Intraspecific N and P stoichiometry of Phragmites australis: geographic patterns and variation among climatic regions.

ABSTRACT: Geographic patterns in leaf stoichiometry reflect plant adaptations to environments. Leaf stoichiometry variations along environmental gradients have been extensively studied among terrestrial plants, but little has been known about intraspecific leaf stoichiometry, especially for wetland plants. Here we analyzed the dataset of leaf N and P of a cosmopolitan wetland species, Phragmites australis, and environmental (geographic, climate and soil) variables from literature and field investigation in natural wetlands distributed in three climatic regions (subtropical, temperate and highland) across China. We found no clear geographic patterns in leaf nutrients of P. australis across China, except for leaf N:P ratio increasing with altitude. Leaf N and N:P decreased with mean annual temperature

SUBMITTER: Hu YK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5324045 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature