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A unifying framework for dinitrogen fixation in the terrestrial biosphere

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  • Benjamin Z. Houlton

    (Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
    Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford, California 94305, USA
    Present address: Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA.)

  • Ying-Ping Wang

    (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research and Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, Aspendale VIC 3195, Victoria, Australia)

  • Peter M. Vitousek

    (Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA)

  • Christopher B. Field

    (Carnegie Institution of Washington, Stanford, California 94305, USA)

Abstract

Nitrogen fixation: The forest paradox In contrast to marine environments, nitrogen fixation in temperate and tropical forests seems not to obey the law of supply and demand. Symbiotic trees that fix atmospheric nitrogen are more abundant in the tropics, where nitrogen is readily available in the soil, than in mature temperate forests where it is scarce. A possible explanation of this paradox is offered in a model that takes account of two extra factors: temperature and phosphorus abundance. In phosphate-limited soils, nitrogen-fixers may gain an advantage in the form of enhanced phosphate acquisition. And at high latitudes, the temperature may limit nitrogen fixation.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Z. Houlton & Ying-Ping Wang & Peter M. Vitousek & Christopher B. Field, 2008. "A unifying framework for dinitrogen fixation in the terrestrial biosphere," Nature, Nature, vol. 454(7202), pages 327-330, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:454:y:2008:i:7202:d:10.1038_nature07028
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07028
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    Cited by:

    1. J. Hakl & E. Kunzová & J. Konečná, 2016. "Impact of long-term organic and mineral fertilization on lucerne forage yield over an 8-year period," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 62(1), pages 36-41.
    2. Meighen Whitehead & Marney E. Isaac, 2012. "Effects of Shade on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Acquisition in Cereal-Legume Intercropping Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 2(1), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Tipping, E. & Rowe, E.C. & Evans, C.D. & Mills, R.T.E. & Emmett, B.A. & Chaplow, J.S. & Hall, J.R., 2012. "N14C: A plant–soil nitrogen and carbon cycling model to simulate terrestrial ecosystem responses to atmospheric nitrogen deposition," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 11-26.
    4. Reichert, Tatiana & Rammig, Anja & Papastefanou, Phillip & Lugli, Laynara F. & Darela Filho, João P. & Gregor, Konstantin & Fuchslueger, Lucia & Quesada, Carlos A. & Fleischer, Katrin, 2023. "Modeling the carbon costs of plant phosphorus acquisition in Amazonian forests," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 485(C).
    5. Wojciech Bierza & Joanna Czarnecka & Agnieszka Błońska & Agnieszka Kompała-Bąba & Agnieszka Hutniczak & Bartosz Jendrzejek & Jawdat Bakr & Andrzej M. Jagodziński & Dariusz Prostański & Gabriela Woźnia, 2023. "Plant Diversity and Species Composition in Relation to Soil Enzymatic Activity in the Novel Ecosystems of Urban–Industrial Landscapes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, April.

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