Litter phosphorus(P) return is important to maintain the P cycle and balance in the sandy land of arid areas.In this study,we determined the loss and return of litter P in sand dune areas and elucidated their relationship.We investigated litter production and litter P amount,and simulated leaf litter moving dynamics to understand the relationships between the loss of litter P and the total litter P,and between the return of litter P and the total litter P in active(AD),semi-stabilized(SSD) and stabilized(SD) dunes in Inner Mongolia,northeastern China.The vegetation litter P was 12.6,94.5,and 201.6 mg P/m2 in AD,SSD,and SD,respectively.A significant movement and loss of leaf litter P with time occurred on the three types of sand dunes.As a result,the loss of P was 7.4,46.9,and 69.8 mg P/m2 and the return of P was 5.5,47.6,and 131.8 mg P/m2 in AD,SSD,and SD,respectively.The relationship between both loss and return of P and total litter P in AD,SSD,and SD was revealed by linear regression.The slope of the regression line indicated the rate of loss or return of litter P.From AD to SD,the loss rate showed a declining slope(0.52,0.32,and 0.17 for AD,SSD,and SD,respectively),and the return rate showed a rising slope(0.48,0.67,and 0.83 for AD,SSD,and SD,respectively).The loss of litter P should be regarded in the local management of vegetation and land in sand dune areas.Improved vegetation restoration measures are necessary to decrease litter P loss to maintain the stability of ecosystems in sand dune areas.
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