In:
New Phytologist, Wiley, Vol. 183, No. 4 ( 2009-09), p. 980-992
Abstract:
Ratios of nitrogen (N) isotopes in leaves could elucidate underlying patterns of N cycling across ecological gradients. To better understand global‐scale patterns of N cycling, we compiled data on foliar N isotope ratios (δ 15 N), foliar N concentrations, mycorrhizal type and climate for over 11 000 plants worldwide. Arbuscular mycorrhizal, ectomycorrhizal, and ericoid mycorrhizal plants were depleted in foliar δ 15 N by 2‰, 3.2‰, 5.9‰, respectively, relative to nonmycorrhizal plants. Foliar δ 15 N increased with decreasing mean annual precipitation and with increasing mean annual temperature (MAT) across sites with MAT ≥ −0.5°C, but was invariant with MAT across sites with MAT 〈 −0.5°C. In independent landscape‐level to regional‐level studies, foliar δ 15 N increased with increasing N availability; at the global scale, foliar δ 15 N increased with increasing foliar N concentrations and decreasing foliar phosphorus (P) concentrations. Together, these results suggest that warm, dry ecosystems have the highest N availability, while plants with high N concentrations, on average, occupy sites with higher N availability than plants with low N concentrations. Global‐scale comparisons of other components of the N cycle are still required for better mechanistic understanding of the determinants of variation in foliar δ 15 N and ultimately global patterns in N cycling.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0028-646X
,
1469-8137
DOI:
10.1111/nph.2009.183.issue-4
DOI:
10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02917.x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2009
detail.hit.zdb_id:
208885-X
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1472194-6
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