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. 2021 Jun 30;16(6):e0252838.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252838. eCollection 2021.

Ecological stoichiometric characteristics of soil-moss C, N, and P in restoration stages of karst rocky desertification

Wenping Meng  1   2   3 , Quanhou Dai  1   4 , Qingqing Ren  5 , Na Tu  1   4 , Tingjiao Leng  1   4
Affiliations

Ecological stoichiometric characteristics of soil-moss C, N, and P in restoration stages of karst rocky desertification

Wenping Meng et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Rocky desertification is the most serious ecological disaster in karst areas. Comprehensive control of rocky desertification plays an important role in promoting the economic development of karst areas. Studying the stoichiometric characteristics of mosses and soil can provide a powerful reference for the ecological restoration and evaluation of ecosystems experiencing rocky desertification. Soil and mosses were collected from sites representing different stages of ecological restoration (bare rock, grassland, shrubland, and secondary forest), and the contents of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) were detected for ecological stoichiometric analysis. The results indicate that in different restoration stages following karst rocky desertification, the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) and the stoichiometric ratios in the shrub habitat are higher than those in the bare rock, grassland, and secondary forest habitats. However, the TP and available P contents were low at all stages (0.06 g/kg and 0.62 mg/kg, respectively). The N and P contents and stoichiometric ratios in the mosses showed no significant differences among the succession stages. The C contents in the mosses had a significant positive correlation with SOC and TN and TP content, and the P content had a significant positive correlation with the soil available P. However, there was a significant negative correlation between the C: N and C:P ratios of the bryophytes and soil C: N. In summary, during the process of natural restoration of karst rocky desertification areas, SOC and soil TN contents accumulate with each succession stage. Soil nutrients are higher in shrub habitats than in other succession stages. Mosses have a strong effect on improving soil nutrients in rocky desertification areas.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. A map of the study area and sampling plot.
Fig 2
Fig 2. The map of the ecosystem of Puding karst rocky desertification ecosystem observation and research station of the chinese academy of sciences.
A show the habitat of karst rocky desertification. B shows mosses in the karst rocky desertification habitat.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Correlation analysis between mosses and soil C, N, and P contents in karst rocky desertification areas.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Correlation analysis between C, N, and P contents of mosses and soil and stoichiometric ratios in karst rocky desertification areas.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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