Abstract: Clarifying the C∶N∶P stoichiometry of plantlitter soil continuum after vegetation restoration in desertification area of Poyang Lake has great significance for ecological restoration and reconstruction of desertification land in subtropical regions of China. We established a restored ecosystem with an area of 110 hm² in a typical desertification area of Duchang, Jiangxi Province. We collected 0-10 cm soil samples, fresh leaves, and litters of five dominant species, including Cynodon dactylon, Vetiveria zizanioides, Vitex rotundifolia, Glochidion wilsonii, and Pinus elliottii. We measured C, N, and P concentrations in all samples. The results showed that: (1) The average concentrations of C, N, P in leaves of five species were 394.3, 11.9 and 1.2 mg·g^-1, 366.7, 6.8 and 0.9 mg·g^-1 in litters and 6.8, 0.4 and 0.5 mg·g^-1 in soils. The concentrations of elements in leaves were significantly higher than those in litters and soils. (2) Significant correlations of C and P concentrations and C∶P were found between leaf and soil (P<0.05). C, N, P concentrations in litters were significantly correlated with C, N, P concentrations and stoichiometric ratios in leaves (P<0.01), and significantly correlated with C, N, P concentrations and C∶P in soils (P<0.05). (3) C, N, P concentrations of plants in Poyang Lake desertification land were lower than national mean values of China. Leaf N∶P was 14-16 in mild desertification area, and <14 in moderate and heavy desertification area. According to nutrient limitation theory, plant growth in this area was colimited by N and P, and with relatively much stronger limitation of N.

Key words: Stellera chamaejasme, Seed germination, Population regeneration, Poisonous plant