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Soil fertility limits carbon sequestration by forest ecosystems in a CO2-enriched atmosphere

Author

Listed:
  • Ram Oren

    (Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University)

  • David S. Ellsworth

    (School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan
    Brookhaven National Laboratory)

  • Kurt H. Johnsen

    (Southern Research Station, US Forest Service)

  • Nathan Phillips

    (Boston University)

  • Brent E. Ewers

    (Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University)

  • Chris Maier

    (Southern Research Station, US Forest Service)

  • Karina V.R. Schäfer

    (Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University)

  • Heather McCarthy

    (Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University)

  • George Hendrey

    (Brookhaven National Laboratory)

  • Steven G. McNulty

    (Southern Global Climate Change Program, US Forest Service)

  • Gabriel G. Katul

    (Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University)

Abstract

Northern mid-latitude forests are a large terrestrial carbon sink1,2,3,4. Ignoring nutrient limitations, large increases in carbon sequestration from carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization are expected in these forests5. Yet, forests are usually relegated to sites of moderate to poor fertility, where tree growth is often limited by nutrient supply, in particular nitrogen6,7. Here we present evidence that estimates of increases in carbon sequestration of forests, which is expected to partially compensate for increasing CO2 in the atmosphere, are unduly optimistic8. In two forest experiments on maturing pines exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2, the CO2-induced biomass carbon increment without added nutrients was undetectable at a nutritionally poor site, and the stimulation at a nutritionally moderate site was transient, stabilizing at a marginal gain after three years. However, a large synergistic gain from higher CO2 and nutrients was detected with nutrients added. This gain was even larger at the poor site (threefold higher than the expected additive effect) than at the moderate site (twofold higher). Thus, fertility can restrain the response of wood carbon sequestration to increased atmospheric CO2. Assessment of future carbon sequestration should consider the limitations imposed by soil fertility, as well as interactions with nitrogen deposition.

Suggested Citation

  • Ram Oren & David S. Ellsworth & Kurt H. Johnsen & Nathan Phillips & Brent E. Ewers & Chris Maier & Karina V.R. Schäfer & Heather McCarthy & George Hendrey & Steven G. McNulty & Gabriel G. Katul, 2001. "Soil fertility limits carbon sequestration by forest ecosystems in a CO2-enriched atmosphere," Nature, Nature, vol. 411(6836), pages 469-472, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:411:y:2001:i:6836:d:10.1038_35078064
    DOI: 10.1038/35078064
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bielsa, Jorge & Cazcarro, Ignacio & Sancho, Yolanda, 2011. "Integration of hydrological and economic approaches to water and land management in Mediterranean climates: an initial case study in agriculture," MPRA Paper 36445, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Zhonghe Zhao & Gaohuan Liu & Naixia Mou & Yichun Xie & Zengrang Xu & Yong Li, 2018. "Assessment of Carbon Storage and Its Influencing Factors in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Tong Qiu & Robert Andrus & Marie-Claire Aravena & Davide Ascoli & Yves Bergeron & Roberta Berretti & Daniel Berveiller & Michal Bogdziewicz & Thomas Boivin & Raul Bonal & Don C. Bragg & Thomas Caignar, 2022. "Limits to reproduction and seed size-number trade-offs that shape forest dominance and future recovery," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Fangzheng Li & Shasha Lu & Yinan Sun & Xiong Li & Benye Xi & Weiqi Liu, 2015. "Integrated Evaluation and Scenario Simulation for Forest Ecological Security of Beijing Based on System Dynamics Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(10), pages 1-29, October.
    5. Gaohuan Liu & Zhonghe Zhao, 2018. "Analysis of Carbon Storage and Its Contributing Factors—A Case Study in the Loess Plateau (China)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Mohamed Hemida Abd-Alla & Salem M. Al-Amri & Abdel-Wahab Elsadek El-Enany, 2023. "Enhancing Rhizobium –Legume Symbiosis and Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Are Potential Options for Mitigating Climate Change," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-26, November.
    7. Leilei Ding & Puchang Wang & Wen Zhang & Yu Zhang & Shige Li & Xin Wei & Xi Chen & Yujun Zhang & Fuli Yang, 2019. "Shrub Encroachment Shapes Soil Nutrient Concentration, Stoichiometry and Carbon Storage in an Abandoned Subalpine Grassland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, March.
    8. Churkina, Galina, 2008. "Modeling the carbon cycle of urban systems," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 216(2), pages 107-113.
    9. Cairns, Robert D. & Lasserre, Pierre, 2006. "Implementing carbon credits for forests based on green accounting," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 56(4), pages 610-621, April.
    10. I. Tomášková & R. Pokorný & M. V. Marek, 2007. "Influence of stand density, thinning and elevated CO2 on stem wood density of spruce," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 53(9), pages 400-405.
    11. Kefi, Sonia & Rietkerk, Max & Katul, Gabriel G., 2008. "Vegetation pattern shift as a result of rising atmospheric CO2 in arid ecosystems," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 74(4), pages 332-344.
    12. Binkley, Clark S. & Brand, David & Harkin, Zoe & Bull, Gary & Ravindranath, N. H. & Obersteiner, Michael & Nilsson, Sten & Yamagata, Yoshiki & Krott, Max, 2002. "Carbon sink by the forest sector--options and needs for implementation," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 4(1), pages 65-77, May.

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