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Long-term nitrogen loading alleviates phosphorus limitation in terrestrial ecosystems.

Authors :
Chen J
van Groenigen KJ
Hungate BA
Terrer C
van Groenigen JW
Maestre FT
Ying SC
Luo Y
Jørgensen U
Sinsabaugh RL
Olesen JE
Elsgaard L
Source :
Global change biology [Glob Chang Biol] 2020 Sep; Vol. 26 (9), pp. 5077-5086. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jul 01.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Increased human-derived nitrogen (N) deposition to terrestrial ecosystems has resulted in widespread phosphorus (P) limitation of net primary productivity. However, it remains unclear if and how N-induced P limitation varies over time. Soil extracellular phosphatases catalyze the hydrolysis of P from soil organic matter, an important adaptive mechanism for ecosystems to cope with N-induced P limitation. Here we show, using a meta-analysis of 140 studies and 668 observations worldwide, that N stimulation of soil phosphatase activity diminishes over time. Whereas short-term N loading (≤5 years) significantly increased soil phosphatase activity by 28%, long-term N loading had no significant effect. Nitrogen loading did not affect soil available P and total P content in either short- or long-term studies. Together, these results suggest that N-induced P limitation in ecosystems is alleviated in the long-term through the initial stimulation of soil phosphatase activity, thereby securing P supply to support plant growth. Our results suggest that increases in terrestrial carbon uptake due to ongoing anthropogenic N loading may be greater than previously thought.<br /> (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1365-2486
Volume :
26
Issue :
9
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Global change biology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32529708
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15218