Effects of groundwater depth on carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus ecological stoichiometric and homeostasis characteristics of Populus pruinosa leaves and soil in Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China

Aims Populus pruinosa is a key species of desert riparian forest playing an irreplaceable role in eco-environmental protection in Tarim extremely arid region, China.Studies on variation pattern of ecological stoichiometric characteristics and homeostasis of plant and soil were helpful to understand the health status of desert vegetation and also provide insights into ecosystem nutrient cycling, and ecological strategies of organisms to environmental changes.The aim of the present study was to explore the variations of ecological stoichiometry of plant and soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and their stoichiometric homeostasis of P. pruinosa leaves along groundwater depth (GWD) in Tarim basin.Methods Through field investigation, we measured C, N, P contents in leaves of P. pruinosa and in soils.The differences between C, N, P contents and their stoichiometric ratios of leaves and soils as well as in stoichiometric homoeostasis were examined among sites with different groundwater depths. Important findingsWith the increase of GWD, the N, P contents of leaves decreased and C content, C:N, C:P, N:P increased.The variation coefficient of all stoichiometric indices was basically low and that of C content was