This study aimed to understand the nutrient absorption, usage and allocation of Carpinus cordata in different soil and light environments. Seasonal changes of foliar nitrogen, phosphorous, chlorophyll contents, leaf mass per area (LMA) and nutrient retranslocation rates were investigated for C. cordata saplings growing in a natural deciduous broadleaved forest and an Manchurian fir (Abies holophylla) plantation in Gwangneung, Kyunggido. The deciduous forest had lower leaf area, higher light penetration, and better soil fertility than the Manchurian fir forest. However, available soil phosphorous content in the deciduous forest was only one third of that in the Manchurian fir forest, which caused lower foliar phosphorous content and higher P retranslocation rate of C. cordata in the deciduous forest than that in the Mancurian fir forest. Soil nitrogen contents in the deciduous forest were higher than that in the Manchurian fir forest, however, no differences in foliar nitrogen content and retranslocation rate in C. cordata between the two stands were found. C. cordata in the Manchurian fir forest with high LAI throughout a year, had lower LMA, foliar nitrogen content and chlorophyll a/b, while had higher total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll/N than that in the deciduous forest. These results implied C. cordata under different environments are using different strategies for nutrient use and allocations.
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