| Ollinger, S; Sala, O; Agren, GI; Berg, B; Davidson, E; Field, CB; Lerdau, MT; Neff, J; Scholes, M; Sterner, R: New frontiers in the study of element interactions, SCOPE, Island Press, 61, 63-91 (2003) | |
| Abstract: This paper discusses the important limitations in several areas of element interaction research and highlights the discrepancies between model formulations and observable ecosystem properties, including carbon dynamics in soils and element ratios and threshold effects. Some difficulties in sampling of individual species within microbial communities and in determining the flexibility of microbial stoichiometry are discussed. Also covered are the new approaches and recent advancements in element cycling research, e.g., resolving the chemical identity of element observations, element analysis for individuals and species, and scaling element interactions from sites to regions. Finally, some elements of a proposed experimental framework for examining basic fundamental patterns of element interactions are presented in a table. |
