The phosphorus‐rich signature of fire in the soil–plant system: a global meta‐analysis |
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| Authors: | Orpheus M. Butler James J. Elser Tom Lewis Brendan Mackey Chengrong Chen |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Australian Rivers Institute and Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia;2. Flathead Lake Biological Station, University of Montana, Polson, MT;3. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD;4. Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld Australia |
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| Abstract: | The biogeochemical and stoichiometric signature of vegetation fire may influence post‐fire ecosystem characteristics and the evolution of plant ‘fire traits’. Phosphorus (P), a potentially limiting nutrient in many fire‐prone environments, might be particularly important in this context; however, the effects of fire on P cycling often vary widely. We conducted a global‐scale meta‐analysis using data from 174 soil studies and 39 litter studies, and found that fire led to significantly higher concentrations of soil mineral P as well as significantly lower soil and litter carbon:P and nitrogen:P ratios. These results demonstrate that fire has a P‐rich signature in the soil–plant system that varies with vegetation type. Further, they suggest that burning can ease P limitation and decouple the biogeochemical cycling of P, carbon and nitrogen. These effects resemble a transient reversion to an earlier stage of ecosystem development, and likely underpin at least some of fire's impacts on ecosystems and organisms. |
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| Keywords: | biogeochemistry burning ecosystem decline fractionation nutrient limitation pedogenesis stoichiometry succession |
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