Cited by 319Soil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsSoil and Water Nutrient DynamicsPhosphorus and nutrient management

Anthropogenic global shifts in biospheric N and P concentrations and ratios and their impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem productivity, food security, and human health

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Penuelas, Josep, Janssens, Ivan A., Ciais, Philippe, Obersteiner, Michael, Sardans, Jordi·2020·Global Change Biology

Abstract

Abstract The availability of carbon (C) from high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and anthropogenic release of nitrogen (N) is increasing, but these increases are not paralleled by increases in levels of phosphorus (P). The current unstoppable changes in the stoichiometries of C and N relative to P have no historical precedent. We describe changes in P and N fluxes over the last five decades that have led to asymmetrical increases in P and N inputs to the biosphere. We identified widespread and rapid changes in N:P ratios in air, soil, water, and organisms and important consequences to the structure, function, and biodiversity of ecosystems. A mass‐balance approach found that the combined limited availability of P and N was likely to reduce C storage by natural ecosystems during the remainder of the 21st Century, and projected crop yields of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment indicated an increase in nutrient deficiency in developing regions if access to P fertilizer is limited. Imbalances of the N:P ratio would likely negatively affect human health, food security, and global economic and geopolitical stability, with feedbacks and synergistic effects on drivers of global environmental change, such as increasing levels of CO 2 , climatic warming, and increasing pollution. We summarize potential solutions for avoiding the negative impacts of global imbalances of N:P ratios on the environment, biodiversity, climate change, food security, and human health.

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Crossref · 10.1111/gcb.14981

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  • Anthropogenic disturbances (N deposition, P fertilization, pesticides, road density, grazing, fire) have substantially altered ecosystem functions and services across biomes, affecting C sink strength.

    “Anthropogenic disturbances (e.g., N deposition, P fertilization, pesticides,162 road density, grazing, fire) have substantially altered ecosystem functions and services across different biomes, thus affecting C sink strength in terrestrial ecosystems.163”

    From Technologies and perspectives for achieving carbon neutrality (2021) · cites this paper as [163]

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Authors
Penuelas, J., Janssens, I. A., Ciais, P., Obersteiner, M., & Sardans, J.
Affiliations
  • CSIC Global Ecology Unit CREAF‐CSIC‐UAB Bellaterra Spain
  • University of Antwerp (BE)
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
  • International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (AT)
  • Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
Venue
Global Change Biology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2020-02-21
Volume
26
Issue
4
Pages
1962-1985
ISSN
  • 1354-1013 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2486
OpenAlex
W2999535436
Cited by
318
References
338
Citations by year
2026: 48 · 2025: 70 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 53 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 18
FWCI
2.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Global Change Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • IIASA PURE (International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis) (acceptedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-16-CONV-0003)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Phosphorus and nutrient management
Keywords
nitrogen, phosphorus, N:P ratio, nutrient stoichiometry, anthropogenic nutrient inputs, phosphorus limitation, carbon storage, ecosystem productivity, biodiversity, food security, crop yield, nutritional deficiency, human health, global change, mass balance, phosphorus fertilizer, climate change

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