Climate, plant organs and species control dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus in fresh litter in a subalpine forest on the eastern Tibetan Plateau

The concentration of dissolved phosphorus (DP) was higher than that of dissolved nitrogen (DN) in fresh litter, and the concentrations of both elements were determined by plant organs and species. Moreover, The DN and DP concentration was positively related to mean monthly temperature, while DN and DP storage was negatively correlated with mean monthly temperature and monthly precipitation. The storage of DN and DP was determined by litter biomass, which the order in litter from different plant organs was: leaves>twigs>miscellaneous>flowers and fruits. The storage of DN and DP in leaves showed two peaks in April and October, but that in twigs and the miscellaneous showed only one peak in October.