Global meta-analysis shows pervasive phosphorus limitation of aboveground plant production in natural terrestrial ecosystems

Hou, Enqing; Luo, Yiqi; Kuang, Yuanwen; Chen, Chengrong; Lu, Xiankai; Jiang, Lifen; Luo, Xianzhen; Wen, Dazhi

doi:10.1038/s41467-020-14492-w

Title: Global meta-analysis shows pervasive phosphorus limitation of aboveground plant production in natural terrestrial ecosystems

Journal Article · 30 January 2020 · Nature Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14492-w · OSTI ID:1624246

^[1]; Luo, Yiqi ^[2]; Kuang, Yuanwen ^[3];

^[4]; Lu, Xiankai ^[5]; Jiang, Lifen ^[2]; Luo, Xianzhen ^[5]; Wen, Dazhi ^[5]

Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Center of Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China; Northern Arizona Univ., Flagstaff, AZ (United States). Center for Ecosystem Science and Society; DOE/OSTI
Northern Arizona Univ., Flagstaff, AZ (United States). Center for Ecosystem Science and Society
Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Center of Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China; Northern Arizona Univ., Flagstaff, AZ (United States). Center for Ecosystem Science and Society
Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Center of Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China

Phosphorus (P) limitation of aboveground plant production is usually assumed to occur in tropical regions but rarely elsewhere. Here we report that such P limitation is more widespread and much stronger than previously estimated. In our global meta-analysis, almost half (46.2%) of 652 P-addition field experiments reveal a significant P limitation on aboveground plant production. Globally, P additions increase aboveground plant production by 34.9% in natural terrestrial ecosystems, which is 7.0–15.9% higher than previously suggested. In croplands, by contrast, P additions increase aboveground plant production by only 13.9%, probably because of historical fertilizations. The magnitude of P limitation also differs among climate zones and regions, and is driven by climate, ecosystem properties, and fertilization regimes. In addition to confirming that P limitation is widespread in tropical regions, our study demonstrates that P limitation often occurs in other regions. This suggests that previous studies have underestimated the importance of altered P supply on aboveground plant production in natural terrestrial ecosystems.

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Research Organization:: Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States); Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Natural Science Foundation of China; National Science Foundation (NSF); ORNL; Northern Arizona University

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0006982; SC0014085

OSTI ID:: 1624246

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 11; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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