Monthly Dynamical Patterns of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Resorption Efficiencies and C:N:P Stoichiometric Ratios in Castanopsis carlesii (Hemsl.) Hayata and Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. Plantations

Abstract

Trees can resorb nutrients to preserve and reuse them before leaves fall, which could efficiently adapt to environmental changes. However, the nutrient requirements of trees in different months with seasonal climate changes are often neglected. In this study, we selected plantations of an evergreen broadleaf tree (Castanopsis carlesii (Hemsl.) Hayata) and a coniferous tree (Cunninghamia lanceolate (Lamb.) Hook.) in the subtropics. The monthly dynamics of leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption efficiencies and C:N:P stoichiometric ratios were checked along a growing season from April to October 2021. Trees in both plantations exhibited efficient N and P resorption but with significant monthly variations. The N and P resorption efficiencies in the Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation ranged from 34.26% to 56.28% and 41.01% to 54.85%, respectively, and were highest in September. In contrast, N and P resorption efficiencies in the Castanopsis carlesii plantation ranged from 11.25% to 34.23% and 49.22% to 58.72%, respectively, and were highest in July. Compared with the Cunninghamia lanceolata, the C:N of the Castanopsis carlesii plantation was significantly lower, while its C:P was significantly higher in May and September. The Castanopsis carlesii plantation was strongly limited by P (the N:P ratios in mature leaves were higher than 20), whereas the Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation might be limited by both N and P (the N:P ratios in mature leaves were between 10 and 20). In addition, the statistical analyses revealed that temperature and precipitation were significantly associated with N and P resorption efficiencies, but the relationships were controlled by forest types. These findings highlight that efficient resorption of N and P may be beneficial in regulating nutrient limitation and balance in subtropical forest ecosystems. These results contribute to the understanding of N and P utilization strategies of trees and provide a theoretical basis for vegetation management in the subtropics.