Carbon use efficiency (CUE) is a fundamental parameter for ecological models based on the
physiology of microorganisms. CUE determines energy and material flows to higher trophic …

The net primary production of the biosphere is consumed largely by microorganisms, whose
metabolism creates the trophic base for detrital foodwebs, drives element cycles, and …

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability limit plant growth in most terrestrial ecosystems.
This review examines how variation in the relative availability of N and P, as reflected by N …

A global data set including 5,087 observations of leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for
1,280 plant species at 452 sites and of associated mean climate indices demonstrates broad …

This concise, readable introduction to limnology (the science of investigating the structure
and function of inland waters), places the subject in the context of modern ecology. Unlike …

Terrestrial microbial decomposer communities thrive on a wide range of organic matter
types that rarely ever meet their elemental demands. In this review we synthesize the current …

Increasing phosphorus (P) inputs induced by anthropogenic activities have increased P
availability in soils considerably, with dramatic effects on carbon (C) cycling and storage …

Global increases in atmospheric CO2 and temperature are associated with changes in
ocean chemistry and circulation, altering light and nutrient regimes. Resulting changes in …

Carbon and nutrient inputs are required to stimulate the formation and mineralization of soil
organic carbon (SOC) through processes related to microbial growth and priming effects …

Biological stoichiometry theory considers the balance of multiple chemical elements in living
systems, whereas metabolic scaling theory considers how size affects metabolic properties …