IAI-Data-CRN_012_Sala_PozosN: Aboveground and belowground nitrogen cycle in the Patagonian steppe

We used the Patagonian steppe as a model ecosystem because of the accumulated knowledge, and because of the spatial heterogeneity characterized by a two-phase mosaic vegetation structure. We considered four dimensions to construct the nitrogen budget, aboveground species identity spatial heterogeneity of vegetation, soil depth, and time.

Our aim was to construct a spatial and temporal nitrogen model.We sampled vegetation biomass of the Patagonian steppe dominant species, by alive or dead categories along one year. We collected biomass from dominant shrubs species (Mulinun spinosum, Senecio filaginoides and Adesmia campestris) and dominant grasses species (Stipa speciosa, Stipa humilis and Poa ligularis). Grass biomass was collected in two micro sites a) ring-shrubs and b) scattered tussock.