Improvement of breeding success of the moor frog (Rana arvalis) by liming of acid moorland pools and the consequences of liming for water chemistry and diatoms

Liming experiments with powdered limestone (grain size < 3 mm) were conducted in eight acid shallow moorland pools in the Tongerense Heide heathland area from February 1988 until November 1989. The effects on water chemistry, diatoms and fungal infection of the eggs of the moor frog were studied. After an initial treatment in March 1988, the pH increased from c. 4.0 to c. 5.0 in those pools which dried out in summer and to c. 6.0 in the permanent pools. Alkalinity increased from 0 to 20-200 microeq litre(-1) in temporary pools and from 0 to 300-500 microeq litre(-1) in permanent pools. As drying out of the pools caused reacidification, after refilling the temporary pools were relimed in March 1989. No significant changes were found in concentrations of phosphate and nitrogen compounds. Eunotia paludosa, which is characteristic for ologotrophic, very acid pools and bogs with a fluctuating water table, was the dominant diatom in the untreated pools. It was replaced by eutraphentic and saprophilous taxa, particularly in the permanent pools. Species from extremely soft waters, which are very sensitive to acidification, were found only occasionally in some samples from the treated permanent pools. After liming the proportion of infected moor frog eggs decreased from c. 95% in the untreated to c. 5% in the treated pools.     

Effects of ammonium and aluminium on the development and nutrition of Pinus nigra in hydroculture

Application of ammonium and aluminium to young Pinus nigra var. maritima (Ait.) Melville trees resulted in a variety of negative effects. Excess ammonium led to an increase in shoot/root ratio. The biomass of the fine roots declined, resulting in an increase of the coarse/fine root ratio. The degree of mycorrhizal infection of the roots decreased. The nitrogen content of the trees increased considerably, whereas particularly the levels of calcium magnesium, manganese and zinc decreased sharply. Excess aluminium resulted in a simultaneous reduction of root and shoot biomass, a decline of the fine root system, an increase in the coarse/fine root ratio and a decrease in the degree of mycorrhizal infection. Uptake of the divalent cations calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc was restricted substantially, The nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the trees were hardly affected, whilst the potassium content of the shoot increased and of the roots decreased. This implicates that a deteriorating fine root system has to supply water and nutrients to a more demanding shoot. In the long term, high ammonium inputs and aluminium dissolution in forest ecosystems will lead to substantial nutrient deficiencies, just as has been found in the field.