A Non-native riparian tree (Elaeagnus angustifolia) changes nutrient dynamics in streams

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2011

Abstract

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a non-nativeri parian tree that has become common and continues to rapidly spread throughout the western United States. Due to its dinitrogen (N2)-fixingability and proximity to streams, Russian olive has the potential to subsidize stream ecosystems with nitrogen (N), which may in turn alter nutrient processing in these systems. We tested these potential effects by comparing background N concentrations; nutrient limitation of biofilms; and uptake of ammonium (NH4-N), nitrate (NO3-N),and phosphate (PO4-P) in paired upstream-reference and downstream-invaded reaches in streams in southeastern Idaho and central Wyoming. We found that stream reaches invaded by Russian olive had higher organic N concentrations and exhibited reduced N limitation of biofilms compared to reference reaches. However, at low inorganic N back-ground concentrations, reaches invaded by Russian olive exhibited higher demand for both NH4-N and NO3-N compared to their paired reference reaches, suggesting these streams have the potential to retain the N subsidy from Russian olive N2 fixation and diminish its downstream export and effects. Our findings demonstrate the potential for a non-native riparian plant to significantly alter biogeochemical cycling in streams. Finally, we used our results to develop a conceptual model that describes predicted effects of Russian olive and other non-native riparian N2 fixers on in-stream N dynamics.

Publisher's Statement

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. Publisher's version of record: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10021-011-9415-0

Publication Title

Ecosystems

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