Ecological Stoichiometry and Stock Distribution of C, N, and P in Three Forest Types in a Karst Region of China
Ecological stoichiometry plays important roles in understanding the nutrient constraints on tree growth and development, as well in maintaining ecosystem services in forests, yet the characteristics of carbon:nitrogen:phosphorous (C:N:P) stoichiometry in forests under karst environment have not been...
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| author | Wancai Wang Yuanying Peng Yazhen Chen Shilong Lei Xiaojun Wang Taimoor Hassan Farooq Xiaocui Liang Chao Zhang Wende Yan Xiaoyong Chen |
| author_facet | Wancai Wang Yuanying Peng Yazhen Chen Shilong Lei Xiaojun Wang Taimoor Hassan Farooq Xiaocui Liang Chao Zhang Wende Yan Xiaoyong Chen |
| author_sort | Wancai Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ecological stoichiometry plays important roles in understanding the nutrient constraints on tree growth and development, as well in maintaining ecosystem services in forests, yet the characteristics of carbon:nitrogen:phosphorous (C:N:P) stoichiometry in forests under karst environment have not been sufficiently evaluated. In this study, concentration, distribution, stocks of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorous (P), and ecological stoichiometry were studied in three common forest types: Masson pine natural forests (MPNF), Masson pine plantation forests (MPPF), and Slash pine plantation forests (SPPF) in a karst region of southwestern China. Results showed that N concentrations were higher in overstory than in understory and litter in the studied forests. However, P concentration was relatively low in overstory component of the forested ecosystems. Meanwhile, the N and P concentrations were higher in SPPF in the stem and litter, while these contents were higher in MPPF and MPNP in the overstory and understory. The N and P stocks ranged from 5.7–6.2 t ha<sup>−1</sup>, and 0.5–0.6 t ha<sup>−1</sup> in the examined forests. The ecological stoichiometry of C:N:P in the three forest types was similar in litter (46–49:2:1), and relatively steady in soil (250–320:13–16:1) and tree leaf (100–200:14–20:1). Soil P status was the primary limiting factor in affecting tree growth in MPPF and SPPF (N:P ratio > 16), while both N and P conditions were the main restrictive factors in MPNP (N:P ratio = 15) in the study area. Our study provides scientific references and useful datasets of C:N:P stoichiometry for sustainable management of forest ecosystems in karst regions. |
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| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:31:10Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-429fad58b0c54095b6c482d6b86a10d32023-11-18T17:18:23ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472023-06-011213250310.3390/plants12132503Ecological Stoichiometry and Stock Distribution of C, N, and P in Three Forest Types in a Karst Region of ChinaWancai Wang0Yuanying Peng1Yazhen Chen2Shilong Lei3Xiaojun Wang4Taimoor Hassan Farooq5Xiaocui Liang6Chao Zhang7Wende Yan8Xiaoyong Chen9State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, ChinaCollege of Arts and Sciences, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL 60446, USACollege of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaInstitute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Xianyang 712100, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Arts and Sciences, Governors State University, University Park, IL 60484, USAEcological stoichiometry plays important roles in understanding the nutrient constraints on tree growth and development, as well in maintaining ecosystem services in forests, yet the characteristics of carbon:nitrogen:phosphorous (C:N:P) stoichiometry in forests under karst environment have not been sufficiently evaluated. In this study, concentration, distribution, stocks of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorous (P), and ecological stoichiometry were studied in three common forest types: Masson pine natural forests (MPNF), Masson pine plantation forests (MPPF), and Slash pine plantation forests (SPPF) in a karst region of southwestern China. Results showed that N concentrations were higher in overstory than in understory and litter in the studied forests. However, P concentration was relatively low in overstory component of the forested ecosystems. Meanwhile, the N and P concentrations were higher in SPPF in the stem and litter, while these contents were higher in MPPF and MPNP in the overstory and understory. The N and P stocks ranged from 5.7–6.2 t ha<sup>−1</sup>, and 0.5–0.6 t ha<sup>−1</sup> in the examined forests. The ecological stoichiometry of C:N:P in the three forest types was similar in litter (46–49:2:1), and relatively steady in soil (250–320:13–16:1) and tree leaf (100–200:14–20:1). Soil P status was the primary limiting factor in affecting tree growth in MPPF and SPPF (N:P ratio > 16), while both N and P conditions were the main restrictive factors in MPNP (N:P ratio = 15) in the study area. Our study provides scientific references and useful datasets of C:N:P stoichiometry for sustainable management of forest ecosystems in karst regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/13/2503nutrientstoichiometryMasson pineSlash pinekarst region |
| spellingShingle | Wancai Wang Yuanying Peng Yazhen Chen Shilong Lei Xiaojun Wang Taimoor Hassan Farooq Xiaocui Liang Chao Zhang Wende Yan Xiaoyong Chen Ecological Stoichiometry and Stock Distribution of C, N, and P in Three Forest Types in a Karst Region of China Plants nutrient stoichiometry Masson pine Slash pine karst region |
| title | Ecological Stoichiometry and Stock Distribution of C, N, and P in Three Forest Types in a Karst Region of China |
| title_full | Ecological Stoichiometry and Stock Distribution of C, N, and P in Three Forest Types in a Karst Region of China |
| title_fullStr | Ecological Stoichiometry and Stock Distribution of C, N, and P in Three Forest Types in a Karst Region of China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ecological Stoichiometry and Stock Distribution of C, N, and P in Three Forest Types in a Karst Region of China |
| title_short | Ecological Stoichiometry and Stock Distribution of C, N, and P in Three Forest Types in a Karst Region of China |
| title_sort | ecological stoichiometry and stock distribution of c n and p in three forest types in a karst region of china |
| topic | nutrient stoichiometry Masson pine Slash pine karst region |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/13/2503 |
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