New research shows that nitrogen pollution from fertilizers and industrial emissions disrupts how forest soils breathe. While some forests initially see a boost in biological activity, others hit a tipping point where excess nitrogen kills off microbes and shrinks root systems, threatening the ecosystem's resilience. This discovery is critical for carbon accounting, as soil respiration is a massive global carbon flow. Understanding these nitrogen saturation thresholds helps scientists better predict how forests will store carbon and respond to climate change.
