Contrasting leaf stoichiometry between conifer and broadleaf trees: species-specific responses to soil and climate drivers in a northern China plantation

Abstract

With global ecological restoration advancing, afforestation plays a key role in providing ecosystem services and mitigating climate change. However, intensifying climate change and soil degradation challenge the long-term sustainability of plantations, particularly in nutrient acquisition and utilization. This study focuses on two representative tree species in the Saihanba Forest Farm in China: the cold-tolerant conifer Larix gmelinii var. principis-rupprechtii (Larch) and the fast-growing deciduous broadleaf species Betula platyphylla (Birch). The aim is to analyze their leaf carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometric characteristics and to reveal species-specific nutrient allocation strategies and their environmental drivers. The results show that Larch exhibited higher C (477.29 ± 11.09 g kg^–1) and P content (1.72 ± 0.12 g kg^–1) than Birch (C: 461.87 ± 12.53 g kg^–1; P: 1.49 ± 0.12 g kg^–1), whereas Birch showed markedly higher C:P and N:P than Larch (P < 0.01). These patterns indicate a relatively conservative, P-enriched strategy in Larch and a more acquisitive, P-limited strategy in Birch. Soil and environmental factors explained 86.58% of leaf stoichiometric variation, with temperature and soil P emerging as the dominant drivers. GAM further revealed strong nonlinear responses: Larch leaf P content increased sharply with soil P (P < 0.01), whereas Birch was more sensitive to climatic factors, reflecting its climate-responsive strategy during rapid growth. These results highlight species-specific environmental constraints and provide empirical evidence for understanding nutrient adaptation strategies under climate change and soil nutrient imbalances, offering valuable insights for forest restoration and nutrient management.

Keywords

Leaf stoichiometry / Nutrient use strategy / Environmental drivers / Phosphorus limitation

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