Altered precipitation patterns and simulated nitrogen deposition effects on phenology of common plant species in a Tibetan Plateau alpine meadow

Abstract The interactive effects of five seasonal precipitation distribution patterns and two levels of N deposition (ambient and doubled) on phenological traits of six common plant species were studied in an alpine meadow of the Tibetan Plateau for two consecutive years. Seasonal precipitation patterns included ambient (control), reduced fall/winter/spring – increased summer, increased fall/winter – reduced spring, increased fall/winter – reduced spring/summer, and increased spring – reduced summer. Our results indicate that: 1) phenological trait variation was predominantly due to species differences (P