ECOLOGICAL STOICHIOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM IN BEIBU GULF, CHINA.

Despite extensive studies on how environmental factors influence plant and soil nutrient distribution and stoichiometry, how the intertidal zone affects plant and soil distribution, and stoichiometry remains unclear. Therefore, this study analyzed the leaf and soil organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations and stoichiometry in mangrove forest wetlands in South China. The results demonstrated that leaf and soil phosphorus concentrations were significantly different in different plants and intertidal zones. The average leaf N:P ratio was 12.85 and was mainly nitrogen-limited. Soil organic carbon at 0-10 cm was higher in the mid- and low intertidal zones, while the opposite was true for the high intertidal zone. The nitrogen concentration at 0-10 cm was less than that at <30-40 cm in both the high and mid-intertidal zones, while the opposite was true for the low intertidal zone. The phosphorus concentration varied similarly to that of carbon. The C:N ratios at both 0-10 cm and 30-40 cm were the highest in the high intertidal zone and decreased with decreasing elevation. Contrastingly, the C:P and N:P ratios did not differ much among the three intertidal zones and between the 0-10-cm and 30-40-cm profiles. The soil C:N ratios significantly correlated with the leaf carbon, phosphorus, and C:P ratio. Overall, the results demonstrated that the soil stoichiometry responded differently to different plant communities and intertidal zones. These differences might be attributed to variations in the environmental conditions of plant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]