A model of carbon, nitrogen and water flows within an ecosystem in relation to changes in species composition is nearing completion. This model, which applies to succession on sandy soils, will be used to investigate the effects of temperature, nitrogen deposition and CO2 concentration in the atmosphere on vegetation succession. The model applies to primary succession on sandy soils. Parameters are being collected in a Dutch drift sand area (Hulshorsterzand). Preliminary simulation show strong interactions between the effects nitrogen deposition and CO2 concentration: The rate nitrogen is supplied to the ecosystem influences whether species replacement is accelerated, not affected or delayed by increasing CO2 concentrations. This implies [...]
