Tissue nutrient concentrations in aquatic macrophytes: comparison across biophysical zones, surface water habitats and plant life forms

Aquatic plant tissue (nitrogen) N and phosphorus (P) concentrations, together with the N:P ratio in general, respond poorly to ambient nutrient supply. The variability in plant tissue nutrient concentrations appears to be highly conditioned by taxonomic (mostly species) effects. The significant role that other attributes of the surrounding environment may have in modifying the degree of taxonomic dependence on plant nutrient concentration is yet to be tested with a broader characterisation of plant life forms (bryophytes, helophytes, hydrophytes), so as to investigate implications for ecosystem processes. Plant samples (378) were collected across 65 sites spanning a wide range of aquatic habitats (lotic and lentic) and biophysical zones (floodplain, glacial terraces, mountains) located in NE Scotland. Significant differences in plant tissues N, P and the N:P were found after grouping sampling sites by either habitat or biophysical zones; the latter even after removing the largest taxonomic effect. The range in plant tissue N and P was relatively wide within habitats and zones, reflecting the high species diversity of the studied area. As a group, bryophytes had smaller N and P concentrations, and consequently wider biomass C:N and C:P ratios, a situation which may impose constraints on the flow of energy through food-webs of the mountain and bog areas where they dominate.