Tree–litter–soil system C:N:P stoichiometry and tree organ homeostasis in mixed and pure Chinese fir stands in south subtropical China

IntroductionCultivation of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) have alleviated timber shortages and mixed stands with Chinese fir and indigenous species represent a sustainable forestry model. Studying system nutrient balance and tree nutrient homeostasis can provide insights into the ecological a...

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Main Authors: Han Zhang, Xian Li, Shengqiang Wang, Chenyang Jiang, Yuhong Cui, Rongyuan Fan, Yahui Lan, Qianchun Zhang, Shaoming Ye
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2024.1293439/full
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author Han Zhang
Xian Li
Shengqiang Wang
Chenyang Jiang
Yuhong Cui
Rongyuan Fan
Yahui Lan
Qianchun Zhang
Shaoming Ye
Shaoming Ye
author_facet Han Zhang
Xian Li
Shengqiang Wang
Chenyang Jiang
Yuhong Cui
Rongyuan Fan
Yahui Lan
Qianchun Zhang
Shaoming Ye
Shaoming Ye
author_sort Han Zhang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionCultivation of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) have alleviated timber shortages and mixed stands with Chinese fir and indigenous species represent a sustainable forestry model. Studying system nutrient balance and tree nutrient homeostasis can provide insights into the ecological advantages of Chinese fir mixed stands and guide the management of plantations.MethodsMixed Chinese fir plantations with two native broadleaf species (Michelia macclurei and Mytilaria laosensis) and pure Chinese fir stands were examined for our study. The responses in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) distribution and their stoichiometric characterization in the tree–litter–soil system to stand changes were evaluated. In addition, the ecological stoichiometric homeostasis of leaves, branches, trunks, bark and roots was used to measure the trees’ adaptive capacity to stand changes.ResultsThe results showed that the mixed stands of Michelia macclurei and Chinese fir significantly increased soil OC, TN, and TP, and improved the carbon sequestration and nutrient storage functions of the plantations. The mixed stands improved the litter mass and C:N and C:P to different degrees. The soil N and P imbalance reduced the leaf N:P, resulting in N limitation of different trees, while the principal component analysis showed that the improvement of soil TN in the mixed plantation alleviated the N limitation. In addition, mixed stands reduced N, P, and N:P homeostasis in branch, trunk, and bark of some Chinese fir trees, whereas mixed species showed flexibility in leaf N:P homeostasis.DiscussionTherefore, the selection of mixed species for mixed forests is a critical factor to consider when creating mixed plantations. These results contribute to our understanding of the ecological stoichiometry of fir plantations and are of considerable importance for the sustainable development of plantations as well as for the response to global climate change.
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spelling doaj.art-59703236fce34a7e9187e46be4ba4d712024-02-21T05:11:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Forests and Global Change2624-893X2024-02-01710.3389/ffgc.2024.12934391293439Tree–litter–soil system C:N:P stoichiometry and tree organ homeostasis in mixed and pure Chinese fir stands in south subtropical ChinaHan Zhang0Xian Li1Shengqiang Wang2Chenyang Jiang3Yuhong Cui4Rongyuan Fan5Yahui Lan6Qianchun Zhang7Shaoming Ye8Shaoming Ye9College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, Guangxi University, Nanning, ChinaIntroductionCultivation of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) have alleviated timber shortages and mixed stands with Chinese fir and indigenous species represent a sustainable forestry model. Studying system nutrient balance and tree nutrient homeostasis can provide insights into the ecological advantages of Chinese fir mixed stands and guide the management of plantations.MethodsMixed Chinese fir plantations with two native broadleaf species (Michelia macclurei and Mytilaria laosensis) and pure Chinese fir stands were examined for our study. The responses in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) distribution and their stoichiometric characterization in the tree–litter–soil system to stand changes were evaluated. In addition, the ecological stoichiometric homeostasis of leaves, branches, trunks, bark and roots was used to measure the trees’ adaptive capacity to stand changes.ResultsThe results showed that the mixed stands of Michelia macclurei and Chinese fir significantly increased soil OC, TN, and TP, and improved the carbon sequestration and nutrient storage functions of the plantations. The mixed stands improved the litter mass and C:N and C:P to different degrees. The soil N and P imbalance reduced the leaf N:P, resulting in N limitation of different trees, while the principal component analysis showed that the improvement of soil TN in the mixed plantation alleviated the N limitation. In addition, mixed stands reduced N, P, and N:P homeostasis in branch, trunk, and bark of some Chinese fir trees, whereas mixed species showed flexibility in leaf N:P homeostasis.DiscussionTherefore, the selection of mixed species for mixed forests is a critical factor to consider when creating mixed plantations. These results contribute to our understanding of the ecological stoichiometry of fir plantations and are of considerable importance for the sustainable development of plantations as well as for the response to global climate change.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2024.1293439/fullChinese firmixed plantationtree-litter-soil systemecological stoichiometrystoichiometric homeostasis
spellingShingle Han Zhang
Xian Li
Shengqiang Wang
Chenyang Jiang
Yuhong Cui
Rongyuan Fan
Yahui Lan
Qianchun Zhang
Shaoming Ye
Shaoming Ye
Tree–litter–soil system C:N:P stoichiometry and tree organ homeostasis in mixed and pure Chinese fir stands in south subtropical China
Frontiers in Forests and Global Change
Chinese fir
mixed plantation
tree-litter-soil system
ecological stoichiometry
stoichiometric homeostasis
title Tree–litter–soil system C:N:P stoichiometry and tree organ homeostasis in mixed and pure Chinese fir stands in south subtropical China
title_full Tree–litter–soil system C:N:P stoichiometry and tree organ homeostasis in mixed and pure Chinese fir stands in south subtropical China
title_fullStr Tree–litter–soil system C:N:P stoichiometry and tree organ homeostasis in mixed and pure Chinese fir stands in south subtropical China
title_full_unstemmed Tree–litter–soil system C:N:P stoichiometry and tree organ homeostasis in mixed and pure Chinese fir stands in south subtropical China
title_short Tree–litter–soil system C:N:P stoichiometry and tree organ homeostasis in mixed and pure Chinese fir stands in south subtropical China
title_sort tree litter soil system c n p stoichiometry and tree organ homeostasis in mixed and pure chinese fir stands in south subtropical china
topic Chinese fir
mixed plantation
tree-litter-soil system
ecological stoichiometry
stoichiometric homeostasis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2024.1293439/full
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