Recent studies indicate that human actions, such as the use of fertilizers and pollution, are negatively affecting nitrogen-fixing plants, which play a vital role in sustaining healthy ecosystems by contributing nitrogen to the soil.
Ryan A. Folk, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Mississippi State University, co-authored a new study published today [Oct. 18] in Science Advances. This research reveals that heightened nitrogen levels resulting from human activity are diminishing both the variety and evolutionary uniqueness of nitrogen-fixing plants.
Pablo Moreno GarcÃa, the lead author from the University of Arizona, explained that the surplus nitrogen from agricultural and industrial sources makes it harder for nitrogen-fixing plants to compete, leading to simpler plant communities with a reduced number of nitrogen-fixing species.
Folk commented, “Although some had suggested that climate change could potentially benefit nitrogen fixers, our findings indicate otherwise. Human influence on the planet is manifesting in various ways that adversely affect nitrogen fixers, and the influx of nitrogen poses a major threat. Nitrogen, which is the primary nutrient found in fertilizers, is crucial for plants in both natural and agricultural settings, making the decline of these plants a significant risk for biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.”
