Distribution patterns of vegetation biomass and nutrients bio-cycle in alpine tundra ecosystem on Changbai Mountains, Northeast China

• Published in: Journal of forestry research 2007-12, Vol.18 (4), p.271-278
• Main Authors: Wei, Jing, Jiang, Ping, Yu, De-yong, Wu, Gang, Fu, Hai-wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 土壤类型; 植被型; 植被生物量; 营养生物循环
• ISSN: 1007-662X; 1993-0607
• DOI: 10.1007/s11676-007-0055-3

A study was conducted to test the correlation between biomass and elevation and the differences in concentration and storks of nutrients among five vegetation types （Felsenmeer alpine tundra vegetation-FA, Lithic alpine tundra vegetation-LA, Typical alpine tundra vegetation-TA, Meadow alpine tundra vegetation-MA, and Swamp alpine tundra vegetation-SA） on alpine tundra of Changbai Mountains, Jilin Province, China in growing seasons of 2003, 2004 and 2005. The biomass of 43 mono-species and soil nutrients in alpine tundra ecosystem were also investigated. Dominant species from Ericaceae （such as Rhododendron chrysanthum and Vaccinium jliginosum var. alpinum） were taken to analyze organ biomass distribution. Result showed that the biomass and elevation had a significant correlation （Biomass-237.3 in（Elevation） ＋494.36; R^2=0.8092; P〈0.05）. No significant differences were found in phosphorus and sulphur concentrations of roots, stems and leaves among the five vegetation types. There were significant differences in nitrogen and phosphorus stocks of roots, stems and leaves and in sulphur stock of stems and leaves among TA, MA, and SA vegetation types （p〈0.05）. The nutrient stock of five vegetations was averagely 72.46 kg.hm^-2, of which N, P, S were 48.55, 10.33 and 13.61 kg·hm^-2, respectively. Soil N and S concentrations in meadow alpine tundra soil type was significantly higher than those in other four soil types （Cold desert alpine tundra soil, Lithic alpine tundra soil, Peat alpine tundra soil, and Gray alpine tundra soil）. Phosphorous concentration in SA type was higher （p〈0.05） than in other types. Soil nutrient stock （0-20cm） was averagely 39.59 t.hm^-2, of which N, P, S were 23.74, 5.86, 9.99 t·hm^-2, respectively.