Soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus ecological stoichiometry shifts with tree species in subalpine plantations

Abstract

Understanding ecological stoichiometric characteristics of soil nutrient elements, such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is crucial to guide ecological restoration of plantations in ecologically vulnerable areas, such as alpine and subalpine regions. However, there has been only a few related studies, and thus whether and how different tree species would affect soil C:N:P ecological stoichiometry remains unclear. We compared soil C:N:P ecological stoichiometry of Pinus tabulaeformis, Larix kaempferi and Cercidiphyllum japonicum to primary shrubland in a subalpine region. We observed strong tree-specific and depth-dependent effects on soil C:N:P stoichiometry in subalpine plantations. In general, the C:N, C:P and N:P of topsoil (0–10 cm) are higher than subsoil (>10 cm) layer at 0–30 cm depth profiles. The differences in C:N, N:P and C:P at the topsoil across target tree species were significantly linked to standing litter stock, tree biomass/total aboveground biomass and Margalef’s index of plant community, respectively, whereas the observed variations of C:N, N:P and C:P ratio among soil profiles are closely related to differences in soil bulk density, soil moisture, the quantity and quality of aboveground litter inputs as well as underground fine root across plantations examined. Our results highlight that soil nutrients in plantation depend on litter quantity and quality of selected tree species as well as soil physical attributes. Therefore, matching site with trees is crucial to enhance ecological functioning in degraded regions resulting from human activity.

Variations in soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations and stoichiometry with stand age in Acacia hybrid plantations in Southern Vietnam

“…In line with the findings of former studies, soil C/N, C/P, and N/P ratios demonstrated a decreasing tendency with soil layers in various forest ages of Acacia hybrid, which could be attributed to the same change dynamics in SC, SN, and SP (Li et al 2013;Qi et al 2020;Qiao et al 2020). Other possible reasons are the soil surface layer being easily impacted and nutrient return from the litterfall (Feng et al 2017).…”

“…Other possible reasons are the soil surface layer being easily impacted and nutrient return from the litterfall (Feng et al 2017). Soil nutrients are often initially concentrated on the top surface layer and then transported to deeper layers via water or soil animals (Qi et al 2020).…”

Effect of forest chronosequence on ecological stoichiometry, nitrogen and phosphorus stocks in Alnus nepalensis forest stands, central Himalaya

“…Present SOC/TP and TN/TP ratios for 0-30 cm soil depths ranged from 49.25 to 172.48 and 1.16 to 20.40, respectively. These estimated values of SOC/TP and SOC/TN are greater than the mean value of 41.94 and 4.30, respectively, reported by Kumar et al (2021), and are similar to the range 184-299 and 12.9-19.4, respectively reported by Qi et al, (2020) in Chinese mountainous ecosystem. SOC, TN, and TP availability were assumed to be primary driving factors for microbial biomass C, N, and P content dynamics.…”

Effect of forest chronosequence on ecological stoichiometry and nitrogen and phosphorus stocks in Alnus nepalensis forest stands, central Himalaya

“…48 and 1.16 to 20.40, respectively. These estimated values of SOC:TP and SOC:TN are greater than the mean value of 41.94 and 4.30, respectively, reported byKumar et al (2021), andJoshi and Garkoti (2023), and are similar to the range 184-299 and 12.9-19.4, respectively reported byQi et al (2020) in Chinese mountainous ecosystem. SOC, TN, and TP availability were assumed to be primary driving factors for microbial biomass C, N, and P concentration dynamics.…”