Table 5 Statistical characteristics of nutrient traits (C, N, P and C:N:P ratio) of individual tissues (stems, leaves, branches, fine roots, and thick roots) of plant samples in the Qilian Mountains

C (g kg⁻¹)

427.21 ± 10.51

450.26 ± 14.04

410.44 ± 12.87

342.10 ± 10.08

327.48 ± 8.49

N (g kg⁻¹)

2.28 ± 0.71

8.1 ± 0.59

6.38 ± 0.38

4.78 ± 0.59

4.08 ± 0.21

P (g kg⁻¹)

0.07 ± 0.005

0.72 ± 0.03

0.86 ± 0.05

0.48 ± 0.03

0.46 ± 0.04

C:N

104.62 ± 6.23

60.64 ± 6.48

66.12 ± 3.09

94.39 ± 5.75

82.18 ± 2.89

C:P

902.23 ± 60.21

636.01 ± 31.72

505.72 ± 41.72

758.14 ± 65.70

833.56 ± 51.07

N:P

26.22 ± 5.71

11.24 ± 0.76

7.98 ± 0.72

10.38 ± 1.36

9.55 ± 0.91