Global patterns in leaf stoichiometry across coastal wetlands

Aim: Coastal wetlands provide critical ecosystem functions and services, e.g. coastal protection, nutrient retention and C sequestration. Despite the important roles in global C, N and P cycling, the global variation in leaf stoichiometry across coastal wetlands remains unclear.

Location: Global.

Time period: 1980-2018.

Major taxa studied: Vascular plants.

Methods: By compiling a global dataset of 698 data records in 205 sites, we systematically analysed the world-wide trends and their determinants in leaf element contents and ratios of plants across coastal wetlands.

Results: Leaf N and P contents significantly increased, but C:N, C:P and N:P ratios decreased with increasing latitude in coastal wetlands. Mean annual temperature was the predominant driver of leaf N, P and C:N, while soil N:P was a good predict of leaf C:P and N:P ratios. Furthermore, N increased faster with P in plant leaves of coastal wetlands compared to terrestrial ecosystems. Within coastal wetlands, ...