Mineral-cycling Aspects Within the Sagebrush Ecosystem

Mayland, H.F. and Murray, R.B. (1979) Mineral-cycling Aspects Within the Sagebrush Ecosystem. pp. 62-73. In: Proc. Symp. Sagebrush Ecosystems. USA-UT-Logan, 1978/04.

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Abstract

All life forms absorb minerals, which are generally
used in cellular metabolism. These minerals may
be secreted during normal metabolism or mineralized
after cellular death. The cycle can then be repeated.
Our studies of mineral cycling within the sagebrush
(Artemisia) ecosystem attempt to explain why the
productivity of one site is different from that of
another. We may also want to know if enough minerals
are available to support a shrub-to-grass conversion
project or if the site provides adequate nutrition to
herbivores. The mineral content of Artemisia, for
example, has been used as a means of detecting precious
metals in the subsoil. This procedure, known as
biogeochemical prospecting, is commonly used in north-central
Asia. The mineral enrichment studies comparing
Artemisia in areas downwind and upwind from
factories provide a base line for monitoring mineral
fallout (Conner et al. 1976, Gough and Severson 1976,
Severson and Gough 1976). Mineral cycling information
also helps us to interpret the effects of fire, grazing,
or erosion on the mineral status of a given site.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
NWISRL Publication Number:	0432
Subjects:	Mass Import - unclassified
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:57
Last Modified:	31 Jan 2017 20:41
Item ID:	1015
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1015