Spatial Scale-Depended Characteristic Of Moss and Soil C, N, P and K Stoichiometry and Their Relationships In A Temperate Desert of Central Asia

Background and aims: Previous studies showed that moss stoichiometric characteristics were influenced by moss patch size and shrubs in desert. Study of moss stoichiometry in different spatial scales is crucial for understanding of growth and adaptation strategy of the mosses in temperate desert. Methods: In this study, the dominant moss (Syntrichia caninervis Mitt.) of biological soil crusts, and soil under the moss patches in the Gurbantunggut Desert were selected to determine their stoichiometry in different dunes and sites. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents of the moss and soil, and soil available nutrients were measured. Results: Moss stoichiometry and soil available nutrients were significantly influenced by changes in spatial distance scales except for moss C. The scaling exponents of moss N, P and K elements between above-ground and below-ground parts were 0.251, 0.389, 0.442, which were less than 1. The N vs. P scaling exponents were 0.71, 0.84 in above-ground and below-ground parts of moss. Moss C, P and K elements content in above-ground parts higher than that in below-ground parts. Moreover, moss N, P and K elements were influenced by MAP, longitude and soil nutrients. Conclusion: This study provided the C, N, P and K stoichiometric characteristics of desert moss and explored their relationships with environmental variables, which can help understand nutrient stoichiometry patterns and utilization strategy of N, P and K and their potential responses to global climate changes in the desert ecosystem of central Asia.