Foliar Nutrient Dynamics and Foliar Resorption in Quercus brantii Lindley Along an Elevational Gradient

Abstract

Foliar mass per area (mg dm-2) -based nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, specific leaf mass (mg dm-2) and absolute and proportional resorption in Quercus brantii was investigated along a topographic gradient from 450 to 850 m altitude. Foliar N and P concentrations in Q. brantii exhibited significant differences with respect to topographic position and sampling dates in all of the studied parameters. A sharp decrease was observed from April to September in terms of Specific Leaf Mass (SLM) values. However, mass per area-based absolute and proportional N resorption was lowest at 450 m, while absolute and proportional P resorption was lowest at 850 m. Significant correlations were found between mass per area-based leaf nutrient concentration and foliar resorption except for the correlations between absolute P resorption and foliar P concentrations at 450,650 and 750 m during full-leaf expansion and 850 m during senescence, respectively. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.