Elevational variations of leaf stochiometry in Leontopodium leontopodioides on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.201812.021

Abstract

Abstract: Topography has major impacts on the trade-off of plant survival strategies. Exploring the differential pattern of leaf ecological stoichiometry along the elevation gradient contributes to a better understanding of plant’s response to environmental changes and its ecological adaptability. We investigated leaf C, N, and P concentrations and stoichiometric ratios of Leontopodium leontopodioides at three elevations, including from 4400 m to 4700 m, from 4701 m to 5000 m, and from 5001 m to 5300 m, on the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China. The results showed that the concentrations of leaf C, N, and P of L. leontopodioides were 405.36 g·kg^-1, 18.42 g·kg^-1 and 0.94 g·kg^-1, respectively. Leaf C/N, C/P, and N/P were 22.67, 467.61 and 20.30, respectively. The concentrations of leaf N and P of L. leontopodioides consistently increased with the increases of elevation. The coefficient of variations for leaf C, N and P concentrations and ratios of L. leontopodioides were all less than 30%, with an order of P (30%) > C/P (29%) > C/N (18%) > N (17%) > N/P (15%) > C (3%). The growth of L. leontopodioides on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was mainly limited by P availability.

XU Xue-yun, QIN Yan-yan, CAO Jian-jun, LI Meng-tian, GONG Yi-fan, ZHANG Xiao-fang. Elevational variations of leaf stochiometry in Leontopodium leontopodioides on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2018, 29(12): 3934-3940.

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