Chin J Plan Ecolo ›› 1996, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (3): 235-244.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A Study of Nutrients in Fernland of Hong Kong

Guan Dong-sheng   

  • Published:1996-03-10
  • Contact: Liu Qing

Abstract: The study deals with distribution, seasonal dynamics and cycling of nutrients in a Dicranopteris dichotoma community of Hong Kong.The results show that: 1) concentrations of N,P and K in live materials were greater that in dead materials, but greater in aboveground plant parts than in belowground plant parts. 2) Nutrient contents were greater in live materials than in dead materials, but greater in belowground plant parts than in above plant parts. 3) Above ground nutrient contents of current plants increased with increment of phytomass. However ,the production rate of dry matter exceeded uptake rate of nutrients so that the relative concentrations of N,P and K were reduced due to phytomass increase. 4)Although net primary production in the fernland was greater than those in the grassland and scrubland which are near the fernland, the N and P mass in net primary production of the fernland was less than that in the scrubland. 5) Most of N and P in the ecosystem were stored in the soil, in terms of their proportion to their total values. However, the vegetation contributed to about 36%~50% of K in the ecosystem, in terms of available K in the soil. 6) The contents of N,P and K in standing dead matter and litter increased gradually during the study period. This means that there was an accumulative process in the nutrient pool consisting of standing dead matter and litter of the ecosystem after fire. 7) The return of N, P and K by litterfall explained their 49. 1%,38.0% and 13.1%, respectively, in net aboveground primary production (NAPP). 1.2% and 46.6% of N and P in NAPP came from the internal cycling.