Journal
HYDROBIOLOGIA
Volume 710, Issue 1, Pages 3-21Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10750-012-1033-0
Keywords
Limiting nutrient; Biodiversity; Redfield ratio; Stoichiometry; Phosphorus; Restoration; Estuaries; Climate change
Categories
Funding
- EU-WISER project
- EU-REFRESH project
- CLEAR (a Villum Kann Rasmussen Centre of Excellence Project)
- CRES
- Research Council for Nature and Universe [272-08-0406]
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Phosphorus (P) is conventionally thought to limit production in freshwaters and nitrogen (N) that in the sea. Before much human activity, however, co-limitation by N and P was probably normal, with systems developing ratios of N to P tending to the Redfield ratio. Single-factor limitation may be a symptom of human activity in many cases. It is widely believed that N fixation should compensate for N shortage because N fixers are ubiquitous and versatile, but this is not always the case and the issue has hitherto been considered largely with respect to plankton communities. Effects of N on macrophyte communities provide justification for control of both nutrients, at least in shallow lakes and estuaries. Increased N loading reduces plant biodiversity, changes the structure, and is associated with eventual loss, of macrophyte communities. P control alone may suffice in many deep lakes where denitrification is low and stratified conditions favour cyanobacterial development. Therein may lie a resolution to current controversies.
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