Variation in Community Leaf Stoichiometry and Nutrient Resorption Along an Elevational Gradient on the Northern Slope of the Kunlun Mountains.

ABSTRACT: Leaf stoichiometry and nutrient resorption are key indicators for assessing nutrient-use status and predicting nutrient limitation in plant growth. However, the patterns of variation in plant community nutrient-use traits along elevational gradients remain unclear. To address this, we measured leaf nutrient contents of plant communities across six elevational gradients (1960 to 3548 m) on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. We systematically analyzed variations in leaf stoichiometric traits, nutrient homeostasis, and nutrient resorption efficiency (NuRE), with a particular focus on the control strategies of nutrient resorption and their responses to environmental variables. The results showed that plant communities across all elevations in the study area exhibited co-limitation by

SUBMITTER: Xue S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12395183 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature