Isotopic evidence for oligotrophication of terrestrial ecosystems
Human societies depend on an Earth system that operates within a constrained range of nutrient availability, yet the recent trajectory of terrestrial nitrogen (N) availability is uncertain. Examining patterns of foliar N concentrations and isotope ratios (δ15N) from more than 43,000 samples acquired over 37 years, here we show that foliar N concentration declined by 9% and foliar δ15N declined by 0.6–1.6‰. Examining patterns across different climate spaces, foliar δ15N declined across the entire range of mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation tested. These results suggest declines in N supply relative to plant demand at the global scale. In all, there are now multiple lines of evidence of declining N availability in many unfertilized terrestrial ecosystems, including declines in δ15N of tree rings and leaves from herbarium samples over the past 75–150 years. These patterns are consistent with the proposed consequences of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide and longer growing seasons. These declines will limit future terrestrial carbon uptake and increase nutritional stress for herbivores.
Similar Items
-
Consistent habitat segregation between sexes in the spider crabs Maja brachydactyla and Maja squinado (Brachyura), as revealed by stable isotopes
by: Guerao, Guillermo, et al. -
Reply to: Data do not support large-scale oligotrophication of terrestrial ecosystems.
by: Craine, Joseph M., et al.
Published: (2019-07-22) -
Fontes de energia e estrutura trófica de peixes em riachos Neotropicais.
by: Sacramento, Patricia Almeida
Published: (2011) -
Comparación del nicho trófico entre paseriformes nativas e invasoras en Doñana: una aproximación isotópica
by: Núñez Gutiérrez, Miguel
Published: (2019-07-15) -
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in Panulirus argus phyllosomas in the Mexican Caribbean
by: Sánchez González, Alberto Doctor autor 22455, et al.