Local-Scale Soil Heterogeneity Differentially Influenced Assimilative Branch Stoichiometry of Three Dominant Shrubs in a Central Asian Desert.

ABSTRACT: Most traits of assimilative branches (ABs) present large spatial and interspecific differences; however, it is still unclear how small-scale soil heterogeneity influences nutrient traits in ABs under the same climatic conditions. The AB samples of Ephedra przewalskii (EP; small-sized), Calligonum mongolicum (CM; medium-sized), and Haloxylon persicum (HP; large-sized), as well as soil samples, were collected at three sites (north, middle, and south; within 65 km) in the southeastern Gurbantunggut Desert, China. The interspecific and inter-site differences in C:N:P:K stoichiometry and the relationships with soil properties were discussed. From north to south, soil nutrients and biocrust development improved, whereas coarse sand proportion decreased. Species and site mark

SUBMITTER: Wang CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12610744 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature