植物生态化学计量内稳性特征

Stoichiometric homeostasis is one of the core concepts of ecological stoichiometry. It refers to the ability of an organism to maintain a given elemental composition in the body despite variation in the elemental composition of its environment or diet. It reflects the net outcome of many underlying physiological and biochemical adjustments as organisms respond to their surroundings. The homeostatic index (H) of plant can be estimated by measuring the nitrogen and phosphorus contents and N:P ratio in plant and soil. In general, the homeostasis of plants is weaker than that of animals, with a larger variety of homeostasis. Stoichiometric homeostasis is an important mechanism in maintaining ecosystem structure, function, and stability. The homoeostatic species tend to have high and stable biomass; and ecosystems dominated by more homoeostatic species have higher productivity and greater stability. Therefore, the homeostasis is considered to be an important index to measure species competitiveness. Studies of stoichiometric homeostasis of plant will help us to understand the adaptation strategies and ecological adaptability of plants to the environment, as well as the relationship between plant ecological stoichiometry homeostasis and ecosystem functions. However, there are few studies on the internal stability of plant ecological stoichiometry. Previous research showed that the stoichiometric homeostasis characteristics of different plant species or functional groups were different. There were differences in stoichiometric homeostasis among different growth stages, different organs of the same species, as well as different nutrient elements. This paper reviews the concept of stoichiometric homeostasis, the estimation of plant homeostatic index (H), the stoichiometric homeostasis characteristics of different plant species or functional groups, different organs and growth stages and different elements, as well as linking plant stoichiometric homoeostasis with ecosystem structure, functioning and stability. Based on the obtained achievements and the current study, we put forward some perspectives of plant stoichiometric homoeostasis for future research to be conducted with an aim to promote this discipline of research in China.