Soil macronutrients cycling and plants as indicators of Mediterranean urban ecosystem condition

Abstract

Nutrient enrichment is one of the main environmental pressures in cities; thus, knowledge of macronutrient cycle functioning in urban greenspaces, as specific key indicators of the condition of the urban ecosystems, is essential. We studied soil physical, chemical, and biological properties under four widespread ruderal plant communities in Mediterranean urban greenspaces. Generalized Linear Model (GLM) revealed that the perennial herb communities occurred on soils with a higher content in easily assimilable forms of macronutrients, but also with a higher soil enzyme activity related to these macronutrients. Annual herb communities developed on soils with a higher available S but with a depleted enzyme activity. Perennial grasslands were related to soils with a lower S content and higher enzyme activities. Multivariate analyses revealed that environmental factors such as soil available phosphorus, pH, and arylsulfatase activity are crucial in shaping plant distribution. We conclude that perennial herb communities indicated a poorer ecosystem quality due to rapid nutrient cycling. Conversely, a higher quality was found in perennial grasslands which showed a more balanced macronutrient cycling. Management strategies for urban greenspaces should incorporate ruderal vegetation and soil macronutrient cycling as indicators of ecosystem condition.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

nutrient cycles / ruderal vegetation / Mediterranean climate / urban greenspaces / ecosystem condition

Highlight

	● Macronutrient cycle functioning revealed the quality of urban greenspace ecosystems.
	● Urban vegetation and soil are useful indicators to assess the urban ecosystem condition.
	● Grassland communities showed a higher environmental quality than herb communities.
	● Perennial grasslands of Dactylis are related to more balanced macronutrient cycles.
	● Perennial herb communities of Malva had faster macronutrient cycling.

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