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<p>Ferns have been considered ecological indicators of soil nutrient composition and can be adapted to limestone (calcicole), volcanic substrates (calcifuge), or both (generalists). However, how many species exhibit substrate preferences and how these substrates affect their leaf nutrient composition remains unclear. We studied the occurrence of fern species across 37 sites in Veracruz and Puebla, Mexico, identifying their possible soil preferences (limestone vs volcanic), and performing an elemental analysis (C, N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Al, and Mn) of leaf tissues and underlying substrates. We found 13 species confined to limestone, five to volcanic substrates, and one generalist species on both substrates. Limestone substrates had higher Ca but lower Fe, Mn, and P concentrations than igneous substrates, and calcicole ferns had higher Ca, Mg, and N concentrations than calcifuge ferns, each independent from elevation. A further ordination based on nutrient composition split calcicole ferns into two groups. Group I had lower nutrient concentrations except for higher Al, Fe, and Mn concentrations, and group II showed the opposite nutrient pattern. Additionally, group I consisted of species growing mainly at higher elevations than group II. The soil generalist had higher Ca and Al concentrations on limestone than on volcanic substrates. Fern species differed considerably in nutrient composition even within calcicole and calcifuge groups and most leaf nutrients decreased with elevation. Calcium concentrations, however, were consistently higher in calcicole than in calcifuge ferns regardless of elevation and may serve as a nutrient indicator for limestone specialists.</p>

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Leaf nutrient composition of calcicole and calcifuge Mexican ferns and their correlation with underlying substrates

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月10日

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  • Catalina Flores-Galván,
  • Judith Márquez-Guzmán,
  • Martín Mata-Rosas,
  • James E. Watkins Jr.,
  • Klaus Mehltreter

摘要

Ferns have been considered ecological indicators of soil nutrient composition and can be adapted to limestone (calcicole), volcanic substrates (calcifuge), or both (generalists). However, how many species exhibit substrate preferences and how these substrates affect their leaf nutrient composition remains unclear. We studied the occurrence of fern species across 37 sites in Veracruz and Puebla, Mexico, identifying their possible soil preferences (limestone vs volcanic), and performing an elemental analysis (C, N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Al, and Mn) of leaf tissues and underlying substrates. We found 13 species confined to limestone, five to volcanic substrates, and one generalist species on both substrates. Limestone substrates had higher Ca but lower Fe, Mn, and P concentrations than igneous substrates, and calcicole ferns had higher Ca, Mg, and N concentrations than calcifuge ferns, each independent from elevation. A further ordination based on nutrient composition split calcicole ferns into two groups. Group I had lower nutrient concentrations except for higher Al, Fe, and Mn concentrations, and group II showed the opposite nutrient pattern. Additionally, group I consisted of species growing mainly at higher elevations than group II. The soil generalist had higher Ca and Al concentrations on limestone than on volcanic substrates. Fern species differed considerably in nutrient composition even within calcicole and calcifuge groups and most leaf nutrients decreased with elevation. Calcium concentrations, however, were consistently higher in calcicole than in calcifuge ferns regardless of elevation and may serve as a nutrient indicator for limestone specialists.