Tree Diversity Enhances Nitrogen Retention and Accelerates Phosphorus Cycling

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling are crucial for terrestrial ecosystem productivity and carbon sequestration. While biodiversity is known to regulate soil N and P availability, the mechanistic linkages between biodiversity and fundamental processes of nutrient cycles remain unclear. This knowledge gap limits our capacity to model ecosystem biogeochemical responses to biodiversity loss. Using a large-scale tree diversity experiment in subtropical China, we examined how tree species richness regulates ecosystem nutrient cycling in a region with N sufficiency but P limitation. We found that increased tree species richness enhanced N retention by boosting plant N stock and recycling, while reducing soil NO 3 - leaching and N 2O emissions. These shifts, coupled with a reduction in soil δ 15N, demonstrate tighter N cycling. Concurrently, tree species richness increased soil acid phosphatase activity, foliar P resorption efficiency, and plant P storage, synergistically accelerating ecosystem P cycling. Our integrated findings provide direct experimental evidence that tree diversity regulates both N and P cycling, offering valuable insights into how plant diversity can mitigate nutrient imbalances and promote ecosystem resilience to nutrient limitations.