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The phosphorus‐rich signature of fire in the soil–plant system: a global meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Butler Orpheus M.,
Elser James J.,
Lewis Tom,
Mackey Brendan,
Chen Chengrong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.12896
Subject(s) - biogeochemical cycle , environmental science , ecosystem , vegetation (pathology) , context (archaeology) , fire regime , soil carbon , nitrogen cycle , litter , phosphorus , ecology , cycling , nutrient cycle , vegetation type , nitrogen , soil water , soil science , biology , forestry , chemistry , geography , grassland , medicine , paleontology , organic chemistry , pathology
The biogeochemical and stoichiometric signature of vegetation fire may influence post‐fire ecosystem characteristics and the evolution of plant ‘fire traits’. Phosphorus (P), a potentially limiting nutrient in many fire‐prone environments, might be particularly important in this context; however, the effects of fire on P cycling often vary widely. We conducted a global‐scale meta‐analysis using data from 174 soil studies and 39 litter studies, and found that fire led to significantly higher concentrations of soil mineral P as well as significantly lower soil and litter carbon:P and nitrogen:P ratios. These results demonstrate that fire has a P‐rich signature in the soil–plant system that varies with vegetation type. Further, they suggest that burning can ease P limitation and decouple the biogeochemical cycling of P, carbon and nitrogen. These effects resemble a transient reversion to an earlier stage of ecosystem development, and likely underpin at least some of fire's impacts on ecosystems and organisms.