Application of N: P Stoichiometry to Ecology Studies

N:P化学计量学在生态学研究中的应用(英文)

Stoichiometry has long been addressed in the studies of ecosystem ecology, but it was almost ignored for a long time. Until recently, ecologists have become aware that stoichiometry could provide a new tool to study ecology from genes to the biosphere. Among this trend, N:P stoichiometry is used actively in ecological interactions since nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the two most important elements in most ecosystems. This article reviews the application of N:P stoichiometry to the studies of ecological problems at different levels, including ecosystem, community and species. Meanwhile, we also provide the cellular basis of N:P stoichiometry, identify the shortages in the use of N:P stoichiometry theory, and put forward some perspectives for future research to be conducted.

化学计量学很早就被应用于生态学研究中, 但长期以来几乎被生态学家所忽视。近年来, 由于认识到化学计量学研究可以把生态实体的各个层次在元素水平上统一起来, 因此元素化学计量学成为近年来新兴的一个生态学研究领域。氮磷作为植物生长的必需矿质营养元素和生态系统常见的限制性元素, 在植物体内存在功能上的联系, 二者之间具有重要的相互作用。近年来由于人类活动的强烈影响, 这两种元素的循环在速度和规模上都发生了前所未有的改变, 导致一系列环境问题的出现, 因此N:P化学计量学研究就显得极为重要。本文论述了N:P化学计量学在物种、群落、生态系统等各层次的应用现状, 同时从分子生物学角度分析了应用N:P化学计量学的可行性, 并指出了N:P化学计量学研究的应用前景和存在的缺陷。