西双版纳望天树林林窗小气候特征研究

 对西双版纳望天树林林窗小气候要素的季节变化、水平差异进行了观测研究,并对比分析了两个大小不同林窗内温度垂直分布状况、相对湿度差别。结果表明：大林窗内温度、湿度、光照的日变化均比林内大;大林窗中央光照强度为林内的10倍以上,太阳总辐射量、净辐射量为林内的5倍以上,大林窗中央的蒸发耗热量大于林内,且均占各自净辐射的较大比例(70％～80％),干季大林窗内温度、湿度日变化比雨季剧烈,大林窗内具有两个加热层(幼苗冠层、地表),小林窗仅有一个加热层(幼树冠层),且前者的加热强度大于后者,相对湿度日变化则是大林窗内较剧烈。     

Plant diversity and seasonal dynamics in forest gaps of varying sizes in Pinus massoniana plantations

人工林目前存在结构单一、土壤退化、生物多样性降低等人类普遍关注的生态问题。马尾松(Pinus massoniana)是长江上游低山丘陵区退耕还林的主要人工林树种。研究采伐林窗对植物物种组成和更新的影响, 对马尾松低效人工林的改造, 提升其生态服务功能具有重要的意义。该文以采伐39年生的马尾松人工林形成的7种不同大小的林窗为研究对象, 分析了不同季节林窗内的植物生活型组成及多样性变化。结果表明: 1)马尾松人工林林下植物以高位芽植物居多, 其次是地面、地下芽植物, 一年生植物较少而缺少地上芽植物。在林窗形成初期, 林窗的高位芽植物比例明显低于林下, 大林窗的高位芽植物比例稍高于小林窗, 地下芽和一年生植物的比例低于小林窗。2)林下的物种丰富度和物种多样性指数显著低于大林窗。不同林窗下植物的丰富度指数、优势度指数、多样性指数也存在显著差异。3)夏季林窗下植物多样性最高, 其次是秋季, 春季多样性最低。1225-1600 m²的大林窗能够促进马尾松人工林植物多样性恢复和植被更新。     

Effects of forest gap size on initial decomposition of twig litter in the subalpine forest of western Sichuan,China

林窗调控的土壤水热环境和分解者群落结构可能深刻影响凋落物分解过程, 已有的研究结果具有不确定性。为了解高海拔森林林窗面积对凋落枝分解的影响, 采用凋落物分解袋法, 于2012-2016年冬季和生长季节, 研究了川西亚高山森林255-290 m ²(FG1)、153-176 m ²(FG2)、38-46 m ²(FG3) 3种面积林窗和林下对岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)凋落枝质量损失的影响。结果显示: 林窗面积大小显著改变了林窗和林下的雪被厚度、温度和冻融循环频次; 雪被厚度和温度以FG1林窗最高, 林下最低; FG1、FG2、FG3林窗和林下枝条分解4年后的质量残留率分别为59.9%、59.5%、62.1%和55.3%, 分解系数k值分别为0.127、0.131、0.120和0.135, 95%分解时间分别为23.6、22.7、25.0和22.2 a; 与林下相比, 林窗显著增加了第一年和第二年生长季节的质量损失速率, 降低了第一年和第四年冬季的枝条质量损失速率; 林窗大小对质量损失速率的影响随分解时期变化差异明显, 质量损失速率在第一年和第三年冬季随林窗面积增大而增大, 在第三年生长季节随林窗面积增大而降低; 枝条质量损失的比例在第一年最高, 随林窗面积增加而增加, 且冬季高于生长季节。综上所述, 林窗环境变化深刻影响亚高山森林凋落枝分解, 但这种影响随林窗面积和分解时间有所差异。     

中国东北森林生长演替模拟模型及其在全球变化研究中的应用

 NEWCOP模型是一个新的适于模拟东北森林的种类组成动态的林窗类计算机模拟模型,它通过模拟在每一个林分斑块上的每株树木的更新、生长和死亡的全过程来反映森林群落的中长期生长和演替动态。由于 NEWCOP模型是一个由气候变量驱动的生态系统模型,故可用于评价气候变化对东北森林生长和演替的影响。在东北大兴安岭、小兴安岭和长白山地区对NEWCOP模型进行了验证和校准。沿环境梯度对NEWCOP模型的数字模拟实验表明：它能准确地再现顶极森林中树种组成及其在东北地区的垂直分布规律和水平分布规律;能准确地再现大兴安岭、小兴安岭和长白山的主要类型森林的生长和演替规律;在一定的场合NEWCOP还可反映林分的径级结构;NEWCOP模型还具有对现有森林的跟踪模拟能力。应用NEWCOP模型评估了东北森林生态系统对可能气候变化的敏感性。在GFDL 2×CO2和GISS 2×CO2气候变化情景下,东北森林的种类组成将发生很大变化,落叶阔叶树将取代目前长白山、小兴安岭的红松(Pinus koraiensis)和大兴安岭的兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)成为东北森林主要树种,而针叶树将在地带性森林中占很小的比重,阔叶树中蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)将是最重要的树种,它将成为小兴安岭和大兴安岭最主要树种;东北地区适于森林生长的区域将大幅度减少,这些变化主要发生在气候变化过渡期。东北森林对不同的气候变化情景有不同响应。但是,总的趋势是未来东北森林中落叶阔叶树的比重将大幅度增加。这些结论对在全球气候变化背景下,我国东北合理地选择造林树种和制定现有森林的保护经营策略具有一定参考价值。     

Effects of forest gap size on litter recalcitrant components of two tree species in Pinus massoniana plantations

Aims The objective of the study was to evaluate the dynamics of recalcitrant components during foliar litter decomposition at different forest gap size in Pinus massoniana plantation in the low hilly land, Sichuan basin. Methods The experiment was set up by thinning P. massoniana plantation to establish seven different gap sizes (G1: 100 m², G2: 225 m², G3: 400 m², G4: 625 m², G5: 900 m², G6: 1225 m², G7: 1600 m²). The contents of four recalcitrant components (condensed tannins, total phenol, lignin, cellulose) in foliar litter of two native species (Cinnamomum camphora and Toona ciliata) placed in litterbags at different locations in the forest gaps were evaluated. The litterbags placed under closed canopy were used as the control. Litterbags with air-dried leaves of C. camphora and T. ciliata were placed at center, edge of the gap and under the closed canopy in November 2013, and collected in December 2013, February 2014, May 2014 and August of 2014 for lab analysis. Important findings The results showed that: 1) Forest gap size had significant effect on the content of condensed tannins, total phenol and lignin for T. ciliata in gap center. However, the forest gap size had no significant effect on the content of recalcitrant components in the litters of C. camphora and cellulose content of T. ciliata. With the increase of gap size, except for cellulose content, the other three recalcitrant components content in small and medium sized gaps (G1-G5) were significant lower than in large gaps (G6, G7). 2) The condensed tannis content of T. ciliata at the gap center were significant lower than at the gap edge. The lignin contents at gap center of G3 was significant reduced in the C. camphora litter. The condensed tannins, total phenol, and lignin contents of T. ciliata litter in small and medium gaps significantly decreased. 3) The contents of the four recalcitrant components in both species’ foliar litter changed with time. The contents of condensed tannins and cellulose decreased and the content of lignin increased significantly with time, however, the total phenol content increased initially, and then decreased. Therefore, small and medium sized gaps (100-900 m²) could be the optimal gap sizes to promote the degradation of litter recalcitrant components for two native species in P. massoniana plantations.     

Effects of forest gap on hemicellulose dynamics during foliar litter decomposition in an subalpine forest

 亚高山森林林窗可能通过改变冬季雪被格局和生长季水热环境影响林窗内凋落物中半纤维素的分解动态, 但目前对此还缺乏研究。采用凋落物分解袋法, 以亚高山森林5种典型物种岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)、红桦(Betula albosinensis)、四川红杉(Larix mastersiana)、方枝柏(Sabina saltuaria)和高山杜鹃(Rhododendron lapponicum)凋落物为研究对象, 研究雪被形成期、雪被覆盖期、雪被融化期和生长季节从林窗中心、林冠林窗、扩展林窗到郁闭林下物种凋落物的半纤维素变化特征。经历一年分解后, 5种凋落物的半纤维素均呈现净累积现象。针、阔叶凋落物半纤维素分别在雪被覆盖期和融化期表现出相对较高的损失率。在雪被覆盖期和融化期, 凋落物半纤维素在林窗中心和林冠林窗具有相对较高的损失率; 而在生长季节, 林窗中心呈现相对较低的凋落物半纤维素累积率。统计分析结果表明凋落物分解过程中半纤维素损失率与环境因子和凋落物质量因子均显著相关。这些结果表明亚高山森林林窗对凋落物分解过程中半纤维素损失率具有显著影响, 分别促进了半纤维素在冬季的损失以及抑制了半纤维素在生长季节的累积, 意味着亚高山森林林窗的形成有利于凋落物半纤维素的降解。     

Edge effects of forest gap in Pinus massoniana plantations on the ecological stoichiometry of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum

Aims Pinus massoniana is one of the major plantation tree species in the low hilly lands along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Valley in China’s “Grain for Green” project. The objective of this study was to explore the edge effects of forest gap on the ecological stoichiometry of dominant tree species in a P. massoniana plantation forest.Methods We collected Cinnamomum longepaniculatum leaves in a 39-year-old P. massoniana plantation forest with seven forest gap sizes (G1: 100 m²; G2: 225 m²; G3: 400 m²; G4: 625 m²; G5: 900 m²; G6: 1 225 m²; G7: 1 600 m², and the control: closed canopy) located in Gao County, south Sichuan Province during different seasons. The contents of C, N and P in leaves were measured, and the effects of edges, seasons and their interaction on leaf C, N and P contents and C:N:P stoichiometry were evaluated.Important findings The leaf C content, C:N and C:P of C. longepaniculatum at the edge of forest gaps in different seasons were all significantly higher than those of understory plants in P. massoniana plantation. With increasing size of forest gaps, leaf C content and C:N ratio, C:P and N:P of C. longepaniculatum increased initially and then decreased with the maximum at medium size (400-900 m²). From spring to winter, leaf N and P contents of C. longepaniculatum increased after an obvious decrease; and the C:N and C:P increased first but then decreased. However, the inflection point all appeared in the summer. The nutrient utilization of C. longepaniculatum at the edge of forest gaps was more efficient in summer and autumn than in spring and winter, indicating significant edge effects. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that gap size, relative light intensity and monthly average air temperature were the main environmental factors affecting the stoichiometry of C. longepaniculatum at the different edge of forest gaps in the P. massoniana plantation. These results indicated that forest gap with size 625 m² had the highest organic matter storage and nutrient utilization efficiency in the edge areas in all seasons, and therefore had the most significant edge effect on leaf element stoichiometry.     

Aims

In wetlands, water levels can fluctuate, which often disturbs local organisms, such as aquatic plants. The responses of Alternanthera philoxeroides, Myriophyllum aquaticum, and Ludwigia adscendens to water level fluctuations of different frequencies were examined here.     

一种测量林窗面积的改良方法:等角椭圆扇形法

目前测量林窗面积较精确的方法为:测量从林窗中心沿8或16个罗盘方向到林窗林冠边缘的距离,再将林窗近似成等角8或16边形估测其面积(本文称这类方法为等角多边形法)。研究表明,等角8或16边形法均会低估林窗面积,本文提出一种改良方法:等角椭圆扇形法,野外测量与前者相同,计算时将相邻距离间的部分近似为椭圆扇形,以所有椭圆扇形面积之和估测林窗面积。用配对t检验对等角多边形法和等角椭圆扇形法的林窗面积进行比较,结果表明:(1)等角16边形法与等角8或4边形法存在极显著差异(P<0.001),比后两者,分别高10.96%和61.66%,这表明等角条边形法均会低估林窗面积;(2)等角椭圆扇形16分法比等角16边形法大10.16%,且二者之间存在极显著差异(P<0.001),因此,等角16边形法的测量值位于等角椭圆扇形16分法和等角8边形法之间;由(1)和(2)可推断等角椭圆扇形16分法比等角8边形法更准确;(3)等角椭圆扇形8分法与等角椭圆扇形16分法没有显著差异(P=0.715),但与等角8边形法存在显著差异(P<0.05),因此,等角椭圆扇形8分法比等角8边形法更准确。另外,本文的两个等角8边形法(基于两组不同罗盘方位的测量距离)求得的林窗面积之间存在极显著差异(P<0.01),而两个等角椭圆扇形8分法之间却没有差异(P=0.778),这表明等角椭圆扇形8分法的结果更稳定。     

天童常绿阔叶林林窗的地形分布格局

为探究多维地形因素对林窗分布的影响,以天童20 hm²常绿阔叶林动态监测样地内的林窗为对象,结合地理信息系统软件,分析了林窗空隙率、林窗密度以及林窗面积在海拔、坡度、坡向、坡形、坡位5种地形因子下的分布格局.结果表明: 该样地林窗空隙率为13.1%,林窗密度为9.5个·hm^-2,林窗平均面积为137.82 m²;因高海拔台风干扰的强度较大,高海拔段(≥500 m)林窗的空隙率和密度显著大于中低海拔段(<500 m);台风带来的强降雨极易引起小范围滑坡,使得沟谷的林窗空隙率和密度显著大于侧坡,林窗平均面积显著大于侧坡和山脊.台风及其带来的强降雨是造成林窗在海拔及坡位梯度上具有显著性差异的主要原因.     

Storage of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in temperate shrubland ecosystems across Northern China

Aims Studying storage of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in ecosystems is of significance in understanding carbon and nutrient cycling. Previous researches in ecosystem C, N and P storage have biased towards forests and grasslands. Shrubland ecosystems encompass a wide gradient in precipitation and soil conditions, providing a unique opportunity to explore the patterns of ecosystem C, N and P storage in relation to climate and soil properties.
Methods We estimated densities and storage of organic C, N and P of shrubland ecosystems in Northern China based on data from 433 shrubland sites.
Important findings The main results are summarized as follows: the average organic C, N and P densities in temperate shrubland ecosystems across Northern China were 69.8 Mg·hm^-2, 7.3 Mg·hm^-2 and 4.2 Mg·hm^-2, respectively. The average plant C, N and P densities were 5.1 Mg·hm^-2, 11.5 × 10^-2 Mg·hm^-2 and 8.6 × 10^-3 Mg·hm^-2, respectively, and were significantly correlated with precipitation and soil nutrient concentrations. The average litter C, N and P densities were 1.4 Mg·hm^-2, 3.8 ×10^-2 Mg·hm^-2, 2.5 ×10^-3 Mg·hm^-2 and were significantly correlated with temperature and precipitation. The average soil organic C, N and P densities in the top 1 m were 64.0 Mg·hm^-2, 7.1 Mg·hm^-2 and 4.2 Mg·hm^-2, respectively and the former two were significantly correlated with temperature and precipitation. The total organic C, N and P storage of shrublands in Northern China were 1.7 Pg, 164.9 Tg and 124.8 Tg, respectively. The plant C, N and P storage were 128.4 Tg, 3.1 Tg and 0.2 Tg, respectively. The litter C, N and P storage were 8.4 Tg, 0.45 Tg, 0.027 Tg, respectively. Soil is the largest C, N and P pool in the studied area. The soil organic C, N and P storage in the top 1 meter were 1.6 Pg, 161.3 Tg and 124.6 Tg, respectively.     

苔藓植物岩溶作用研究进展

苔藓植物参与岩溶作用的过程是生物岩溶的重要内容。开展苔藓植物岩溶作用研究可为石漠化裸岩的生态恢复及其综合治理提供理论依据和技术支撑。该文系统论述了苔藓植物岩溶作用的过程(溶蚀与沉积)、机理及其与生境互作机制的最新研究进展。苔藓植物及其生物结皮在干湿交替下发生膨胀、卷缩、冻融等物理机械力, 以及其代谢分泌物和因呼吸作用而产生的H₂CO₃与岩石中矿物反应, 破坏矿物晶体结构, 导致矿物裂解、使岩面崩解脱落而改变岩面形态, 塑造岩溶地貌, 形成原始土壤。苔藓植物岩溶作用驱动力的大小与植物功能性状、基岩性质与生存环境密切相关。此外, 生物岩溶作用需要长时间尺度的监测, 研究周期长, 建议建立野外长期监测基地, 加强对其内在机制与过程以及与生境间互作机制, 苔藓植物的生理代谢过程及其生物酶等与岩溶作用的相互关系, 岩溶地区苔藓植物环境适应性特征及其生物多样性维持机制等方面的研究。     

Salt accumulation in vegetative organs and ecological stoichiometry characteristics in typical halophytes in Xinjiang,China

AimsStudying salt accumulation in vegetative organs and carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) stoichiometry in halophytes contributes to understand the adaptive strategy to saline environment and the distribution mechanism of nutrients and salinity of the halophytes.MethodsFour typical dominant species, including three perennial shrubs (Halocnemum strobilaceum, Suaeda microphylla and Kalidium foliatum) and an annual herb (Salicornia europaea) were selected for analyzing the salt accumulation and C, N, P stoichiometry relationships.Important findings 1) The salt accumulation showed “salt island” effect at peak growing stage; Na⁺, Cl^- and electrical conductivity all showed significant positive trends, when salt ions were transported from the root to the shoot of 4 halophytes. 2) P was the limiting growth element of perennial shrubs, while both N and P were limiting factors for the annual herb. 3) Different organs, species and their interactions affected C, N, P stoichiometry and salt icons except Mg²⁺. 4) C was negatively correlated with N and P, but there was a significant positive correlation between N and P. 5) Electrical conductivity, Na⁺and K⁺ were positively correlated with N, N:P ratio, and negatively correlated with C, C:N and C:P ratios, and yet K⁺, CO₃^2- had significant positive correlation with P. These results implied that there were some kind of mutual promoting relationships between nutrients and salinity in halophytes in the saline environment, and fertilizing with N could promote sodium chloride desalination.     

Stoichiometric characteristics of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in Phyllostachys edulis forests of China

Aims Stoichiometric ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are important characteristics of the ecological processes and functions. Studies on population ecological stoichiometry can refine the content of flora chemometrics, determine the limited nutrient, and provide data for process-based modeling over large scale. Phyllostachys edulis is an important forest type, whose area accounts for 74% of total bamboo forest area in Southern China. However, little is known about the ecological stoichiometric in P. edulis. This study aimed to reveal C:N, C:P and N:P stoichiometry characteristics of the “plant-soil-litter” continuum and to provide a better understanding nutrient cycling and stability mechanisms in P. edulis forest in China. Methods The data were collected from the published literature containing C、N、P content in leaf or surface soil (0-20 cm) or littefall in P. edulis forests. Important findings 1) The leaf C, N, P content were estimated at 478.30 mg·g^-1, 22.20 mg·g^-1, 1.90 mg·g^-1 in P. edulis, and the corresponding C: N, C: P and N: P were 26.80, 299.60 and 14.40, respectively. Soil C, N, and P content in 0-20 cm were 21.53 mg·g^-1, 1.66 mg·g^-1, 0.41 mg·g^-1, with ratios of 14.20 for C:N, 66.74 for C:P and 4.28 for N:P. The C, N and P contents were 438.49 mg·g^-1, 13.39 mg·g^-1, 0.86 mg·g^-1 for litterfall, with the litter C:N, C:P and N:P being 25.53, 665.67, 22.55, respectively. 2) In the plant-soil-litter system in P. edulis forest, leaf had higher C:N, litter had higher C:P and N:P, while soil were the lowest. The N, P resorption rate was 39.68% and 54.74%, indicating that P. edulis forest growth and development was constrained by P or by both of N and P in China. 3) N content and N:P in leaf showed a tendency to increase with latitude, while the C:N of leaf declined with latitude. N:P of leaf increased with longitude, but the P content and the C:N of leaf showed a opposite trend. C: N of soil increased with longitude, whereas the N content of soil declined longitude. The N content of litter declined with longitude. 4) The leaf N content was negatively correlated with mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, but being more sensitive to temperature than precipitation. The positive correlations between N content and latitude support “Temperature-Plant Physiological” hypothesis, reflecting an adaptive strategy to environmental conditions.     

《中国植被志》研编内容与规范

植被志是基于植被(或植物群落)调查资料, 全面记叙植被的外貌、物种组成、结构和功能, 以及地理分布和生境条件等特征, 并对同类植被进行归纳和总结的志书。《中国植被志》是第一部对中国植被进行全面记述的志书, 预计完成约48卷110册。在借鉴《中国植被》(1980)(简称“80方案”)植被分类基本原则的基础上,《中国植被志》将对中国植被分类系统的高级分类单位(植被型组、植被型和植被亚型)进行归纳和总结, 对中级和低级分类单位(群系组、群系、亚群系, 群丛组、群丛)进行详细描述。植被高级分类单位的描述具有概括性质, 是在中国植被分类系统中级和低级分类单位描述的基础上, 对其在全球和中国境内的地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型及多样性、优势种或共优势种、生物多样性保育价值以及资源现状等进行概述, 并对“80方案”相关内容进行修订和拓展, 将提供对中国植被基本特征客观、准确的记述。在植被中级和低级分类单位中, 群系组描述的内容包括地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型以及价值与保育等内容; 群系描述的主要内容包括地理分布、自然环境、生态特征、物种组成、群落结构、群丛组和群丛的分类与描述、优势种的生物学特性、生物量与生产力、植被动态与演替以及价值与保育等方面。作为植被志研编的核心内容, 群丛组和群丛的分类与描述主要基于植被调查资料, 采用数量分类方法, 根据群落结构和物种组成的差异划分出不同的植被类型, 并对其基本特征进行定量描述和归纳。其中, 群落的层片结构、特定植被分类单元的特征种或特征种组的筛选与甄别是植被类型划分的关键环节; 而群落外貌, 群落结构, 物种组成, 各类物种的生长习性、生境的偏适性等是群丛组和群丛描述与归纳的重点内容。该文提出了中国植被中级和低级分类单位的命名方案, 其特点在于植被类型的科学名称中同时体现了植被分类单元特征种或优势种的名称及其所属的高级植被分类单位(植被型组或植被型)的名称, 兼顾了植被名称的规范性与实用性。《中国植被志》的研编工作由文献整编、群落调查、数据分析与整理、文本撰写等环节组成。该文对植被样方的调查与收集, 文献收集与整编, 气候、土壤、地形等相关数据的来源及其整理方法, 植被分类方法, 植被命名, 植被分类单元描述的内容, 植被志章节编写大纲、体裁及撰写等多个规范进行了详细的阐述或示例。     

Changes of the relationships between soil and microbes in carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry during ecosystem succession

AimsThe carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry (C:N:P) of soil profoundly influences the growth, community structure, biomass C:N:P stoichiometry, and metabolism in microbes. However, the relationships between soil and microbes in the C:N:P stoichiometry and their temporal dynamics during ecosystem succession are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the temporal patterns of soil and microbial C:N:P stoichiometry and their relationships during ecosystem succession.MethodsAn extensive literature search was conducted and data were compiled for 19 age sequences of successional ecosystems, including 13 forest ecosystems and 6 grassland ecosystems, from 18 studies published up to May 2016. Meta-analyses were performed to examine the sequential changes in 18 variables that were associated with soil and microbial C, N and P contents and the stoichiometry. Important findings (1) There was no consistent temporal pattern in soil C:N along the successional stages, whereas the soil C:P and N:P increased with succession; the slopes of the linear relationships between soil C:N:P stoichiometry and successional age were negatively correlated with the initial content of the soil organic C within given chronosequence. (2) There was no consistent temporal pattern in microbial C:N:P stoichiometry along the successional stages. (3) The fraction of microbial biomass C in soil organic C (qMBC), the fraction of microbial biomass N in soil total N, and the fraction of microbial biomass P in soil total P all increased significantly with succession, in consistency with the theory of succession that ecosystem biomass per unit resource increases with succession. (4) The qMBC decreased with increases in the values of soil C:N, C:P, or N:P, as well as the stoichiometric imbalances in C:N, C:P, and N:P between soil and microbes (i.e., ratios of soil C:N, C:P, and N:P to microbial biomass C:N, C:P, and N:P, respectively). The C:N, C:P, and N:P stoichiometric imbalances explained 37%-57% variations in the qMBC, about 7-17 times more than that explainable by the successional age, illustrating the importance of soil-microbial C:N:P stoichiometry in shaping the successional dynamics in qMBC. In summary, our study highlights the importance of the theories of ecosystem succession and stoichiometry in soil microbial studies, and suggests that appropriately applying macro-ecological theories in microbial studies may improve our understanding on microbial ecological processes.