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A model of biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus including symbiotic nitrogen fixation and phosphatase production
Author(s) -
Wang Y.P.,
Houlton B. Z.,
Field C. B.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
global biogeochemical cycles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.512
H-Index - 187
eISSN - 1944-9224
pISSN - 0886-6236
DOI - 10.1029/2006gb002797
Subject(s) - biogeochemical cycle , biogeochemistry , nutrient , biosphere , primary production , nutrient cycle , phosphorus , environmental science , ecosystem , nitrogen cycle , nitrogen , carbon cycle , cycling , carbon fibers , carbon fixation , ecology , chemistry , biology , carbon dioxide , computer science , geography , organic chemistry , composite number , archaeology , algorithm
Global climate models have not yet considered the effects of nutrient cycles and limitation when forecasting carbon uptake by the terrestrial biosphere into the future. Using the principle of resource optimization, we here develop a new theory by which C, N, and P cycles interact. Our model is able to replicate the observed responses of net primary production to nutrient additions in N‐limited, N‐ and P‐colimited, and P‐limited terrestrial environments. Our framework identifies a new pathway by which N 2 fixers can alter P availability: By investing in N‐rich, phosphorus liberation enzymes (phosphatases), fixers can greatly accelerate soil P availability and P cycling rates. This interaction is critical for the successful invasion and establishment of N 2 fixers in an N‐limited environment. We conclude that our model can be used to examine nutrient limitation broadly, and thus offers promise for coupling the biogeochemical system of C, N, and P to broader climate‐system models.