Reviews on the ecological stoichiometry characteristics and its applications

It is necessary to construct a unified theoretical framework of ecology in view of the rapid developments in modern ecology. Eological stoichiometry is the discipline to study the balance between multiple chemical elements in ecological processes, and unify the research of different levels. Ecological stoichiometry is a theory, a thinking way and a tool that should permeate all aspects of ecology. Currently, studies on ecological stoichiometry are relatively few in China as compared to elsewhere. Studies mainly focus on the C, N, P ecological stoichiometric characteristics and its driving factors, especially in forest and grassland ecosystems. Ecological stoichiometric characteristics in different regions and ecosystem types were different, but at relatively smaller scale, the differences were less. Compared with the other parts of the world, terrestrial ecosystem phosphorus deficiency in China appeared higher for C:P and N:P ratios. Ecological stoichiometry characteristics on the level of functional group appeared that herbaceous N:P was smaller than that of wood. The mode of living plant, litter and soil showed that litter ecological stoichiometry was similar to living plant and the soil ecological stoichiometry was changed with the order of soil. Ecological stoichiometry characteristics on the level of individual showed that the correlation of plant leaves, stem and root ecological stoichiometry that appeared variable as the plant grows. Seen from the environmental factors that influenced the ecological stoichiometry, contain latitude, hydrothermal conditions, pedogenesis, human disturbance etc. Ecological stoichiometry had been applied on many areas of ecology and biology. For example, N:P stoichiometry was one of the most important indicators of limited nutrient conditions, but the criterion of the indication of ecological stoichiometry in various ecosystem were different, and it was necessary to further clarify its applicability. Second, use the ecological stoichiometric homeostasis to clarify the effect of environmental change on ecosystem structure, function and stability, which varied with the change of nutrient availability, fertilization, species and growth stage. Third, taken the C:N:P as the most import index of the plant growth rate, relationship between growth rate and C:N:P was proposed based on the growth rate hypothesis, and then linked cell and genetics with growth rate. Seen from the newest research advance, the relative research was fe