Shifts in lake N: P stoichiometry and nutrient limitation driven by atmospheric nitrogen deposition
Science
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Abstract
Human activities have more than doubled the amount of nitrogen (N) circulating in the biosphere. One major pathway of this anthropogenic N input into ecosystems has been increased regional deposition from the atmosphere. Here we show that atmospheric N deposition increased the stoichiometric ratio of N and phosphorus (P) in lakes in Norway, Sweden, and Colorado, United States, and, as a result, patterns of ecological nutrient limitation were shifted. Under low N deposition, phytoplankton growth is generally N-limited; however, in high-N deposition lakes, phytoplankton growth is consistently P-limited. Continued anthropogenic amplification of the global N cycle will further alter ecological processes, such as biogeochemical cycling, trophic dynamics, and biological diversity, in the world's lakes, even in lakes far from direct human disturbance.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Shifts in lake N: P stoichiometry and nutrient limitation driven by atmospheric nitrogen deposition |
| Series title | Science |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.1176199 |
| Volume | 326 |
| Issue | 5954 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Science |
| First page | 835 |
| Last page | 837 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |