Vertical and leaf-age-related variations of nonstructural carbohydrates in two alpine timberline species, southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Spatial pattern of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) was analyzed in two alpine timberline species (Abies georgei and Juniperus saltuaria) growing at the timberline in Sergyemla Mountain, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. We aimed to examine the effect of canopy height and leaf age on balance between carbon uptake and consumption of timberline tree species in extremely environmental condition. The results showed that no significantly vertical variation in sugars, starch or NSC (soluble sugars plus starch) in A. georgei was found for any aged needles. Also, there were no significant differences among vertical gradients in both current and last-year leaves for J. saltuaria. However, different-aged needles/leaves showed significant differences in NSC concentrations in both A. georgei and J. saltuaria. For A. georgei, needle mean NSC across vertical canopies showed a significant increase from current-year to 2-year needles (P < 0.05), followed by a gradual decrease from 2- to 5-year needles (P < 0.05), whereas for J. saltuaria, last-year leaves had significant higher NSC except sugars compared with current-year leaves across canopies (P < 0.01). The observed trends of NSC along vertical canopy heights and leaf ages suggested that, in extreme environmental condition, not only light-induced carbon acquisition in photosynthesis but also carbohydrate export from leaves should be taken into account to explain the spatial pattern of NSC.