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