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Abstract Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) is a key ecological process whose impact depends on the strategy of SNF regulation—the degree to which rates of SNF change in response to limitation by N versus other resources. SNF that is obligate or exhibits incomplete downregulation can result in excess N fixation, whereas a facultative SNF strategy does not. We hypothesized that tree‐based SNF strategies differed by latitude (tropical vs. temperate) and symbiotic type (actinorhizal vs. rhizobial). Specifically, we expected tropical rhizobial symbioses to display strongly facultative SNF as an explanation of their success in low‐latitude forests. In this study we used15N isotope dilution field experiments in New York, Oregon, and Hawaii to determine SNF strategies in six N‐fixing tree symbioses. Nitrogen fertilization with +10 and +15 g N m−2 year−1for 4–5 years alleviated N limitation in all taxa, paving the way to determine SNF strategies. Contrary to our hypothesis, all six of the symbioses we studied sustained SNF even at high N.Robinia pseudoacacia(temperate rhizobial) fixed 91% of its N (%Ndfa) in controls, compared to 64% and 59% in the +10 and +15 g N m−2 year−1treatments. ForAlnus rubra(temperate actinorhizal), %Ndfawas 95%, 70%, and 60%. For the tropical species, %Ndfawas 86%, 80%, and 82% forGliricidia sepium(rhizobial); 79%, 69%, and 67% forCasuarina equisetifolia(actinorhizal); 91%, 42%, and 67% forAcacia koa(rhizobial); and 60%, 51%, and 19% forMorella faya(actinorhizal). Fertilization with phosphorus did not stimulate tree growth or SNF. These results suggest that the latitudinal abundance distribution of N‐fixing trees is not caused by a shift in SNF strategy. They also help explain the excess N in many forests where N fixers are common.
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This content will become publicly available on May 2, 2026
Evidence for the Coupling of Plant Functional Diversity and Soil Biogeochemistry Under Climatic Stress in Pacific Northwest Grasslands
Abstract Increasing warming and drought severity are projected for the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and are expected to negatively impact species composition and ecosystem function. In this study, we test the hypothesis that the impact of climatic stress (i.e., experimental warming and drought) on PNW grasslands are mediated by interactions between plant functional diversity and soil biogeochemical processes, including symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation in legumes and free‐living asymbiotic nitrogen fixation (ANF) by soil microorganisms. To test this hypothesis, we measured the response of plants and soils to three years of warming (+2.5°C) and drought (−40% precipitation) in field experiments replicated at three different sites across a ∼520‐km latitudinal gradient. We observed interactive effects of warming and drought on functional diversity and soil biogeochemical properties, including both positive and negative changes in ANF. Although direct measurements of symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) rates were not conducted, the observed variations in ANF, in conjunction with changes in legume cover, suggest a compensatory mechanism that may offset reductions in SNF. Generally, high ANF rates coincided with low legume cover, suggesting a connection between shifts in species composition and N cycling. Our ANF estimates were performed using isotopically labeled dinitrogen (15N2) in tandem with soil carbon (C), phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe), pH, and moisture content. Along the latitudinal drought severity gradient, ANF rates were correlated with changes in species composition and soil N, P, moisture, and pH levels. These results highlight the importance of soil‐plant‐atmosphere interactions in understanding the impacts of climatic stress on ecosystem composition and function.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2319597
- PAR ID:
- 10587391
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences
- Volume:
- 130
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 2169-8953
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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