Effects of gerbil disturbance on the ecological stoichiometric characteristics and nutrient uptake and utilization of <i>H. ammodendron</i>

Rodent activity is an important factor that affects the growth and development of <i>Haloxylon ammodendron</i>. Studying the effect of rodent disturbance on plant ecological stoichiometric ratios helps evaluate the mechanism by which rodent disturbance affects plant growth and development. In this study, <i>H. ammodendron</i>, a dominant plant, and the gerbil, a typical rodent in the Gurbantunggut Desert, were selected as research objects. By measuring the biomass, root soil , and C: N: P ecostoichiometric ratios of the assimilated branches of <i>H. ammodendron</i> at different growth phases, the impact of great gerbil disturbance on the biomass, ecostoichiometric ratios, and nutrient uptake and use of <i>H. ammodendron</i> were investigated at different growth stages. The results showed that the gerbil disturbance increased the biomass of the aboveground part of the adult <i>H. ammodendron</i>. Gerbil disturbance also increased the soil N/P around the roots during the growth stage and the assimilation branch when the plants were middle-aged. In addition, this disturbance decreased the C/N value. The photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) and photosynthetic phosphorus use efficiency (PPUE) of <i>H. ammodendron</i> during various growth periods decreased, and the absorption of total nitrogen (TN) in the soil decreased. However, soil total potassium (TK) absorption increased. The soil TN absorption capacity was weakened by gerbil disturbance. Meanwhile, the TK absorption capacity was enhanced, and the biomass of adult <i>H. ammodendron</i> increased. PNUE and PPUE of <i>H. ammodendron</i> were decreased by gerbil interference. In this study, the influence of gerbil disturbance on nutrient absorption by <i>H. ammodendron</i> and use of <i>H. ammodendron</i> was determined. This has provided a baseline for further studies on the coexistence mechanisms of gerbils and <i>H. ammodendron.</i>