Effects of slope aspect on altitudinal pattern of soil C:N:P stoichiometry in alpine forest of Tibet

Knowledge of altitudinal patterns in soil C, N and P distribution is important for understanding biogeochemical processes mountainous forests, yet the influence slope aspects on stoichiometry has been largely neglected previous studies. In this paper, a total number 150 topsoil samples at four altitudes (3700, 3900, 4100, 4380 m a.s.l.) sunny shady slopes Sygera mountains Southeastern Tibet were collected. Soil contents, pH, measured. temperature, moisture richness plant species investigated each sampling site. The results showed that: 1) slope, concentrations increased with increase altitude, whereas C:N, C:P, N:P decreased along gradient s. was main regulator nutrition stoichiometric ratios. 2) C contents had no significant difference except higher values low first then decreased. C:N C:P increased. temperature factors influencing 3) Decoupling C:N:P observed owing to changes pH temperature. 4) rich two gradient, high capacity supply existed slope. These suggested that aspect plays an role shaping pattern forests.