Soil C:N:P stoichiometry responds to vegetation change from grassland to woodland

Woody encroachment has been a major land cover change in dryland ecosystems during the past century. While numerous studies have demonstrated strong effects of woody encroachment on soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) storage, far less is known about the plasticity of soil C:N:P stoichiometry in response to woody encroachment. We assessed landscape-scale patterns of spatial heterogeneity in soil C:N:P ratios throughout a 1.2 m soil profile in a region where grassland is being replaced by a diverse assemblage of subtropical woody plants dominated by Prosopis glandulosa, an N₂-fixing tree. Woody species had leaf and fine root C:N:P ratios significantly different from grasses. Variation in soil C:N ratios in both horizontal and vertical planes was remarkably smaller than that of soil N:P and C:P ratios. Spatial patterns of soil C:N ratio throughout the profile were not strongly related to vegetation cover. In contrast, spatial patterns of soil N:P and C:P ratios displayed a strong resemblance to that of vegetation cover throughout the soil profile. Within the uppermost soil layer (0–5 cm), soil N:P and C:P ratios were higher underneath woody patches while lower within the grassland; however, this pattern was reversed in subsurface soils (15–120 cm). These results indicate a complex response of soil C:N:P stoichiometry to vegetation change, which could have important implications for understanding C, N, and P interactions and nutrient limitations in dryland ecosystems.     

不同水盐生境下芦苇湿地植被及土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量特征

在黄河三角洲选取3种典型的芦苇湿地群落为对象,即:故道区(1996年改道的黄河故道河岸带芦苇群落)、新生区(现行黄河河岸带新生芦苇群落)和潮水区(远离新旧河道但受潮汐影响的潮滩芦苇群落),研究黄河改道对3种生境芦苇各器官(茎、叶、根状茎、须根)和土壤剖面碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量变化及化学计量特征的影响.结果 表...     

沙地植被碳氮磷化学计量特征与物种多样性的关系

植被化学计量特征表征植物营养限制.它是否会影响物种多样性需要进一步探究.本研究以宁夏哈巴湖国家级自然保护区沙地油蒿群落和沙柳群落为对象,计算了植被碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量,分析了植被C、N、P生态化学计量特征对沙地植物群落物种多样性的影响.结果表明: 在流动沙丘和半固定沙丘生境中的沙柳群落,物种多样性Simpson指数与植被C/N值存在显著的负相关关系,而与植被N/P值的相关性不显著;在半固定沙丘和固定沙丘生境中的油蒿群落,物种多样性Shannon指数与N/P值存在显著正相关关系,而与C/N值存在显著负相关关系.结合C、N、P生态化学计量特征与冗余分析可知,油蒿群落和沙柳群落的植被P含量对物种多样性的影响不同,导致两个群落的植被N/P值对物种多样性产生不同的影响.     

宁夏燃煤电厂周边土壤、植物和微生物生态化学计量特征及其影响因素

大气酸沉降增加对陆地生态系统的影响已得到了广泛证实,但有关酸沉降累积下工业排放源周边植被-土壤系统元素平衡特征及其影响机制的研究较少。燃煤电厂是主要的工业酸排放源之一。因此,以宁东能源化工基地3个燃煤电厂为观测点,研究了电厂周边土壤-植物叶片-微生物生态化学计量特征,分析了叶片和微生物生物量生态化学计量特征与降水降尘S、N沉降量及土壤性质的关系。结果表明：土壤和微生物生物量C ： N ： P生态化学计量特征变异系数较大,叶片各指标的变异系数较小。与受人类活动影响较少的其他同类型区相比,研究区具有较高的土壤有机C水平和N、P供给,且P相对于N丰富。植物可能主要受N限制,而微生物主要受P限制;土壤及微生物元素间均存在极显著的线性关系（P<0.001）。叶片全C与全N、全P均无显著的关系（P>0.05）。叶片全N、全P和N ： P具有高的内稳性。微生物生物量N ： P内稳性较强,但生物量N和P内稳性较弱,对土壤环境的变化反应敏感;SO₄^2-沉降有助于促进叶片对P的摄取和微生物对C、N、P的固持。少量NO₃^-沉降有利于叶片N摄取,但持续增加的NO₃^-沉降可能会使土壤P受限性增强,进而抑制叶片P摄取和微生物生物量积累。土壤酶活性、Ca²⁺和含水量亦显著影响着植物和微生物元素生态化学计量关系（P<0.05）。因此,今后还需结合多个电厂的土壤性质和植被状况,从较长时间尺度上深入揭示酸沉降增加对工业排放源周边植被-土壤系统元素平衡特征的影响机制。     

Nutrient and mineralogical control on dissolved organic C, N and P fluxes and stoichiometry in Hawaiian soils

We measured DOM fluxes from the O horizon of Hawaiiansoils that varied in nutrient availability and mineralcontent to examine what regulates the flux ofdissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen (DON) andphosphorus (DOP) from the surface layer of tropicalsoils. We examined DOM fluxes in a laboratory study from N, P and N+Pfertilized and unfertilized sites on soils that rangedin age from 300 to 4 million years old. The fluxesof DOC and DON were generally related to the % Cand % N content of the soils across the sites. Ingeneral, CO₂ and DOC fluxes were not correlatedsuggesting that physical desorption, dissolution andsorption reactions primarily control DOM release fromthese surface horizons. The one exception to thispattern was at the oldest site where there was asignificant relationship between DOC and CO₂flux. The oldest site also contained the lowestmineral and allophane content of the three sites andthe DOC-respiration correlation indicates arelationship between microbial activity and DOC fluxat this site. N Fertilization increased DON fluxes by50% and decreased DOC:DON ratios in the youngest,most N poor site. In the older, more N rich sites, Nfertilization neither increased DON fluxes nordecreased DOM C:N ratios. Similarly, short termchanges in N availability in laboratory-based soil Nand P fertilization experiments did not affect the DOMC:N ratios of leachate. DOM C:N ratios were similar tosoil organic matter C:N ratios, and changes in DOM C:Nratios with fertilization appeared to have beenmediated through long term effects on SOM C:N ratiosrather than through changes in microbial demand for Cand N. There was no relationship between DON andinorganic N flux during these incubations suggestingthat the organic and inorganic components of N fluxfrom soils are regulated by different factors and thatDON fluxes are not coupled to immediate microbialdemand for N. In contrast to the behavior of DON, thenet flux of dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) and DOMC:P ratios responded to both long-term P fertilizationand natural variation in reactive P availability. There was lower DOP flux and higher DOM C:P ratiosfrom soils characterized by low P availability andhigh DOP flux and narrow DOM C:P ratios in sites withhigh P availability. DOP fluxes were also closelycorrelated with dissolved inorganic P fluxes. PFertilization increased DOP fluxes by 73% in theyoungest site, 31% in the P rich intermediate agesite and 444% in the old, P poor site indicating thatDOP fluxes closely track P availability in soils.     

Silicon supply modifies C:N:P stoichiometry and growth of Phragmites australis

Silicon is a non-essential element for plant growth. Nevertheless, it affects plant stress resistance and in some plants, such as grasses, it may substitute carbon (C) compounds in cell walls, thereby influencing C allocation patterns and biomass production. How variation in silicon supply over a narrow range affects nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake by plants has also been investigated in some detail. However, little is known about effects on the stoichiometric relationships between C, N and P when silicon supply varies over a broader range. Here, we assessed the effect of silicon on aboveground biomass production and C:N:P stoichiometry of common reed, Phragmites australis, in a pot experiment in which three widely differing levels of silicon were supplied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that elevated silicon supply promoted silica deposition in the epidermis of Phragmites leaves. This resulted in altered N:P ratios, whereas C:N ratios changed only slightly. Plant growth was slightly (but not significantly) enhanced at intermediate silicon supply levels but significantly decreased at high levels. These findings point to the potential of silicon to impact plant growth and elemental stoichiometry and, by extension, to affect biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems dominated by Phragmites and other grasses and sedges.     

控雨对荒漠草原植物、微生物和土壤C、N、P化学计量特征的影响

以宁夏荒漠草原为研究对象,于2014—2015年设置了降雨量变化(减雨50%、减雨30%、自然降雨、增雨30%和增雨50%)的野外模拟试验,测定了植物、微生物和土壤C、N、P含量,同时调查了植物群落组成和土壤含水量等指标,研究了各组分C、N、P化学计量特征对连续两年降雨量变化的响应,分析了土壤C∶N∶P和含水量分别与植物生长、养分利用以及微生物量积累的相关性。结果表明,控雨改变了植物叶片C∶N∶P,且其影响程度随物种不同而异:减雨50%提高了牛枝子(Lespedeza potanimill)绿叶N和P以及猪毛蒿(Artemisia scoparia)绿叶P摄取能力,增雨(30%和50%)降低了猪毛蒿绿叶N摄取能力。增雨提高了猪毛蒿绿叶C∶N,增雨30%提高了苦豆子(Sophora alopecuroides)绿叶C∶N。增雨降低了猪毛蒿绿叶N∶P,增雨30%降低了白草(Pennisetum centrasiaticum)绿叶N∶P。相比之下,控雨条件下枯叶C∶N∶P的变化幅度较小;随降雨量增加微生物量C、N以及C∶N逐渐增加,但增雨50%使微生物量C和C∶N降低;控雨对土壤C∶N∶P的影响较小,但增雨提高了土壤水分有效性,因此促进了植物和微生物生长;试验期内,相对稳定的土壤C∶N∶P不能很好地指示植物和微生物生长发育的养分受限状况;干旱时提高叶片养分摄取、湿润时增强叶片养分回收,可能解释了牛枝子对降雨量变化的弹性适应能力。     

Responses of leaf C:N:P stoichiometry to water supply in the desert shrub Zygophyllum xanthoxylum

• Based on the elemental composition of major biochemical molecules associated with different biological functions, the ‘growth rate hypothesis’ proposed that organisms with a higher growth rate would be coupled to lower C:N, especially lower C:P and N:P ratios. However, the applicability of the growth rate hypothesis for plants is unclear, especially for shrubs growing under different water supply.
• We performed an experiment with eight soil moisture levels (soil water content: 4%, 6%, 8%, 13%, 18%, 23%, 26% and 28%) to evaluate the effects of water availability on leaf C:N:P stoichiometry in the shrub Zygophyllum xanthoxylum.
• We found that leaves grew slowly and favored accumulation of P over C and N under both high and low water supply. Thus, leaf C:P and N:P ratios were unimodally related to soil water content, in parallel with individual leaf area and mass. As a result, there were significant positive correlations between leaf C:P and N:P with leaf growth (u).
• Our result that slower‐growing leaves had lower C:P and N:P ratios does not support the growth rate hypothesis, which predicted a negative association of N:P ratio with growth rate, but it is consistent with recent theoretical derivations of growth–stoichiometry relations in plants, where N:P ratio is predicted to increase with increasing growth for very low growth rates, suggesting leaf growth limitation by C and N rather than P for drought and water saturation.

     

新疆67种荒漠植物叶碳氮磷计量特征及其与气候的关系

荒漠生态系统具有独特的耐旱植物种类和植物化学计量特征.本研究通过系统采集全疆63个荒漠地点的67种植物,探索荒漠植物叶碳、氮、磷(C、N、P)的计量特征及其与气候因子的关系.结果表明:荒漠植物叶C、N和P的平均含量分别为394、18.4和1.14 mg·g-1,C∶N、C∶P和N∶P平均值分别为28、419和18.灌木的N含量高于乔木和草本,灌木P含量比草本(乔木)低(高);C3植物叶的C、N、C∶P、N∶P高于C4植物.随年均降水量增加,叶C有先降低后升高的趋势,叶N、P先升高、后降低,叶C∶N、C∶P与叶N、P变化趋势相反,N∶P变化不显著;随年均温升高,叶C先降低后升高,叶N、P降低,C∶N变化不显著,C∶P、N∶P升高.年均降水量对叶片化学计量特征的影响大于年均温度和植物类型.本研究结果将有助于预测全球气候变化背景下的C、N、P元素循环规律的变化,并为干旱区生物地球化学建模提供参考和基础数据.     

The vegetation of roadside verges with respect to environmental gradients in southern New Zealand

Abstract. A survey of the vegetation of roadside verges was made across the southern part of the South Island of New Zealand. Samples were taken at 10-km intervals along selected roads providing a climatic range from the suboceanic conditions of the east coast into semi-arid Central Otago, and from Central Otago through the Southern Alps to the hyper-oceanic areas of high rainfall on the west Coast. The variation in the floristic composition is associated mainly with variation in rainfall, continentality, altitude, soil acidity, soil organic matter, and presence of forest. Sites in the arable and pastoral regions on the eastern side of the Southern Alps support a herbaceous vegetation consisting mostly of exotic species of European origin, with a few native grasses scattered through the drier and less fertile sites. A greater proportion of native species is found at higher altitudes. Roadside vegetation in the area of high rainfall to the west is characterized by indigenous ferns and woody species, although vegetation adjacent to cleared areas is more similar to that on roadsides adjacent to farmland on the east coast. The pattern of distribution of both native and exotic species is strongly related to altitudinal and climatic gradients, and the environmental responses of the exotic species are similar to those recorded in Europe. This suggests a colonization of all available sites by the exotic species, despite the relatively short time since their introduction to New Zealand, rather than an incomplete invasion.     

干热河谷失稳性坡面植物碳氮磷化学计量特征对土壤性质的响应

以干热河谷阴坡和阳坡典型失稳性坡面不同区段(稳定区、失稳区和堆积区)的草本植物为研究对象,分析植物地上和地下碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其化学计量特征对土壤性质的响应机制。结果表明:失稳性坡面植物地上C含量(320.59 g·kg^-1)、N含量(12.15 g·kg^-1)和C/P(25.37)均显著高于地下(分别为254.01 g·kg^-1、6.12 g·kg^-1、13.43),C/N则表现为地下(43.09)显著高于地上(31.90)。阳坡植物地上和地下C含量、N/P均表现为稳定区和失稳区显著高于堆积区,N含量则表现为失稳区显著高于堆积区;阴坡植物地上N、P含量及地下P含量均表现为堆积区显著高于稳定区和失稳区,地下C含量则反之。植物地上生长主要受P限制,根系生长主要受N限制并随区段向下呈逐渐增加趋势;阴坡植物生长受P的限制程度高于阳坡,N限制弱于阳坡。土壤含水量(SWC)是影响植物地上C、N、P含量变化的重要因子,影响值分别为28.8%、20.8%、19.9%,土壤有机碳(SOC)则显著影响植物地下C、N含量,影响值分别为49.5%、22.1%,植物地下N含量的变化主要受土壤pH值的影响(24.3%)。坡向、区段及土壤因子均显著影响植物养分的分配,SWC和SOC是主要影响因子,同时还受土壤pH值的影响。     

N:P stoichiometry in Ficus racemosa and its mutualistic pollinator

Aims Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are limiting nutrients to life across a variety of ecosystems. N:P stoichiometry, concerning the balance of these two elements, has recently received great attention. However, little is known about the nature of N:P stoichiometry in obligate mutualism.Methods N:P stoichiometry of Ficus racemosa and its pollinating wasp Ceratosolen fusciceps, an example of coevolving obligate mutualism, was investigated, and the N:P stoichiometric traits of male versus female wasps were compared.Important findings Nutrient concentrations in C. fusciceps were much higher than in its host. N enrichment in fig wasp was evidently stronger than phosphorus. N concentrations of male fig wasps were significantly higher than those of females, while P concentrations of female fig wasps were remarkably higher than those of male ones. Therefore, N:P ratios in male fig wasps were significantly greater than in female fig wasps. N:P ratio in fig-pollinating wasp displayed linear functions to fig N contents, suggesting that N limitation in fig wasps may dominate the nutritional relationship between fig pollinator and its host. Fig wasp population size had significant influences on N concentrations in host fig and female wasp per se. Driven by the nutritional stress of pollinating and parasite insects, fig fruit preferred increasing its diameter first but not nutrient richness. Values for N and P contents of fig pollinators showed seasonal differences with greater N:P ratios in dry season than in rainy season. The observations suggest that tropical climate change would result in more severe N limitation to fig-pollinating wasp and may further influence the stability of fig–fig wasp mutualism.     

不同生长阶段杉木人工林土壤C∶N∶P化学计量特征与养分动态

在福建省白砂国有林场选取幼龄林(5年)、中幼龄林(8年)、近熟林(21年)、成熟林(27年)和过熟林(40年)5个生长阶段的杉木人工林,测定不同土层(0～10、10～20、20～40 cm)土壤总碳(TC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、全钾(TK)、全钙(Ca)、全镁(Mg)含量以及C∶N∶P化学计量比,探究杉木人工林土壤碳氮磷(C∶N∶P)化学计量特征与养分随林龄的变化规律。结果表明: 随着林分发育,TC、TN未发生显著变化,土壤C∶N保持不变。随着林分发育,0～20 cm土层土壤TP含量呈增加-降低-增加的变化趋势,其中在杉木成熟林达到最低,C∶P和N∶P最大,而20～40 cm土层土壤TP在各个林龄之间无显著变化。Ca、Mg含量在所有土层均在杉木成熟林达到最低。土壤TC与C∶P、N∶P、C∶N均呈显著正相关,TP与C∶P、N∶P呈显著负相关,土壤TP含量是调控土壤C∶P和N∶P的关键因子。杉木人工林发育到成熟期受到P的限制,为保证人工林正常发育,可在杉木速生阶段施加P肥,促进养分良性循环。适当提高杉木林的轮伐期可能会有利于土壤养分的恢复与保持。     

C: N: P stoichiometry and specific growth rate of clover colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Ecological stoichiometry has been widely applied in aquatic ecosystems, but has limited implications in terrestrial ecosystems. The pot experiments with Trifolium repens L. were conducted to demonstrate the relations between C: N: P, biological components and growth rate of clover colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The results showed that for mycorrhizal clover, N, P concentrations increased with increasing growth rate, in support of the Growth Rate Hypothesis (GRH). Mycorrhizal clover had higher P and RNA concentrations than non-mycorrhizal clover, indicating that the increase in P concentration would invest more RNA to meet the synthesis of protein. Results also indicated that the increase in N concentration with rapid growth rate may be attributed to the increase in the concentration of protein N. Underlying mechanisms driving the association of C: N: P with growth rate for symbiotic partners should help elucidate the allocation of major nutrients to cellular organs and trophic dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems.     

典型喀斯特峰丛洼地植被群落凋落物C∶N∶P生态化学计量特征

为了解典型喀斯特峰丛洼地植被群落凋落物养分空间分异以及其生态化学计量特征,分析了4个不同演替阶段植被凋落物现存量、C、N、P含量及C、N、P元素比值关系在不同坡位间的差异。结果表明:(1)不同演替阶段群落凋落物现存量和C、N、P含量、N ∶ P值随植被正向演替而升高;C ∶ N值和C ∶ P值随植被正向演替而下降。(2)凋落物C含量、C ∶ N值、C ∶ P值和N ∶ P值在不同坡位表现为上坡位较高、下坡位较低;P含量的变化规律与之相反,N含量则没呈现很明显的规律性(P<0.05)。典范对应分析(CCA)结果表明演替阶段和坡位对凋落物积累、养分分布和存储影响最大,坡度、坡向和裸岩率也有较大影响。(3)N ∶ P值是制约凋落物分解和养分循环的重要因素。凋落物在P素较低的情况下具有较高的N及木质素含量(即较高的N ∶ P值),分解速率较低,较低的N ∶ P值使凋落物更易分解。N素在3个坡位的不显著差异以及P素的显著差异反映了P含量波动对喀斯特峰丛洼地植被凋落物N ∶ P值和分解速率变化的影响。推测下坡位及幼龄林群落由于具有较低的N ∶ P值,其凋落物分解速率相对较快,养分的存储量较少。因此,上坡位、成熟林群落的凋落物有利于积累养分。     

土壤微生物生物量碳氮磷与土壤酶化学计量对气候变化的响应机制

微生物和土壤酶是陆地生态系统中生物地球化学循环的重要驱动力,深入理解微生物在生态系统中的调节作用以及气候变化过程中微生物量和土壤酶的响应机制是生态学领域关注的重要科学问题.本研究从气候因素角度出发,基于生态化学计量学理论,综述了微生物和土壤酶在陆地生态系统碳氮磷循环中的作用,以及土壤微生物生物量碳氮磷和土壤酶化学计量对气候变化的响应机制,即: 改变微生物代谢速率和酶活性;调整微生物群落结构;调整微生物生物量碳氮磷与土壤酶化学计量特征;改变碳氮磷养分元素利用效率.最后分析当前研究的不足,并提出了该领域亟待解决的科学问题: 综合阐明土壤微生物和土壤酶对气候变化的响应机制;探究土壤微生物和胞外酶养分耦合机理;深入探究土壤微生物量和土壤酶化学计量特征对气候变化的适应对策.     

宝天曼自然保护区两种优势藓类植物C、N、P生态化学计量特征研究

该研究以宝天曼自然保护区两种优势藓类物种大羽藓(Thuidium cymbifolium)和无边提灯藓(Mnium immarginatum)为对象,测定和分析了不同海拔生境条件下苔藓植物绿色组织和土壤的C、N、P含量及其比值。结果表明:该区域内两种藓类植物绿色组织的C、N、P含量范围是46.81%~49.09%、0.21%~0.25%、0.02%~0.08%;不同元素在海拔间存在较大差异,具体表现为大羽藓的C、N含量在不同海拔间差异显著,无边提灯藓的N、P含量在不同海拔梯度间差异显著,但总体仅N元素随海拔的上升表现出显著下降的趋势;土壤的C、N、N∶P和C∶P比值总体上表现出随海拔升高而增加的变化趋势,而土壤P含量以及C∶N比值随海拔梯度的变化并未表现出一致的变化趋势;同时,随着土壤C含量增加,大羽藓C含量呈现上升趋势,无边提灯藓呈现下降趋势;随着土壤N元素含量的增加,两种藓类物种表现的趋势仍然与前者一致;随着土壤P元素含量的升高,大羽藓的N∶P显著下降,而无边提灯藓的N∶P则显著上升;此外,叶片N∶P均值为8.51,介于14和16之间,说明植物生长受N元素的限制。以上结果说明:两种藓类植物对土壤P元素利用上存在差异,导致两种藓类化学计量学特征的变化,且与全球尺度相比,该区域的藓类植物的生长共同受到了土壤N含量的限制作用。该研究结果为预测藓类植物营养元素的限制情况和生态适应机制提供了参考。     

The C:N:P stoichiometry of organisms and ecosystems in a changing world: A review and perspectives

This study examined the literature in ISI Web of Science to identify the effects that the main drivers of global change have on the nutrient concentrations and C:N:P stoichiometry of organisms and ecosystems, and examined their relationship to changes in ecosystem structure and function. We have conducted a meta-analysis by comparing C:N:P ratios of plants and soils subjected to elevated [CO₂] with those subjected to ambient [CO₂]. A second meta-analysis compared the C:N:P ratios of plants and soils that received supplemental N to simulate N deposition and those that did not receive supplemental N. On average, an experimental increase in atmospheric [CO₂] increased the foliar C:N ratios of C3 grasses, forbs, and woody plants by 22%, but the foliar ratios of C4 grasses were unaffected. This trend may be enhanced in semi-arid areas by the increase in droughts that have been projected for the coming decades which can increase leaf C:N ratios. The available studies show an average 38% increase in foliar C:P ratios in C3 plants in response to elevated atmospheric [CO₂], but no significant effects were observed in C4 grasses. Furthermore, studies that examine the effects of elevated atmospheric [CO₂] on N:P ratio (on a mass basis) are warranted since its response remains elusive. N deposition increases the N:P ratio in the plants of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, and decreases plants and organic soil C:N ratio (25% on average for C3 plants), reducing soil and water N₂ fixation capacity and ecosystem species diversity. In contrast, in croplands subjected to intense fertilization, mostly, animal slurries, a reduction in soil N:P ratio can occur because of the greater solubility and loss of N. In the open ocean, there are experimental observations showing an ongoing increase in P-limited areas in response to several of the factors that promote global change, including the increase in atmospheric [CO₂] which increases the demand for P, the warming effect that leads to an increase in water column stratification, and increases in the N:P ratio of atmospheric inputs. Depending on the type of plant and the climate where it grows, warming can increase, reduce, or have no effect on foliar C:N ratios. The results suggest that warming and drought can increase C:N and C:P ratios in warm-dry and temperate-dry terrestrial ecosystems, especially, when high temperatures and drought coincide. Advances in this topic are a challenge because changes in stoichiometric ratios can favour different types of species and change ecosystem composition and structure.