Research Data

Data Collection
For this study, three replicate 15m × 15m sample plots were established within each shrub niche making a total of 12 sample plots. Topographic factors such as elevation, slope, slope position, aspect, and major species were recorded for each sample plot.
Furthermore, ten sample plants of each species were randomly selected to represent the overall growth condition of community in each sample plot. The healthy, mature leaves and branches were collected from the upper-middle part of each plant from four directions (east, west, south, and north). The fine roots were also dug up along the four cardinal directions of east, west, south, and north. The leaf, branch, and root samples collected from each plot were then mixed and stored in sealed plastic bags.
Similarly, five 1 m×1 m subplots were randomly set up in each sample plot to collect surface litter. The collected litter was mixed and stored in sealed plastic bags. Meanwhile, using an S-shaped pattern, five soil sampling points were randomly set up. At each sampling point, soil samples were collected from depths of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm. All soil samples from the same soil layer in each plot were mixed and stored in sealed plastic bags. In total, 12 leaf samples, 12 branch samples, 12 root samples, 12 litter samples, and 36 soil samples were obtained and stored in a portable cooler for further processing.
Determination of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus
The collected leaf, branch, root, and litter samples were rinsed with deionized water and blanched at 105°C for 1 hour. The samples were then dried at 85°C, and ground into powder. The soil samples were air-dried to remove impurities, and using a ball mill (MM400 Ball Mill, Retsch, Germany) ground into fine powder before being packaged for subsequent stoichiometric analyses. The total organic carbon (TOC) content was measured by the potassium dichromate oxidation–ferrous sulfate titrimetry method. While total nitrogen (TN) content was determined by the Kjeldahl method, the total phosphorus (TP) content was measured by the molybdenum antimony colorimetric method.