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Nitrogen limitation of microbial decomposition in a grassland under elevated CO2

Author

Listed:
  • S. Hu

    (Department of Integrative Biology University of California
    North Carolina State University)

  • F. S. Chapin

    (Department of Integrative Biology University of California
    University of Alaska)

  • M. K. Firestone

    (University of California)

  • C. B. Field

    (Carnegie Institution of Washington Department of Plant Biology)

  • N. R. Chiariello

    (Carnegie Institution of Washington Department of Plant Biology)

Abstract

Carbon accumulation in the terrestrial biosphere could partially offset the effects of anthropogenic CO2 emissions on atmospheric CO2 (refs 1, 2). The net impact of increased CO2 on the carbon balance of terrestrial ecosystems is unclear, however, because elevated CO2 effects on carbon input to soils and plant use of water and nutrients often have contrasting effects on microbial processes3,4,5. Here we show suppression of microbial decomposition in an annual grassland after continuous exposure to increased CO2 for five growing seasons. The increased CO2 enhanced plant nitrogen uptake, microbial biomass carbon, and available carbon for microbes. But it reduced available soil nitrogen, exacerbated nitrogen constraints on microbes, and reduced microbial respiration per unit biomass. These results indicate that increased CO2 can alter the interaction between plants and microbes in favour of plant utilization of nitrogen, thereby slowing microbial decomposition and increasing ecosystem carbon accumulation.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Hu & F. S. Chapin & M. K. Firestone & C. B. Field & N. R. Chiariello, 2001. "Nitrogen limitation of microbial decomposition in a grassland under elevated CO2," Nature, Nature, vol. 409(6817), pages 188-191, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:409:y:2001:i:6817:d:10.1038_35051576
    DOI: 10.1038/35051576
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    Cited by:

    1. Jing Wang & Xuesong Wang & Fenli Zheng & Hanmei Wei & Miaomiao Zhao & Jianyu Jiao, 2023. "Ecoenzymatic Stoichiometry Reveals Microbial Carbon and Phosphorus Limitations under Elevated CO 2 , Warming and Drought at Different Winter Wheat Growth Stages," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-24, June.
    2. G. Qi & Q. Wang & W. Zhou & H. Ding & X. Wang & L. Qi & Y. Wang & S. Li & L. Dai, 2011. "Moisture effect on carbon and nitrogen mineralization in topsoil of Changbai Mountain, Northeast China," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 57(8), pages 340-348.
    3. Yang Ruan & Yakov Kuzyakov & Xiaoyu Liu & Xuhui Zhang & Qicheng Xu & Junjie Guo & Shiwei Guo & Qirong Shen & Yunfeng Yang & Ning Ling, 2023. "Elevated temperature and CO2 strongly affect the growth strategies of soil bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Guangyu Li & Cifang Wu, 2017. "Effects of Short-Term Set-Aside Management Practices on Soil Microorganism and Enzyme Activity in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-14, August.
    5. Anna Burns & Roslyn Gleadow & Julie Cliff & Anabela Zacarias & Timothy Cavagnaro, 2010. "Cassava: The Drought, War and Famine Crop in a Changing World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(11), pages 1-36, November.

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