Plant nitrogen uptake preference and drivers in natural ecosystems at the global scale

Abstract

• Elucidating plant nitrogen (N) acquisition is crucial for understanding plant N strategies and ecosystem productivity. However, the variation in plant N uptake preference and its controlling factors on a global scale remain unclear.
• We conducted a global synthesis to explore plant N preference patterns and driving factors.
• Globally, the average contributions of ammonium (NH₄⁺), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and glycine N to the total plant N uptake were 41.6 ± 1.1%, 32.8 ± 1.2%, and 25.6 ± 0.9%, respectively. However, plant N uptake preferences differed significantly among climatic regions and vegetation types. Soil NH₄⁺ was the most preferred N form by plants in (sub)tropical regions, whereas NO₃⁻ preference was significantly higher in high-latitude than low-latitude regions. Plant functional type was one of the most important factors driving NO₃⁻ preference, with significantly higher NO₃⁻ preference of nonwoody species than broadleaf-evergreen, conifer, and shrub species. Organic N preference was lowest in (sub)tropics and significantly lower than that in temperate and alpine regions.
• This study shows clear climatic patterns and different influencing factors of plant NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ preference, which can contribute to the accurate prediction of N constraints on ecosystem productivity and soil carbon dynamics.