Research Data.xls

Genus <i>Nitraria</i> belongs to shrub species of Zygophyllaceae, which is characterized by saline-alkali tolerance and drought resistance. <i>Nitraria</i> species are important constructive species in desert ecosystem, as well as excellent woody species for windbreak and sand fixation, soil and water conservation and afforestation in saline-alkali lands. However, at a large spatial scale, the variation patterns and influencing factors of leaf litter nutrients for different<i> Nitraria </i>species remain unclear. This study focused on two <i>Nitraria</i> species (<i>Nitraria tangutorum</i> and <i>Nitraria sphaerocarpa</i>) in the desert region of northwestern China, systematically compared and analyzed the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) nutrient stoichiometry of leaf litters, environmental variation patterns, and main driving factors. The results of this study will provide a new perspective for in-depth understanding of the ecological adaptation and nutrient cycling of desert shrubs, and also provide a new data for the construction of the dynamic model of litter nutrient return in arid regions under climate changes.