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Related Concept Videos

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Unlike carbon, water, and nitrogen, phosphorus is not present in the atmosphere as a gas. Instead, most phosphorus in the ecosystem exists as compounds, such as phosphate ions (PO43-), found in soil, water, sediment and rocks. Phosphorus is often a limiting nutrient (i.e., in short supply). Consequently, phosphorus is added to most agricultural fertilizers, which can cause environmental problems related to runoff in aquatic ecosystems.
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Updated: Sep 9, 2025

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Phosphorus constrains global photosynthesis more than nitrogen does.

Songhan Wang1, Philippe Ciais2, Peter B Reich3,4,5

  • 1Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production, Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology in Southern China, College of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China. wangsonghan2@gmail.com.

Nature Ecology & Evolution
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Summary

Global vegetation growth is increasingly limited by phosphorus (P) rather than nitrogen (N). This study reveals a stronger P constraint on photosynthesis, impacting terrestrial carbon sinks and highlighting the need for emission reduction strategies.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Plant Physiology

Background:

  • Nitrogen (N) is traditionally considered the primary nutrient limiting global vegetation growth.
  • Recent observations suggest a potential shift in nutrient limitation dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the comparative limitation of global photosynthesis by phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) over the past four decades.
  • To quantify the impact of declining foliar nutrient concentrations on vegetation photosynthesis and terrestrial carbon sinks.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a global dataset of over 80,000 field observations of foliar nutrients (1980-2017).
  • Employed a machine learning approach to generate long-term global foliar N and P concentration data.
  • Analyzed trends in foliar P and N concentrations and their effects on global photosynthesis.

Main Results:

  • Foliar P concentration declined at a significantly faster rate (-0.80%/yr) than foliar N concentration (-0.31%/yr).
  • Phosphorus limitation on global photosynthesis increased, becoming over 1.5 times stronger than N limitation.
  • Declining foliar P and N reduced the increasing trend in global photosynthesis by approximately 17.2% and 6.7%, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • Phosphorus limitation is emerging as a stronger constraint on global photosynthesis than nitrogen.
  • The weakening of terrestrial carbon sinks due to P limitation necessitates stricter anthropogenic emission reduction strategies.
  • This study underscores the critical role of phosphorus in regulating Earth's carbon cycle and climate.