Restoration of endangered fen species -ambiguity of iron-phosphorous binding and phosphorous limitation

“1.Low phosphorus (P) availability limits plant biomass production in fens, which is a prerequisite for the persistence of many endangered plant species. We hypothesized that P limitation is linked to soil iron (Fe) content and soil Fe : P ratios as iron compounds provide binding sites for dissolved P, presumably reducing P availability to plants.
2.We sampled 30 fens in a trans-European field survey to determine how soil Fe pools relate to pools of P and Fe-bound P, and we measured vegetation P uptake and N : P ratio to assess where P limitation occurs. Next, we determined P uptake by Carex rostrata in experimental fen mesocosms to investigate interactive effects of soil Fe and P pools (and fractions) and water levels (drained or rewetted).”

(Citaat: Emsens, W.J., Aggenbach, C.J.S., Smolders, A.J.P., Zak, D., van Diggelen, R. – Restoration of endangered fen species -ambiguity of iron-phosphorous binding and phosphorous limitation – Journal of Applied Ecology 54(2017)6, p.1755-1764 – DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12915)