Plant Nutrient Flows: Impacts of Global Change

This lecture discusses the concept of elemental ecology, focusing on the interactions between plants, soil, and ecosystems through elemental composition and nutrient flows. The instructor presents findings from a study on how leaf habits and climate influence tree growth sensitivity to nitrogen deposition, addressing the impacts of nitrogen on vegetation at a continental scale. Additionally, an experimental setup is introduced to investigate nitrogen flow in grasslands, considering factors such as soil nitrogen, microbial communities, and biomass distribution. The lecture emphasizes the importance of understanding these dynamics in the context of global change, particularly regarding nitrogen deposition and its effects on plant growth and ecosystem health. The instructor highlights the relevance of this research for informing stakeholders and policymakers about potential outcomes of environmental changes and nitrogen management strategies.