Enzymatic Stoichiometry and Driving Factors Under Different Land-Use Types in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Region

Yonggang Zhu, Feng Xiong, Derong Wu, Baoguo Zhao, Wenwu Wang, Biao Bi, Yihang Liu, Meng Liang () and Sha Xue
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Yonggang Zhu: Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, Chengdu 610000, China
Feng Xiong: Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, Chengdu 610000, China
Derong Wu: Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, Chengdu 610000, China
Baoguo Zhao: Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, Chengdu 610000, China
Wenwu Wang: Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, Chengdu 610000, China
Biao Bi: Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, Chengdu 610000, China
Yihang Liu: Chengdu Engineering Corporation Limited, Chengdu 610000, China
Meng Liang: Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
Sha Xue: Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: Eco-enzymatic stoichiometry provides a basis for understanding soil ecosystem functions, with implications for land management and ecological protection. Long-term climatic factors and human interferences have caused significant land-use transformations in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau region, affecting various ecological functions, such as soil nutrient cycling and chemical element balance. It is currently unclear how large-scale land-use conversion affects soil ecological stoichiometry. In this study, 763 soil samples were collected across three land-use types: farmland, grassland, and forest land. In addition, changes in soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activity and stoichiometry were determined. The soil available phosphorus (SAP) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were the highest in farmland soil. Bulk density, pH, SAP, TP, and NO 3 − -N were lower in forest soil, whereas NH 4 + -N, available nitrogen, soil organic carbon (SOC), available potassium, and the soil nutrient ratio increased. Land-use conversion promoted soil β-1,4-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, mostly in forest soil. The eco-enzymatic C:N ratio was higher in farmland soils but grassland soils had a higher enzymatic C:P and N:P. Soil microorganisms were limited by P nutrients in all land-use patterns. C limitation was the highest in farmland soil. The redundancy analysis indicated that the ecological stoichiometry in farmland was influenced by TN, whereas grass and forest soils were influenced by SOC. Overall, the conversion of cropland or grassland to complex land-use types can effectively enhance soil nutrients, enzyme activities, and ecosystem functions, providing valuable insights for ecological restoration and sustainable land management in alpine regions.

Keywords: enzymatic stoichiometry; enzyme activity; nutrient limitation; land-use conversion; Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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