Foliar C, N, and P stoichiometry characterize successful plant ecological strategies in the Sonoran Desert

Castellanos, Alejandro E.; Llano-Sotelo, José Manuel; Machado-Encinas, Luis I.; López-Piña, José E.; Romo-León, José Raúl; Sardans, Jordi; Peñuelas, Josep

doi:10.1007/s11258-018-0833-3

Cited by 50 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 89 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Different communities have different carbon sequestration efficiencies, while carbon accumulation efficiency and storage capacities are associated with N and P supplies that limit plant growth. Ultimately, our results show that plant growth and community diversity are closely linked (Castellanos A E et al . 2018).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Relationship between ecological stoichiometry and community diversity of plant ecosystems in the upper reaches of the Tarim River, China

Zhao

Gong

Chen

2018

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Relationship between ecological stoichiometry and community diversity of plant3 ecosystems in the upper reaches of the Tarim Abstract 33 Aim Although it is commonly proposed that nutrient cycling can impact plant 34 community diversity, this relationship has not been fully examined in arid and 35 semi-arid zones. Here, we expand on the framework for evaluating the relationship 36 between biodiversity and ecological stoichiometry by scaling up from the level of the 37 community. 38 Location The upper reaches of the Tarim River (Northwest China, 80°10′-84°36′E, 39 0°25′-41°10′N).40Methods We used multivariate analysis of variance to compare the stoichiometric 41 characteristics and species diversity indices of sampled plant communities. We also 42 measured carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorous (P) content of plants. We then 43 assessed correlations between community stoichiometry and species diversity through 44 structural equation models (SEM) and redundancy analysis (RDA). 45 ResultsWe found that the differences between stoichiometric characteristics and 46 community diversity indices were highly significant. The Margalef index was 3 47 strongly related to C and P content. The Simpson's index and Shannon-Weaner index 48 were most strongly correlated with C content. Pielou's index was closely related to C 49 and N contents, and the C:N and C:P ratios were important at driving ecological 50 dominance. 51Main Conclusions Our study highlights the importance of ecological stoichiometry in 52 driving community assembly and diversity within a desert ecosystems in northwestern 53 China. The relationship between eclogical stoichiometry in the desert plant 54 community had an effect on species diversity, and it was a good indicator of plant 55 community diversity. 56 KEYWORDS 57 community stoichiometry, diversity, structural equation model, redundancy analysis.58 59 INTRODUCTION 60 Ecological stoichiometry is an important tool for studying ecological processes 61 and ecological functions(Zechmeister-Boltenstern S et al. 2016; Shang B et al. 2018), 62 which is mainly used to explore the dynamic balance of various elements and their 63 interactions (Sterner&Elser 2002; Moorthi S D et al. 2016). The C, N, and P 64 concentrations are vital source elements in plants, and their changes in characteristics 65 limit plant growth(Zeng Q et al. 2016; Sperfeld E et al. 2017 ). It can be used to judge 66 the nutrient limitation of plants and to reveal the utilization strategies of plants for 67 nutrients (Sterner&Elser 2002). At present, stoichiometry has been applied as a new 68 ecological research tool to all levels, such as molecules, cells, individuals, 69 communities and ecosystems (Elser J J et al. 2007; Elser J J et al. 2010; Yan Z B et 70 al. 2016). With the changes of the global environment,terrestrial ecosystems have also 71 undergone significant changes in the aspects of structure, process, function and 72 vegetation distribution pattern (Freudenberger L et al. 2012). Among them, the role of 73 community ecological st...

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…Since the 1980s, ecological stoichiometry has been applied to ecology for the first time(Reinhardt S B et al . 1986), it has become an important method for plant ecology research, and has been widely praised by ecologists all around the world(Allen A P. 2009; Castellanos A E et al . 2018; Yu H et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between ecological stoichiometry and community diversity of plant ecosystems in the upper reaches of the Tarim River, China

Zhao

Gong

Chen

2018

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Specifically, this study (ⅰ) examined the seasonal variations in LC, LN and LP and their stoichiometric ratios of P. australis and (ⅱ) identified the dominant soil factors affecting leaf stoichiometry in an arid wetland from the Yangguan wetland area of Dunhuang, China as a case study. Our hypothesis was that soil water and temperature may be the main factors affecting leaf stoichiometry of P. australis since water and energy (heat) drive the primary ecological functions in arid regions [ 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Dynamics of Leaf Stoichiometry of Phragmites australis: A Case Study From Yangguan Wetland, Dunhuang, China

Jian

Biswas

et al. 2020

Plants

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Leaf stoichiometry can enhance our understanding of leaf elements’ (C, N and P) concentrations and their corresponding ratios in an ecosystem with seasonal environment changes. This study quantified the seasonal dynamics of leaf stoichiometry of P. australis from Yangguan wetland, Dunhuang, China as a case study example. The leaf C concentration (LC) of P. australis changed between seasons and was 392.26 (g×kg−1), 417.35 (g×kg−1) and 392.58 (g×kg−1) in spring, summer and autumn, respectively. Leaf N and P concentrations (LN and LP) were 23.49 (g×kg−1), and 17.54 (g×kg−1) and 5.86 (g×kg−1), and 1.00 (g×kg−1), 0.75 (g×kg−1) and 0.16 (g×kg−1), respectively, in the three seasons. The maximum (77.68) and the minimum values (17.00) of LC:LN were observed in the autumn and spring, respectively. Seasonal variations in LC:LP also showed a similar trend, with the greatest value of 3015.91 in autumn and the lowest value of 429.39 in spring. However, the highest (45.67) and the lowest values (24.18) of LN:LP were observed in autumn and summer, respectively, indicating that the growth of P. australis was mainly affected by P. Based on these results, it can be concluded that P. australis adopted a competition strategy during the early growth stage but took on a defense life strategy at the late growth stage to cope with various environments.

show abstract

“…Specifically, PM may have lower proportional N and P resorption, and CL may show lower N resorption, because roots of CL may have a more soil phosphorus activation compared with PM [35]. This result indicates reallocation of P from roots to leaves and shoots, with enhanced root phosphatase activity to increase N and P availability in the soil [42]. In contrast to our results, Xiang et al [43] showed that biochar fertilization significantly increased the root P concentration but did not change the root N concentration of crops.…”

Section: Effects Of Biochar Fertilization On Plant Nutrients In Relatmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These inconsistent findings may be associated with different nutrient absorption and reallocation strategies of trees and crops. Significantly increased NSC concentrations in leaves (except under high biochar addition) and roots under the three biochar addition rates for PM and under low biochar addition only for CL (Figure 3g,h) suggests that the changes observed in plant and soil nutrients and stoichiometry may reflect a change in investment into photosynthetic machinery for both species [42]. For example, Rees et al [34] found that 5% (w/w) biochar fertilization had no effect on shoot production of Noccaea caerulescens subsp.…”

Section: Effects Of Biochar Fertilization On Plant Nutrients In Relatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar Fertilization Significantly Increases Nutrient Levels in Plants and Soil but Has No Effect on Biomass of Pinus massoniana (Lamb.) and Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook Saplings During the First Growing Season

Yang

Zhou

et al. 2019

Forests

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Previous studies have shown that biochar fertilization has profound effects on plant and fine root growth, but there is a lack of studies on how changes in plant and soil stoichiometry by biochar fertilization influence plant growth and root morphology. We investigated the effects of biochar fertilization on biomass, root morphology, plant nutrient concentrations, and the stoichiometry of plants and soil in a greenhouse experiment with Pinus massoniana (Lamb.) (PM) and Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. (CL) throughout the 2017 growing season immediately following biochar fertilization application. Four levels of biochar treatment were used, i.e., addition rates of 0 (control), 5 (low biochar), 10 (medium biochar), and 20 t ha−1 (high biochar). Biochar fertilization had no effect on biomass, fine root length, or fine root surface area. Biochar treatment, however, had significant effects on nutrient levels and their stoichiometry in both plants and soil. Detrended correspondence analysis suggested that increases in soil C:N, soil C:P, and soil N:P were associated with increases in plant nutrient levels, especially P concentration. Our results indicate that biochar fertilization prioritizes enhancing plant and soil nutrients over increasing height and diameter in the first growing season. A higher biochar fertilization dosage has a major influence on root morphology for PM and on P concentrations in the plant and soil for CL, probably through different growth characteristics and nutrient resorption rates. Further studies, particularly those considering long-term effects, are necessary before general recommendations regarding biochar application should be given.

show abstract

Foliar C, N, and P stoichiometry characterize successful plant ecological strategies in the Sonoran Desert

Cited by 50 publications

References 89 publications

Relationship between ecological stoichiometry and community diversity of plant ecosystems in the upper reaches of the Tarim River, China

Relationship between ecological stoichiometry and community diversity of plant ecosystems in the upper reaches of the Tarim River, China

Seasonal Dynamics of Leaf Stoichiometry of Phragmites australis: A Case Study From Yangguan Wetland, Dunhuang, China

Biochar Fertilization Significantly Increases Nutrient Levels in Plants and Soil but Has No Effect on Biomass of Pinus massoniana (Lamb.) and Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook Saplings During the First Growing Season

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About