Why some forests unlock more soil phosphorus: Elevation, soil pH and calcium stand out‎

Phosphorus is essential for plant growth and ecosystem productivity. In many natural forests, plants rely on soil microbes to release bioavailable phosphorus from organic matter. The PhoD gene, which encodes the key enzyme alkaline phosphatase, is a central marker for this microbial process. Its role in fertilized agricultural systems is well known, but its distribution and drivers in natural forest ecosystems have remained unclear.