Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Stoichiometry in an Ombrotrophic Peatland Reflects Plant Functional Type

Wang, Meng; Moore, Tim R.

doi:10.1007/s10021-014-9752-x

Cited by 100 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…The C/P ratio of extant bryophytes (Table S3) was compiled from data in the literature (34,(80)(81)(82)(83)(84)(85)(86)(87)(88). Where only values of mg P/g biomass were available, a value of mg C/g biomass = 430 was assumed based on the mean value across six bryophyte species from ref.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earliest land plants created modern levels of atmospheric oxygen

Lenton

Dahl

Daines

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

252

224

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The progressive oxygenation of the Earth's atmosphere was pivotal to the evolution of life, but the puzzle of when and how atmospheric oxygen (O 2 ) first approached modern levels (∼21%) remains unresolved. Redox proxy data indicate the deep oceans were oxygenated during 435-392 Ma, and the appearance of fossil charcoal indicates O 2 >15-17% by 420-400 Ma. However, existing models have failed to predict oxygenation at this time. Here we show that the earliest plants, which colonized the land surface from ∼470 Ma onward, were responsible for this mid-Paleozoic oxygenation event, through greatly increasing global organic carbon burialthe net long-term source of O 2 . We use a trait-based ecophysiological model to predict that cryptogamic vegetation cover could have achieved ∼30% of today's global terrestrial net primary productivity by ∼445 Ma. Data from modern bryophytes suggests this plentiful early plant material had a much higher molar C:P ratio (∼2,000) than marine biomass (∼100), such that a given weathering flux of phosphorus could support more organic carbon burial. Furthermore, recent experiments suggest that early plants selectively increased the flux of phosphorus (relative to alkalinity) weathered from rocks. Combining these effects in a model of long-term biogeochemical cycling, we reproduce a sustained +2‰ increase in the carbonate carbon isotope (δ 13 C) record by ∼445 Ma, and predict a corresponding rise in O 2 to present levels by 420-400 Ma, consistent with geochemical data. This oxygen rise represents a permanent shift in regulatory regime to one where fire-mediated negative feedbacks stabilize high O 2 levels.oxygen | Paleozoic | phosphorus | plants | weathering

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earliest land plants created modern levels of atmospheric oxygen

Lenton

Dahl

Daines

et al. 2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

252

224

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…P addition did not, however, increase Sphagnum growth, raising the question of which other factor may have been limiting its growth. The low N : P ratios of Sphagnum tissue of controls (around 10) indicate relative N limitation (Wang and Moore, 2014;Bragazza et al, 2004). However, under these eutrophic conditions with high N availability and high tissue N concentrations, low ratios rather seem to be an effect of high P concentrations (Jiroušek et al, 2011).…”

Section: Role Of P Availabilitymentioning

confidence: 96%

Symbiosis revisited: phosphorus and acid buffering stimulate N<sub>2</sub> fixation but not <i>Sphagnum</i> growth

et al. 2017

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Abstract. In pristine Sphagnum-dominated peatlands, (di)nitrogen (N 2 ) fixing (diazotrophic) microbial communities associated with Sphagnum mosses contribute substantially to the total nitrogen input, increasing carbon sequestration. The rates of symbiotic nitrogen fixation reported for Sphagnum peatlands, are, however, highly variable, and experimental work on regulating factors that can mechanistically explain this variation is largely lacking. For two common fen species (Sphagnum palustre and S. squarrosum) from a high nitrogen deposition area (25 kg N ha −1 yr −1 ), we found that diazotrophic activity (as measured by 15−15 N 2 labeling) was still present at a rate of 40 nmol N gDW −1 h −1 . This was surprising, given that nitrogen fixation is a costly process. We tested the effects of phosphorus availability and buffering capacity by bicarbonate-rich water, mimicking a field situation in fens with stronger groundwater or surface water influence, as potential regulators of nitrogen fixation rates and Sphagnum performance. We expected that the addition of phosphorus, being a limiting nutrient, would stimulate both diazotrophic activity and Sphagnum growth. We indeed found that nitrogen fixation rates were doubled. Plant performance, in contrast, did not increase. Raised bicarbonate levels also enhanced nitrogen fixation, but had a strong negative impact on Sphagnum performance. These results explain the higher nitrogen fixation rates reported for minerotrophic and more nutrient-rich peatlands. In addition, nitrogen fixation was found to strongly depend on light, with rates 10 times higher in light conditions suggesting high reliance on phototrophic organisms for carbon. The contrasting effects of phosphorus and bicarbonate on Sphagnum spp. and their diazotrophic communities reveal strong differences in the optimal niche for both partners with respect to conditions and resources. This suggests a trade-off for the symbiosis of nitrogen fixing microorganisms with their Sphagnum hosts, in which a sheltered environment apparently outweighs the less favorable environmental conditions. We conclude that microbial activity is still nitrogen limited under eutrophic conditions because dissolved nitrogen is being monopolized by Sphagnum. Moreover, the fact that diazotrophic activity can significantly be upregulated by increased phosphorus addition and acid buffering, while Sphagnum spp. do not benefit, reveals remarkable differences in optimal conditions for both symbiotic partners and calls into question the regulation of nitrogen fixation by Sphagnum under these eutrophic conditions. The high nitrogen fixation rates result in high additional nitrogen loading of 6 kg ha −1 yr −1 on top of the high nitrogen deposition in these ecosystems.

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“…Thus, the decrease of C allocation to belowground observed by Wang et al (2013) may be due to the ameliorated N limitation to plant growth after three years of N addition and due to sufficient P supply from soil. Stoichiometric ratios have proved useful to investigate shift in nutrient limitation, especially N and P (Koerselman and Meuleman 1996;Güsewell and Koerselman 2002;Wang and Moore 2014). The plantation in our study is originally limited by N and P at vegetation level (Fig.…”

Section: Contrasting Effects Of Varying Doses and Species Of N Additionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth, morphological traits and mycorrhizal colonization of fine roots respond differently to nitrogen addition in a slash pine plantation in subtropical China

et al. 2015

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Background and aims Growth, morphological traits, and mycorrhizal colonization of fine roots show high degree of plasticity in response to changes in nutrient availability, causing shifts in root nutrient-foraging strategy. However, little is known about how this plasticity associated with root branching orders respond to atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in subtropical coniferous forests. Methods We used soil block sampling method to examine the responses of six key root functional parameters (including three morphological traits (specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD), and root diameter), two growth indices (total root length (TRL) and biomass) on an areal basis across five root orders, and ectomycorrhizal (EM) tip colonization) to different doses and species of N addition in a slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantation in subtropical China. Results TRL, root biomass in all root orders, and EM tip colonization increased significantly with N addition. However, SRL, RTD, and root diameter did not change in any root orders. In comparison to low doses of N input, high doses of N input exerted greater effects on lower-order roots. In regard to species of N added, stronger responses in lower-order roots were observed under ammonium-based than nitrated-based N input. Foliar P content was significantly decreased and stoichiometric N:P ratio was markedly increased in response to high dose of ammonium-based N input. Conclusions Fine root growth and EM tip colonization displayed higher degree of plasticity than morphological traits in response to N addition. The plastic responses were not root-order dependent, but dependent on both N dose and species, especially for ephemeral lower-order roots that are mostly like to be the main nutrient acquisition structures. Our results imply that while N limitation was alleviated by exogenous N input, P limitation may persist or even be exacerbated, thus causing an increase of absorptive root length, biomass, and dependence on ectomycorrhizae for nutrient acquisition in subtropical slash pine plantation forests.

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Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Stoichiometry in an Ombrotrophic Peatland Reflects Plant Functional Type

Cited by 100 publications

References 52 publications

Earliest land plants created modern levels of atmospheric oxygen

Earliest land plants created modern levels of atmospheric oxygen

Symbiosis revisited: phosphorus and acid buffering stimulate N<sub>2</sub> fixation but not <i>Sphagnum</i> growth

Growth, morphological traits and mycorrhizal colonization of fine roots respond differently to nitrogen addition in a slash pine plantation in subtropical China

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Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Stoichiometry in an Ombrotrophic Peatland Reflects Plant Functional Type

Cited by 100 publications

References 52 publications

Earliest land plants created modern levels of atmospheric oxygen

Earliest land plants created modern levels of atmospheric oxygen

Symbiosis revisited: phosphorus and acid buffering stimulate N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; fixation but not &lt;i&gt;Sphagnum&lt;/i&gt; growth

Growth, morphological traits and mycorrhizal colonization of fine roots respond differently to nitrogen addition in a slash pine plantation in subtropical China

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Symbiosis revisited: phosphorus and acid buffering stimulate N<sub>2</sub> fixation but not <i>Sphagnum</i> growth