Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) are two of the most important nutrients for all living organisms, which limit nutrient substances in many terrestrial ecosystems, especially deserts. 

Vegetation restoration and succession play an important role in regulating N and P pools of the temperate desert soil-plant system. However, correlational research remains unexplored and poorly understood. 

Recently, a research group from Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed the effects of vegetation restoration and succession from a shifting sand dune on the dynamics and distribution of N and P pools in a soil-plant system. 

Scientists conducted a comprehensive field investigation and analyzed and quantified N(P) concentrations and densities of soil, shrubs, and grass at each site. 

The study results show that N and P are primarily stored in soils, followed by herbage, live shrubs, and dead shrubs. 

Besides, the research results indicate the restored ecosystem was a N(P) source in the early stage of succession from 0 to 50 years and a N(P) sink in the later succession stage from 50 to 58 years, with strong potential for N and P fixation. 

Overall, vegetation restoration and succession may profoundly alter N and P geochemical cycles through N(P) redistribution in a temperate desert plant-soil system. 

Therefore, proper N and P addition at the initial stage of vegetation restoration may promote the recovery of desertified land. 

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of vegetation restoration from shifting sand dunes to restored vegetation at different successional stages on N and P dynamics within the various plant components. 

The study entitled “Vegetation restoration drives the dynamics and distribution of nitrogen and phosphorous pools in a temperate desert soil-plant system” was published in Journal of Environmental Management. 

Contact: 

YANG Haotian 

E-mail: yanghaotian6516@163..com 

Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.