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Background and aims Ecological stoichiometry in plants and soils plays a crucial role in biogeochemical cycles, energy flow and functioning in ecosystems. However, the stoichiometric responses of plants and soils along successional stages in alpine desert areas remain unclear.Methods We illustrated the C:N:P stoichiometry interactions among plants (green leaves, understorey herbs, and litter), soils, and soil microbes across three successional stages (moving dune, MD; semifixed dune, SFD; and fixed dune, FD) of the Sophora moorcroftiana shrub community. Results Recovery succession increased the C:N, C:P, N:P ratios of soils, but decreased the plants. Importantly, among the stoichiometric ratios of soil resources, the C:N ratio decreased with recovery succession. Leaf C:P and N:P ratios in S. moorcroftiana were higher than those in the understorey herb biomass, as P concentrations gradually decreased in leaves. Leaf N:P ratio increased with succession and varied from 15.83 to 28.26, suggesting that P was the more restricted element for the growth of the S. moorcroftiana population. Furthermore, significant increases in plant and soil C:N and C:P ratios and decreases in soil N:P ratios were observed with shrub age, suggesting that the demand for P became increasingly critical. Conclusion the stoichiometric ratios of plants and soils formed a complex network. Succession can balance plant and soil C:N:P ratios relationship dependent on the stoichiometry ratios of litter and microbial biomass. These findings are helpful for understanding the nutrient stoichiometry patterns and utilization strategies of C, N and P and scrubland restoration and management in alpine valley sand ecosystems. |
