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Climatic modifiers of the response to nitrogen deposition in peat‐forming Sphagnum mosses: a meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Limpens J.,
Granath G.,
Gunnarsson U.,
Aerts R.,
Bayley S.,
Bragazza L.,
Bubier J.,
Buttler A.,
van den Berg L. J. L.,
Francez AJ.,
Gerdol R.,
Grosvernier P.,
Heijmans M. M. P. D.,
Hoosbeek M. R.,
Hotes S.,
Ilomets M.,
Leith I.,
Mitchell E. A. D.,
Moore T.,
Nilsson M. B.,
Nordbakken JF.,
Rochefort L.,
Rydin H.,
Sheppard L. J.,
Thormann M.,
Wiedermann M. M.,
Williams B. L.,
Xu B.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03680.x
Subject(s) - sphagnum , peat , deposition (geology) , nitrogen , bog , ecology , botany , environmental science , moss , biology , chemistry , paleontology , sediment , organic chemistry
Summary• Peatlands in the northern hemisphere have accumulated more atmospheric carbon (C) during the Holocene than any other terrestrial ecosystem, making peatlands long‐term C sinks of global importance. Projected increases in nitrogen (N) deposition and temperature make future accumulation rates uncertain. • Here, we assessed the impact of N deposition on peatland C sequestration potential by investigating the effects of experimental N addition on Sphagnum moss. We employed meta‐regressions to the results of 107 field experiments, accounting for sampling dependence in the data. • We found that high N loading (comprising N application rate, experiment duration, background N deposition) depressed Sphagnum production relative to untreated controls. The interactive effects of presence of competitive vascular plants and high tissue N concentrations indicated intensified biotic interactions and altered nutrient stochiometry as mechanisms underlying the detrimental N effects. Importantly, a higher summer temperature (mean for July) and increasedannual precipitation intensified the negative effects of N. The temperature effect was comparable to an experimental application of almost 4 g N m −2 yr −1 for each 1°C increase. • Our results indicate that current rates of N deposition in a warmer environment will strongly inhibit C sequestration by Sphagnum ‐dominated vegetation.