was determined on microwave-digested samples using a Perkin-Elmer Optima 3000 DV inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometer. Data: hf330-02-leaf-stoichiometry.csv
Photosynthetic rates (μmol of CO2 m-2 s-1) of the largest leaf on all surviving plants (n = 73) in the nutrient addition experiment were measured between 20 June and 3 July 2000, by using a Li-Cor Li-6200 photosynthesis system and custom-built 4-liter chamber. All measurements were made between 0900 and 1400 h, under ambient solar radiation that exceeded the light saturation point for S. purpurea (photosynthetic photon flux density >800 μmol m-2 s-1). Data: hf330-01-amax-morphology.csv
Simulated N deposition
We conducted a second experiment in which we established experimental plots that contained S. purpurea and sprayed each plot with solutions of NH4NO3. Nine 2 × 2 m plots, each with 1–3 S. purpurea individuals, were established at Molly Bog, Vermont. Each plot was randomly assigned in a regression design to a different treatment: 0, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.5 g N/m2 to be added over the growing season. We applied N as NH4NO3 in solution by using a backpack sprayer every 3 weeks from May 8 to September 11, 2000. P and K also were added to each plot as KH2PO4 to produce an application of 5 and 6.3 g/m2, respectively, over the growing season. In mid-September 2000, we measured the morphology of the largest S. purpurea leaf on each plant. Data: hf330-03-simulated-deposition.csv
Sarracenia purpurea as a biological indicator of N deposition
We surveyed 26 bogs across Massachusetts and Vermont during the summer of 2000 (see dataset HF147-07 for geographic information about each site). At each bog, we measured the largest leaf of 25 randomly selected S. purpurea individuals and collected 5 samples of pore water by pressing a 50-ml sterile centrifuge tube into the Sphagnum mat. Tubes filled with water within 10 s. Concentration of NH4 and NO3 in pore water was determined by using salicylate and cadmium reduction spectrophotometry, respectively. In general, NO3 was below detection levels of instruments. Data: hf330-04-indicator-morphology.csv, hf330-05-indicator-chemistry.csv
Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research
Harvard Forest
324 North Main Street
Petersham
MA
01366
USA
(978) 724-3302
(978) 724-3595
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu
https://ror.org/059cpzx98
pointOfContact
The Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program examines ecological dynamics in the New England region resulting from natural disturbances, environmental change, and human impacts.
National Science Foundation LTER grants: DEB-8811764, DEB-9411975, DEB-0080592, DEB-0620443, DEB-1237491, DEB-1832210.
hf330-01-amax-morphology.csv
amax morphology
hf330-01-amax-morphology.csv
12927
6ec511b62d263b72bf1471d2a3fe1606
1
\r\n
column
,
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p33/hf330/hf330-01-amax-morphology.csv
date
date
YYYY-MM-DD
1 day
NA
missing value
plantnum
individual plant number
individual plant number
NA
missing value
stage
stage
A
adult
NA
missing value
treat
treatment type
con
control
dH2O
distilled water only
High-N
high N
High-P
high P
Low-N
low N
Low-P
low P
Micros
Hoagland’s solution of micronutrients only
N:P(1)
N:P(1)
N:P(2)
N:P(2)
N:P(3)
N:P(3)
NA
missing value
leaflen
pitcher length, measured from the base of the pitcher to the top of the
hood
centimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
leafwid
maximum pitcher width, measured from the midrib and including the
keel
centimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
keelwid
maximum width of the keel, from its outer edge to the edge of the pitcher
tube
centimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
mouthdiam
larger diameter of the elliptical pitcher mouth
centimeter
0.01
real
NA
missing value
area
leaf area of the flattened pitcher
squareCentimeters
0.1
real
NA
missing value
par
photosynthetically active radiation (PPFD in μmol m-2
s-1)
micromolePerMeterSquaredPerSecond
0.1
real
NA
missing value
pmax
maximum area-based photosynthetic rate (μmol of CO2 m-2
s-1)
micromolePerMeterSquaredPerSecond
0.01
real
NA
missing value
conductance
area-based stomatal conductance (μmol of CO2 m-2
s-1)
micromolePerMeterSquaredPerSecond
0.01
real
NA
missing value
214
hf330-02-leaf-stoichiometry.csv
leaf stoichiometry
hf330-02-leaf-stoichiometry.csv
21408
414b8ce4898bf93a79b9cb3b829fd24a
1
\r\n
column
,
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p33/hf330/hf330-02-leaf-stoichiometry.csv
year
year (1998 or 1999)
YYYY
1 year
NA
missing value
plantnum
individual plant number
individual plant number
NA
missing value
stage
stage
A
adult
J
juvenile
NA
missing value
treat
treatment
con
control
dH2O
distilled water only
High-N
high N
High-P
high P
Low-N
low N
Low-P
low P
Micros
Hoagland’s solution of micronutrients only
N:P(1)
N:P(1)
N:P(2)
N:P(2)
N:P(3)
N:P(3)
NA
missing value
mass
mass of tissue sample used for tissue nutrient
analysis
kilogram
0.001
real
NA
missing value
pct.c
carbon concentration in leaf sample (percent)
dimensionless
0.01
real
NA
missing value
pct.h
hydrogen concentration in leaf sample (percent)
dimensionless
0.01
real
NA
missing value
pct.n
nitrogen concentration in leaf sample (percent)
dimensionless
0.01
real
NA
missing value
ca
calcium concentration in leaf sample
milligramPerKilogram
0.01
real
NA
missing value
p
phosphorus concentration in leaf sample
milligramPerKilogram
0.01
real
NA
missing value
mg
magnesium concentration in leaf sample
milligramPerKilogram
0.01
real
NA
missing value
k
potassium concentration in leaf sample
milligramPerKilogram
0.01
real
NA
missing value
340
hf330-03-simulated-deposition.csv
simulated deposition
hf330-03-simulated-deposition.csv
2348
cda48b2ac0bdc18ba0e036e2b701f6ee
1
\r\n
column
,
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p33/hf330/hf330-03-simulated-deposition.csv
plot
plot number
plot number
NA
missing value
n
nitrogen added
gramsPerSquareMeter
0.01
real
NA
missing value
plant
plant number
plant number
NA
missing value
leaf
leaf number
leaf number
NA
missing value
leaflen
leaf length, measured from the base of the pitcher to the top of the
hood
centimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
liplen
thickness of the pitcher lip
millimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
leafwid
maximum leaf width, measured from the midrib and including the
keel
millimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
keelwid
maximum width of the keel, from its outer edge to the edge of the pitcher
tube
millimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
diam1
larger diameter of the elliptical pitcher mouth
millimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
diam2
smaller diameter of the elliptical pitcher mouth, measured perpendicular
to diam1
millimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
67
hf330-04-indicator-morphology.csv
indicator morphology
hf330-04-indicator-morphology.csv
33590
27f7276d08975572ab98e4828c989860
1
\r\n
column
,
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p33/hf330/hf330-04-indicator-morphology.csv
year
year (2000)
YYYY
1 year
NA
missing value
state
state
MA
Massachusetts
VT
Vermont
NA
missing value
code
site name code. See related link "Ant Distribution and Abundance in New England since 1990", hf147-07-ant-sites-1999-2000.csv, for site names,
codes, and geographic information
site name code
NA
missing value
quadrat
sampled quadrat number
sampled quadrat number
NA
missing value
leaflen
leaf length, measured from the base of the pitcher to the top of the
hood
centimeter
0.001
real
NA
missing value
diam
larger diameter of the elliptical pitcher mouth
millimeter
0.001
real
NA
missing value
leafwid
maximum leaf width, measured from the midrib and including the
keel
millimeter
0.001
real
NA
missing value
keelwid
maximum width of the keel, from its outer edge to the edge of the pitcher
tube
millimeter
0.001
real
NA
missing value
rosette.diam
maximum diameter of the rosette
centimeter
0.1
real
NA
missing value
pitchers
number of pitchers
number
1
whole
NA
missing value
phyllodes
number of phyllodes
number
1
whole
NA
missing value
repro
reproductive status
BUDAB
aborted bud
FL
flower
FLAB
flower aborted
FLHERB
flower eaten by herbivore
FR
mature fruit
FRHERB
fruit eaten by herbivore
NONE
no evidence of reproduction
667
hf330-05-indicator-chemistry.csv
indicator chemistry
hf330-05-indicator-chemistry.csv
2469
2f172ea7a72cbcd7f15013e79e5be36b
1
\r\n
column
,
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/data/p33/hf330/hf330-05-indicator-chemistry.csv
code
site name code. See related link "Ant Distribution and Abundance in New England since 1990", hf147-07-ant-sites-1999-2000.csv, for site names,
codes, and geographic information
site name code
NA
missing value
sample
water sample number (1-3)
water sample number (1-3)
NA
missing value
ph
pH of the water sample
dimensionless
0.01
real
NA
missing value
nh4
concentration of ammonium in water sample
milligramsPerLiter
0.01
real
NA
missing value
no3
concentration of nitrate in water sample
milligramsPerLiter
0.01
real
NA
missing value
ph4
concentration of phosphate in water sample
milligramsPerLiter
0.01
real
NA
missing value
ca
concentration of calcium in water sample
milligramsPerLiter
0.01
real
NA
missing value
80
community
regional
short-term measurement
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf096
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf098
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf109
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf146
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf147
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf202
https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/exist/apps/datasets/showData.html?id=hf205
micromolePerMeterSquaredPerSecond
milligramPerKilogram