An experimental test of the hypothesis of non‐homeostatic consumer stoichiometry in a plant litter–microbe system |
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Authors: | Nicolas Fanin,Nathalie Fromin,Bruno Buatois,Stephan Hä ttenschwiler |
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Abstract: | Stoichiometric homeostasis of heterotrophs is a common, but not always well‐examined premise in ecological stoichiometry. We experimentally evaluated the relationship between substrate (plant litter) and consumer (microorganisms) stoichiometry for a tropical terrestrial decomposer system. Variation in microbial C : P and N : P ratios tracked that of the soluble litter fraction, but not that of bulk leaf litter material. Microbial N and P were not isometrically related, suggesting higher rates of P than N sequestration in microbial biomass. Shifts in microbial stoichiometry were related to changes in microbial community structure. Our results indicate that P in dissolved form is a major driver of terrestrial microbial stoichiometry, similar to aquatic environments. The demonstrated relative plasticity in microbial C : P and N : P and the critical role of P have important implications for theoretical modelling and contribute to a process‐based understanding of stoichiometric relationships and the flow of elements across trophic levels in decomposer systems. |
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Keywords: | C  :  N  :  P stoichiometry community structure heterotrophs homeostasis microbial decomposers phosphorus soluble compounds |
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