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Title: N and P constrain C in ecosystems under climate change: Role of nutrient redistribution, accumulation, and stoichiometry

Journal Article · · Ecological Applications
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2684 · OSTI ID:1877769
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [3]; ORCiD logo [4]; ORCiD logo [5]; ORCiD logo [6]; ORCiD logo [7]; ORCiD logo [8]; ORCiD logo [9]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [10]; ORCiD logo [11]; ORCiD logo [12]
  1. The Ecosystems Center Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole Massachusetts USA
  2. Harvard Forest Harvard University Petersham Massachusetts USA
  3. Institute of Arctic Biology University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks Alaska USA
  4. Division of Biology Kansas State University Manhattan Kansas USA
  5. Department of Biological Sciences Saint Edward's University Austin Texas USA
  6. U.S. Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center Corvallis Oregon USA
  7. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Institute for Environment and Society, Brown University Providence Rhode Island USA
  8. School of the Environment Washington State University Richland Washington USA, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Michigan State University Hickory Corners Michigan USA
  9. Department of Biology and Wildlife Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks Alaska USA
  10. Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory National Center for Atmospheric Research Boulder Colorado USA, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research University of Colorado Boulder Boulder Colorado USA
  11. Department of Ecosystem Science and Management University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
  12. Department of Sustainable Resources Management SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse New York USA

Abstract We use the Multiple Element Limitation (MEL) model to examine responses of 12 ecosystems to elevated carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), warming, and 20% decreases or increases in precipitation. Ecosystems respond synergistically to elevated CO 2 , warming, and decreased precipitation combined because higher water‐use efficiency with elevated CO 2 and higher fertility with warming compensate for responses to drought. Response to elevated CO 2 , warming, and increased precipitation combined is additive. We analyze changes in ecosystem carbon (C) based on four nitrogen (N) and four phosphorus (P) attribution factors: (1) changes in total ecosystem N and P, (2) changes in N and P distribution between vegetation and soil, (3) changes in vegetation C:N and C:P ratios, and (4) changes in soil C:N and C:P ratios. In the combined CO 2 and climate change simulations, all ecosystems gain C. The contributions of these four attribution factors to changes in ecosystem C storage varies among ecosystems because of differences in the initial distributions of N and P between vegetation and soil and the openness of the ecosystem N and P cycles. The net transfer of N and P from soil to vegetation dominates the C response of forests. For tundra and grasslands, the C gain is also associated with increased soil C:N and C:P. In ecosystems with symbiotic N fixation, C gains resulted from N accumulation. Because of differences in N versus P cycle openness and the distribution of organic matter between vegetation and soil, changes in the N and P attribution factors do not always parallel one another. Differences among ecosystems in C‐nutrient interactions and the amount of woody biomass interact to shape ecosystem C sequestration under simulated global change. We suggest that future studies quantify the openness of the N and P cycles and changes in the distribution of C, N, and P among ecosystem components, which currently limit understanding of nutrient effects on C sequestration and responses to elevated CO 2 and climate change.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0019037
OSTI ID:
1877769
Journal Information:
Ecological Applications, Journal Name: Ecological Applications Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 32; ISSN 1051-0761
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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