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Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
Published on: March 6, 2014
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Aggravated phosphorus limitation on biomass production under increasing nitrogen loading: a meta-analysis
Yong Li1, Shuli Niu1, Guirui Yu1
1Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
Global Change Biology
|October 15, 2015
Summary
Phosphorus (P) addition significantly boosts plant biomass, with nitrogen (N) enrichment worsening P limitation in terrestrial ecosystems. Plant P concentration is a better P limitation indicator than soil P.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
- Global Change Biology
Background:
- Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are key nutrients limiting terrestrial biomass production.
- Global N impacts are synthesized, but P impacts, especially with varying N levels, lack comprehensive analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis on P addition impacts on terrestrial biomass, plant/soil P, and N:P ratios.
- To reveal global patterns of P limitation, particularly under different N enrichment scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of field studies involving P addition (alone or with N).
- Assessed impacts on aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), plant and soil P concentrations, and N:P ratios.
Main Results:
- P addition increased AGB by 34% and BGB by 13%.
- P limitation was more severe in tropical forests and exacerbated by N enrichment.
- Plant P concentration proved a more sensitive indicator of P limitation than soil P.
Conclusions:
- N and P co-limit biomass production, with tropical forests showing greater P limitation.
- Future N enrichment is predicted to intensify global P limitation on biomass production.
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