Stoichiometric characteristics of carbon,nitrogen,and phosphorus in fine roots of ferns along elevation gradients in the Wuyi Mountains
The stoichiometry of fine roots reflects the adaptive strategies of plants to the environment.Examining the stoichiometry of fine roots in ferns,one of the oldest plant groups,provides valuable insights into the adaptive strategies of plants to their environment.We collected fine roots of ferns at various altitudes in the Wuyi Mountains of China and analyzed the stoichiometric changes in carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)and their responses to soil physicochemical properties.The fine roots of ferns exhibited average contents(all mg/g)of 417.92±21.61 for C,8.73±3.43 for N,and 1.25±0.51 for P.Furthermore,the C/N,C/P,and N/P ratios of the fine roots of ferns were 65.43±41.48,415.74±256.71,and 8.23±5.59 respectively.As the altitude gradient increased,the P content in the fine roots of ferns decreased,while the C/P ratio increased.This ratio was significantly positively correlated with the C content,C/N ratio,and C/P ratio of the soil.Conversely,the P content of fine roots was significantly negatively correlated with the soil C/N ratio.The stoichiometry of fern fine roots was significantly different across elevational gradients and was correlated with soil physicochemical properties.Ferns adopt an environmental adaptation strategy of simplifying their organizational structure and rapid growth and reproduction because of their low nutrient requirements and relatively simple resource acquisition strategies.
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