A global dataset of phosphorus addition experiments in terrestrial ecosystems

Phosphorus (P) limitation of aboveground plant production is usually assumed to occur in tropical regions but rarely elsewhere. Here we report that P limitation of aboveground plant production is more widespread and much stronger than previously estimated. In our meta-analysis of 652 P-addition field experiments described in 285 published studies, almost half (46.2%) of the experiments reveal a significant P limitation on aboveground plant production. Globally, P additions increase aboveground plant production by 34.9% in natural terrestrial ecosystems, which is 7.0–15.9% higher than that previously suggested. In croplands, in contrast, P additions increase aboveground plant production by only 13.9%; this increase is less than in natural terrestrial ecosystems probably because of historical fertilizations of croplands. The magnitude of P limitation also differs among climate zones and regions, and is evidently driven by climate, ecosystem properties, and fertilization regimes. In addition to confirming that P limitation is widespread in tropical regions, our study also demonstrates that P limitation often occurs in other regions. Our results suggest that previous studies have underestimated the importance of altered P supply on aboveground plant production in natural terrestrial ecosystems. Paper on this dataset is, in principle,accepted for publication in Nature Communications (updated 18th December, 2019).