Abstract: We collected recently senesced leaf litter from larch plantations across a latitudinal gradient in Northeast China to investigate the responses of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry to environmental factors across an entire growing season and to assess potential nutrient limitation. Concentrations of litter C, N and P ranged 429-497 mg·g^-1, 7.94-16.27 mg·g^-1, and 1.04-2.49 mg·g^-1, respectively. The C and N concentrations as well as the ratios of C∶P and N∶P increased with increasing accumulated temperature and decreased with increasing accumulated precipitation. The P concentration decreased with increasing accumulated temperature, whereas C∶N ratio increased with increasing accumulated precipitation. The accumulated changes of soil total N contents were (-0.84±0.27), (-0.42±0.07), (0.04±0.01), and (1.44±0.01) g·kg^-1, while the accumulated changes of soil total P contents were (0.98±0.04), (-0.24±0.05), (-0.30±0.06), and (-0.95±0.05) g·kg^-1 in Liangshui, Maoershan, Lushuihe, and Caohekou along a decreased latitudinal gradient. Nitrogen limitation commonly occurred in larch plantations across the four sites. The degree of N limitation decreased with increasing accumulated temperature and increased with increasing accumulated precipitation. When N limitation was alleviated, C concentrations were higher, and P use efficiency increased. Therefore, accumulated temperature and precipitation can inform management decisions related to plantation fertilization.

Key words: larch plantation, fresh leaf litter, stoichiometry, temperature, precipitation, soil nutrient.