Inter- and intraspecific variations of the chemical properties of high-Arctic mosses along water-regime gradients

  • Ueno Takeshi
    National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo 190-8515, Japan
  • Osono Takashi
    Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, 509-3, Hirano 2-Chome, Otsu, Shiga 520-2113, Japan
  • Kanda Hiroshi
    National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo 190-8515, Japan

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Abstract

We examined and compared the contents of organic chemical components (lignin-like compounds, total carbohydrates and extractives), carbon and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium) among the mosses Calliergon giganteum, Hylocomium splendens, Racomitrium lanuginosum, and among three populations of H. splendens collected from habitats in contrasting water regimes in the Canadian high-arctic tundra. C:N:P ratios were analyzed among and within moss species. Mosses from hydric habitats had lower total carbohydrate and higher nutrients contents than did mosses from drier habitats; however, we found no intraspecific variations in nitrogen and calcium contents in the different populations of H. splendens along water-regime gradients. The contents in lignin-like compounds, extractives and carbon showed no clear trends along water-regime gradients. Mosses from hydric habitats had lower C:N, C:P and N:P ratios than mosses from drier habitats, although we found no intraspecific variations in C:N ratios in H. splendens along water-regime gradients. These results suggest that chemical properties of mosses, especially nutrient contents, are strongly correlated with water availability in high-Arctic tundra.

Journal

  • Polar science

    Polar science 3 (2), 134-138, 2009-09

    National Institute of Polar Research

Details 詳細情報について

  • CRID
    1573387452368725376
  • NII Article ID
    110007335586
  • NII Book ID
    AA12240481
  • ISSN
    18739652
  • Text Lang
    en
  • Data Source
    • CiNii Articles

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