Ecological stoichiometry-based study on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus
nutrient limitation of different land use patterns in the Yellow River
Delta
Abstract
The conversion of land uses was frequent in the saline-alkali
reclamation region of the Yellow River Delta (YRD), China. However, the
knowledge of the combined effects of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and
phosphorus (P) stoichiometry for soil and enzyme under different land
use patterns is limited. We investigated soil C, N, P stoichiometry and
soil extracellular enzyme activities of three representative land use
patterns (Alfalfa artificial grassland, AG; wheat-maize rotation field,
WM; native grassland, PC). The results showed that the average soil
stoichiometry of AG, WM, and PC was 31.32: 1.74: 1, 34.05: 1.46: 1, and
26.58: 1.14: 1 respectively, indicating that the level of C and N in the
YRD was low. The AG was beneficial to promote the mineralization of C,
N, and P, but its effect on the sequestration of C and P was not as good
as WM. The average enzyme stoichiometry of AG, WM, and PC was 0.96:
0.76: 1, 0.94: 0.74: 1, and 0.86: 0.73: 1 respectively, which deviated
from 1: 1: 1, and were significantly correlated with soil stoichiometry,
indicating that enzyme stoichiometry in the YRD was nutrient dependent
rather than homeostasis. Meanwhile, according to the vector analysis of
enzyme stoichiometry, PC could alleviate C limitation of soil
microorganisms. Collectively, land use changes affected C, N, P
stoichiometry, and should further change the biochemical cycle and
microbial nutrient limitation. Therefore, we argued that conversion and
proper conduct of land should be cautions for the degraded land
restoration and ecological security, and develop perennial legume forage
and conservation tillage for crops should be taken for soil healthy and
sustainable development.