Abstract
We investigated the impact of watershed liming on elemental concentrations in the shrubs Myrica gale and Chamaedaphne calyculata and the sedge Carex stricta. We analyzed tissues from plants co-occurring in 1-m2 plots in limed and unlimed portions of an Adirondack poor fen for Al, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se, V, and Zn. Within 2 years of liming, we found higher concentrations of Ca, Ni, and Zn and lower N, Na, and Mn in Chamaedaphne foliage; higher Fe, K, Mg, Ni, Pb, and Zn and lower Co and Mn in Chamaedaphne twigs; higher Mo and lower Al, B, Mn, and Ni in Myrica foliage; higher Al, Cr, and Mo and lower Cd, Mn, and Se in Myrica twigs; and higher Al and lower Co and Cr in Carex foliage. Clearly, each species was unique in its uptake and allocation of elements, which will influence the rate these elements cycle in this watershed after liming. Elements in Carex foliage changed the least after watershed liming, while those in Chamaedaphne twigs changed the most. However, the slow decay of Chamaedaphne litter will likely inhibit the release of accumulated elements, including Ca. Key words: peatlands, poor fens, liming, watershed, tissue chemistry, Adirondacks.