Availability of nitrogen and phosphorus in the nival zone of the Alps

Abstract

In high-alpine soils the maximum temperature is low even during the growing season, and hence mineralisation of nutrients is reduced. The aim of this study was to investigate what sources of nitrogen and phosphorus are available for vascular plants in the alpine nival zone to support growth. Using acetylene reduction assays levels of nitrogenase activity were assessed in sealed pots containing nival zone soil and plants at an altitude above 3000 m, and in bacterial isolates of soil and rhizosphere in the laboratory. Nitrogenase activity could not be detected in bacterial isolates or in the soil containing no plants. Small quantities of ethylen (-1 per pot) were detected in pots with Cerastium uniflorum and Poa laxa. This activity must be attributable to rhizosphere bacteria since no evidence for the presence of cyanobacteria could be obtained. Other sources of nitrogen for the plants were detected in the form of ammonium and nitrate in soil water and in snow melt water. These solutions also contained extractable phosphorus in quantities normally considered to be sufficient for growth. Analyses of the internal concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus also suggested that these elements were present in adequate amounts in these plants. It was considered that soil and snow melt water together may provide sufficient nitrogen and phosphorus to support the extremely small annual growth increment of nival zone plants.