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Decadal N and P addition reshapes multi-element allocation patterns and network interaction in subtropical plantation
Juan Huang1,2,3, Xi'an Cai1,2,3, Runcheng Zhu1,2,3
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, 723 Xingke Road, Tianhe, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510650, China.
Tree Physiology
|December 16, 2025
Summary
Nitrogen and phosphorus additions alter tropical tree mineral elements and their relationships. Long-term nutrient additions change tissue concentrations and simplify elemental networks, impacting ecosystem function.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Plant Physiology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Nitrogen (N) deposition causes nutrient imbalances, particularly phosphorus (P) limitation, in tropical ecosystems.
- The effects of N and/or P addition on multi-mineral element dynamics and tissue-specific concentrations in tropical trees are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of N and/or P addition on mineral element concentrations in Eucalyptus urophylla and Acacia auriculiformis tissues.
- To examine how these nutrient additions alter inter-element relationships and correlations within tropical trees.
Main Methods:
- A decade-long field experiment involving N and/or P addition to two tropical plantation tree species.
- Analysis of mineral element concentrations across different tissues (leaves, branches, roots).
- Statistical examination of changes in elemental correlation patterns.
Main Results:
- Long-term N addition maintained macro-element stability but altered micro-elements (e.g., increased root Al/Fe in EU, decreased leaf Fe in AA).
- P and N+P additions led to increased P and Na, and decreased K, with significant leaf-level responses in both species.
- Nutrient additions altered elemental correlations: N strengthened S interactions, P addition disengaged P in AA, and N+P addition simplified overall elemental networks.
Conclusions:
- Tropical trees exhibit dynamic tissue-specific adjustments in mineral element concentrations in response to N and P enrichment.
- Nutrient additions reconfigure inter-element relationships, potentially affecting ecosystem structure and function.
- Findings highlight the complex impacts of global change on tropical forest nutrient cycling and resilience.
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