late snowmelt locations reflect their different growth strategies

摘要: Intense efforts are currently devoted to disentangling the relationships between plant carbon (C) allocation patterns and soil nitrogen (N) availability because of their consequences for growth more generally C sequestration. In cold ecosystems, only a few studies have addressed whole-plant and/or N along natural elevational or topographical gradients. 12 C/ 13 14 N/ 15 isotope techniques been used elucidate partitioning in two alpine graminoids characterized by contrasted nutrient economies: slow-growing species, Kobresia myosuroides (KM), fast-growing Carex foetida (CF), located early late snowmelt habitats, respectively, within tundra (French Alps). CF allocated higher labelling-related content belowground produced root biomass. Furthermore, assimilates transferred roots were preferentially rather than respiration tended favour reduction this compartment. Accordingly, species had uptake efficiency KM translocation reduced aboveground organs. These results suggest that at level, there is compromise acquisition/reduction optimized growth.