Climatic Factors Determine the Distribution Patterns of Leaf Nutrient Traits at Large Scales
Leaf nutrient content and its stoichiometric relationships (N/P ratio) are essential for photosynthesis and plant growth and development. Previous studies on leaf nutrient-related functional traits have mainly focused on the species level and regional scale, but fewer studies have investigated the d...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/16/2171 |
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| author | Xianxian Wang Jiangfeng Wang Liuyang Zhang Chengyu Lv Longlong Liu Huixin Zhao Jie Gao |
| author_facet | Xianxian Wang Jiangfeng Wang Liuyang Zhang Chengyu Lv Longlong Liu Huixin Zhao Jie Gao |
| author_sort | Xianxian Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Leaf nutrient content and its stoichiometric relationships (N/P ratio) are essential for photosynthesis and plant growth and development. Previous studies on leaf nutrient-related functional traits have mainly focused on the species level and regional scale, but fewer studies have investigated the distribution patterns of the leaf N and P contents (LN, LP) and N/P ratios (N/P) in communities and their controlling factors at a large scale; therefore, we used LN, LP, and N/P data at 69 sites from 818 forests in China. The results showed significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the LN, LP, and N/P at different life forms (tree, shrub, and herb). Neither LN, LP, nor N/P ratios showed significant patterns of latitudinal variation. With the increase in temperature and rainfall, the LN, LP, and leaf nutrient contents increased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Across life forms, LN at different life forms varied significantly and was positively correlated with soil P content (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The explanatory degree of climatic factors in shaping the spatial variation patterns of LN and N/P was higher than that of the soil nutrient factors, and the spatial variation patterns of the leaf nutrient traits of different life forms were shaped by the synergistic effects of climatic factors and soil nutrient factors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:43:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2a5e5b79be2744f482b932df20b5ae44 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:43:32Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a5e5b79be2744f482b932df20b5ae442023-11-30T22:14:43ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472022-08-011116217110.3390/plants11162171Climatic Factors Determine the Distribution Patterns of Leaf Nutrient Traits at Large ScalesXianxian Wang0Jiangfeng Wang1Liuyang Zhang2Chengyu Lv3Longlong Liu4Huixin Zhao5Jie Gao6College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, ChinaHubei Forestry Investigation and Planning Institute, No. 4, Zhuodaoquan South Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan 430070, ChinaTaiyuan Ecology and Environment Monitoring & Science Research Center, Taiyuan 030002, ChinaEast China Survey and Planning Institute, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Hangzhou 310019, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, ChinaLeaf nutrient content and its stoichiometric relationships (N/P ratio) are essential for photosynthesis and plant growth and development. Previous studies on leaf nutrient-related functional traits have mainly focused on the species level and regional scale, but fewer studies have investigated the distribution patterns of the leaf N and P contents (LN, LP) and N/P ratios (N/P) in communities and their controlling factors at a large scale; therefore, we used LN, LP, and N/P data at 69 sites from 818 forests in China. The results showed significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the LN, LP, and N/P at different life forms (tree, shrub, and herb). Neither LN, LP, nor N/P ratios showed significant patterns of latitudinal variation. With the increase in temperature and rainfall, the LN, LP, and leaf nutrient contents increased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Across life forms, LN at different life forms varied significantly and was positively correlated with soil P content (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The explanatory degree of climatic factors in shaping the spatial variation patterns of LN and N/P was higher than that of the soil nutrient factors, and the spatial variation patterns of the leaf nutrient traits of different life forms were shaped by the synergistic effects of climatic factors and soil nutrient factors.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/16/2171leaf nutrientsfunctional traitslife formsclimate changesoil nutrients |
| spellingShingle | Xianxian Wang Jiangfeng Wang Liuyang Zhang Chengyu Lv Longlong Liu Huixin Zhao Jie Gao Climatic Factors Determine the Distribution Patterns of Leaf Nutrient Traits at Large Scales Plants leaf nutrients functional traits life forms climate change soil nutrients |
| title | Climatic Factors Determine the Distribution Patterns of Leaf Nutrient Traits at Large Scales |
| title_full | Climatic Factors Determine the Distribution Patterns of Leaf Nutrient Traits at Large Scales |
| title_fullStr | Climatic Factors Determine the Distribution Patterns of Leaf Nutrient Traits at Large Scales |
| title_full_unstemmed | Climatic Factors Determine the Distribution Patterns of Leaf Nutrient Traits at Large Scales |
| title_short | Climatic Factors Determine the Distribution Patterns of Leaf Nutrient Traits at Large Scales |
| title_sort | climatic factors determine the distribution patterns of leaf nutrient traits at large scales |
| topic | leaf nutrients functional traits life forms climate change soil nutrients |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/11/16/2171 |
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