Global Meta-analysis Shows Pervasive Phosphorus Limitation of Aboveground Plant Production in Natural Terrestrial Ecosystems

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2020 Feb 2

PMID 32005808

Citations 60

Authors

Enqing Hou

Yiqi Luo

Yuanwen Kuang

Chengrong Chen

Xiankai Lu

Lifen Jiang

Xianzhen Luo

Dazhi Wen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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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