Table 3 Ecosystem C and N concentrations and C:N ratios.

From: The chemical stoichiometry characteristics of plant-soil carbon and nitrogen in subtropical Pinus massoniana natural forests

Variable

Age group

Tree layer

Understory vegetation layer

Litter layer

Soil layer

C (g kg−1)

Young forest

461.71

417.79

420.42

3.81

Middle-aged forest

469.71

401.32

413.86

4.46

Near-mature forest

475.92

388.21

405.33

5.39

Mature forest

470.79

385.69

397.41

6.23

Mean

469.53 a

398.25 b

409.26 b

4.98 c

N (g kg−1)

Young forest

2.17

7.51

9.67

0.32

Middle-aged forest

2.38

8.84

10.51

0.37

Near-mature forest

2.75

9.27

10.98

0.43

Mature forest

3.38

9.48

11.01

0.44

Mean

2.67 c

8.78 b

10.54 a

0.39 d

C:N

Young forest

551.79

60.30

43.60

11.92

Middle-aged forest

328.07

48.67

39.59

12.38

Near-mature forest

274.25

46.39

36.93

13.09

Mature forest

352.26

45.73

36.20

15.00

Mean

376.59 a

50.28 b

39.08 b

13.10 c

  1. Different lowercase letters represent significant differences among ecosystem organs (p < 0.05).
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