Nitrogen loading enhances phosphorus limitation in terrestrial ecosystems with implications for soil carbon cycling

Increased human-derived nitrogen (N) loading in terrestrial ecosystems has caused widespread ecosystem-level phosphorus (P) limitation. In response, plants and soil micro-organisms adopt a series of P-acquisition strategies to offset N loading-induced P Many these impose costs on carbon (C) allocation by micro-organisms; however, it remains unclear how affect C cycling. Herein, we review the literature effects limitation outline conceptual overview plant microbial may organic (SOC) stabilization decomposition ecosystems. Excessive input significantly enhances biomass production, acidification, produces litterfall with high N/P ratios, which can aggravate Long-term cause alter their functional traits increase acquisition. Plants release carboxylate exudates phosphatases, modify root morphological traits, facilitate formation symbiotic associations mycorrhizal fungi stimulate abundance P-mineralizing P-solubilizing micro-organisms. Releasing phosphatases could accelerate SOC decomposition, whereas changing (e.g. an fine length) contribute higher stabilization. relative abundances bacteria mining decay, decrease use efficiency subsequently lower sequestration. The trade-offs between different under should be among future research priorities due cascading impacts storage. Quantifying ecosystem thresholds for adaption increased is important because are effective when below threshold. Moreover, understanding response at levels native availability provide insight divergent across sites Altogether, explicitly considered Earth System Models generate more realistic predictions Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.