Silicate chemical weathering disrupts the global patterns of phosphorus limitation

Global change is accelerating the chemical weathering of silicate rocks and the associated phosphorus release. However, the effects of phosphorus release on the global patterns of plant phosphorus limitation remain unclear. Here, we show that approximately 47% of the exposed areas in global silicate rocks are subject to phosphorus limitation of vegetation growth, as estimated using the ratio of leaf nitrogen to phosphorus resorption efficiency. Phosphorus-limited areas are projected to expand markedly with global warming, and the proportion may reach 54 - 59% according to two model scenarios (the shared socioeconomic pathways SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). Nevertheless, phosphorus release from accelerated chemical weathering of silicate rocks mitigates this limitation, with a relative contribution of approximately 15.5%. This work highlights the implications of accelerated chemical weathering of silicate rocks and its resulting phosphorus release for the global patterns of phosphorus limitation, providing a scientific foundation for phosphorus management strategies.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2025-11-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65773-1
Citations
6
Primary Topic
Silicon Effects in Agriculture
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
10.50

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article

Silicate chemical weathering disrupts the global patterns of phosphorus limitation

Xi Lu, Fengjiao Song, Qiu Tan, Yingying Xue et al.
6 citations
Nature Communications
Silicon Effects in Agriculture
10.50
article

Silicate chemical weathering disrupts the global patterns of phosphorus limitation

Xi Lu, Fengjiao Song, Qiu Tan, Yingying Xue, Guangjie Luo, Congjin Ran, Chaochao Du, Biqin Xiao, Xiaoyong Bai, Fei Chen, Sirui Zhang, Chaojun Li, Lian Xiong, Mingkang Long, Luhua Wu, Jingan Chen, Zilin Li
article en
6 citations

Abstract

Global change is accelerating the chemical weathering of silicate rocks and the associated phosphorus release. However, the effects of phosphorus release on the global patterns of plant phosphorus limitation remain unclear. Here, we show that approximately 47% of the exposed areas in global silicate rocks are subject to phosphorus limitation of vegetation growth, as estimated using the ratio of leaf nitrogen to phosphorus resorption efficiency. Phosphorus-limited areas are projected to expand markedly with global warming, and the proportion may reach 54 - 59% according to two model scenarios (the shared socioeconomic pathways SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). Nevertheless, phosphorus release from accelerated chemical weathering of silicate rocks mitigates this limitation, with a relative contribution of approximately 15.5%. This work highlights the implications of accelerated chemical weathering of silicate rocks and its resulting phosphorus release for the global patterns of phosphorus limitation, providing a scientific foundation for phosphorus management strategies.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 16(1)
Guizhou Normal University (CN), Guizhou University (CN), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Guizhou Education University (CN), Tongren University (CN), Institute of Geochemistry (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Tsinghua University (CN)
Pennsylvania State University, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Silicon Effects in Agriculture
10.50
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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