Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 24 January 2003:
Vol. 299. no. 5606, pp. 563 - 565
DOI: 10.1126/science.1079100
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Reports

Phosphorus Limitation of Coastal Ecosystem Processes

P. V. Sundareshwar,1*dagger ddagger J. T. Morris,1* E. K. Koepfler,3 B. Fornwalt2

Primary production in coastal wetlands is conventionally thought to be limited by nitrogen. Although the plant community in a pristine salt marsh was found to be limited primarily by nitrogen availability, the bacterial community in the soil was limited by phosphorus. Hence, in coastal wetlands, and possibly in many ecosystems, individual trophic groups may respond differently to nitrogen and phosphorus loading. Phosphorus limitation of the growth of nitrogen-transforming bacteria will affect carbon fixation, storage, and release mediated by plants, a result that has important implications for ecosystem management.

1 Department of Biological Sciences,
2 Marine Science Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
3 Marine Science Department, Coastal Carolina University, Post Office Box 1954, Conway, SC 29526, USA.
*   These authors contributed equally to this work.

dagger    Present address: Duke University Wetland Center, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Box 90333, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0333, USA.

ddagger    To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: pvs{at}duke.edu

Read the Full Text


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Complete Genome Sequence of the Chemolithoautotrophic Marine Magnetotactic Coccus Strain MC-1.
S. Schubbe, T. J. Williams, G. Xie, H. E. Kiss, T. S. Brettin, D. Martinez, C. A. Ross, D. Schuler, B. L. Cox, K. H. Nealson, et al. (2009)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 75, 4835-4852
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Attenuation within the Stream Network of a Coastal, Agricultural Watershed..
S. H. Ensign, S. K. McMillan, S. P. Thompson, and M. F. Piehler (2006)
J. Environ. Qual. 35, 1237-1247
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Nature of Phosphorus Limitation in the Ultraoligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean.
T. F. Thingstad, M. D. Krom, R. F. C. Mantoura, G. A. F. Flaten, S. Groom, B. Herut, N. Kress, C. S. Law, A. Pasternak, P. Pitta, et al. (2005)
Science 309, 1068-1071
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
A differential effect of {sigma}S on the expression of the PHO regulon genes of Escherichia coli.
N. P. Taschner, E. Yagil, and B. Spira (2004)
Microbiology 150, 2985-2992
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and related compounds in higher plants.
M. L. Otte, G. Wilson, J. T. Morris, and B. M. Moran (2004)
J. Exp. Bot. 55, 1919-1925
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Denitrification Enzyme Activity of Fringe Salt Marshes in New England (USA).
C. Wigand, R. A. McKinney, M. M. Chintala, M. A. Charpentier, and P. M. Groffman (2004)
J. Environ. Qual. 33, 1144-1151
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Enviropig physiology, performance, and contribution to nutrient management advances in a regulated environment: The leading edge of change in the pork industry.
C. W. Forsberg, J. P. Phillips, S. P. Golovan, M. Z. Fan, R. G. Meidinger, A. Ajakaiye, D. Hilborn, and R. R. Hacker (2003)
J Anim Sci 81, E68-77
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)