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Long-term change in the nitrogen cycle of tropical forests.
- Source :
-
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 2011 Nov 04; Vol. 334 (6056), pp. 664-6. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Deposition of reactive nitrogen (N) from human activities has large effects on temperate forests where low natural N availability limits productivity but is not known to affect tropical forests where natural N availability is often much greater. Leaf N and the ratio of N isotopes (δ(15)N) increased substantially in a moist forest in Panama between ~1968 and 2007, as did tree-ring δ(15)N in a dry forest in Thailand over the past century. A decade of fertilization of a nearby Panamanian forest with N caused similar increases in leaf N and δ(15)N. Therefore, our results indicate regional increases in N availability due to anthropogenic N deposition. Atmospheric nitrogen dioxide measurements and increased emissions of anthropogenic reactive N over tropical land areas suggest that these changes are widespread in tropical forests.
- Subjects :
- Panama
Plant Leaves
Thailand
Nitrogen Cycle
Trees
Tropical Climate
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1095-9203
- Volume :
- 334
- Issue :
- 6056
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Science (New York, N.Y.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22053047
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1211979