Objective This study was conducted to analyze the dynamics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), and their stoichiometric characteristics and nutrient resorption of Platycladus orientalis plantations in rocky mountainous area of Beijing. Studies on these relationships provided insights into interactions on nutrient cycling and nutrient use strategies for resource acquisition and mass partitioning.
Method Four stand densities were taken as research objects, the contents and stoichiometric characteristics of C, N and P in fresh leaves, litter leaves and soil were determined, the N and P resorption efficiency was calculated and also their relationships with leaf and soil nutrient indices were analyzed.
Result (1) The forest stand density had different effects on stoichiometry of soil leaf litter C, N, and P, with leaf N and P, fresh leaf N∶P, while fresh leaf C∶N and C∶P showing an overall upward trend. The C∶N and C∶P of fallen leaves showed an increasing trend with increasing density. (2) The N and P contents of soil first increased and then decreased with density; the interaction between density and soil factors only had a significant impact on fresh leaf N and litter leaf P. (3) The resorption rate of N in Platycladus orientalis plantations with different stand densities was significantly lower than that of P, with N resorption rates ranging from 18.03% to 32.15% and P resorption rates ranging from 58.87% to 60.13%.
Conclusion Reasonable stand density can alleviate nutrient limitations and improve N and P resorption capacity in artificial forests of Platycladus orientalis in rocky mountainous area of Beijing, and measures such as increasing stand density adjustment, increasing proportion of broadleaved tree species, and implementing nurturing residues should be taken to improve nutrient limitations in plantation tending management based on local conditions.
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