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Microbial processing of plant remains is co‐limited by multiple nutrients in global grasslands
Author(s) -
OchoaHueso Raúl,
Borer Elizabeth T.,
Seabloom Eric W.,
Hobbie Sarah E.,
Risch Anita C.,
Collins Scott L.,
Alberti Juan,
Bahamonde Héctor A.,
Brown Cynthia S.,
Caldeira Maria C.,
Daleo Pedro,
Dickman Chris R.,
Ebeling Anne,
Eisenhauer Nico,
Esch Ellen H.,
Eskelinen Anu,
Fernández Victoria,
Güsewell Sabine,
GutierrezLarruga Blanca,
Hofmockel Kirsten,
Laungani Ramesh,
Lind Eric,
López Andrea,
McCulley Rebecca L.,
Moore Joslin L.,
Peri Pablo L.,
Power Sally A.,
Price Jodi N.,
Prober Suzanne M.,
Roscher Christiane,
Sarneel Judith M.,
Schütz Martin,
Siebert Julia,
Standish Rachel J.,
Velasco Ayuso Sergio,
Virtanen Risto,
Wardle Glenda M.,
Wiehl Georg,
Yahdjian Laura,
Zamin Tara
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
global change biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.146
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1365-2486
pISSN - 1354-1013
DOI - 10.1111/gcb.15146
Subject(s) - nutrient , environmental science , ecosystem , agronomy , nutrient cycle , soil fertility , phosphorus , grassland , soil water , soil organic matter , organic matter , ecology , biology , chemistry , soil science , organic chemistry
Abstract Microbial processing of aggregate‐unprotected organic matter inputs is key for soil fertility, long‐term ecosystem carbon and nutrient sequestration and sustainable agriculture. We investigated the effects of adding multiple nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plus nine essential macro‐ and micro‐nutrients) on decomposition and biochemical transformation of standard plant materials buried in 21 grasslands from four continents. Addition of multiple nutrients weakly but consistently increased decomposition and biochemical transformation of plant remains during the peak‐season, concurrent with changes in microbial exoenzymatic activity. Higher mean annual precipitation and lower mean annual temperature were the main climatic drivers of higher decomposition rates, while biochemical transformation of plant remains was negatively related to temperature of the wettest quarter. Nutrients enhanced decomposition most at cool, high rainfall sites, indicating that in a warmer and drier future fertilized grassland soils will have an even more limited potential for microbial processing of plant remains.