Divergent responses of plant multi-element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppe

Abstract The intricate biogeochemical cycling of multiple elements plays a pivotal role in upholding a myriad of ecosystem functions. However, our understanding of elemental stoichiometry and coupling in response to global changes remains primarily limited to plant carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus (C: N...

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Main Authors: Yang Yang, Meini Jin, Jushan Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06129-1
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author Yang Yang
Meini Jin
Jushan Liu
author_facet Yang Yang
Meini Jin
Jushan Liu
author_sort Yang Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The intricate biogeochemical cycling of multiple elements plays a pivotal role in upholding a myriad of ecosystem functions. However, our understanding of elemental stoichiometry and coupling in response to global changes remains primarily limited to plant carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus (C: N: P). Here, we assessed the responses of 11 elements in plants from different functional groups to global changes. Investigating the stoichiometric ratios and interrelationships of these elements in response to global change is crucial for advancing our understanding of nutrient cycling dynamics in ecosystems. We found that N deposition induced stoichiometric imbalances in Gramineae, leading to a reduction in elemental coupling. This disruption in elemental coupling could potentially affect plant growth and ecosystem functioning. However, leguminous plants, which possess specialized nitrogen fixation mechanisms, were unaffected, suggesting that their ability to independently regulate N may help them maintain stable nutrient ratios despite external N inputs. These findings highlight functional differences among plant groups in their response to global changes, with important implications for ecosystem resilience and nutrient dynamics. In summary, these diverse responses underscore the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms to be able to better predict the future trajectory of terrestrial biogeochemical cycles under global N enrichment.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-a234ab1e10974a1dbc0152447185d0ab2025-01-26T12:23:22ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-01-0125111310.1186/s12870-025-06129-1Divergent responses of plant multi-element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppeYang Yang0Meini Jin1Jushan Liu2Institute of Grassland Science, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal UniversityInstitute of Grassland Science, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal UniversityInstitute of Grassland Science, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal UniversityAbstract The intricate biogeochemical cycling of multiple elements plays a pivotal role in upholding a myriad of ecosystem functions. However, our understanding of elemental stoichiometry and coupling in response to global changes remains primarily limited to plant carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus (C: N: P). Here, we assessed the responses of 11 elements in plants from different functional groups to global changes. Investigating the stoichiometric ratios and interrelationships of these elements in response to global change is crucial for advancing our understanding of nutrient cycling dynamics in ecosystems. We found that N deposition induced stoichiometric imbalances in Gramineae, leading to a reduction in elemental coupling. This disruption in elemental coupling could potentially affect plant growth and ecosystem functioning. However, leguminous plants, which possess specialized nitrogen fixation mechanisms, were unaffected, suggesting that their ability to independently regulate N may help them maintain stable nutrient ratios despite external N inputs. These findings highlight functional differences among plant groups in their response to global changes, with important implications for ecosystem resilience and nutrient dynamics. In summary, these diverse responses underscore the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms to be able to better predict the future trajectory of terrestrial biogeochemical cycles under global N enrichment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06129-1MacroelementMicroelementPlant functional groupsStoichiometryMulti-element couplingNutrient use efficiency
spellingShingle Yang Yang
Meini Jin
Jushan Liu
Divergent responses of plant multi-element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppe
BMC Plant Biology
Macroelement
Microelement
Plant functional groups
Stoichiometry
Multi-element coupling
Nutrient use efficiency
title Divergent responses of plant multi-element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppe
title_full Divergent responses of plant multi-element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppe
title_fullStr Divergent responses of plant multi-element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppe
title_full_unstemmed Divergent responses of plant multi-element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppe
title_short Divergent responses of plant multi-element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppe
title_sort divergent responses of plant multi element coupling to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a meadow steppe
topic Macroelement
Microelement
Plant functional groups
Stoichiometry
Multi-element coupling
Nutrient use efficiency
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06129-1
work_keys_str_mv AT yangyang divergentresponsesofplantmultielementcouplingtonitrogenandphosphorusadditioninameadowsteppe
AT meinijin divergentresponsesofplantmultielementcouplingtonitrogenandphosphorusadditioninameadowsteppe
AT jushanliu divergentresponsesofplantmultielementcouplingtonitrogenandphosphorusadditioninameadowsteppe