Abstract:
Objective To study the ecological stoichiometry and homeostasis characteristics of leaf in China’s coniferous forest.
Method The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents of dominant tree species and soils in coniferous forests were analyzed in investigate the stoichiometric characteristics and the effects of various environmental factors on the variations of leaf and soil stoichiometry. The mechanisms of adapting the coniferous forests to environments were discussed.
Result The contents of N, P, and K of dominant tree species in China’s coniferous forests followed the order of N > K > P. Significant differences in N, N/P and N/K were found among different soil depth layers. Latitude took the greatest contribution to leaf N and P concentration which were 19.18% and 25.08%, respectively. Hydrothermal index, as the most pronounced factor, contributed 12.75% for the leaf P concentration. The annual precipitation was the greatest contributing factor to the ratios of N/P and P/K. All the leaf stoichiometric characters of coniferous tree species were kept stable except N.
Conclusion The leaf stoichiometric characteristics of dominant species in China’s coniferous forests are mainly determined by latitude, soil, precipitation and temperature. The homeostasis analysis indicates that the dominant coniferous species in China have adapted to current soil environment.
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