Question

In graminoid (grasslike plant) dominated wetlands, shrubs will sometimes encroach in the absence of burning or grazing, leading to a transformation to a shrub-carr. What might happen to denitrification rates after encroachment? Explain your answer. (2-3 sentences. There is no one specific right answer)

Answer 1

I think few graminoids like any other grasses are able to fix nitrogen and thus are able to increase the nitrogen content in the soil. Later when the encroachment of shrubs occurs in the same wetlands, like any other shrubs these also use the nitrogen present in the soil to grow. Obviously, the rate of denitrification i.e removal of nitrogen will increase by the shrub carr.