Experimental nutrient additions accelerate terrestrial carbon loss from stream ecosystems

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aaa1958
• Publication Date: 2015-03-05T19:06:42Z
• Authors: Amy D. Rosemond; Jonathan P. Benstead; Phillip M. Bumpers; Vladislav Gulis; John S. Kominoski; David W. P. Manning; Keller Suberkropp; J. Bruce Wallace
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 13. Climate action; 14. Life underwater; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water

Carbon kicked out by nutrients

Excess nutrients added to streams result in net carbon loss from aquatic ecosystems. Nitrogen and phosphorus are known to fuel increases in algal carbon. Now, Rosemond et al. show that nutrients stimulate losses of terrestrially derived carbon (e.g., from twigs and leaves). The authors monitored several multiyear experiments on headwater forest streams in the United States. Some of these streams had extra nitrogen and phosphorus added at levels that are now common in many streams and lakes. To successfully manage river ecosystems, we need to take into account nutrient pollution effects on multiple carbon pathways.

Science , this issue p. 1142