半干旱黄土小流域不同植被类型植物与土壤生态化学计量特征

生态化学计量学是研究生态系统元素平衡与能量流动的有效方法,明确不同植被恢复类型下植物与土壤化学计量特征对揭示黄土高原植被恢复中生态系统养分循环具重要意义,可为黄土高原植被恢复类型的选择提供可行性依据。以典型半干旱黄土小流域3种植被恢复方式下（天然荒草、自然恢复、人工恢复）的5种植被类型（长芒草草地、赖草草地、苜蓿草地、柠条灌丛、山杏林）为研究对象,分析不同植被类型下叶、茎、根及土壤碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）含量及化学计量特征。结果表明：1）植物不同器官和植被类型对植物生态化学计量特征都具有显著影响,C、N、P含量在5种典型植被中均表现为叶>茎>根。人工恢复植被各器官C、N含量及N ∶ P均显著高于天然荒草地,与自然恢复植被无显著差异;其中,在人工恢复植被中山杏各器官C含量最高,柠条各器官N含量最高。叶、茎、根的C ∶ N则表现为自然恢复植被显著高于人工恢复植被与天然荒草地。P含量、C ∶ P则在不同植被恢复类型间无显著差异。2）不同植被恢复类型下土壤C、N、P含量及化学计量特征具一定差异。人工恢复植被土壤C、N、P含量及C ∶ P、N ∶ P均为最高,显著高于自然恢复植被土壤;人工恢复植被中柠条土壤C、N含量及C ∶ P、N ∶ P均显著高于其他植被土壤。土壤C ∶ N在各植被类型间无显著差异。3）不同植被恢复类型下C、N、P含量在植物叶片与土壤间的相关性存在差异,说明植物自身生长特性影响着养分在植物与土壤间转化与传递。以5种典型植被整体来看,植物叶、茎、根的生态化学计量特征在彼此间均呈显著正相关。在植物与土壤间,植物各器官N含量与土壤C、N、P含量呈显著正相关,植物各器官N ∶ P与土壤N ∶ P呈显著正相关,表明该黄土小流域生态系统中植物与土壤生态化学计量特征的变化是相互制约,相互影响的。     

亚热带不同植被恢复阶段生态系统N、P储量的垂直分配格局

氮(N)、磷(P)是影响生态系统生产力的主要养分因子,为科学评估植被恢复对生态系统N、P积累、分配及其耦合关系的影响,采用时空互代法,以湘中丘陵区地域相邻、环境条件基本一致,且处于不同恢复阶段的4个植物群落(4—5年灌草丛、10—12年灌木林、45—46年马尾松针阔混交林和>90年常绿阔叶林)作为一个恢复序列,设置固定样地,采用收获法和建立主要树种各器官生物量相对生长方程估算群落生物量,采集植被层(叶、枝、干、根)、凋落物层(未分解层、半分解层、已分解层)、土壤层(0—10、10—20、20—30、30—40 cm)样品,测定全N、全P含量,估算生态系统各组分(植被层、凋落物层、土壤层)全N、全P储量。结果表明：植被层全N、全P储量均随植被恢复增加,全N储量增长速率呈先慢后快的特征,而全P储量则呈慢—快—慢增长,地上(叶、枝、干)、地下(根)部分表现为异速增长;随植被恢复,凋落物层全N、全P储量先增加后下降,增长速率为先快后慢,4—5年灌草丛全N、全P储量最低;土壤层全N、全P储量随植被恢复显著增加(P<0.05),全N储量增长速率呈快-慢-快特征,而全P储量呈先慢后快特征...     

西藏高原高寒草原生态系统植被C／N值的分布特征及其影响因素

以西藏高原高寒草原生态系统的4个自然地带（高山草原、高山灌丛草甸、山地半荒漠与荒漠以及山地灌丛草原）的19个草地型植被为研究对象,采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法,对高寒草原生态系统植被C／N值的分布特征及其影响因素进行了研究。结果表明：西藏高原高寒草原植被C／N值总体上呈现出东西部低而中间高的态势以及斑块状交错分布的格局。不同自然地带间和不同草地型间植被地上部分和根系的C／N值有明显差异,且地上部分的C／N值均大于根系。19个草地型植被地上部分的平均C／N值为34．17,变异系数为35．87％;根系的平均C／N值为29．58,变异系数为40．02％。4个自然地带植被地上部分的平均C／N值为31．98,变异系数为13．82％;根系的平均C／N值为31．86,变异系数为16．92％。回归分析结果显示：植被地上部分C／N值与地上部生物量以及土壤全N和全K含量呈显著正相关、与植被高度呈显著负相关;根系C／N值与海拔和20～30em土壤容重呈显著正相关、与年均降水量和年均蒸发量呈显著负相关,这些因子均为影响西藏高原高寒草原植被C／N值的关键环境因子。总体上看,地理因子、气候因子和土壤物理因子对西藏高原高寒草原生态系统植被C／N值的影响不显著,而植被因子和土壤化学因子则对其有显著影响。     

Potential contributions of root decomposition to the nitrogen cycle in arctic forest and tundra

Plant contributions to the nitrogen (N) cycle from decomposition are likely to be altered by vegetation shifts associated with climate change. Roots account for the majority of soil organic matter input from vegetation, but little is known about differences between vegetation types in their root contributions to nutrient cycling. Here, we examine the potential contribution of fine roots to the N cycle in forest and tundra to gain insight into belowground consequences of the widely observed increase in woody vegetation that accompanies climate change in the Arctic. We combined measurements of root production from minirhizotron images with tissue analysis of roots from differing root diameter and color classes to obtain potential N input following decomposition. In addition, we tested for changes in N concentration of roots during early stages of decomposition, and investigated whether vegetation type (forest or tundra) affected changes in tissue N concentration during decomposition. For completeness, we also present respective measurements of leaves. The potential N input from roots was twofold greater in forest than in tundra, mainly due to greater root production in forest. Potential N input varied with root diameter and color, but this variation tended to be similar in forest and tundra. As for roots, the potential N input from leaves was significantly greater in forest than in tundra. Vegetation type had no effect on changes in root or leaf N concentration after 1 year of decomposition. Our results suggest that shifts in vegetation that accompany climate change in the Arctic will likely increase plant‐associated potential N input both belowground and aboveground. In contrast, shifts in vegetation might not alter changes in tissue N concentration during early stages of decomposition. Overall, differences between forest and tundra in potential contribution of decomposing roots to the N cycle reinforce differences between habitats that occur for leaves.     

中国主要湿地植被氮和磷生态化学计量学特征

研究湿地植物氮(N)和磷(P)的生态化学计量学特征对揭示植物与生境的耦合关系具有重要意义。通过收集中国52个采样区湿地植物不同器官和全株样本的N和P含量, 对其进行分类和统计分析, 探讨植物器官、生长期、植物类型、湿地类型和气候带对湿地植物N和P生态化学计量学特征的影响。结果表明: 1)湿地植物各器官N、P和N:P的几何平均值均表现为叶片(N, 16.07 mg·g^-1; P, 1.85 mg·g^-1; N:P, 8.67) >地上部分(N, 13.54 mg·g^-1; P, 1.72 mg·g^-1; N:P, 7.96) >茎(N, 7.86 mg·g^-1; P, 1.71 mg·g^-1; N:P, 4.58); 2)叶片N含量随时间变化呈现“三峰”型变化, 峰值分别出现在5月、7月和9月; 茎的N含量随时间变化表现为“双峰”型, 峰值出现在5月和9月; 成熟期之前, 植物叶片的N:P与N趋同波动, N:P主要受N含量控制; 衰老期N:P受P含量控制。3)湿地类型是影响植物叶片N和P生态化学计量特征的关键因素, N和P含量最高值出现在河流, 最低值出现在沼泽湿地, N:P的变化趋势大致与之相反。4)植物叶片N、P和N:P的几何平均值都表现为热带>温带>亚热带, 但总体差异不显著(p > 0.05)。5)中国大部分湿地植物叶片N:P < 14, 表现为N限制。     

盐城海滨湿地盐沼植被对土壤碳氮分布特征的影响

在盐城海滨湿地不同植被带下采集土壤样品,研究了土壤有机碳和全氮的空间分布特征,分析了盐沼植物对湿地土壤碳、氮分布的影响.结果表明：在盐城海滨湿地,表层土壤中有机碳和全氮含量分别介于1.71～7.92 g·kg^-1和0.17～0.36 g·kg^-1之间,变幅较大,不同植被带之间存在显著差异,且各植被带表层土壤中有机碳、全氮含量均高于光滩.垂直方向上,各植被带土壤中有机碳、全氮的分布均呈自表向下逐渐降低的趋势,15 cm以下其含量基本保持稳定.土壤有机碳与全氮、碳氮比呈显著正相关,但全氮与碳氮比无显著相关性.     

青藏高原高寒草甸植被和土壤对短期禁牧的响应

为探讨青藏高原高寒草甸对短期禁牧的响应,设置冬季自由放牧和短期(2年)禁牧的对比试验。采用随机样方法调查植被群落盖度,分析地上和地下生物量、根冠比、植被地上和地下部分以及表层(0-10cm)土壤全碳、全氮和全磷含量、生态化学计量以及营养元素的关联性。研究结果显示:1)短期禁牧显著改变高寒草甸植被盖度、地上生物量、根冠比、植被全磷含量和N∶P,以及土壤全磷含量。2)相关性分析表明,禁牧后土壤全碳含量与植被地上全碳含量呈显著相关性,自由放牧后土壤全碳和全氮含量分别与植被地下部分全碳和全氮含量呈显著相关性。结果表明,不同的草原管理措施(禁牧、放牧)会改变高寒草甸植被与土壤养分分配及其平衡关系,同时,植被与表层土壤主要养分含量之间的关联性仅存在于部分植物器官与部分营养元素之间。     

盐城海滨湿地盐沼植被对土壤碳氮分布特征的影响

在盐城海滨湿地不同植被带下采集土壤样品,研究了土壤有机碳和全氮的空间分布特征,分析了盐沼植物对湿地土壤碳、氮分布的影响.结果表明：在盐城海滨湿地,表层土壤中有机碳和全氮含量分别介于1.71～7.92 g·kg^-1和0.17～0.36 g·kg^-1之间,变幅较大,不同植被带之间存在显著差异,且各植被带表层土壤中有机碳、全氮含量均高于光滩.垂直方向上,各植被带土壤中有机碳、全氮的分布均呈自表向下逐渐降低的趋势,15 cm以下其含量基本保持稳定.土壤有机碳与全氮、碳氮比呈显著正相关,但全氮与碳氮比无显著相关性.     

黄土丘陵区植被与地形特征对土壤和土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量特征的影响

研究黄土丘陵区植被与地形特征对土壤和土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量特征影响有助于深入理解黄土丘陵区不同植被带下土壤和土壤微生物相互作用及养分循环规律.选择黄土丘陵区延河流域3个植被区(森林区、森林草原区、草原区)和5种地形部位(阴/阳沟坡、阴/阳梁峁坡、峁顶)的土壤作为研究对象,利用生态化学计量学理论研究植被和地形对土壤和土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量特征的影响.结果表明: 土壤及土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷含量在不同地形之间的差别主要表现在沟坡位置和阴坡高于其他坡位和阳坡.植被类型的变化对两个土层(0～10、10～20 cm)土壤和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷的影响均达到显著水平,坡向对表层(0～10 cm)土壤和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷的影响强于坡位,而在10～20 cm土层,坡位对土壤和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷影响更显著.植被类型显著影响土壤C∶N、C∶P、N∶P和土壤微生物生物量C∶N、C∶P,坡向和坡位仅影响土壤C∶P和N∶P,植被类型的变化是影响土壤C∶N的主要因素.同时,植被类型对土壤养分和微生物生物量碳、氮、磷含量及其生态化学计量特征的影响大于地形因子.标准化主轴分析结果表明,黄土丘陵区不同植被带土壤微生物具有内稳性,特别在草原带,土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量学特征具有更加严格的约束比例.在黄土丘陵区,土壤微生物生物量N∶P或许可以作为判断养分限制的另一个有力工具,若将土壤微生物生物量N∶P与植物叶片N∶P配合使用可能有助于我们更加精确地判断黄土丘陵区的土壤养分限制情况.     

Cumulative nitrogen input drives species loss in terrestrial ecosystems

Aim Elevated inputs of biologically reactive nitrogen (N) are considered to be one of the most substantial threats to biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems. Several attempts have been made to scrutinize the factors driving species loss following excess N input, but generalizations across sites or vegetation types cannot yet be made. Here we focus on the relative importance of the vegetation type, the local environment (climate, soil pH, wet deposition load) and the experimentally applied (cumulative) N dose on the response of the vegetation to N addition. Location Mainly North America and Europe. Methods We conducted a large‐scale meta‐analysis of in situ N addition experiments in different vegetation types, focusing on the response of biomass and species richness. Results Whereas the biomass of grasslands and salt marshes significantly increased with N fertilization, forest understorey vegetation, heathlands, freshwater wetlands and bogs did not show any significant response. Graminoids significantly increased in biomass following N addition, whereas bryophytes significantly lost biomass; shrubs, forbs and lichens did not significantly respond. The yearly N fertilization dose significantly influenced the biomass response of grassland and salt marshes, while for the other vegetation types none of the collected predictor variables were of significant influence. Species richness significantly decreased with N addition in grasslands and heathlands [Correction added on 23 March 2011, after first online publication: ‘across all vegetation types’ changed to ‘in grasslands and heathlands’]. The relative change in species richness following N addition was significantly driven by the cumulative N dose. Main conclusions The decline in species richness with cumulative N input follows a negative exponential pathway. Species loss occurs faster at low levels of cumulative N input or at the beginning of the addition, followed by an increasingly slower species loss at higher cumulative N inputs. These findings lead us to stress the importance of including the cumulative effect of N additions in calculations of critical load values.     

沙地植被碳氮磷化学计量特征与物种多样性的关系

植被化学计量特征表征植物营养限制.它是否会影响物种多样性需要进一步探究.本研究以宁夏哈巴湖国家级自然保护区沙地油蒿群落和沙柳群落为对象,计算了植被碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量,分析了植被C、N、P生态化学计量特征对沙地植物群落物种多样性的影响.结果表明: 在流动沙丘和半固定沙丘生境中的沙柳群落,物种多样性Simpson指数与植被C/N值存在显著的负相关关系,而与植被N/P值的相关性不显著;在半固定沙丘和固定沙丘生境中的油蒿群落,物种多样性Shannon指数与N/P值存在显著正相关关系,而与C/N值存在显著负相关关系.结合C、N、P生态化学计量特征与冗余分析可知,油蒿群落和沙柳群落的植被P含量对物种多样性的影响不同,导致两个群落的植被N/P值对物种多样性产生不同的影响.     

Rates of nitrogen mineralization across an elevation and vegetation gradient in the southern Appalachians

We measured nitrogen (N) transformation rates for six years to examine temporal variation across the vegetation and elevation gradient that exists within the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory. Net N mineralization and nitrification rates were measured using 28-day in situ closed core incubations. Incubations were conducted at various intervals, ranging from monthly during the growing season, to seasonally based on vegetation phenology. Vegetation types included oak-pine, cove hardwoods, low elevation mixed oak, high elevation mixed oak, and northern hardwoods. Elevations ranged from 782 to 1347 m. Nitrogen transformation rates varied with vegetation type. Mineralization rates were lowest in the oak-pine and mixed oak sites averaging <1.2 mg N kg soil-1 28 day-1. Rates in the cove hardwood site were greater than all other low elevation sites with an annual average of 3.8 mg N kg soil-1 28 day-1. Nitrogen mineralization was greatest in the northern hardwood site averaging 13 mg N kg soil-1 28 day-1. Nitrification rates were typically low on four sites with rates <0.5 mg N kg soil-1 28 day-1. However, the annual average nitrification rate of the northern hardwood site was 6 mg N kg soil-1 28 days-1. Strong seasonal trends in N mineralization were observed. Highest rates occurred in spring and summer with negligible activity in winter. Seasonal trends in nitrification were statistically significant only in the northern hardwood site. Nitrogen mineralization was significantly different among sites on the vegetation and elevation gradient. While N mineralization rates were greatest at the high elevation site, vegetation type appears to be the controlling factor.     

黄土丘陵区子午岭不同植物群落下土壤氮素及相关酶活性的特征

以黄土丘陵区子午岭林区裸露地为对照,选择撂荒地、白羊草草地、油松、山杨和辽东栎林地五种典型植被群落下0—10cm和10—20 cm土层的土壤为研究对象,对土壤无机氮、有机氮、微生物量氮含量和脲酶、蛋白酶以及硝酸还原酶的活性进行了研究。结果表明,土壤中各种氮素基本表现为乔木林,尤其是辽东栎和油松下含量最高,而有机氮则在白羊草地富集明显。铵态氮为子午岭林区速效氮的主要形式。土壤铵态氮与微生物氮极显著正相关;有机氮和亚硝态氮、矿化氮、微生物氮均显著正相关。脲酶和硝酸还原酶活性在辽东栎群落下最高,蛋白酶在白羊草地下较高,且脲酶活性在土壤上层高于下层,而蛋白酶和硝酸还原酶并没有表现出明显规律。脲酶活性和铵态氮、有机氮含量显著正相关,与微生物量氮极显著正相关;硝酸还原酶活性与铵态氮含量显著正相关;蛋白酶活性和土壤各种氮素含量无相关性。     

桃园生草对桃树节肢动物群落多样性与稳定性的影响

对种植白三叶草的桃园(生草桃园)和非生草桃园的桃树节肢动物群落进行分析比较.结果表明:生草桃园桃树天敌、中性类群和植食类群数量分别是非生草桃园的1.48、1.84和0.64倍,而节肢动物群落个体总数无显著差异;与非生草桃园相比,生草桃园桃树节肢动物群落丰富度(83.733±4.932)、多样性(4.966±0.110)和均匀性指数(0.795±0.014)均显著升高,而优势度指数(0.135±0.012)显著降低.稳定性指数S/N、Sd/Sp与非生草桃园均无显著差异,但Nn/Np、Nd/Np及Sn/Sp均显著高于非生草桃园.生草桃园桃树节肢动物群落多样性与稳定性指数N/Np、Sd/Sp、S/N存在显著的负相关关系,而与Nn/Np、Sn/Sp无相关性;非生草桃园多样性与稳定性指数Nn／Np、Nd/Np存在显著的正相关关系,而与其他稳定性指数无显著相关性.     

Does background nitrogen deposition affect the response of boreal vegetation to fertilization?

Forest floor vegetation is an important component of forest biodiversity, and numerous studies have shown that N input alters the vegetation. In some cases, however, the effects of experimental N addition have been small or absent. Two alternative hypotheses have been suggested: (a) competition from the tree layer confounds the response to N, or (b) N response in areas with high background deposition is limited by N saturation. Neither of these hypotheses has so far been explicitly tested. Here, we compile data on forest floor vegetation from N addition experiments, in which the forest had been clear-cut, along an N deposition gradient ranging from 4 to 16 kg ha^?1 year^?1 in Sweden. We analyzed the effects of N addition and its interaction with N deposition on common species and thereby tested the second hypothesis in an environment without the confounding effects of the tree layer. The results show that the effects of the experimental N addition are significantly influenced by background N deposition: the N addition effects are smaller in areas with high N deposition than in areas with low N deposition, despite the fact that the highest N deposition in this study can be considered moderate from an international perspective. The results are important when assessing the reliability of results from N addition experiments on forest floor vegetation in areas with moderate to high background N deposition. We conclude that the interacting effects of N addition and N deposition need to be included when assessing long-term N sensitivity of plant communities.     

利用水稻冠层光谱特征诊断土壤氮素营养状况

系统测定了不同秸秆还田和氮肥处理下水稻(Oryza sativa)关键生育期的冠层反射光谱及土壤速效氮含量,并对两者之间的关系进行了详尽的分析。结果表明: 土壤速效氮含量在整个水稻生育期内均与可见光波段反射率呈负相关,与近红外波段反射率呈正相关。归一化及比值植被指数与土壤速效氮含量有更好的相关性,分蘖期要优于其它生育时期,以870、1 220 nm波段与560和710 nm波段的组合最佳,但两者的关系易受土壤等背景的干扰。而转换型土壤调节植被指数TSAVI能较好地消除分蘖期土壤背景的影响,两生态点可用统一的方程来拟合,用该研究中所筛选出的最佳波段组合计算出的TSAVI的表现更好,尤其是870 nm波段和710 nm波段的组合,决定系数(R²)由0.46提高到0.60。抽穗期和灌浆期由1 220和760 nm计算的比值指数R(1 220, 760)和新土壤调节植被指数SAVI(1 220,760)与土壤速效氮含量的关系则不受生态点的影响,可用统一回归方程来拟合。这说明水稻冠层反射光谱可以用来评价稻田土壤肥力状况,但仍需进一步研究。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区退耕地土壤养分因子对植被恢复的贡献

为了探求各土壤养分因子对植被恢复贡献的大小．利用因子分析(Factor analysis)对黄土高原丘陵沟壑区退耕地植被恢复中的土壤养分进行了多元统计分析,定量研究了土壤养分环境对植被恢复的作用。结果表明：住所选取的6个土壤养分因子中,土壤有机质、有效N、全P和速效P对植被恢复的贡献较大．是限制该地区植被恢复的主导因素,其它养分因子的贡献相对较小。根据土壤养分因子间的相关系数,土壤有机质与全N和有效N呈显著相关。因此,在评价土壤养分因子对植被恢复贡献大小时．选取土壤有机质、氮和磷的含量作为评价指标,不但节省了时间和财力,而且有助于植被恢复的快速评价。     

Stoichiometry of leaf nitrogen and phosphorus of grasslands of the Inner Mongolian and Qinghai-Tibet Plateaus in relation to climatic variables and vegetation organization levels

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are most commonly the limiting essential elements that affect the functioning of plants and ecosystems. However, their stoichiometry in relation to climatic variables and vegetation organization levels has not been comprehensively characterized. N and P concentrations were measured for 329 leaf samples collected at 132 sites along the 5000 km long China Grassland Transect that traverses the Inner Mongolian and Qinghai-Tibet Plateaus. The patterns of these measurements were analyzed with reference to climate factors, plant species, plant functional groups, grassland communities and grassland ecosystems. The aim was to explore whether geographical patterns of plant leaf elements are related to zonal climatic variables, and at which vegetation organization levels changes of plant leaf N and P stoichiometric characteristics and pattern occur. Results showed that interspecific differences of N and P concentrations were most significant for the three vegetation organization levels of species, community and ecosystem. Plant leaf N and P concentrations were higher, coefficients of variation of N and P lower, and N/P, C/N and C/P ratios were also lower for leaf samples from the cold high altitude Qinghai-Tibet Plateau than for those from the relatively lower altitude and warmer Inner Mongolian Plateau. Correlation of N and P for Inner Mongolian grassland was higher than that for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The study indicates plant species are the most basic unit influencing plant stoichiometric geographic patterns, and that climatic variables affect leaf element concentrations mainly through their effect on changes of plant species composition of vegetation.     

氮沉降对荒漠化草原草本植物物种多样性和群落组成的影响

采用野外条件下人工外源施加氮素模拟氮沉降的方式,设置了0、6、12和24g.m-2 4个纯氮素投加水平,在试验第一年(2007年)将不同水平的氮素随机投加到样方中,随后两年(2008～2009年)不再继续投加,研究氮沉降对荒漠化草原草本植物物种多样性和群落物种组成的影响。结果表明:植物物种丰富度和多度在年内均随着氮素投加水平的增大而降低,且物种多度比丰富度的降低程度更大;植物物种丰富度和多度年际间的变化则表现为低氮水平下差异显著(P<0.05),高氮水平下差异不显著的规律(P>0.05)。氮沉降改变了草本层片植物群落的物种组成,相对于多年生禾本科植物,多年生非禾本科植物在氮素处理下消失的概率更大。可见,氮沉降会降低荒漠化草原草本植物的物种多样性,改变草本植物群落的物种组成,且对荒漠化草原草本植物群落的影响是一个长期的过程。     

Nitrogen fertilizer enhances vegetation establishment of a high-altitude machine-graded ski slope

Machine grading is frequently required to prepare the terrain when building high-altitude ski slopes in the Alps. However, this kind of disturbance alters the natural environment, destroying the vegetation and hampering its reestablishment. Thus, specific restoration plans are necessary to encourage the recovery of vegetation, which is already affected by different natural constraints in this harsh environment. One of the main critical factors affecting plant growth in high-altitude areas is the lack of available nitrogen (N) in the soil. In this context, the addition of a slow-release N fertilizer was carried out in an experimental revegetated ski slope between 2,800 and 2,900 m above sea level in the western Italian Alps. Both vegetation and soil were monitored during a 5-year period in order to test the effectiveness of N addition on the restoration process. Even if effects on soil carbon and N contents were negligible, vegetation was remarkably affected by the fertilization, since the total vegetation cover and the species richness significantly increased. Against the expectations, there was a remarkable increase in spontaneous forbs, rather than in most of the sown graminoids, which slightly varied during the experimental period. Actually, graminoids responded in different ways, mostly increasing (likewise forbs), but the slight decrease of the dominant Festuca nigrescens (Chewing's Fescue) masked their spread. This study confirms the noteworthy role of N in high-altitude alpine soils and consequently its importance to improve the restoration process of degraded ecosystems.