Slower Soil Nitrogen Transformations Under Longer‐Term Warming and the Consequences for Plant Growth

ABSTRACT Climate warming is expected to stimulate soil nitrogen (N) transformations, thereby increasing the supply of available N to support plant growth and carbon (C) assimilation. However, it remains uncertain whether this stimulatory effect on soil N transformations can persist over time to sustain plant growth and N uptake. This study combines a global meta‐analysis with a local warming experiment with 7 years to shed light on how soil N transformations respond to long‐term warming and the underlying mechanisms, and how these transformations affect plant growth. We found that longer‐term warming (≥ 6 years) did not stimulate gross soil N transformation rates, with gross nitrification and NO 3 − immobilization rates being significantly inhibited. These responses of gross N mineralization and nitrification rates were primarily explained by biotic rather than abiotic factors. Altered substrate supply through N mineralization and nitrification influenced the responses of NH 4 + and NO 3 − immobilizations. Interestingly, despite the slower rate of soil N transformations, plant growth and N uptake (mainly NH 4 + uptake) increased under warming, as the inhibition of NH 4 + consumption by nitrifiers left more NH 4 + for plants. The findings break the traditional views that warming has a positive effect on soil N cycling and thus contribute to plant N uptake and growth. The slower soil N transformations under longer‐term warming and the changes in plant N uptake preference imply a coordination between soil and plant N cycling. Land management practices and C–N cycling simulations should incorporate this soil–plant N coordination and the slower soil N transformations under longer‐term warming.