Response of C:N:P in the plant-soil system and stoichiometric homeostasis of Nitraria tangutorum leaves in the oasis-desert ecotone, Northwest China

Nitraria tangutorum nebkhas are widely distributed in the arid and semi-arid desert areas of China. The formation development N. result interaction between vegetation surrounding environment process community succession. Different successional stages differences structure composition, thereby strongly affecting distribution soil nutrients ecosystem stability. However, ecological stoichiometry different remains poorly understood. Understanding stoichiometric homeostasis could provide insights into its adaptability to environments. Therefore, we analyzed characteristics four stages, i.e., rudimental, developing, stabilizing, degrading using a model an oasis-desert ecotone Northwest results showed that organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP) contents their ratios 0–100 cm depth were significantly lower than averages at regional global scales weakly influenced by ecotone. TN TP C:N:P similar trends. Total (TC) leaves 450.69–481.07 19.72–29.35 g/kg, respectively, indicating shrubs had high storage capacity for C Leaf TC N:P ratio increased from rudimental stage stabilizing then decreased stage, while reverse trend was found leaf C:N. content changed late stages. above theoretical limit 14, growth limited P during N, P, identified as “strictly homeostasis”. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed acidity (pH) maximum water holding main factors leaves. Our study demonstrated with degree better cope environment.