Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Leaf resorption efficiency in relation to foliar and soil nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry of Cunninghamia lanceolata with stand development in southern China

  • Soils, Sec 1 • Soil Organic Matter Dynamics and Nutrient Cycling • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Soils and Sediments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The relationships among resorption, leaf nutrient status, and soil nutrient availability remain unresolved. Moreover, the dynamics of resorption in leaf and soil nutrients and stoichiometry during development of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) stands have rarely been studied. This study quantified the resorption efficiencies of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), and their potential correlations with stoichiometric ratios in leaf and soil as Chinese fir stands develop, and also evaluated the nutritional control on resorption in the stands based on the “relative resorption hypothesis.”

Materials and methods

Leaf and soil samples were collected from Chinese fir stands at different developmental stages (young, mature, and overmature) at the Xinkou National Forest in southern China. Samples of green leaves were collected from different portions of the crown from representative trees in different seasons. Samples of senesced leaves were collected from litter traps placed under the representative trees every month. Soils were sampled at three depths (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm). Samples of green and senesced leaves were analyzed to determine nutrient (N, P, and K) concentrations, stoichiometric ratios, and resorption efficiencies. Soil samples were also analyzed for nutrient concentrations (organic matter, N, P, and K) and stoichiometric ratios.

Results and discussion

P (75 %) and K (77 %) resorption efficiencies were higher than N resorption efficiency (57 %) but did not vary among the stands. However, K resorption efficiency decreased from the young to the overmature stage. N and P resorption efficiencies were influenced by season, and leaf nutrient stoichiometric ratios varied with stand stage. Green-leaf N and P concentrations, and senesced-leaf K concentration increased with stand developmental stage. The concentrations of N, P, and K decreased with soil depth, and there was no interaction effect of stand stage and soil depth on stoichiometric ratios of the soil nutrients. The correlation results showed that nutrient resorption efficiencies were mostly affected by leaf nutrient status, but seldom by soil nutrient concentration and stoichiometry.

Conclusions

The results suggest Chinese fir might preferentially resorb P and K from senescing leaves prior to abscission. Based on the relative resorption hypothesis the Chinese fir plantations are more limited by P and that resorption may be an important mechanism to conserve nutrients in these stands in order to reduce dependence on soil nutrient pools. There is an indication that stand development affects these processes; however, the resorption process and internal mechanism need to be further investigated for the long term.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aerts R (1996) Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves of perennials: are there general patterns? J Ecol 84:597–608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aerts R, Chapin FS (2000) The mineral nutrition of wild plants revisited: reevaluation of processes and patterns. Adv Ecol Res 30:1–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bai KD, Mo L, Liu M, Zhang DN, Wan XC, Jiang DB (2015) Nutrient resorption patterns of evergreen and deciduous tree species at different altitudes on Mao’re mountain, Guangxi. Acta Ecol Sin 35:5776–5787 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauhus J, Paré D, Côté L (1998) Effects of tree species, stand age and soil type on soil microbial biomass and its activity in a southern boreal forest. Soil Biol Biochem 30:1077–1089

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bílgin A, Zeren Y, Güzel S (2015) Foliar N and P resorption and nutrient (N, C, P, and S) contents of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. and Vaccinium myrtillus L. from East Black sea region of Turkey. Turk J Bot. doi:10.3906/bot-1411-16

    Google Scholar 

  • Brant AN (2014) Foliar nutrient resorption and litterfall production with stand age, overstory composition, and distribution origin in Boreal forests. Master’s Thesis. Lakehead University, 116

  • Brant AN, Chen HYH (2015) Patterns and mechanisms of nutrient resorption in plants. Crit Rev Plant Sci 34:471–486

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bray RH, Kurtz LT (1945) Determination of total organic and available forms of phosphorus in soils. Soil Soc 59:39–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cai ZQ, Bongers F (2007) Contrasting nitrogen and phosphorus resorption efficiencies in trees and lianas from a tropical montane rain forest in Xishuangbanna, south-west China. J Trop Ecol 23:115–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen FS, Niklas KJ, Liu Y, Fang XM, Wan SZ, Wang H (2015) Nitrogen and phosphorus additions alter nutrients dynamics but not resorption efficiencies of Chinese fir leaves and twigs differing in age. Tree Physiol 35:1106–1117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng RM, Xiao WF, Wang XR, Feng XH, Wang RL (2010) Soil nutrient characteristics in different vegetation successional stages of three gorges reservoir area. Scientia Silvae Sinicae 9:1–6 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleveland CC, Houlton BZ, Smith WK, Marklein AR, Reed SC, Parton W, Del Grosso S, Running SW (2013) Patterns of new versus recycled primary production in the terrestrial biosphere. PNAS 110:12733–12737

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Craine JM, Morrow C, Stock WD (2008) Nutrient concentration ratios and co-limitation in South African grasslands. New Phytol 179:829–836

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deng H, Chen A, Yan S, Lin Y, Zhang G, Du K, Wu C, Hong W (2015) Nutrient resorption efficiency and C:N:P stoichiometry in different ages of Leuceana leucocephala. Chin J Appl Environ Biol 21:522–527 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diehl P, Mazzarino MJ, Funes F, Fontenla S, Gobbi M, Ferrari J (2003) Nutrient conservation strategies in native Andean-Patagonian forests. J Veg Sci 14:63–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2007) State of the world’s forests. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, pp 88–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Freschet G, Cornelissen JHC, van Logtesijn RSP, Aerts R (2010) Substantial nutrient resorption from leaves, stems and roots in a subarctic flora: what is the link with other resource economics traits? New Phytol 186:879–889

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Güsewell S (2004) N: P ratios in terrestrial plants: variation and functional significance. New Phytol 164:243–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han WX, Fang JY, Guo DL, Zhang Y (2005) Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry across 753 terrestrial plant species in China. New Phytol 168:377–385

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han WX, Tang LY, Chen YH, Fang JY (2013) Relationship between the relative limitation and resorption efficiency of nitrogen vs phosphorus in woody plants. PLoS ONE 8:e83366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes P, Turner BL, Lambers H, Laliberté E (2014) Foliar nutrient concentrations and resorption efficiency in plants of contrasting nutrient-acquisition strategies along a 2-million-year dune chronosequence. J Ecol 102:396–410

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang JJ, Wang XH, Yan ER (2007) Leaf nutrient concentration, nutrient resorption and litter decomposition in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in eastern China. For Ecol Manag 239:150–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang WJ, Zhou GY, Liu JX (2012) Nitrogen and phosphorus status and their influence on aboveground production under increasing nitrogen deposition in there successional forests. Acta Oecol 44:20–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imo M, Timmer VR (2001) Growth and nitrogen retranslocation of nutrient loaded Picea mariana seedlings planted on boreal mixedwood sites. Can J For Res 31:1357–1366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Institute of Soil Academia Sinica (1978) Analysis of soil physics and chemistry. Sciences and Technology of Shanghai Press, Shanghai, pp 274–276 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Killingbeck KT (1996) Nutrients in senesced leaves: keys to the search for potential resorption and resorption proficiency. Ecology 77:1716–1727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kobe RK, Lepczyk CA, Iyer M (2005) Resorption efficiency decreases with increasing green leaf nutrients in a global data set. Ecology 86:2780–2792

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee KL, Ong KH, King PJH, Chubo JK, Su DSA (2015) Stand productivity, carbon content, and soil nutrients in different stand ages of Acacia mangium in Sarawak, Malaysia. Tur J Agric For 39:154–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li H, Li J, He YL, Li SJ, Liang ZS, Peng CH, Polle A, Luo ZB (2013a) Changes in carbon, nutrients and stoichiometric relations under different soil depths, plant tissues and ages in black locust plantations. Acta Physiol Plant 35:2951–2964

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Chen J, Cui J, Zhao X, Zhang T (2013b) Nutrient resorption in Caragana microphylla along a chronosequence of plantations: implications for desertified land restoration in North China. Ecol Eng 53:299–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Han W, Zhang C, Tian D, Xu XN, Fang JY (2015) Nutrient resorption of Castanopsis eyrei varies at the defoliation peaks in spring and autumn in a subtropical forest, Anhui, China. Ecol Res 30:111–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang DF, Zhang JJ, Zhang ST (2015) Patterns of nitrogen resorption in functional groups in Tibetan alpine meadow. Folia Geobot 50:267–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu CC, Liu YG, Guo K, Wang SJ, Yang Y (2014) Concentrations and resorption patterns of 13 nutrients in different plant functional types in the karst region of south-western China. Ann Bot 113:873–885

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lü XT, Freschet GT, Flynn DFB, Han XG (2012) Plasticity in leaf and stem nutrient resorption proficiency potentially reinforces plant-soil feedbacks and microscale heterogeneity in a semi-arid grassland. J Ecol 100:144–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma XQ, Liu CJ, Hannu I, Westman CJ, Liu AQ (2002) Biomass, litterfall and the nutrient fluxes in chinese fir stands of different age in subtropical China. J For Res 13:165–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma XQ, Heal KV, Liu AQ, Jarvis PG (2007) Nutrient cycling and distribution in different-aged plantations of Chinese fir in southern China. For Ecol Manag 243:61–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marschner P (2012) Marschner’s mineral nutrition of higher plants. Academic Press, Amsterdam, p 651

    Google Scholar 

  • Mo QF, Zou B, Li YW, Chen Y, Zhang WX, Mao R, Ding YZ, Wang J, Lu XK, Li XB, Tang JW, Li ZA, Wang FM (2015) Response of plant nutrient stoichiometry to fertilization varied with plant tissues in a tropical forest. Sci Rep 5:14605

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reed SC, Townsend AR, Davidson EA, Cleveland CC (2012) Stoichiometric patterns in foliar nutrient resorption across multiple scales. New Phytol 196:173–180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rentería LY, Jaramillo VJ (2011) Rainfall drives leaf traits and leaf nutrient resorption in a tropical dry forest in Mexico. Oecologia 165:201–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadras VO (2006) The N:P stoichiometry of cereal, grain legume and oilseed crops. Field Crop Res 95:13–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sardans J, Peñuelas J (2015a) Potassium: a neglected nutrient in global change. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 24:261–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sardans J, Peñuelas J (2015b) Trees increase their P:N ratio with size. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 24:147–156

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schreeg LA, Santiago LS, Wright SJ, Turner BL (2014) Stem, root and older leaf N:P ratios are more responsive indicators of soil nutrient availability than new foliage. Ecology 95:2062–2068

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • See CR, Yanai RD, Fisk MC, Vadeboncoeur MA, Quintero BA, Fahey TJ (2015) Soil nitrogen affects phosphorus recycling: foliar resorption and plant-soil feedbacks in a northern hardwood forest. Ecology 96:2488–2498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SFA (2010) The 7th national forest resources inventory and the status of forest resources. For Res Manag 1:1–8 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterner RW, Elser JJ (2002) Ecological stoichiometry: the biology of elements from molecules to the biosphere. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang LY, Han WX, Chen YH, Fang JY (2013) Resorption proficiency and efficiency of leaf nutrients in woody plants in eastern China. J Plant Ecol 6:408–417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian HQ, Chen GS, Zhang C, Melillo JM, Hall CAS (2010) Pattern and variation of C: N: P ratios in China’s soils: a synthesis of observational data. Biogeochemistry 98:139–151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend AR, Cleveland CC, Asner GP, Bustamante MMC (2007) Controls over foliar N:P ratios in tropical rain forests. Ecology 88:107–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tully KE, Wood TE, Schwantes AM, Lawrence D (2013) Soil nutrient availability and reproductive effort drive patterns in nutrient resorption in Pentaclethra macroloba. Ecology 94:930–940

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Heerwaarden LM, Toet S, Aerts R (2003a) Current measures of nutrient resorption efficiency lead to a substantial underestimation of real resorption efficiency: facts and solutions. Oikos 101(3):664–669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Heerwaarden LM, Toet S, Aerts R (2003b) Nitrogen and phosphorus resorption efficiency and proficiency in six sub-arctic bog species after 4 years of nitrogen fertilization. J Ecol 91:1060–1070

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vergutz L, Manzoni S, Porporato A, Novais RF, Jackson RB (2012) Global resorption efficiencies and concentrations of carbon and nutrients in leaves of terrestrial plants. Ecol Monogr 82:205–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang QK, Wang S, Fan B, Yu XJ (2007) Litter production, leaf litter decomposition and nutrient return in Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations in south China: effect of planting conifers with broadleaved species. Plant Soil 297:201–211

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang ZN, Lu JY, Yang HM, Zhang X, Luo CL, Zhao YX (2014a) Resorption of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from leaves of lucerne stands of different ages. Plant Soil 383:301–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang M, Murphy MT, Moore TR (2014b) Nutrient resorption f two evergreen shrubs in response to long-term fertilization in a bog. Oecologia 174:365–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright IJ, Westoby M (2003) Nutrient concentration, resorption and lifespan: leaf traits of Australian sclerophyll species. Funct Ecol 17:10–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu PF, Ma XQ, Tigabu M, Wang C, Liu AQ, Odén PC (2011) Root morphological plasticity and biomass production of two Chinese fir clones with high phosphorus efficiency under low phosphorus stress. Can J For Res 41:228–234

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu TG, Yu MK, Geoff Wang G, Dong Y, Cheng XR (2012) Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry across forty-two woody species in Southeast China. Biochem Syst Ecol 44:255–263

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan T, Lü XT, Yang K, Zhu JJ (2015) Leaf nutrient dynamics and nutrient resorption: a comparison between larch plantations and adjacent secondary forests in Northeast China. J Plant Ecol. doi:10.1093/jpe/rtv034

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang M, Wang SL, Zhang WD, Wang QK (2010) Dynamics of biomass- and nutrient accumulation in a Chinese-fir plantation. J Appl Ecol 21:1674–1680 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye GF, Zhang SJ, Zhang LH, Lin YM, Wei SD, Liao MM, Lin GH (2012) Age-related changes in nutrient resorption patterns and tannin concentration of Casuarina equisetifolia plantations. J Trop For Sci 24:546–556

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu XT (1997) Silviculture of Chinese Fir. Fujian Science & Technology Press, Fuzhou (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan ZY, Chen HYH (2009a) Global-scale patterns of nutrient resorption associated with latitude, temperature and precipitation. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 18:11–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan ZY, Chen HYH (2009b) Global trends in senesced-leaf nitrogen and phosphorus. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 18:532–542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan ZY, Chen HYH (2010) Changes in nitrogen resorption of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) with stand development. Plant Soil 327:121–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan ZY, Chen HYH (2015) Negative effects of fertilization on plant nutrient resorption. Ecology 96:373–380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang JL, Zhang SB, Chen YJ, Zhang YP, Poorter L (2015a) Nutrient resorption is associated with leaf vein density and growth performance of dipterocarp tree species. J Ecol 103:541–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang JH, Tang ZY, Luo YK, Chi XL, Chen YH, Fang JY, Shen HH (2015b) Resorption efficiency of leaf nutrients in woody plants on Mt. Dongling of Beijing, North China. J Plant Ecol 8:530–538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou LL, Addo-Danso SD, Wu PF, Li SB, Ma XQ (2015) Litterfall production and nutrient return in different-aged Chinese (Cunningham lanceolata) plantations in south China. J For Res 26:79–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Grant Nos. 31370619 and U1405211, Science and Technology Project of the Fujian Province under Grant No. 2014N0002, and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation under Grant No. 132300148. Authors are grateful to Chunhua Liu and Zongkai Jiang in Xinkou National Forest Farm for assistance with fieldwork, Nailian Chen and Xuejiao Chen for laboratory analyses, Mulualem Tigabu, Bo Liu, Futao Guo, Lucy Ry-Kottoh, and Athena McKown for feedback on the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forestry College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China

    Lili Zhou, Pengfei Wu, Shubin Li, Xianhua Zou, Yun Zhang & Xiangqing Ma

  2. Chinese fir Engineering Technology Research Center of the State Forestry Administration, Fuzhou, 350002, China

    Lili Zhou, Pengfei Wu, Shubin Li, Xianhua Zou, Yun Zhang & Xiangqing Ma

  3. Belowground Ecosystem Group and Tree Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, 3621-2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Shalom Daniel Addo-Danso

  4. Forest and Climate Change Division, CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 63 KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

    Shalom Daniel Addo-Danso

Authors
  1. Lili Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shalom Daniel Addo-Danso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pengfei Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shubin Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xianhua Zou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yun Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Xiangqing Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiangqing Ma.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(DOCX 23.4 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhou, L., Addo-Danso, S.D., Wu, P. et al. Leaf resorption efficiency in relation to foliar and soil nutrient concentrations and stoichiometry of Cunninghamia lanceolata with stand development in southern China. J Soils Sediments 16, 1448–1459 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1352-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-016-1352-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation