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Progressive nitrogen limitation across the Tibetan alpine permafrost region

Author

Listed:
  • Dan Kou

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Eastern Finland
    Purdue University)

  • Guibiao Yang

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fei Li

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xuehui Feng

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Dianye Zhang

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chao Mao

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qiwen Zhang

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yunfeng Peng

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chengjun Ji

    (Peking University)

  • Qiuan Zhu

    (Hohai University)

  • Yunting Fang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xueyan Liu

    (Tianjin University)

  • Xu-Ri

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Siqi Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jia Deng

    (University of New Hampshire)

  • Xunhua Zheng

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jingyun Fang

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Peking University)

  • Yuanhe Yang

    (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The ecosystem carbon (C) balance in permafrost regions, which has a global significance in understanding the terrestrial C-climate feedback, is significantly regulated by nitrogen (N) dynamics. However, our knowledge on temporal changes in vegetation N limitation (i.e., the supply of N relative to plant N demand) in permafrost ecosystems is still limited. Based on the combination of isotopic observations derived from a re-sampling campaign along a ~3000 km transect and simulations obtained from a process-based biogeochemical model, here we detect changes in ecosystem N cycle across the Tibetan alpine permafrost region over the past decade. We find that vegetation N limitation becomes stronger despite the increased available N production. The enhanced N limitation on vegetation growth is driven by the joint effects of elevated plant N demand and gaseous N loss. These findings suggest that N would constrain the future trajectory of ecosystem C cycle in this alpine permafrost region.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Kou & Guibiao Yang & Fei Li & Xuehui Feng & Dianye Zhang & Chao Mao & Qiwen Zhang & Yunfeng Peng & Chengjun Ji & Qiuan Zhu & Yunting Fang & Xueyan Liu & Xu-Ri & Siqi Li & Jia Deng & Xunhua Zheng &, 2020. "Progressive nitrogen limitation across the Tibetan alpine permafrost region," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-17169-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17169-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Liwei Zhang & Sibo Zhang & Xinghui Xia & Tom J. Battin & Shaoda Liu & Qingrui Wang & Ran Liu & Zhifeng Yang & Jinren Ni & Emily H. Stanley, 2022. "Unexpectedly minor nitrous oxide emissions from fluvial networks draining permafrost catchments of the East Qinghai-Tibet Plateau," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Yang, Chuntao & Millner, James Peter & Sun, Yi & Yuan, Hang & Liu, Yang & Zhang, Yan & Wang, Zhaofeng & Chang, Shenghua & Hou, Fujiang, 2021. "Supplementary feeding yak with oat hay improves nitrogen cycling in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).

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