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Dryad

Global mycorrhizal status drives leaf δ15N patterns

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Feb 14, 2025 version files 188.62 MB

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Abstract

Nitrogen (N) availability, which can be represented by the natural abundance of the stable N isotope δ15N, is crucial to understanding ecosystem-level N dynamics. Specific ecosystems are dominated by different types of mycorrhizae, which can relate to biogeochemistry and affect ecosystem functioning. However, few studies have addressed the impacts of different mycorrhizal associations on variations in foliar δ15N due to climatic and soil physicochemical factors; prior instances of foliar δ15N modeling have not included mycorrhizal types. Here, we used machine learning to produce a global map of foliar δ15N based on climatic, edaphic, vegetation, and dominant mycorrhizal factors. The predicted global average foliar δ15N value was 0.69‰. Plants in tropical areas were predicted to have significantly larger foliar δ15N values than plants from subtropical, temperate, and boreal areas. The mean annual temperature was identified as the primary driver of spatial foliar δ15N patterns. These results provide isotopic evidence of greater N limitations in temperate and boreal regions than tropical or subtropical regions. Furthermore, non-mycorrhizal plant species had the highest foliar δ15N values, followed by plants associated with arbuscular mycorrhizae, orchid mycorrhizae, ectomycorrhiza, then ericoid mycorrhizae.  Overall, changes in foliar δ15N were predicted to be closely associated with the type of mycorrhizal association. This study highlights the importance of incorporating mycorrhizal data to accurately assess patterns of foliar δ15N on a global scale. Ultimately, our findings contribute to a greater understanding of N cycling dynamics across plant types and global ecosystems.