Dynamic Changes in Plant Resource Use Efficiencies and Their Primary Influence Mechanisms in a Typical Desert Shrub Community

Understanding plant resource use efficiencies (RUEs) and their tradeoffs in a desert shrub community, particularly as it concerns the usage of water, light, nitrogen, remains an ecological imperative. Plant RUEs have been widely used indicators to understand acclimation processes unfavorable environmental conditions. This study aimed examine seasonal dynamics two distributed species typical community (i.e., Artemisia ordosica Leymus secalinus) based on in-situ measurements leaf photosynthesis, specific area (SLA), nitrogen concentration Nmass + Narea), several site-related abiotic factors. Both exhibited significant variation RUEs, with coefficient (CV) > 30% divergence among various RUEs. Seasonal was largely controlled by stomatal conductance (Gs), which turn influenced soil water content (SWC) vapor pressure deficit (VPD). between converged, being positively correlated, yielding: (i) r2 = 0.40 p < 0.01 for WUE; (ii) 0.18 LUE；and (iii) 0.25 NUE. A. were mostly larger than those L. secalinus, but less reactive drought. suggests more conservative its available resources was, therefore, better able adapt arid Resource strategies differed response Desert shrubs are projected eventually replace grasses, drought severity duration increase sustained regional climate change.