Carbon Allocation of Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb. across Different Life Stages Differed by Tree and Shrub Growth Forms at the Driest Site of Its Distribution

There are less than 10% of woody species that can have both tree and shrub growth forms globally. At the xeric timberline, we observed tree-to-shrub shift Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb.. Few studies explored underlined mechanism this morphological transition in arid regions. To examine whether affects carbohydrate allocation to verify effect life stage on non-structural (NSC) storage, measured concentration soluble sugar starch Q. seedlings, saplings, adult trees by selecting two sites with either or at driest area its distribution. Accordingly, there was no significant difference radial different (p > 0.05). The results showed effects form NSC concentrations seedling sapling stages, but become pronounced as grows. linear mixed model has a tree-form < 0.05), TNC shrub-form Compared without stage, needs accumulate more from adapt environment. Saplings shrubs store starch, especially thick roots, preparation for sprout regeneration. Our study shows same embody differentiated strategies, suggesting better drier habitat, benefit expansion distribution dryland.