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Variations of foliar carbon isotope discrimination and nutrient concentrations in Artemisia ordosica and Caragana korshinskii at the southeastern margin of China’s Tengger Desert

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Seasonal variations in foliar stable carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) of Artemisia ordosica and Caragana korshinskii and correlations of foliar Δ with N, P, and K concentrations were studied under different planting regimes at the southeastern margin of China’s Tengger Desert. Foliar Δ, N, P, and K concentrations and the correlations of Δ with N, P, and K differed between the species and planting regimes. Foliar Δ, P and K concentrations in A. ordosica were markedly higher than in C. korshinskii, while foliar N concentrations in C. korshinskii was significantly higher than in A. ordosica. There were no significant differences in N, P, and K concentrations in C. korshinskii between planting regimes, but foliar Δ was significantly increased after June in mixed-species planting. In A. ordosica foliar N concentrations in mixed-species planting and foliar Δ in single-species planting were significantly higher than those of corresponding planting regimes. According to water-use efficiency (WUE) calculated based on foliar Δ, and on N, P, and K concentrations, C. korshinskii’s survival may profit from its higher WUE, whereas A. ordosica can avoid drought damage by its higher P and K concentrations in leaves in arid or semi-arid environments. The complex correlations of foliar Δ with foliar N, P and K suggested that water in C. korshinskii and water and P nutrition in A. ordosica were the key factors limiting their growth.

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Acknowledgments

Funding was provided by the 15th National Program for Tackling Key Problems (2005BA517A02); National Natural Science foundation of China (Grant no. 40501076) and the 15th National Program for Tackling Key Problems (2004BA901A15).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 730000, Lanzhou, China

    Liangju Zhao & Honglang Xiao

  2. Key Laboratory of Cryosphere and Environment, jointly established by the Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute and Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Science, China Meteorological Administration, 730000, Lanzhou, China

    Xiaohong Liu

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  1. Liangju Zhao
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  2. Honglang Xiao
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Correspondence to Liangju Zhao.

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Zhao, L., Xiao, H. & Liu, X. Variations of foliar carbon isotope discrimination and nutrient concentrations in Artemisia ordosica and Caragana korshinskii at the southeastern margin of China’s Tengger Desert. Environ Geol 50, 285–294 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0209-1

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