Global distribution and drivers of relative contributions among soil nitrogen sources to terrestrial plants

Chao-Chen Hu, Xue-Yan Liu (), Avery W. Driscoll, Yuan-Wen Kuang, E. N. Jack Brookshire, Xiao-Tao Lü, Chong-Juan Chen, Wei Song, Rong Mao, Cong-Qiang Liu and Benjamin Z. Houlton
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Chao-Chen Hu: Tianjin University
Xue-Yan Liu: Tianjin University
Avery W. Driscoll: Colorado State University
Yuan-Wen Kuang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
E. N. Jack Brookshire: Montana State University
Xiao-Tao Lü: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chong-Juan Chen: Tianjin University
Wei Song: Tianjin University
Rong Mao: Jiangxi Agricultural University
Cong-Qiang Liu: Tianjin University
Benjamin Z. Houlton: Cornell University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Soil extractable nitrate, ammonium, and organic nitrogen (N) are essential N sources supporting primary productivity and regulating species composition of terrestrial plants. However, it remains unclear how plants utilize these N sources and how surface-earth environments regulate plant N utilization. Here, we establish a framework to analyze observational data of natural N isotopes in plants and soils globally, we quantify fractional contributions of soil nitrate (fNO3-), ammonium (fNH4+), and organic N (fEON) to plant-used N in soils. We find that mean annual temperature (MAT), not mean annual precipitation or atmospheric N deposition, regulates global variations of fNO3-, fNH4+, and fEON. The fNO3- increases with MAT, reaching 46% at 28.5 °C. The fNH4+ also increases with MAT, achieving a maximum of 46% at 14.4 °C, showing a decline as temperatures further increase. Meanwhile, the fEON gradually decreases with MAT, stabilizing at about 20% when the MAT exceeds 15 °C. These results clarify global plant N-use patterns and reveal temperature rather than human N loading as a key regulator, which should be considered in evaluating influences of global changes on terrestrial ecosystems.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50674-6

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