elevatedatmospheric[CO2].PDFVIP

523 Research Blackwell Publishing, Ltd. Legume species identity and soil nitrogen supply determine symbiotic nitrogen-fixation responses to elevated atmospheric [CO 2 ] Jason B. West 1,4 , Janneke HilleRisLambers 1,5 , Tali D. Lee 2 , Sarah E. Hobbie 1 and Peter B. Reich 3 1 Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA; 2 Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI, USA; 3 Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA; 4 Present address: Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 5 Present address: Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA Summary ? In nitrogen (N)-limited systems, the response of symbiotic N fixation to elevated atmospheric [CO 2 ] may be an important determinant of ecosystem responses to this global change. Experimental tests of the effects of elevated [CO 2 ] have not been consistent. Although rarely tested, differences among legume species and N supply may be important. ? In a field free-air CO 2 enrichment (FACE) experiment, we determined, for four legume species, whether the effects of elevated atmospheric [CO 2 ] on symbiotic N fixation depended on soil N availability or species identity. Natural abundance and pool-dilution 15 N methods were used to estimate N fixation. ? Although N addition did, in general, decrease N fixation, contrary to theoretical predictions, elevated [CO 2 ] did not universally increase N fixation. Rather, the effect of elevated [CO 2 ] on N fixation was positive, neutral or negative, depending on the species and N addition. ? Our results suggest that legume species identity and N supply are critical factors in determining symbiotic N-fixation responses to increased atmospheric [CO 2 ]. Key words: carbon dioxide, legumes, nitrogen fertilizati