Global patterns of leaf litter C:N:P stoichiometry under current and future climate scenarios
Yuan, Ji (Fujian Normal University)
Wu, Qiqian (Zhejiang A & F University)
Li, Zimin (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Institute of Earth Environment)
Peñuelas, Josep (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Sardans i Galobart, Jordi (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Peng, Changhui (University of Quebec at Montreal. Institute of Environment Sciences)
Peng, Yan (Fujian Normal University)
Fan, Yuexin (Fujian Normal University)
Heděnec, Petr (University Malaysia Terengganu. Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development)
Yuan, Chaoxiang (Fujian Normal University)
An, Nannan (Fujian Normal University)
Wu, Fuzhong (Fujian Normal University)
Yue, Kai (Fujian Normal University)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	Plant litter carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry can indicate ecosystem nutrient use efficiency and limitation. Yet, a comprehensive quantification of plant litter C:N:P ratios at the global scale remains elusive, limiting our understanding of how their variation responds to future climate change. We constructed a database comprising 11,807 records of leaf litter C:N:P ratios, quantifying their global patterns under current and future (2041-2100) climate scenarios using the random forest method. We found that global mean leaf litter C:N, C:P and N:P ratios were 46. 5, 669. 4 and 16, respectively, while they were dependent on mycorrhizal association, taxonomic division, and/or plant functional type. Leaf litter C:N and N:P ratios showed opposite latitudinal patterns, being larger in high and low latitude regions, respectively, while the C:P ratio remained relatively stable in low latitude regions but increased significantly toward the poles. Our simulations further revealed that increasing climate warming decreased the leaf litter C:N ratio but increased the C:P and N:P ratios in terrestrial plants, despite the fact that their variations were largely dependent on ecosystem type. These findings clearly benefit us to understand the role of leaf litter in regulating the cycling of C and nutrients, responding to ecosystem plant development with climate change.
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Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió sotmesa a revisió
Subject:	Global leaf litter ; C:N:P stoichiometry ; Future climate change ; Flobal map ; Carbon cycle
Published in:	Global biogeochemical cycles, Vol. 39, Issue 5 (May 2025) , art. e2024GB008431, ISSN 1944-9224

DOI: 10.1029/2024GB008431

Preprint 39 p, 1022.4 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles