Effects of ecological stoichiometry on biomass and species diversity of the Artemisia ordosica community in Habahu National Nature Reserve

Ecological stoichiometry represents the balance of multiple chemical elements in ecological interactions and processes. Theoretically,if there are clear relationships between the C : N : P ratios and maximum relative growth rate,relationships between life history evolution,the physiological demand for major elements,and even ecosystem processes would be expected as well. Indeed,many studies have shown clear relationships between plant growth rates and plant N : P ratios. However,whether C : N : P ratios can affect species diversity and community biomass remains unclear,and requires testing. We therefore investigated several Artemisia ordosica communities from sandy soils in the Ningxia Habahu NationalNature Reserve. More specifically,we chose an( 1) A. ordosica-Corispermum deslinatum + Salsola sp. community,( 2) A.ordosica-Calamagrostis pseudophragmites community,( 3) A. ordosica-Pennisetum centrasiaticum + Aneurolepidium dasystachys community,( 4) A. ordosica-P. centrasiaticum community,( 5) A. ordosica-Soph