| Resum: |
Aim: Anthropogenic phosphorus (P) input profoundly affects carbon (C) and nutrient dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems, which poses a threat to soil health and nutrient sustainability. Litter decomposition is crucial for maintaining soil C and nutrient pools, yet there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the effects of anthropogenic P input on terrestrial litter decomposition. Location: Terrestrial ecosystems. Time Period: 1985-2024. Major Taxa Studied: Litter decomposition. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis based on 731 observations from 40 peer-reviewed articles to determine the overall effects, patterns and primary predictors of P addition on litter decomposition. Results: The results showed that P addition increased the activities of β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) during decomposition and accelerated the degradation of lignin and cellulose and the release of litter C. This resulted in a 6. 63% increase in litter mass loss. The positive effect of P addition on litter mass loss was further amplified when combined with N addition. In addition, the patterns varied depending on P fertiliser type (e. g. , Ca(H2PO4)2, NaH2PO4, and KH2PO4), P addition level (e. g. , < 5, 5-10 and > 10 g P m-2 year-1), experimental duration (e. g. , < 12, 12-24 and > 24 months), litterbag mesh size (e. g. , < 0. 5, 0. 5-2 and > 2 mm), litter type (e. g. , leaf, stem and root), climate zone (e. g. , tropical and temperate), and ecosystem type (e. g. , forest, grassland and wetland). Model selection analysis showed that background soil pH was the primary predictor driving litter decomposition in response to P addition. Main Conclusions: Our results highlighted that P addition promoted the degradation of organic C, lignin, and cellulose and accelerated the process of litter decomposition. Moreover, the patterns and primary predictors (e. g. , backgroud soil pH) are critical for accurately understanding how anthropogenic P input influences these processes. |