The effect of logging and slash-burning on the nutrient content of douglas fir

Summary Foliar analyses of Douglas fir needles was made in an attempt to evaluate soil fertility and productivity changes caused by logging and slash-burning. No statistically significant differences were found between means of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium values of Douglas fir needles from trees growing on logged and logged and slash-burned areas. No nutrient deficiencies appeared in the needles from either area. Needle nutrient contens is compared with regional results in an attempt to estimate optimum levelt for Douglas fir trees. The importance of foliar analyses in determining soil fertility and productivity is discussed and avenues of approach for future studies are suggested.     

刨花楠不同相对生长速率下林木叶片碳氮磷的适应特征

分别对9年生与13年生刨花楠林木叶片氮磷养分之间关系及林木生物量相对生长速率与叶片碳氮磷化学计量比关系进行分析,探讨不同相对生长速率下的林木叶片N、P养分适应特征,并检验相对生长速率假说理论对刨花楠树种的适应性。结果表明:两种年龄刨花楠林木生物量相对生长速率、叶片C、N、P含量及其计量比值均存在显著差异;同一年龄的林木叶片N、P之间存在显著相关性,二者具有协同相关性;9年生林木叶片P含量及C∶P、N∶P与生物量相对生长速率呈二次曲线相关,而13年生林木叶片N、P含量及C∶N、C∶P、N∶P则与生物量相对生长速率均呈线性相关。研究表明,在能满足植物生长所需养分供给的土壤环境中,叶片N、P含量与林木相对生长速率间呈线性正相关,但当土壤中养分供应满足不了植物高速生长时,植物则会对有限的养分资源进行适应性调整。     

Nitrogen metabolism of Douglas fir and Scots pine as affected by optimal nutrition and water supply under conditions of relatively high atmospheric nitrogen deposition

Nitrogen metabolism of the needles of 40-year-old Douglas fir and Scots pine trees, growing in two forest stands on cation-poor and acidic sandy soil with a relatively high atmospheric nitrogen deposition was studied. The composition of the free amino acid (FAA) pool, the concentrations of total nitrogen and soluble protein and the activities of glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) were determined in the needles. An excessive nitrogen supply by a high atmospheric nitrogen deposition in both forest stands was indicated by the high concentrations of total nitrogen and the amino acids arginine, glutamic acid, glutamine and aspartic acid in control trees. In addition the effect of optimal nutrition and water supply (fertigation) on the needle nitrogen metabolism was evaluated. The total concentration of the FAA pool in needles of both tree species was lower in the fertigated than in the non-fertigated (control) trees, except for 1-year-old needles of Scots pine, in which the concentration after fertigation did not differ from the control. The lower total FAA concentration in the fertigated trees could be attributed to arginine, the concentration of which was on average 60% lower than in the control. Neither the concentration of soluble protein nor the activity of GS were influenced by fertigation. The activity of GDH in fertigated trees only differed significantly from the control in October. Scots pine needles had higher concentrations of protein (50%) and higher activities of GS (44%) and GDH (25%) than Douglas fir needles. Possible explanations for the lower vitality of Douglas fir compared to Scots pine are given.     

Effects of irrigation and balanced fertilization on nutrient cycling in a Douglas fir stand

The effects on growth and nutrient status of an increased availability of all major nutrients was studied in a 40 year old Douglas fir stand. The nutrient amounts were applied by daily sprinkling and were in fixed, optimal proportions to the estimated annual uptake of N. Irrigation was included to avoid drought stress. The nutrient applications were also done in combination with a lower NH₄ load, realized under a roof that was placed above the ground. According to nutritional standards nitrogen supply was optimal and was related to the moderately high atmospheric N inputs. Nutrition of P, K and in some years Ca seemed critical.In all four studied growing seasons water additions resulted in a growth increase, of 30 to 40%. Irrigation decreased needle fall. Nutrient applications increased the needle concentrations of P and K considerably, but this did not result in a growth enhancement. Fertilization also increased K and P in shedded needles. Only minor leaching losses were calculated. The recovery in trees of fertilizer K and P was maximally 15%. Input-output budgets suggested that P was strongly retained in the soil. The decrease in NH₄ load had slightly decreased N availability and soil acidification, and seemed to enhance tree growth. The use of tree growth as a parameter to evaluate the effects of an improved nutritional balance is discussed.     

Bioassays with Stigeoclonium Kütz. (Chlorophyceae) to identify nitrogen and phosphorus limitations

Eleven strains of the filamentous algae genus Stigeoclonium Kütz. (Chlorophyceae) were tested as bioassay organisms to identify nitrogen and phosphorus limitations to growth in a variety of waters. The assay results were related to the nutrient status of the waters during the year. Optimal growth was obtained at an inorganic phosphorus concentration of 0.65 mg P 1^?1 and an inorganic nitrogen concentration of 3.75 mg N 1^?1. The algal growth potentials were generally higher in November and February than in August. In summer, nitrogen became important as a limiting nutrient. When ratios of inorganic nitrogen to inorganic phosphorus (N/P) were above 6.2, phosphorus was primarily limiting and at lower N/P ratios nitrogen became the important limiting factor. Stigeoclonium proved to be a suitable bioassay organism to identify nutrient limitation in freshwaters.     

Growth and Nutrient Retranslocation in Needles of Radiata Pine in Relation to Nitrogen Supply

The effects of N application on tree growth and the retranslocationof N, P, and K from young needles to new growth were examinedin young radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) trees. Nitrogen fertilization increased the number and size of needles,rates of shoot production, stem volume growth and tree biomass.Foliar N and P contents (µg per needle) fluctuated ina cyclic fashion with prominent phases of accumulation, retranslocationand replenishment. The patterns of these fluctuations in controland N-fertilized trees were similar, although the fluxes ofN, P and K in and out of needles were increased by N fertilization.Greater translocation (g per tree) of N and K from needles ofN fertilized trees occurred because fertilization increasedthe needle weight and the proportion of N and K retranslocatedfrom individual needles. Nitrogen fertilization increased theretranslocation of P largely as a result of higher needle mass.Trees supplied with more than adequate amounts of P in the soilretranslocated up to 58 per cent of the initial pool of P fromyoung needles. The periods of high retranslocation coincidedwith periods of high concentrations of soil mineral N and withshoot production. Conversely, the periods of rapid replenishmentof N and P into the needles coincided with the time of slowshoot growth and low concentration of soil mineral N. The growthrate of trees, rather than the availability of nutrients inthe soil was the main factor controlling retranslocation. For radiata pine, retranslocation from needles is not a mechanismspecific for coping with low soil fertility. It seems to bea mechanism which enhances the nutrient supply to apical growingpoints, especially during periods of flushing. Pinus radiata, nitrogen supply, shoot growth, nutrient fluctuations and retranslocation, nutrient use and adaptation     

广西大青山杉木人工林碳氮磷生态化学计量特征

为研究杉木人工林生态系统植物、凋落物和土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态化学计量特征的差异和相互关系,以广西大青山杉木密度试验林为研究对象,测定了5种初植密度下杉木人工林针叶、草本、凋落物和土壤的C、N、P含量及其比值。结果表明:针叶的C、N、P含量最高,凋落物次之,土壤最低。C∶N、C∶P表现为凋落物针叶草本土壤,N∶P表现为凋落物草本针叶土壤。其中针叶的N∶P均值为16.69,凋落物C∶N显著高于N发生释放的C∶N的临界值(30)。杉木人工林针叶和草本N、C∶N呈显著负相关关系,针叶和土壤的C∶N、N∶P,草本和凋落物P含量、C∶P均呈显著正相关关系,体现了杉木生态系统内的C、N、P在针叶、草本、凋落物和土壤之间相互转化和循环。南亚热带杉木人工林植物生长受P限制,凋落物分解慢,土壤有机质的矿化作用慢,养分循环能力低,因此在人工林抚育管理中,应保护林下植被,适当施肥,提高土壤肥力,维持杉木林长期生产力。     

Shifting nutrient-mediated interactions between algae and bacteria in a microcosm: evidence from alkaline phosphatase assay

The impacts of different nutrient additions (N + P, N + P + C, 4N + P, 4N + P + C, N + 2P) on the growth of algae and bacteria were studied in a microcosm experiment. Since alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) provides an indication of phosphorus deficiency, the higher value for algal APA in the treatments with excess nitrogen and for bacterial APA in the treatments with excess carbon suggested that, algal and bacterial phosphorus-limited status were induced by abundant nitrogen and carbon input, respectively. Bacterial phosphorus-limited status was weakened due to higher bacterial competition for phosphorus, compared to algae. In comparison with the bacterial and specific bacterial APA, higher values of algal and specific algal APA were found, which showed a gradual increase that coincided with the increase of chlorophyll a concentration. This fact indicated not only a stronger phosphorus demand by algae than by bacteria, but also a complementary relationship for phosphorus demand between algae and bacteria. However, this commensalism could be interfered by glucose input resulting in the decline of chlorophyll a concentration. Furthermore, the correlation between bacterial numbers and chlorophyll a concentration was positive in treatments without carbon and blurry in treatments with carbon. These observations validate a hypothesis that carbon addition can stimulate bacterial growth justifying bacterial nutrient demand, which decreases the availability of nutrients to algae and affects nutrient relationship between algae and bacteria. However, this interference would terminate after algal and bacterial adaption to carbon input.     

Effect of phosphorus fertilization on water stress in Douglas fir seedlings during soil drying

A growth chamber experiment was conducted to determine if P fertilization to enhance the P nutrition of otherwise N and P deficient Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] seedlings reduces water stress in the seedlings during drought periods. Seedlings were grown in pasteurized mineral soil under well-watered conditions and fertilized periodically with a small amount of nutrient solution containing P at either of three levels: 0, 20, or 50 mg P L^-1. By age 6 mo, leaf nutrient analysis indicated that N and P were deficient in control (0 mg P L^-1) seedlings. The highest level of P fertilization, which doubled leaf P concentration, did not affect plant biomass, suggesting that N deficiency was limiting growth. When these seedlings were subjected to drought, there was no effect of P fertilization on leaf water potential or osmotic potential. Furthermore, P fertilized seedlings had lower stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis rate. These results indicate that enhanced P nutrition, in the presence of N deficiency, does not reduce water stress in Douglas fir seedlings during drought periods.     

Applications of mineral nutrients to heavily N-fertilized Scots pine trees: Effects on arginine and mineral nutrient concentrations

The aim of the investigation was to study if improved nutrient status in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L) trees would be reflected in decreased concentrations of arginine in the needles. The studies trees had imbalanced mineral nutrient composition and elevated needle arginine concentrations caused by long-term fertilization with N. Concentrations of arginine and mineral nutrients in needles were followed over three consecutive years of additional fertilization with N alone or with P, K, Mg and micronutrients in combination with and without N.Analysis of needle mineral concentrations suggested that there were deficiencies only in K and Mg. The N concentration increased both in trees fertilized with N alone and in trees fertilized with N in combination with mineral nutrients. In the control treatment and in trees fertilized with mineral nutrients other than N the N concentration remained fairly constant. The highest Ca/N, K/N and P/N ratios were found in trees fertilized with mineral nutrients other than N while the lowest ratios were found in trees fertilized with N alone. Arginine concentrations in needles from trees fertilized with N alone remained at a high level throughout the experiment while arginine concentrations in trees given the other treatments decreased.The results show that the mineral nutrient balance can be improved with appropriate fertilization and that this improvement is reflected in decreasing arginine levels. Furthermore the study demonstrates that when N supply is reduced the arginine concentration also decreases also as an effect of reduced N supply per se. The study also indicates that arginine may be a better measure of the N status in pine trees than total N.     

Seasonal ionic fluctuations and annual growth rates in stands of Pinus silvestris L. and Picea abies Karst. (L.)

Seasonal variations in potassium, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium contents of needles from two different stands of Pinus silvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. were determined monthly during a period of two years, and the growth rates once a year during five years. The stands were growing on sand or on clay. The supposed transport of potassium to the shoot during autumn could not be demonstrated. The nutrient status of pine and spruce growing on sand and clay was very similar, except for calcium and magnesium. There were only small differences in ion contents between pine and spruce, except for calcium. On soils with low water-holding capacity, the available water in dry years is the limiting factor affecting the growth rate of spruce but not of pine. It is concluded that the nutrient status of the leaves, the growth rates and the available water in the soil are factors that should have an important part in any discussion of fertilization of coniferous forests.     

Mass loss and nitrogen dynamics in decomposing acid forest litter in the Netherlands at increased nitrogen deposition

Litterbag experiments were carried out in five forest ecosystems in the Netherlands to study weight loss and nitrogen dynamics during the first two years of decomposition of leaf and needle litter. All forests were characterized by a relatively high atmospheric nitrogen input by throughfall, ranging from 22–55 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1.Correlation analysis of all seven leaf and needle litters revealed no significant relation between the measured litter quality indices (nitrogen and lignin concentration, lignin-to-nitrogen ratio) and the decomposition rate. A significant linear relation was found between initial lignin-to-nitrogen ratio and critical nitrogen concentration, suggesting an effect of litter quality on nitrogen dynamics.Comparison of the decomposition of oak leaves in a nitrogen-limited and a nitrogen-saturated forest suggested an increased nitrogen availability. The differences in capacities to retain atmospheric nitrogen inputs between these two sites could be explained by differences in net nitrogen immobilization in first year decomposing oak leaves: in the nitrogen-limited oak forest a major part (55%) of the nitrogen input by throughfall was immobilized in the first year oak leaf litter.The three coniferous forests consisted of two monocultures of Douglas fir and a mixed stand of Douglas fir and Scots pine. Despite comparable litter quality in the Douglas fir needles in all sites, completely different nitrogen dynamics were found.     

Monoterpene emission from coniferous trees in response to elevated CO2 concentration and climate warming

It was hypothesized that high CO₂ availability would increase monoterpene emission to the atmosphere. This hypothesis was based on resource allocation theory which predicts increased production of plant secondary compounds when carbon is in excess of that required for growth. Monoterpene emission rates were measured from needles of (a) Ponderosa pine grown at different CO₂ concentrations and soil nitrogen levels, and (b) Douglas fir grown at different CO₂ concentrations. Ponderosa pine grown at 700 μmol mol^–1 CO₂ exhibited increased photosynthetic rates and needle starch to nitrogen (N) ratios when compared to trees grown at 350 μmol mol^–1 CO₂. Nitrogen availability had no consistent effect on photosynthesis. Douglas fir grown at 550 μmol mol^–1 CO₂ exhibited increased photosynthetic rates as compared to growth at 350 μmol mol^–1 CO₂ in old, but not young needles, and there was no influence on the starch/N ratio. In neither species was there a significant effect of elevated growth CO₂ on needle monoterpene concentration or emission rate. The influence of climate warming and leaf area index (LAI) on monoterpene emission were also investigated. Douglas fir grown at elevated CO₂ plus a 4 °C increase in growth temperature exhibited no change in needle monoterpene concentration, despite a predicted 50% increase in emission rate. At elevated CO₂ concentration the LAI increased in Ponderosa pine, but not Douglas fir. The combination of increased LAI and climate warming are predicted to cause an 80% increase in monoterpene emissions from Ponderosa pine forests and a 50% increase in emissions from Douglas fir forests. This study demonstrates that although growth at elevated CO₂ may not affect the rate of monoterpene emission per unit biomass, the effect of elevated CO₂ on LAI, and the effect of climate warming on monoterpene biosynthesis and volatilization, could increase canopy monoterpene emission rate.     

湖南会同不同年龄杉木人工林土壤磷素特征

对湖南会同不同年龄(7年生、17年生、25年生)杉木人工林土壤全磷、有效磷、无机磷组分和有机磷进行了研究,结果表明:3种不同林龄杉木林土壤全磷和有效磷的含量分别在317.06—398.56 mg/kg和0.82—1.38 mg/kg之间,土壤全磷和速效磷含量均属低水平;杉木林土壤全磷含量从7年生幼龄林到25a近熟林出现先升高后降低的规律,并且17年生和25年生林分比7年生林分分别增加了19.68%、15.75%,土壤有效磷含量17年生和25年生林分比7年生林分提高了45.55%左右;土壤磷素活化系数均小于2.0%,这表明本研究区土壤全磷向速效磷转化较难,土壤中磷素的有效性较低,但该值随着林分年龄的增加而出现增大的现象;无机磷含量分别为:7年生169.50 mg/kg、17年生182.03 mg/kg、25年生175.94 mg/kg,从幼龄林到中龄林增高,中龄林以后降低;土壤中无机磷组分以O-P含量最高,其次是Fe-P,Ca-P,Al-P最少;杉木不同生长发育阶段对无机磷形态的吸收是有选择性的,幼龄林到中龄林阶段林木以吸收Al-P为主,近熟林阶段林木以吸收Fe-P和Ca-P为主;有机磷含量在全磷所占比例随林龄的变化来看,杉木生长过程中有部分的有机磷矿化为无机磷。土壤不同形态磷的相关性分析结果显示,土壤有效磷与有机磷相关系数为0.667,呈极显著相关性,是研究区杉木人工林土壤有效磷的主要来源。     

Nutrient limitation in species‐rich Calthion grasslands in relation to opportunities for restoration in a peat meadow landscape

Questions: Which nutrient(s) limit(s) vegetation productivity in Calthion grasslands? Is phosphorus release a bottleneck for restoration of species‐rich Calthion grasslands on rewetted dairy meadows? Location: Three species‐rich Calthion grasslands in the Western Peat District in the Netherlands. Methods: We conducted a field fertilization experiment with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in three existing Calthion grasslands to evaluate the potential for restoration on rewetted dairy meadows. Responses of above‐ground biomass, tissue nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios were determined after 2 yr of fertilization. Results: Biomass increased with fertilization with N‐only and K‐only but did not react to P‐only additions. Comparisons of tissue nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios also gave indications of N and K limitation. Conclusions: The strong P release expected after rewetting should not necessarily interfere with restoration of Calthion communities on rewetted dairy meadows. It is concluded that for successful restoration management measures should focus on reducing N and/or K availability. Potassium might be an overlooked bottleneck in the restoration of species‐rich grasslands.     

丛枝菌根真菌群落对白三叶草生长的影响

不同施肥处理影响AMF(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi)群体结构,然而不同AMF群体结构对植物的生长以及养分吸收的影响尚未见报道,试验利用盆栽实验研究了7种不同来源的丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)群落对白三叶草生长和N、P、K以及微量元素Cu、Zn、Mn的吸收的影响。7种AMF群落分离自长期定位施肥试验地,分别为NPK、OM、CK、1/2OM、NP、NK和PK。每年施肥量是300kg N/hm2,135kg P2O5/hm2,300kg K2O/hm2。有机肥处理的N、P、K养分量与试验地NPK处理含量相同,原料以粉碎的麦秆为主,加上适量的大豆饼和棉仁饼,有机肥经堆制发酵后施用。试验土壤采用封丘试验地土壤,经灭菌处理。试验结果表明,接种不同AMF群落均能促进三叶草的生长,对养分吸收则表现不同。分离自CK试验地的AMF群落对三叶草侵染率显著低于其它6种AMF群落。分离自1/2OM和OM试验地的AMF群落较分离自NPK、CK、NP和NK的AMF群落显著促进了三叶草对P的吸收;各种AMF群落都促进了对N和K的吸收;分离自OM、CK、1/2OM、NP、NK试验地的降低了三叶草植株N含量;分离自NPK试验地的AMF群落提高了三叶草植物K含量;对于Cu、Zn、Mn元素的吸收,不同处理存在较大的差异。AMF群落对三叶草生长以及养分吸收贡献不同,这与不同施肥管理下不同AMF群落的优势种属的侵染率、养分转化以及菌丝发育及分布有关。     

The influence of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Rhizopogon subareolatus on growth and nutrient element localisation in two varieties of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii and var. glauca) in response to manganese stress

Acidification of forest ecosystems leads to increased plant availability of the micronutrient manganese (Mn), which is toxic when taken up in excess. To investigate whether ectomycorrhizas protect against excessive Mn by improving plant growth and nutrition or by retention of excess Mn in the hyphal mantle, seedlings of two populations of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), two varieties, one being menziesii (DFM) and the other being glauca (DFG), were inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Rhizopogon subareolatus in sand cultures. Five months after inoculation, half of the inoculated and non-inoculated seedlings were exposed to excess Mn in the nutrient solution for further 5 months. At the end of this period, plant productivity, nutrient concentrations, Mn uptake and subcellular compartmentalisation were evaluated. Non-inoculated, non-stressed DFM plants produced about 2.5 times more biomass than similarly treated DFG. Excess Mn in the nutrient solution led to high accumulation of Mn in needles and roots but only to marginal loss in biomass. Colonisation with R. subareolatus slightly suppressed DFM growth but strongly reduced that of DFG (-50%) despite positive effects of mycorrhizas on plant phosphorus nutrition. Growth reductions of inoculated Douglas fir seedlings were unexpected since the degree of mycorrhization was not high, i.e. ca. 30% in DFM and 8% in DFG. Accumulation of high Mn was not prevented in inoculated seedlings. The hyphal mantle of mycorrhizal root tips accumulated divalent cations such as Ca, but not Mn, thus not providing a barrier against excessive Mn uptake into the plants associated with R. subareolatus.     

Nutrient supply and fertilizer experiments in view of N saturation

New types of forest damage associated with Mg (and K) deficiency can be corrected by proper fertilization using fast release Mg (and K) fertilizers or Mg limestone. Sufficient Mg and K supply provided by former fertilizer applications inhibited the appearance of typical deficiency symptoms in areas where unfertilized control trees are now characterized by yellowing. In these areas N input rates vary appreciably. Addition of N fertilizers, particularly in the form of NH₄-N, can induce nutrient imbalances as was demonstrated for Mg and K. From these disorders relative growth reductions may result. However, sustained negative effects will probably only occur when large doses are applied or when atmospheric N input rates are high. Increased N uptake due to N fertilization indicated that the investigated sites were not saturated with N.Needle analysis is a very simple as well as valuable tool to characterize the nutritional status of forest tress and stands when it is carried out correctly. Nutrient ratios should receive the attention they deserve, rather than concentrate exclusively on the evaluation of absolute nutrient contents.     

Nutrient reabsorption efficiency and the response to phosphorus fertilization in the desert shrubLarrea tridentata (DC.) Cov.

A field fertilization experiment demonstrated that growth ofLarrea tridentata was not limited by phosphorus, even though soils contained high levels of pedogenic carbonates that can potentially fix high amounts of phosphorus. Nutrient reabsorption efficiencies in unfertilized shrubs ranged from 72–86% for P, making nutrient reabsorption a very effective nutrient conservation mechanism. Absolute amounts of N and P reabsorption increased with N and P concentrations in leaves, with reabsorption being greater during drought stress than during rapid leaf growth. However, only N reabsorption efficiency increased with increasing plant N status. A model was developed to explain patterns of nutrient reabsorption efficiencies over large gradients in nutrient availability.     

Relationship between the Relative Limitation and Resorption Efficiency of Nitrogen vs Phosphorus in Woody Plants

Most previous studies have ascribed variations in the resorption of a certain plant nutrient to its corresponding environmental availability or level in tissues, regardless of the other nutrients’ status. However, given that plant growth relies on both sufficient and balanced nutrient supply, the nutrient resorption process should not only be related to the absolute nutrient status, but also be regulated by the relative limitation of the nutrient. Here, based on a global woody-plants dataset from literature, we test the hypothesis that plants resorb proportionately more nitrogen (or phosphorus) when they are nitrogen (or phosphorus) limited, or similar proportions of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) when co-limited by both nutrients (the relative resorption hypothesis). Using the N:P ratio in green foliage as an indicator of nutrient limitation, we found an inverse relationship between the difference in the proportionate resorption of N vs P and this foliar N:P ratio, consistent across species, growth-forms, and vegetation-types globally. Moreover, according to the relative resorption hypothesis, communities with higher/lower foliar N:P (more likely P/N limited) tend to produce litter with disproportionately higher/lower N:P, causing a worsening status of P/N availability; this positive feedback may somehow be counteracted by several negative-feedback mechanisms. Compared to N, P generally shows higher variability in resorption efficiency (proportion resorbed), and higher resorption sensitivity to nutrient availability, implying that the resorption of P seems more important for plant nutrient conservation and N:P stoichiometry. Our findings elucidate the nutrient limitation effects on resorption efficiency in woody plants at the global scale, and thus can improve the understanding of nutrient resorption process in plants. This study also suggests the importance of the foliar N:P ratio as a key parameter for biogeochemical modeling, and the relative resorption hypothesis used to deduce the critical (optimal) N:P ratio for a specific plant community.