Effects of submergence frequency on soil C:N:P ecological stoichiometry in riparian zones of Hulunbuir steppe

Purpose Hulunbuir steppe has flat terrain and wide riparian zone of rivers and lakes on it. Owing to climate change, these riparian zones are often submerged or dried. This not only results in the instability of biodiversity in these regions but also affects the soil biogeochemical cycles. Soil C:N:P ecological stoichiometry plays a vital role in predicting and understanding the balance of multiple chemicals in ecological interactions. However, few studies have examined the soil C:N:P ecological stoichiometry in riparian zones of Hulunbuir steppe under different submergence states. Our objectives were to explore whether submergence frequencies impact soil C:N:P stoichiometry and identify the key factors. Materials and methods Four study sites were selected along the Hui river in Hulunbuir steppe, and three plots of different submergence frequencies, high (HF-sub, 5 to 7 times per year), moderate (MF-sub, 2 to 3 times per year), and low (LF-sub, unflooded or flooded once per year), were selected for each study site. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), their ecological stoichiometric ratios (soil C:N, N:P, and C:P), soil ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), available phosphorus (AP), soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil moisture content (SMC), soil bulk density (SBD), porosity, and hardness were measured and analyzed. Results and discussion The results indicated that soil C:N:P ecological stoichiometry was notably affected by submergence frequency across the four study sites (P < 0.05). SOC, TN, TP, and their stoichiometric ratios changed regularly with the submergence frequency change, whereas their trends were inconsistent at different drainage basins. Soil C:N decreased with the decrease in submergence frequency but kept in a narrow scope, whereas the N:P and C:P were changed greatly under different submergence frequencies. Further analysis found that these significant variations in N:P and C:P were mainly due to the changes in soil TP which suggested there might be a P limitation in the riparian zones. The results of redundancy analysis (RDA) and path analysis indicated that soil AP and NO3--N were the key indirect factors affecting soil C:N:P ecological stoichiometry under different submergence frequencies, and SMC was an indirect factor. Conclusions We demonstrated that the soil C:N:P ecological stoichiometry was significantly affected by the submergence frequency in the riparian zones of Hulunbuir steppe. Soil N:P and C:P were more susceptible to change than C:N under different submergence frequencies. If the contents of soil AP and NO3--N were appropriate, soil C:N:P ecological stoichiometry will be more beneficial to regulating the cycle and balance of soil nutrient elements in the riparian zones, which can promote the riparian zones to provide better ecological functions.