Leaf and Soil Ecological Stoichiometric Characteristics of Tree Species of Different Origins in a Tropical Coastal Shelterbelt Belt of Hainan Island

Abstract

[Objective] The objective of this study was to determine the differences in ecological stoichiometric characteristics of leaves and soil for different tree species of different origins in a tropical coastal shelterbelt of Hainan Island in order to provide a theoretical reference for the ecological restoration of coastal shelterbelts. [Methods] The ecological stoichiometric characteristics of C, N, and P in the soil and leaves of four species (Casuarina equisetifolia, Vatica mangachapoi, Laguncularia racemosa, and Nypa fructicans) within 200 m of the coastline of Wanning City, Hainan Island, were investigated by sampling method. [Results] ① For both non-mangrove and mangrove plants, the C, N, and P contents of the leaves of native natural tree species were significantly greater than or equal to the C, N, and P contents of exotic artificial tree species. The C, N, and P contents of the leaves of Vatica mangachapoi were 457.04, 16.77, and 1.17 g/kg, respectively, all of which were significantly higher than the values observed for Casuarina equisetifolia. ② In terms of leaf nutrient change characteristics, the growth of water coconut and mangrove plants may be limited by N. However, the growth of casuarina and non-mangrove plants may be limited by P. ③ In terms of soil nutrient change characteristics, N was low and P was the main limiting element in woodland soil for the four tree species. [Conclusion] In the process of coastal ecological restoration, native natural forest species should be preferred as the dominant species for coastal protection forest planting.

Keywords

• water coconut
• protection forest
• blade
• soil
• stoichiometric ratio