The influence of ornithogenic products on the nutrient status of soils surrounding nests on nunataks in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

The nutrient status of soils surrounding ten snow petrel Pagodroma nivea nests was investigated by sampling along four transects (One up-slope and three down-slope) from each nest. The highest levels for total N and P.% C. nitrite and ammonia (but not nitrate) were associated with the nest itself. E...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar Research
Main Authors: Cocks, Martin P., Harris, Jean M., Steele, William K., Balfour, Dave A.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Norwegian Polar Institute 1999
Subjects:
Dronning Maud Land
Guano
Nivea
Antarc*
Antarctica
Polar Research
Snow Petrel
Online Access:https://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/2211
https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v18i1.6555
Description
Summary:The nutrient status of soils surrounding ten snow petrel Pagodroma nivea nests was investigated by sampling along four transects (One up-slope and three down-slope) from each nest. The highest levels for total N and P.% C. nitrite and ammonia (but not nitrate) were associated with the nest itself. Elevated levels of all nutrients still occurred at I m from the nest but dropped to levels similar to those of non-bird influenced soils at 2 m or 5 m from the nest. Highest bacterial and algal numbers were also associated with the nest. An experiment to examine the breakdown of guano showed nitrification levels to be insignificant and nutrient release levels very slow.

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