0 de Vries, W. Solberg, S. Dobbertin, M. Sterba, H. Laubhahn, D. Reinds, G.J. Nabuurs, G.-J. Gundersen, P Sutton, M.A. 2008 Nature 451 E1-E3 <p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Magnani et al.¹ present a very strong correlation between mean lifetime net ecosystem production (NEP, defined as the net rate of C accumulation in ecosystems²) and wet N deposition. For their data in the range 4.9-9.8 kgN/ha/yr, on which the correlation largely depends, the response is approximately <st1:metricconverter productid="725 kg" w:st="on">725 kg</st1:metricconverter> C per kg N in wet deposition. According to the authors, the maximum N wet deposition level of <st1:metricconverter productid="9.8 kg" w:st="on">9.8 kg</st1:metricconverter> N/ha/yr is equivalent to a total deposition of <st1:metricconverter productid="15 kg" w:st="on">15 kg</st1:metricconverter> N/ha/yr, implying a net sequestration near 470 kgC per kg N of total deposition. We question the ecological plausibility of the relationship and show, from a multi-factor analysis of European forest measurements, how interactions with site productivity and environment imply a much smaller NEP response to N deposition. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>