[Altitudinal changes in leaf mass per unit area and tissue non-structural carbohydrates content of Abies fabri on Gongga Mountain of southwest China].

Taking the northeast slope of Moxi vally and southwest slope of Kangding vally in Gongga Mountain of Southwest China as sampling sites, this paper investigated the leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and tissue non-structural carbohydrates content (NSC) of Abies fabri distributed at the positions from lower elevations to alpine treeline during the periods of dormancy and vigorous growth. The results indicated that A. fabri had higher LMA and NSC in warm-moist Moxi valley than in hot-dry Kangding valley. The LMA and NSC of treeline trees were all higher than those of the trees at lower elevations, which was more obvious during the period of vigorous growth. The overall altitudinal changing trends of LMA and NSC in Gongga Mountain of Southwest China did not support the hypothesis of 'carbon limitation could induce the formation of alpine treeline'.