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Global analysis of nitrogen and phosphorus limitation of primary producers in freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems
Author(s) -
Elser James J.,
Bracken Matthew E.S.,
Cleland Elsa E.,
Gruner Daniel S.,
Harpole W. Stanley,
Hillebrand Helmut,
Ngai Jacqueline T.,
Seabloom Eric W.,
Shurin Jonathan B.,
Smith Jennifer E.
Publication year - 2007
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/j.1461-0248.2007.01113.x
Subject(s) - terrestrial ecosystem , ecosystem , ecology , marine ecosystem , freshwater ecosystem , habitat , nutrient , phosphorus , terrestrial plant , marine habitats , environmental science , primary producers , biology , chemistry , phytoplankton , organic chemistry
The cycles of the key nutrient elements nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) have been massively altered by anthropogenic activities. Thus, it is essential to understand how photosynthetic production across diverse ecosystems is, or is not, limited by N and P. Via a large‐scale meta‐analysis of experimental enrichments, we show that P limitation is equally strong across these major habitats and that N and P limitation are equivalent within both terrestrial and freshwater systems. Furthermore, simultaneous N and P enrichment produces strongly positive synergistic responses in all three environments. Thus, contrary to some prevailing paradigms, freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems are surprisingly similar in terms of N and P limitation.