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<p>Mangrove forests are important ecosystems that provide valuable ecological functions and services, such as the global geochemical cycle. The interaction between plants and environmental factors underpins mangrove soil stoichiometric characteristics and ecosystem function. However, the links between light conditions and species mixtures (i.e., monocultures and species mixtures) for mangrove soil stoichiometric characteristics are not well understood. In this study, we conducted a field experiment to evaluate the effects of light and species mixtures on mangrove soil stoichiometry. We selected three native species (<i>Kandelia obovate</i>, <i>Avicennia marina</i>, and <i>Aegiceras corniculatum</i>) and one introduced species (<i>Sonneratia apetala</i>) for different species mixtures. Three light conditions (full, medium, and low) and 11 planting systems including monocultures and different species mixtures were considered in the manipulative field experiment. We measured the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents in both leaves and soil. The results showed that in all planting systems, soil C content was higher under lower light conditions than under full light conditions, but soil P and K showed the opposite patterns. Mixtures of <i>S. apetala</i> with native species had higher soil C content than monocultures. In contrast, the total soil N, P, and K contents in the mixtures were higher than the pre-planting baseline, with no significant differences observed among the light conditions. There was a significant positive scaling relationship between soil C and N, but a negative scaling relationship between soil P and K. The soil C:N:P (65:3:1) was lower in the mangrove ecosystem than that of Chinese wetlands but higher than that of desert. Leaf nutrients were significantly linked to the soil stoichiometry. We concluded that the light and planting systems regulate mangrove soil nutrients. Meanwhile, multispecies planting systems were more effective than monocultures in enhancing soil C storage, making them a more promising strategy for restoration. However, this benefit must be weighed against evidence that the introduced species <i>S. apetala</i> can suppress native species growth in mixed plantings, potentially undermining long-term community stability and biodiversity. Thus, the choice of restoration approach should be guided by on the specific goals of the project.</p>

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Light and plant mixtures jointly regulate soil stoichiometry in a Mangrove ecosystem

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月4日

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  • Dehuang Zhu,
  • Dafeng Hui,
  • Qiong Yang,
  • Shixiao Yu

摘要

Mangrove forests are important ecosystems that provide valuable ecological functions and services, such as the global geochemical cycle. The interaction between plants and environmental factors underpins mangrove soil stoichiometric characteristics and ecosystem function. However, the links between light conditions and species mixtures (i.e., monocultures and species mixtures) for mangrove soil stoichiometric characteristics are not well understood. In this study, we conducted a field experiment to evaluate the effects of light and species mixtures on mangrove soil stoichiometry. We selected three native species (Kandelia obovate, Avicennia marina, and Aegiceras corniculatum) and one introduced species (Sonneratia apetala) for different species mixtures. Three light conditions (full, medium, and low) and 11 planting systems including monocultures and different species mixtures were considered in the manipulative field experiment. We measured the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents in both leaves and soil. The results showed that in all planting systems, soil C content was higher under lower light conditions than under full light conditions, but soil P and K showed the opposite patterns. Mixtures of S. apetala with native species had higher soil C content than monocultures. In contrast, the total soil N, P, and K contents in the mixtures were higher than the pre-planting baseline, with no significant differences observed among the light conditions. There was a significant positive scaling relationship between soil C and N, but a negative scaling relationship between soil P and K. The soil C:N:P (65:3:1) was lower in the mangrove ecosystem than that of Chinese wetlands but higher than that of desert. Leaf nutrients were significantly linked to the soil stoichiometry. We concluded that the light and planting systems regulate mangrove soil nutrients. Meanwhile, multispecies planting systems were more effective than monocultures in enhancing soil C storage, making them a more promising strategy for restoration. However, this benefit must be weighed against evidence that the introduced species S. apetala can suppress native species growth in mixed plantings, potentially undermining long-term community stability and biodiversity. Thus, the choice of restoration approach should be guided by on the specific goals of the project.