Decade-long soil nitrogen constraint on the CO2 fertilization of plant biomass
Loading...
View/Download File
Persistent link to this item
Statistics
View StatisticsJournal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Title
Decade-long soil nitrogen constraint on the CO2 fertilization of plant biomass
Authors
Published Date
2013
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Type
Article
Abstract
The stimulation of plant growth by elevated CO2 concentration has been widely observed. Such fertilization, and associated carbon storage, could dampen future increases in atmospheric CO2 levels and associated climate warming1. However, the CO2 fertilization of plant biomass may be sensitive to nitrogen supply2–4 . Herein we show that in the latest decade of a long-term perennial grassland experiment, low ambient soil nitrogen availability constrained the positive response of plant biomass to elevated CO2, a result not seen in the first years (1998–2000) of the study. From 2001 to 2010, elevated CO2 stimulated plant biomass half as much under ambient as under enriched nitrogen supply, an effect mirrored over this period by more positive effects of elevated CO2 on soil nitrogen supply (net nitrogen mineralization) and plant nitrogen status under enriched than ambient nitrogen supply. The results did not strongly support either the progressive nitrogen limitation hypothesis, or the alternative hypothesis of priming of soil nitrogen release by elevated CO2. As nitrogen limitation to productivity is widespread, persistent nitrogen constraints on terrestrial responses to rising CO2 are probably pervasive. Further incorporation of such interactions into Earth system models is recommended to better predict future CO2 fertilization effects and impacts on the global carbon cycle.
Keywords
Description
http://www.nature.com/nclimate
Related to
Replaces
License
Collections
Series/Report Number
Funding information
Isbn identifier
Doi identifier
10.1038/nclimate1694
Previously Published Citation
Peter B. Reich, & Sarah E. Hobbie. (2012). Decade-long soil nitrogen constraint on the CO2 fertilization of plant biomass. Nature Climate Change, 3(3), 278.
Other identifiers
Suggested citation
Reich, Peter B; Hobbie, Sarah E. (2013). Decade-long soil nitrogen constraint on the CO2 fertilization of plant biomass. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, 10.1038/nclimate1694.
Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.