Allocation Patterns and Strategies of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Densities in Three Typical Desert Plants
Zhao, Guangxing (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Tariq, Akash (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Mu, Zhaobin (Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography)
Zhang, Zhihao (Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography)
Graciano, Corina (Universidad Nacional de La Plata)
Cong, Mengfei (Xinjiang University)
Dong, Xinping (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Sardans i Galobart, Jordi (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Al-Bakre, Dhafer A (University of Tabuk)
Peñuelas, Josep (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Zeng, Fanjiang (Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and and Geography)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	The densities of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (C-N-P) reflect the adaptation and response of desert plants to hyper-arid environments. However, the allocation strategies for biomass and C-N-P densities among various plant life forms remain poorly understood. This study involved the collection of samples representing both aboveground and belowground biomass (to depths of 200 cm) from three desert plant species-both herbaceous and shrubby-and evaluating their C-N-P densities. The investigation focused on the distribution strategies and drivers influencing total C-N-P densities within the plant-soil system. The results indicated that the biomass of the shrub Tamarix ramosissima (8. 88 ± 1. 22 kg m) was significantly greater than that of the herbaceous plants Alhagi sparsifolia (0. 96 ± 0. 15 kg m) and Karelinia caspia (0. 72 ± 0. 09 kg m). The total C density among the three species was observed as follows: T. ramosissima (9. 26 ± 0. 99 kg m) > A. sparsifolia (6. 21 ± 0. 85 kg m) > K. caspia (6. 18 ± 1. 12 kg m). Notably, no significant differences were detected in the total N and P densities across the species. Additionally, for A. sparsifolia and K. caspia, the roots exhibited greater biomass and C-N-P densities. Further analysis revealed that soil pools accounted for 56. 34-95. 10% of total C density, 90. 39-98. 63% of total N density, and 99. 86-99. 97% of total P density in the plant-soil system. The order of total C-N-P densities was established as C > P > N, decoupling total P density from other environmental factors. Total C and N densities in the three plant species were predominantly influenced by soil physicochemical properties, with biotic factors and microbial biomass playing secondary roles. This study improves the understanding of C-N-P densities strategies of dominant vegetation for restoration and sustainable management in hyper-arid deserts.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2022-140808NB-I00 Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2023-153125NB-I00
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Nutrient-use strategy ; Adaptive differentiation ; Biomass allocation ; Carbon-nitrogen-phosphorous densities
Published in:	Plants, Vol. 14, Núm. 11 (June 2025) , art. 1595, ISSN 2223-7747

DOI: 10.3390/plants14111595
PMID: 40508270

17 p, 3.0 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles