Context
An imbalance in nitrogen availability has been reported across the globe, with some places having an excess and others a shortage of the element, according to a new report.
What is Nitrogen?
- Nitrogen, or N, using its scientific abbreviation, is a colorless, odorless element.
- Nitrogen is in the soil under our feet, in the water we drink, and in the air we breathe.
- In fact, nitrogen is the most abundant element in Earth’s atmosphere: approximately 78% of the atmosphere is nitrogen!
Reason behind declining Nitrogen
- High CO2: Plants grow quickly when exposed to high carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. Thus, their demand for nitrogen also goes up.
- High CO2 levels dilute plant nitrogen, triggering a cascade of effects that lower the availability of nitrogen.
- Other factors contributing to nitrogen decline include
- warming
- Disturbances ( including wildfire)
Impact of low nitrogen on plant species
- Without nitrogen, an essential nutrient, plants grow slowly and produce smaller flowers and fruits.
- Their leaves turn yellowish and are less nutritious to insects, birds and animals.
- Declining nitrogen availability can be linked to insect apocalypse, Mason said. Plants with low nitrogen levels can encourage swarming in some species of locusts.
- Further, low nitrogen availability could limit plants’ ability to capture CO2 from the atmosphere.
