Carbon cost of plant nitrogen acquisition: A mechanistic, globally applicable model of plant nitrogen uptake, retranslocation, and fixation

Fisher, J.B.; Sitch, S.; Malhi, Y.; Fisher, R.A.; Huntingford, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5941-7770; Tan, S.-Y.. 2010 Carbon cost of plant nitrogen acquisition: A mechanistic, globally applicable model of plant nitrogen uptake, retranslocation, and fixation. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 24, GB1014. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GB003621

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Abstract/Summary

Nitrogen (N) generally limits plant growth and controls biosphere responses to climate change. We introduce a new mathematical model of plant N acquisition, called Fixation and Uptake of Nitrogen (FUN), based on active and passive soil N uptake, leaf N retranslocation, and biological N fixation. This model is unified under the theoretical framework of carbon (C) cost economics, or resource optimization. FUN specifies C allocated to N acquisition as well as remaining C for growth, or N-limitation to growth. We test the model with data from a wide range of sites (observed versus predicted N uptake r2 is 0.89, and RMSE is 0.003 kg N m−2·yr−1). Four model tests are performed: (1) fixers versus nonfixers under primary succession; (2) response to N fertilization; (3) response to CO2 fertilization; and (4) changes in vegetation C from potential soil N trajectories for five DGVMs (HYLAND, LPJ, ORCHIDEE, SDGVM, and TRIFFID) under four IPCC scenarios. Nonfixers surpass the productivity of fixers after ∼150–180 years in this scenario. FUN replicates the N uptake response in the experimental N fertilization from a modeled N fertilization. However, FUN cannot replicate the N uptake response in the experimental CO2 fertilization from a modeled CO2 fertilization; nonetheless, the correct response is obtained when differences in root biomass are included. Finally, N-limitation decreases biomass by 50 Pg C on average globally for the DGVMs. We propose this model as being suitable for inclusion in the new generation of Earth system models that aim to describe the global N cycle.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GB003621
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry > CC01B Land-surface Feedbacks in the Climate System > CC01.8 Land-surface feedbacks through energy and water cycles CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry > CC01B Land-surface Feedbacks in the Climate System > CC01.7 Land carbon cycle feedbacks on climate change
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Harding (to July 2011)
ISSN:	0886-6236
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	29 Mar 2010 14:37 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/9552

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