Leaf Multi-Element Network Reveals the Change of Species Dominance Under Nitrogen Deposition

Abstract

Elements are important functional traits reflecting plant response to climate change. Multiple elements work jointly in plant physiology. Although a large number of studies have focused on the variation and allocation of multiple elements in plants, it remains unclear how these elements co-vary to adapt to environmental change. We proposed a novel concept of the multi-element network including the mutual effects between element concentrations to more effectively explore the alterations in response to long-term nitrogen (N) deposition. Leaf multi-element networks were constructed with 18 elements (i.e., six macronutrients, six micronutrients, and six trace elements) in this study. Multi-element networks were species-specific, being effectively discriminated irrespective of N deposition level. Different sensitive elements and interactions to N addition were found in different species, mainly concentrating on N, Ca, Mg, Mn, Li, Sr, Ba, and their related stoichiometry. Interestingly, high plasticity of multi-element network increased or maintained relative aboveground biomass (species dominance) in community under simulated N deposition, which developed the multi-element network hypothesis. In summary, multi-element networks provide a novel approach for exploring the adaptation strategies of plants and to better predict the change of species dominance under altering nutrient availability or environmental stress associated with future global climate change.

Plant C:N ratio predicts community composition changes under N addition in an alpine meadow

“…Similar to previous studies (e.g. Zhang et al, 2021), the N response of dependent variables (i.e. ANPP, abundance, C and N concentrations and C:N) at the level of functional groups was indicated by the regression slope between them and log-transformed N rate .…”

Adaptability of Wild-Growing Tulips of Greece: Uncovering Relationships between Soil Properties, Rhizosphere Fungal Morphotypes and Nutrient Content Profiles

“…Likewise, distinct morphological and ecological species-specific characteristics have also been developed due to the above-mentioned adaptation process [ 1 , 2 ]. Such adaptation strategies are supported by the combined action of multiple elements (nutrients) which, once they are taken up by the plant root system, are involved in various biochemical reactions dictated by species-specific genotypes with individual variations [ 6 ]. Among the latter, macro-nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) are considered necessary components for performing various metabolic processes, for protecting plants from abiotic and biotic stresses, or for developing their body structure [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Such adaptation strategies are supported by the combined action of multiple elements (nutrients) which, once they are taken up by the plant root system, are involved in various biochemical reactions dictated by species-specific genotypes with individual variations [ 6 ]. Among the latter, macro-nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) are considered necessary components for performing various metabolic processes, for protecting plants from abiotic and biotic stresses, or for developing their body structure [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Similarly, micro-nutrients such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B), or beneficial elements such as sodium (Na) are involved in various plant functions such as osmoregulation and electrochemical reactions [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Among the latter, macro-nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) are considered necessary components for performing various metabolic processes, for protecting plants from abiotic and biotic stresses, or for developing their body structure [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Similarly, micro-nutrients such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B), or beneficial elements such as sodium (Na) are involved in various plant functions such as osmoregulation and electrochemical reactions [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”