Soil ecological stoichiometry synchronously regulates stream nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and ratios

Whether and how to synchronously regulate stream water nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations and ratios is a major challenge for sustainable aquatic functions. Soil carbon (C):N:P ratios influence soil N and P stocks and biogeochemical processes that elicit subsequent substantial impacts on stream water N and P con-centrations and ratios. Therefore, bridging soil and stream water with ecological stoichiometry is one of the most promising technologies for improving stream water quality. Here, we quantified the ecological stoichiometry of soil and stream water relationships across nine catchments. Soil C:P ratio was the main driver of water quality, showing negative correlations with stream water N and P concentrations, and positive correlations with the N:P ratio in P-limited catchments. We revealed that soil C:P ratios higher than 97.8 mol mol- 1 are required to achieve the simultaneous regulation of stream water N and P concentrations below the eutrophication threshold and make algal growth P-limited. Furthermore, we found that the relationships between catchment landscape and soil ecological stoichiometry likely provided practical options for regulating soil ecological stoichiometry. Our work highlights that soil ecological stoichiometry can effectively indicate the amount and proportion of soil N and P losses, and can be intervened through rational landscape planning to achieve sustainable aquatic eco-systems in catchments.

Automated summary

The ecological stoichiometry of soil and stream water relationships plays an important role in regulating stream water quality by influencing nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and ratios. A soil carbon to phosphorus ratio above 97.8 mol mol- 1 is required to achieve the desired regulation of stream water nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and control algal growth. Furthermore, the relationships between catchment landscape and soil ecological stoichiometry provide practical options for regulating soil ecological stoichiometry.