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Characteristics of leaf carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry in relation to plant size of Machilus pauhoi.

ZHANG Lei-lei1,2,3, ZHONG Quan-lin1,2,3, CHENG Dong-liang1,2,3, ZHANG Zhong-rui1,2,3, FEI Ling1,2,3, XU Chao-bin1,2,3, HE Li-zhong4, WANG Wei-jun5   

  1. (1College of Geograhical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China; 2State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Humid Subtropical Mountain Ecology, Fuzhou 350007, China; 3Institute of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China; 4Qixiling Forest Farm of Yongxin County, Yongxin 343400, Jiangxi, China; 5Guyuanshan Forest Farm of Anfu County, Anfu 343200, Jiangxi, China)
  • Online:2015-07-18 Published:2015-07-18

Abstract: To explore the effects of stand age on variation patterns of leaf C, N, P stoichiometric characteristics of Machilus pauhoi, two stands, i.e., 9 and 13 years old, were selected. The relationships between leaf nutrient contents (C, N and P) and diameters at breast height (DBH) of individual plants were analyzed. The data revealed that the individual variations of seedlings in M. pauhoi stands were strengthened with the stand development. The stand age had significant effects on leaf C, N, P contents and C:N ratio but not on C:P and N:P ratios. Specifically, the mean values of leaf C, N, P contents and N:P ratio in the 9-year-old stand were lower than those in the 13-year-old stand, whereas, inverse pattern of C:N and C:P ratios were found in the two stands. Furthermore, leaf N and P stoichiometry varied significantly within the stand. Specifically, leaf N and P contents, as well as their stoichiometric ratios, linearly correlated with DBH in the 9-year-old stand. On the contrary, leaf N and P stoichiometry showed quadratic correlation in 13-year-old stand (except leaf C:N which linearly correlated with DBH). Lastly, nutrient transfer rates of leaf N and P in the 9-year-old stand were higher than that in 13-year-old stand, and the discrepancies of leaf nutrient transfer strategy between growing and non-growing seasons were caused by the different growth phases and environmental conditions.