Shifts in soil ammonia-oxidizing community maintain the nitrogen stimulation of nitrification across climatic conditions

Yong Zhang, Xiaoli Cheng, Kees Jan van Groenigen, Pablo García-Palacios, Junji Cao, Xunhua Zheng, Yiqi Luo, Bruce A. Hungate, Cesar Terrer, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl, Jørgen Eivind Olesen, Ji Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loading alters soil ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) abundances, likely leading to substantial changes in soil nitrification. However, the factors and mechanisms determining the responses of soil AOA:AOB and nitrification to N loading are still unclear, making it difficult to predict future changes in soil nitrification. Herein, we synthesize 68 field studies around the world to evaluate the impacts of N loading on soil ammonia oxidizers and nitrification. Across a wide range of biotic and abiotic factors, climate is the most important driver of the responses of AOA:AOB to N loading. Climate does not directly affect the N-stimulation of nitrification, but does so via climate-related shifts in AOA:AOB. Specifically, climate modulates the responses of AOA:AOB to N loading by affecting soil pH, N-availability and moisture. AOB play a dominant role in affecting nitrification in dry climates, while the impacts from AOA can exceed AOB in humid climates. Together, these results suggest that climate-related shifts in soil ammonia-oxidizing community maintain the N-stimulation of nitrification, highlighting the importance of microbial community composition in mediating the responses of the soil N cycle to N loading.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere16989
JournalGlobal change biology
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2024

Keywords

  • ammonia oxidizers
  • climate change
  • microbial community structure
  • nitrification
  • nitrogen addition
  • soil properties

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Global and Planetary Change
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Ecology
  • General Environmental Science

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