Soil nutrients limitations in low-land tropical forests and other tropical forest
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Soil Nutrient Limitations in Lowland and Montane Tropical Forests
Phosphorus Limitation in Lowland Tropical Forests
Phosphorus (P) is widely recognized as a primary limiting nutrient in lowland tropical forests. Multiple studies have demonstrated that P scarcity significantly constrains various biological processes, including microbial activity and tree growth. For instance, a meta-analysis of nutrient addition experiments across tropical forests revealed a predominant phosphorus limitation affecting microbial processes1. Similarly, fertilization experiments in Panama showed that P addition increased root P concentration and reduced fine-root biomass, indicating a strong P limitation4. Furthermore, a study in French Guiana found that P fertilization positively impacted stem growth and foliar P concentrations, underscoring the critical role of P in these ecosystems3.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Co-Limitation
While phosphorus is a major limiting factor, nitrogen (N) also plays a crucial role, particularly in montane tropical forests. Research indicates that montane forests often experience nitrogen limitation, which can shift to phosphorus or combined N and P limitation depending on soil age and other factors2. In lowland forests, there is evidence of N and P co-limitation. For example, a study in Panama demonstrated that the addition of N and P together had the most significant impact on fine-root characteristics, suggesting that both nutrients are essential for optimal growth4. Additionally, a study in Costa Rica found that P additions significantly increased seedling survival and growth, highlighting the importance of considering both N and P limitations in these diverse ecosystems7.
Heterogeneous Nutrient Limitation
Nutrient limitation in tropical forests is not uniform and can vary significantly across different species, soil types, and forest strata. For instance, a study in Panama found that while phosphorus limitation was widespread at the species level, it did not translate into a community-wide response due to the presence of species that thrive on low-P soils6. This heterogeneity is further supported by research showing that different tree species and size classes respond variably to nutrient additions, indicating that nutrient limitation is influenced by a complex interplay of factors7.
Microbial Nutrient Constraints
Soil microbial communities in tropical forests are also subject to nutrient limitations, which can affect the decomposition of organic matter and overall soil health. Studies have shown that microbial processes are predominantly limited by phosphorus, with additional constraints from nitrogen and other nutrients depending on the specific forest type and soil conditions1 8. For example, in a study across various tropical sites, nitrogen was found to be the primary limiting nutrient for fungal growth during cellulose decomposition, while phosphorus addition favored bacterial growth8.
Implications for Forest Management and Conservation
Understanding the nutrient limitations in tropical forests is crucial for effective forest management and conservation strategies. The pervasive phosphorus limitation in lowland forests and the nitrogen limitation in montane forests suggest that targeted fertilization could enhance forest productivity and resilience. However, the heterogeneous nature of nutrient limitation necessitates a nuanced approach that considers species-specific and site-specific nutrient requirements.
Conclusion
In summary, phosphorus is a critical limiting nutrient in lowland tropical forests, while nitrogen plays a more significant role in montane forests. Both nutrients can co-limit growth and productivity, and their effects are modulated by various factors, including species composition and soil characteristics. Addressing these nutrient limitations through targeted management practices could improve the health and sustainability of tropical forests.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Nutrient limitation of soil microbial processes in tropical forests
Phosphorus limitation is predominant and general in limiting soil microbial biomass and process rates in tropical forests, impacting biogeochemical cycles and future functioning.
Meta-Analysis
Highly CitedEXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF NUTRIENT LIMITATION OF FOREST GROWTH ON WET TROPICAL MOUNTAINS
Tropical montane rain forests are limited by low nutrient supply, with N being the most prevalent limitation factor, and low P and P levels in lowland forests suggesting P limitation in lowland forests.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedPhosphorus scarcity contributes to nitrogen limitation in lowland tropical rainforests.
Phosphorus scarcity contributes to nitrogen limitation in lowland tropical rainforests, with potential N-fixer species showing greater growth and foliar N than non-N-fixer species.
Fine-root responses to fertilization reveal multiple nutrient limitation in a lowland tropical forest.
Fine-root characteristics in a lowland tropical forest respond to long-term nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization, revealing multiple nutrient limitations and their impact on tree growth and mycorrhizal colonization.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedPlant responses to fertilization experiments in lowland, species-rich, tropical forests.
Plant growth responses to fertilization in lowland tropical forests are weaker in old growth forests and stronger in secondary forests, with no clear evidence supporting the strong-to-weaker hypothesis for phosphorus addition.
Meta-AnalysisRigorous JournalHighly CitedPervasive phosphorus limitation of tree species but not communities in tropical forests
Phosphorus limitation is widespread in tropical tree species, but not in communities, as some species grow rapidly on infertile soils despite low phosphorus availability.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedA direct test of nitrogen and phosphorus limitation to net primary productivity in a lowland tropical wet forest.
Phosphorus availability significantly drives plant processes in lowland tropical forests, with diverse responses among taxa, size classes, and functional groups, potentially affecting carbon cycling.
Non-RCTHighly CitedNutrient limitations to bacterial and fungal growth during cellulose decomposition in tropical forest soils
Nitrogen constrains fungal growth and cellulose decomposition in both lowland and montane tropical forest soils, but additional nutrients may play a critical role in balancing fungal and bacterial decomposition of cellulose.
Highly CitedAssessing nutrient limitation in complex forested ecosystems: alternatives to large-scale fertilization experiments.
Combining multiple methods, including soil nutrient supply indicators, organismal indicators, and lab-based experiments, can help understand nutrient limitation in complex forested ecosystems like tropical forests.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedEcoenzymatic stoichiometry of microbial nutrient acquisition in tropical soils
Microbial growth efficiency in tropical soils is low, indicating that phosphorus availability may influence carbon cycling in highly weathered soils.
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