Figure 3

Mass loss and element release (%) of Salix paraplesia (SP), Deyeuxia scabrescens (DS), and Ajuga ovalifolia (AO) leaf litter. AM, alpine meadow; TL, tree line; CF, coniferous forest. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences (P < 0.05) among different litter types within the same vegetation type, and different uppercase letters indicate significant differences (P < 0.05) among vegetation types within the same litter type. The data are the means ± SE (n = 3).