No pervasive relationship between phyllosphere nitrifier abundance and canopy nitrification in European forests

National Science Review 2026 Open access

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Authors: Yong Zhang, Ji Chen, Feng Zhang, Xingwu Duan, Xiaoli Cheng, J.X. Fang, Peter B. Reich
DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwag147
Cited by: 0
References: 16

Abstract

A recent study inferred the substantial contribution of phyllosphere nitrifiers to canopy nitrification in European forests. By re-analyzing the data from European forests, however, we show no clear relationship between phyllosphere nitrifiers abundance and canopy nitrification. A lack of such relationship may be attributed to uncertainties in canopy nitrification and phyllosphere nitrifiers, calling for a need of interdisciplinary collaboration among empirical, theoretical and modeling scientists.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions

Publication details

Journal / source
National Science Review
Volume
13
Issue
9
Pages
nwag147–nwag147
Publication date
10 March 2026
Language
EN