Table 1 Effects of desertification on soil C, N, P concentrations and stoichiometric ratios.

From: Impact of desertification on soil and plant nutrient stoichiometry in a desert grassland

Desertification stage

C (%)

N (%)

P (%)

C:N ratio

N:P ratio

C:P ratio

PD

0.23 ± 0.01a

0.023 ± 0.002a

0.041 ± 0.001a

11.08 ± 0.07a

0.48 ± 0.07a

6.12 ± 0.20a

LD

0.18 ± 0.02b

0.015 ± 0.001b

0.040 ± 0.001a

11.22 ± 1.89a

0.31 ± 0.08b

4.34 ± 0.31b

MD

0.12 ± 0.03c

0.009 ± 0.001c

0.037 ± 0.001b

10.85 ± 0.04a

0.23 ± 0.04c

2.90 ± 0.39c

SD

0.10 ± 0.02cd

0.006 ± 0.001d

0.037 ± 0.001b

11.48 ± 0.78a

0.16 ± 0.02d

2.51 ± 0.27c

VSD

0.08 ± 0.02d

0.006 ± 0.001d

0.036 ± 0.002b

11.04 ± 0.91a

0.18 ± 0.02d

1.89 ± 0.14d

P

<0.05

<0.01

<0.01

NS

<0.01

<0.01

  1. Soil nutrient concentration and stoichiometric ratios were measured in five different desertification stages: potential desertification stage (PD), light desertification stage (LD), moderate desertification stage (MD), severe desertification stage (SD), very severe desertification stage (VSD). Values represent treatment means ± standard deviation.
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