Chronic Nitrogen Enrichment at the Watershed Scale Does Not Enhance Microbial Phosphorus Limitation

Corianne Tatariw, Jean D. MacRae, Ivan J. Fernandez, Marie Cécile Gruselle, Cayce J. Salvino, Kevin S. Simon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Increased N inputs through chronic atmospheric deposition has enriched temperate forest ecosystems, altering critical ecosystem functions such as decomposition and potentially resulting in a shift to P limitation. We used a combination of microbial biomass stoichiometry and enzymatic activity analyses to evaluate the potential for microbial nutrient limitation over the course of a growing season in response to multi-decadal, whole-watershed N enrichments and a one time, plot-scale P addition that occurred in the 22nd year of whole-watershed treatments. The one-time P addition increased microbial biomass threefold and reduced N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) and acid phosphatase (AP) activity 1 week after application, but there was no interaction with long-term experimental N enrichment to indicate a shift to P limitation. However, both N and P treatments increased C limitation independently of each other over the duration of the study based on measured increases in β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) activity relative to NAG and AP. Microbial biomass stoichiometry and enzyme activity indicated that BBWM is P limited regardless of N status. Our findings highlight the complex interactions between C, N, and P use and limitation in a forested ecosystem subjected to long-term N enrichment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)178-189
Number of pages12
JournalEcosystems
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Ecology

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