Foliar C:N Ratio of Ferns along an Andean Elevational Gradient
Article
Wegner, C, Wunderlich, M, Kessler, M et al. (2003). Foliar C:N Ratio of Ferns along an Andean Elevational Gradient
. BIOTROPICA, 35(4), 486-490. 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2003.tb00605.x
Wegner, C, Wunderlich, M, Kessler, M et al. (2003). Foliar C:N Ratio of Ferns along an Andean Elevational Gradient
. BIOTROPICA, 35(4), 486-490. 10.1111/j.1744-7429.2003.tb00605.x
We studied the concentration of leaf N and C among 183 fern species along an clevational gradient at 1700 to 3400 m in humid montane forest in the Bolivian Andes at different levels of taxonomic resolution. For two species of Elaphoglossum sampled 8 and 14 times, respectively, there were no elevational trends. Similarly, a contrast of 22 species with wide elevational amplitudes sampled at their highest and lowest locations did not show any change in C or N conrenrs, or in C:N ratios with elevation. At rhe community level, however, the mean values of C:N ratios for (a) all species found at a given elevation showed a significant decline with increasing elevation and (b) among epiphytic species, higher ratios (i.e., lower relative N content) than among terrestrial species at the same elevation. These trends were opposite to those of the upper soil layer, in which C:N ratios increased with elevation.
