甘肃南部7种高寒杜鹃生物量分配的异速生长关系

生物量分配模式影响着植物个体生长和繁殖到整个群落的质量和能量流动等所有层次的功能, 揭示高寒灌丛的生物量分配模式不仅可以掌握植物的生活史策略, 而且对理解灌丛碳汇不确定性具有重要意义。该研究以甘肃南部高山-亚高山区的常绿灌丛——杜鹃(Rhododendron spp.)灌丛的7个典型种为对象, 采用全株收获法研究了不同物种个体水平上各器官生物量的分配比例和异速生长关系。结果表明: 7种高寒杜鹃根、茎、叶生物量的分配平均比例为35.57%、45.61%和18.83%, 各器官生物量分配比例的物种差异显著; 7种高寒杜鹃的叶与茎、叶与根、茎与根以及地上生物量与地下生物量之间既有异速生长关系, 也有等速生长关系, 异速生长指数不完全支持生态代谢理论和小个体等速生长理论的参考值; 各器官异速生长关系的物种差异显著。结合最优分配理论和异速生长理论能更好地解释陇南山地7种高寒杜鹃生物量的变异及适应机制。     

Biomass estimation models and allocation patterns of 14 shrub species in Mountain Luya,Shanxi, China

Aims Shrub species have evolved specific strategies to regulate biomass allocation among various organs or between above- and belowground biomass and shrub biomass model is an important approach to estimate biomass allocation among different shrub species. This study was designed to establish the optimal estimation models for each organ (leaf, stem, and root), aboveground and total biomass of 14 common shrub species in Mountain Luya, Shanxi Province, China. Furthermore, we explored biomass allocation characteristics of these shrub species by using the index of leaf biomass fraction (leaf to total biomass), stem biomass fraction (stem to total biomass), root biomass fraction (root to total biomass), and root to shoot mass ratio (R/S) (belowground to aboveground biomass).
Methods We used plant height, basal diameter, canopy diameter and their combination as variables to establish the optimal biomass estimation models for each shrub species. In addition, we used the ratios of leaf, stem, root to total biomass, and belowground to aboveground biomass to explore the difference of biomass allocation patterns of 14 shrub species.
Important findings Most of biomass estimation models could be well expressed by the exponential and linear functions. Biomass for shorter shrub species with more stems could be better estimated by canopy area; biomass for taller shrub species with less stems could be better estimated by the sum of the square of total base diameter multiply stem height; and biomass for the rest shrub species could be better estimated by canopy volume. The averaged value for these shrub species was 0.61, 0.17, 0.48, and 0.35 for R/S, leaf biomass fraction, stem biomass fraction, and root biomass fraction, respectively. Except for leaf biomass fraction, R/S, stem biomass fraction, and root biomass fraction for shrubs with thorn was significantly greater than that for shrubs without thorn.     

Biomass allocation and leaf stoichiometric characteristics in four desert herbaceous plants during different growth periods in the Gurbantünggüt Desert,China

荒漠草本植物是荒漠生态系统物种多样性的主体, 对其生物量分配及叶片化学计量特征随植物生长的变化规律的研究有助于深入了解荒漠草本植物生存策略和功能特征。该文选择古尔班通古特沙漠4种优势草本(2种短命植物, 2种一年生长营养期植物)为研究对象, 通过野外原位多时段取样, 对比研究了四者生物量分配、叶片N-P化学计量学随植物生长的变化特征, 以及二者之间的关系。结果表明, 在生物量累积过程中, 4种植物根冠比逐渐减小, 地上与地下生物量间的相关生长关系也发生变化, 其中琉苞菊(Hyalea pulchella)和角果藜(Ceratocarpus arenarius)的相关生长指数先增加后减小, 并趋于稳定, 而尖喙牻牛儿苗(Erodium oxyrrhynchum)和沙蓬(Agriophyllum squarrosum)的相关生长指数由小到大并趋于等速生长。琉苞菊叶片N、P含量呈逐渐增长趋势, 而另外3种植物呈下降趋势, 表明所研究的荒漠植物在生长过程中, 叶片N-P化学计量发生改变, 叶片化学计量特征与生物量指标的相关性较弱。     

Trade-off between leaf size and vein density of Achnatherum splendens in Zhangye wetland

Aims Trade-offs between leaf size and vein density are the basis of the theory of leaf economics spectrum, and are to understand the relationship between the physical build and physiological metabolism of plant leaves under different degrees of competition for resources. Our objective was to study the changes in the relationship between leaf size and vein density (leaf dry biomass and leaf area) in Achnatherum splendens populations with four plant bundle densities located in the flood plain wetland of Zhangye. Methods The study site was located at floodplain wetlands of Zhangye, Gansu Province, China. Survey and sampling were carried out in the communities that A. splendens dominated. According to the plant bundle density, the A. splendens communities were divided into four density gradients with “bundle” for the sampling units, high density (I, > 12 bundle·m^-2), medium density (II, 8-12 bundle·m^-2), medium density (III, 4-8 bundle·m^-2) and Low density (IV, <4 bundle·m^-2). According to the density of each combination, we chose seven (5 m × 5 m) A. splendens samples, resulting in a total of 28 samples (4 × 7). The soil physical and chemical properties of four density gradients were investigated and six samples of A. splendens were used to measure the leaf area, leaf dry biomass and vein density in laboratory, and biomass of different organs was measured after being dried at 85 °C in an oven. 28 plots were categorized into three groups: high, medium and low density, and the standardized major axis (SMA) estimation method was used to examine the allometric relationships between leaf area, leaf dry biomass and vein density. Important findings The results showed that with the population density changed from high, medium, to low, the soil moisture decreased, and soil electric conductivityincreased. The leaf area, leaf biomass and height of A. splendens decreased, and the vein density, specific leaf area and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) increased gradually. In addition, leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r) and twig number firstly increased then decreased. There was a highly significantly negative correlation (p < 0.01) between the leaf size and vein density on the high- and low-level densities (I, IV), whereas less significant (p < 0.05) on the level of medium density (II, III). The SMA slope of regression equation in the scaling relationships between leaf size and vein density was significantly smaller than -1 (p < 0.05).     

Estimation of biomass allocation and carbon density of Rhododendron simsii shrubland in the subtropical mountainous areas of China

Aims As an important potential carbon sink, shrubland ecosystem plays a vital role in global carbon balance and climate regulation. Our objectives were to derive appropriate regression models for shrub biomass estimation, and to reveal the biomass allocation pattern and carbon density in Rhododendron simsii shrubland.
Methods We conducted investigations in 27 plots, and developed biomass regression models for shrub species to estimate shrub biomass. The biomass of herb and litterfall were obtained through harvesting. Plant samples were collected from each plot to measure carbon content in different organs.
Important findings The results showed that the power and linear models were the most appropriate equation forms. The D and D²H (where D was the basal diameter (cm) and H was the shrub height (m)) were good predictors for organ biomass and total biomass of shrubs. All of the biomass models reached extremely significant level, and could be used to estimate shrub biomass with high accuracy. It was more difficult to predict leaf and annual branch biomass than stem biomass, because leaf and annual branch were susceptible to herbivores and inter-plant competition. The mean biomass of the shrub layer was 20.78 Mg·hm^-2, in which Rhododendron simsii and Symplocos paniculata biomass accounted for 93.63%. Influenced by both environment and species characteristics, the biomass of the shrub layer organs was in the order of stem > root > leaf > annual branch. The root:shoot ratio of the shrub layer was 0.32, which was less than other shrubs in subtropical regions. The relative higher aboveground biomass allocation reflected the adaptation of plants to the warm and humid environment for more photosynthesis. The mean total community biomass was 26.26 Mg·hm^-2, in which shrub layer, herb layer and litter layer accounted for 79.14%, 7.62% and 13.25%, respectively. Litter biomass was relatively high, which suggested that this community had high nutrient return. There were significant correlations among aboveground biomass, belowground biomass and total biomass of shrub layer and herb layer. The mean biomass carbon density of the community was 11.70 Mg·hm^-2 and the carbon content ratio was 44.55%. The carbon density was usually obtained using the conversion coefficient of 0.5 in previous studies, which could overestimate carbon density by 12.22%.     

Trade-off relationship between root forks and branch angle of Reaumuria songarica on different aspects of slopes

Aims Root architecture is a major determinant in root spatial distribution and soil searching efficiency, may reflect plant strategies to adapt to the environments. Our objective was to examine the relationship between root forks and branch angle of Reaumuria songarica in response to slope aspects in the northwest of China.Methods The study site was located in desert grasslands on the northern slope of Qilian Mountains, Gansu Province, China. Survey and sampling were carried out along 20 belt transects. It were set up on sites of four different slope aspects at intervals of 30 m vertically from elevation 1940 m of the study area moving upward, 6 plots were set up flatly on site of each belt transect at intervals of 20 m. A handheld GPS was used to record longitude, latitude and altitude of each plot. ArcGIS was used to set up digital elevation model to extract the information of elevation, aspect, and slope for each plot. The traits of plant communities were investigated and 1 individual’s samplings of R. songarica were used to measure the root forks, root length and root branch angle in laboratory in each plot, and biomass of different organs was measured after being dried at 80 °C in an oven. The 120 plots were categorized into groups of south, west, east, and north aspects of slopes, and the linear regression analysis was then used to examine the trade-off relationship between root forks and branch angle in various groups.Important findings The results showed that with the slope aspect turned from south, west, east to north, the density, cover, height, above biomass and soil moisture content of the plant community displayed a pattern of initial increase, while the height, root-shoot ratio, root branch angle of R. songarica displayed a pattern of initial decrease, and the density, specific root length, root forks increase. The number of root forks was negatively associated with the branch angle, but the relationship varied along the aspect gradient (p < 0.05). There was a highly significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) between the root forks and branch angle on north slope and south slope, whereas less significant (p < 0.05) on the east slope and west slope. There is a trade-off relationship between the root forks and link length. In addition, when the slope aspect changed from south to west, east and north, the standardized major axis slope of regression equation in the scaling relationships between root forks and branch angle decrease (p < 0.05), indicating that the root architecture model of R. songarica by diffusion to gather. Consequently, the patterns of resource allocation between root forks and branch angle in different slope habitats reflected the mechanism of environment adaptation under conditions of multiple competitions for resources in plant populations.     

Effects of dew on eco-physiological traits and leaf structures of Leymus chinensis and Agropyron cristatum grown under drought stress

Aims To investigate the effects of dew on plants, we conducted the experiment to determine the physiological characteristics and leaf structures of Leymus chinensis and Agropyron cristatum in response to increasing dew under drought stress.Methods Four treatments (no dew, three times dew and five times dew per week under drought stress, and well-watering) were designed to examine leaf relative water content, water potential, net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, biomass, and leaf structures of L. chinensis and A. cristatum. Important findings There was a significant increase in the relative water content and water potential by simulated dew increase for two plants species under drought stress (p < 0.05). For A. cristatum, simulated dew increase significantly enhanced the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate of plants under drought stress (p < 0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate for L. chinensis among treatments. Simulated dew increase improved the aboveground biomass and root biomass of two species. The ratio of yellow leaves to the total leaves was decreased by simulated dew increase for two species. Dew increase also protected leaf structures against the drought stress, suggesting that the dew increase can slow down the death process of leaves resulted from drought stress. Therefore, the study demonstrated that dew increased the available water for the leaves of L. chinensis and A. cristatum grown in the drought stress and thus had positive effects on the photosynthesis, water physiology and plant development.     

Responses of radial growth to temperature in Larix gmelinii of the Da Hinggan Ling under climate warming

Aims The Da Hinggan Ling is amongst the areas in China susceptible to climate warming. The objective of this study is to determine the responses of radial growth to temperature variations in Larix gmelinii growing in different parts of the Da Hinggan Ling in the process of climate warming, by using dendrochronological techniques. Methods We collected tree-ring samples from the southern, the middle and the northern parts of the main Da Hinggan Ling, developed site-specific ring-width chronologies, and synthesized tree-ring indices of the southern, the middle and the northern parts of the study area according to the first principal component loading factors for each chronology. The relationships between radial growth in L. gmelinii and temperature variations were determined with correlation analysis, and the differences in the responses of radial growth to temperature variations among various parts were analyzed and compared with principle component analysis. Important findings There were notable discrepancies in the effects of temperature variations on radial growth in L. gmelinii between the southern and the northern parts of the study area (the middle part > the northern part > the southern part). In the southern part, the mean monthly temperature between the previous November and April of the current year had a significant relationship with tree-ring indices (p < 0.05). In the middle part, the mean monthly temperature during March and October of the current year had a significant relationship with tree-ring indices (p < 0.05), and so did the mean monthly temperature during June and August of the previous year (p < 0.05). The mean monthly temperature during April and May of the current year had a highly significant relationship with tree-ring indices in the northern part (p < 0.01). This study suggests that the warmer and drier regional climate condition caused by elevated temperature has resulted in that soil moisture becomes the main factor limiting the radial growth, and the relationship between tree growth and temperature variations signified with aggravated soil drought under climate warming. The productivity in L. gmelinii as reflected by basal area increment experienced a shift response from cold stress to water stress. In addition, the radial growth in L. gmelinii in the Da Hinggan Ling will likely to show a declining trend in the southern and the middle parts, and an increasing trend in the northern part, in response to rapid warming in the coming decades.     

Biomass allocation and carbon density of Sophora moorcroftiana shrublands in the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River,Xizang, China

Aims The expansion of shrublands is considered as one of the key reasons leading to the increase of carbon density in terrestrial ecosystems in China. In the present study, our aims were to explore the biomass allocation and carbon density of Sophora moorcroftiana shrublands in Xizang.
Methods We sampled the biomass of S. moorcroftiana shrubs from 18 sites in the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River, Xizang. Using concentrations of different organs, we estimated the carbon density of different layers in S. moorcroftiana shrublands.
Important findings The plant cover rather than biomass volume (the product of cover and height) provided the best fit for aboveground biomass. The average of the total biomass was 5.71 Mg·hm^-2, ranging from 2.32 to 8.96 Mg·hm^-2. The average biomass of shrub layer, the main component of shrub ecosystem, was 4.08 Mg·hm^-2, accounting for 71% of the total biomass. The belowground biomass of shrub and herb layers was 2.08 and 0.86 Mg·hm^-2, respectively, which was higher than the corresponding aboveground biomass. The average biomass carbon density was 2.48 Mg·hm^-2. Shrub vegetation in the eastern part of the middle reaches has lower carbon density than that in the western part. The relatively high biomass allocation to roots to increase water and nutrient undertake as well as physical support for plants is an important strategy of S. moorcroftiana to cope with the arid environment on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Moreover, the lower carbon density in the eastern part of the middle reaches might be due to the dry environment resulted from high temperature and evapotranspiration and enhanced human activities at low altitudes. The continuous decrease of evapotranspiration under scenarios of future climate change may lead to increase in carbon density in S. moorcroftiana shrublands.     

Distribution of biomass in relation to environments in shrublands of temperate China

Aims Shrubland is one of the most widely distributed vegetation types in northern China. Previous studies on pattern and dynamics of plant biomass have been focused on forest and grassland ecosystems, while relevant knowledge on shrubland ecosystems is lacking. It is important to include shrublands in northern China to improve the accuracy in estimating the terrestrial ecosystem biomass in China.
Methods Based on investigations and samplings from 433 shrubland sites, we explored the distribution and allocation patterns of biomass in relation to climatic and soil nutrient factors of shrublands of temperate China.
Important findings The average shrubland biomass density in northern China is 12.5 t·hm^-2. It decreases significantly from temperate deciduous shrubland in northeast to desert shrubland in northwest. The average biomass density of temperate deciduous shrubland, alpine shrubland, and desert shrubland is 14.4, 28.8, and 5.0 t·hm^-2, respectively. Within temperate deciduous shrublands, plant biomass is lower in North China than in Northeast China. The average aboveground and belowground biomass density of shrub layer is 4.5 and 5.4 t·hm^-2, respectively; while that of grass layer is 0.8 and 1.8 t·hm^-2, respectively. Environmental factors affect biomass allocation across different plant organs. The belowground-aboveground biomass ratio of shrub exhibits no significant changes with environmental variables. The leaf-stem ratio increases with annual precipitation, and leaf biomass is low in arid region.     

Responses of growth and litterfall production to nitrogen addition treatments from common shrublands in Mt. Dongling,Beijing, China

Aims The shrublands of northern China have poor soil and nitrogen (N) deposition has greatly increased the local soil available N for decades. Shrub growth is one of important components of C sequestration in shrublands and litterfall acts as a vital link between plants and soil. Both are key factors in nutrient and energy cycling of terrestrial ecosystems, which greatly affected by nitrogen (N) addition (adding N fertilizer to the surface soil directly). However, the effects and significance of N addition on C sequestration and litterfall in shrublands remain unclear. Thus, a study was designed to investigate how N deposition and related treatments affected shrublands growth related to C sequestration and litterfall production of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla and Spiraea salicifolia in Mt. Dongling region of China.
Methods A N enrichment experiment has been conducted for V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands in Mt. Dongling, Beijing, including four N addition treatment levels (control (N₀, 0 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1), low N (N₁, 20 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1), medium N (N₂, 50 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1) and high N (N₃, 100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1)). Basal diameter and plant height of shrub were measured from 2012-2013 within all treatments, and allometric models for different species of shrub’s live branch, leaf and root biomass were developed based on independent variables of basal diameter and plant height, which will be used to calculate biomass increment of shrub layer. Litterfall (litterfall sometimes is named litter, referring to the collective name for all organic matter produced by the aboveground part of plants and returned to the surface, and mainly includes leaves, bark, dead twigs, flowers and fruits.) also was investigated from 2012-2013 within all treatments.
Important findings The results showed 1) mean basal diameter of shrubs in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were increased by 1.69%, 2.78%, 2.51%, 1.80% and 1.38%, 1.37%, 1.59%, 2.05% every year; 2) The height growth rate (the shrub height relative growth rate is defined with the percentage increase of plant height) of shrubs in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were 8.36%, 8.48%, 9.49%, 9.83% and 2.12%, 2.86%, 2.36%, 2.52% every year, respectively. Thee results indicated that N deposition stimulated growth of shrub layer both in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands, but did not reach statistical significance among all nitrogen treatments. The above-ground biomass increment of shrub layer in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were 0.19, 0.23, 0.14, 0.15 and 0.027, 0.025, 0.032, 0.041 t C·hm^-2·a^-1 respectively, which demonstrated that short-term N addition had no significant effects on the accumulation of C storage of the two shrublands. The litter production of the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia communities in 2013 were 135.7 and 129.6 g·m^-2 under natural conditions, respectively. Nitrogen addition promoted annual production of total litterfall and different components of litterfall to a certain extent, but did not reach statistical significance among all nitrogen treatments. Above results indicated that short-term fertilization, together with extremely low soil moisture content and other related factors, lead to inefficient use of soil available nitrogen and slow response of shrublands to N addition treatments.     

兰州市主要绿化植物气孔性状特征

气孔是植物叶片与外界环境进行水汽交换的门户, 利用气孔特征反映植物对环境变化的响应与适应有助于了解干旱区绿化植物的适应策略。于2019年7月通过气孔印迹法对兰州市40种主要绿化植物气孔性状进行观察与测定。采用标准化主轴估计和系统独立比较分析建立气孔性状间的相关关系; 通过计算Blomgerg’sK值以检验系统发育信号; 利用聚类分析和主成分分析对气孔性状特征进行功能群划分。结果表明: (1)在所研究的植物中, 气孔性状特征在个体间差异显著, 植物生长型(乔木、小乔木、灌木和草本)会显著影响气孔长度、宽度、开度和密度, 叶习性(落叶和常绿)仅对气孔开度有显著影响; (2)气孔长度与宽度、气孔开度与面积间均为显著的异速生长关系, 气孔密度与面积和开度间为负异速生长关系; (3)系统发育会对气孔性状的相关关系产生显著影响, 虽然气孔性状的系统发育保守性不强(K < 1), 但气孔开度和气孔开张比具有显著的系统发育信号; 4)依据气孔性状特征可以将绿化植物划分为: 低密度-大面积、高密度-小面积和中等密度-适中面积共3种功能群。结合系统发育和异速生长理论能更好地解释气孔性状变异及适应策略。     

Different responses of biomass allocation and leaf traits of Dodonaea viscosa to concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus

调整叶性状和生物量分配格局是植物适应环境变化的主要途径, 研究车桑子(Dodonaea viscosa)幼苗生物量分配与叶性状对氮磷浓度的响应对认识车桑子在氮磷浓度变化下的适应策略具有重要意义。该研究通过砂培法, 测定不同氮浓度(3、5、15、30 mmol·L^-1)与不同磷浓度(0.25、0.5、1、2 mmol·L^-1)下车桑子幼苗的生长、生物量分配、叶性状的响应特征及其相互关系。结果表明: 高浓度氮(30 mmol·L^-1)促进了车桑子幼苗生长、叶片氮含量和生物量积累, 其余氮添加条件(3、5、15 mmol·L^-1)下车桑子幼苗各性状无显著差异, 但相比高氮水平, 其生物量积累和叶片氮含量显著降低, 根冠比和氮利用效率显著增加。随着磷添加浓度的增加, 车桑子幼苗生物量显著增加, 低磷条件(0.25、0.5 mmol·L^-1)限制了车桑子幼苗生长和生物量积累, 其根冠比和磷利用效率均没有发生显著变化, 但比叶面积和叶/茎生物量比例显著增加, 叶干物质含量显著降低。氮处理下, 叶片氮含量与根冠比显著负相关; 磷处理下, 叶片氮含量与比叶面积显著正相关。同时, 氮处理下, 车桑子幼苗株高、基径、总生物量等生长性状均与根冠比显著负相关, 与叶片氮含量显著正相关, 表明根冠比和叶片氮含量的调整在车桑子适应氮限制中发挥重要作用; 而磷处理下, 株高、基径、总生物量与比叶面积显著负相关, 与叶干物质含量显著正相关, 表明叶片结构性状的调整在车桑子适应低磷环境中具有重要意义。该研究表明, 车桑子幼苗生物量分配和叶性状及性状间的权衡策略对氮、磷的响应具有明显差异性, 在今后的研究中, 应关注氮和磷对植物性状影响的差异性。     

张掖湿地芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度的权衡关系

叶大小-叶脉密度的权衡关系是植物叶经济谱理论的基础, 对理解资源竞争条件下植物叶片的物理构建与生理代谢的关系具有重要的意义。该文采用标准化主轴估计(standardized major axis estimation, SMA)的方法, 按芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)株丛密度设置I (>12丛·m^-2)、II (8-12丛·m^-2)、III (4-8丛·m^-2)和IV (<4丛·m^-2) 4个密度梯度, 以叶面积和叶干质量分别表示叶大小, 对张掖洪泛平原湿地不同密度条件下芨芨草种群的叶大小和叶脉密度的关系进行研究。结果表明: 随着芨芨草株丛密度的降低, 湿地群落的土壤含水量逐渐减小、土壤电导率逐渐增加, 芨芨草的净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和分枝数呈先增大后减小的趋势, 叶面积、叶干质量、比叶面积和株高呈逐渐减小趋势、光合有效辐射(PAR)和叶脉密度呈逐渐增加趋势; 芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度在高密度(I)和低密度(IV)样地均呈极显著负相关关系(p < 0.01), 中密度(II、III)样地二者呈显著负相关关系(p < 0.05); 叶大小和叶脉密度回归方程的SMA斜率在不同密度样地均显著小于-1 (p < 0.05), 即芨芨草叶大小和叶脉密度呈“此消彼长”的权衡关系。在高密度湿地群落芨芨草倾向于大叶片低叶脉密度的叶片构建模式, 在低密度湿地群落选择小叶片高叶脉密度的异速生长模式, 体现了密度制约下湿地植物的生物量分配格局和资源利用对策。     

Branching and metabolic exponents in seven woody plants

West、Brown和Enquist提出的植物分形网络模型(简称WBE模型)认为: 植物的分支指数(1/a, 1/b)决定植物的代谢指数, 当分支指数1/a、1/b分别为理论值2.0、3.0时, 代谢速率与个体大小的3/4次幂成正比, 但是恒定的3/4代谢指数并不能全面地反映植物的代谢情况。基于分支指数的协同变化, Price、Enquist和Savage对WBE模型进行扩展, 提出植物分支参数协同变化模型(简称PES模型)。该文借助于PES模型分析了7种木本植物的分支指数和代谢指数。结果表明: 物种间叶面积与叶生物量呈异速生长关系, 基于叶面积得到的分支指数1/a和代谢指数θ在物种间无显著差异, 基于叶生物量得到的分支指数1/a、1/b和代谢指数θ在物种间均存在显著差异, 但基于叶面积和叶生物量分别拟合出的整体分支指数1/a、1/b和代谢指数θ与理论值均无显著差异, 且用叶面积作为代谢速率的替代指标比用叶生物量分析得出的代谢指数与理论值更接近。今后研究应当关注植物叶面积与叶生物量的异速生长关系对植物代谢速率及相关功能特性的影响。     

Trade-off relationship between vein density and vein diameter of Achnatherum splendens in response to habitat changes in Zhangye wetland

Aims The coevolution between vein traits has influences on water use strategies of plant and the formation of leaf economic spectrum, and therefore is important for understanding the trade-off between carbon input in leaf vein construction and the functional feedback from leaf veins. Our aim is to study the allometric relationship between vein density and vein diameter of Achnatherum splendens populations at three natural microhabitats (subcanopy, transitional and open areas) in Zhangye wetland. Methods According to the shade condition of the arbor canopy and the distance to arbor, the A. splendens community were divided into three microenvironments: subcanopy, transitional and open areas. We sampled 10 (4 m × 4 m) A. splendens plots from each microenvironment and investigate the biological characteristics of the plots and leaf traits of the plants within the plots. Then the soil physical and chemical properties, and community photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were investigated at three gradients. Six individual of A. splendens were selected in each plot and the leaf length, leaf width, vein density and vein diameter of two or three healthy and complete leaves from four directions of each individual were measured in laboratory. The SMA estimation method and correlation analysis were then used to examine the allometric relationship between vein density and vein diameter. Important findings Along the gradient from subcanopy, transitional zone to open areas, soil moisture displayed a pattern of initial decrease of plant community, and soil electric conductivity displayed increase changing trends. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), vein density (1.28-1.59 mm·mm^-2), leaf width and water use efficiency (WUE) increase gradually, while the leaf length, vein diameter (0.21-0.16 mm) of A. splendens decrease. The average value of plasticity indexes of leaf characteristics was 0.19. Leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r) and bundle density increase first and them decrease. The vein density and vein diameter of A. splendens were negatively correlated with each other in subcanopy environment (p < 0.01), transitional and open areas (p < 0.05). The SMA (0.54-1.50) slope of regression equation in the scaling relationships between vein density and vein diameter decrease gradually from subcanopy to open areas.     

Phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation of quantitative traits in genotypes of Leymus chinensis

Aims Adaptation mechanisms of plants to environment can be classified as genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity (environmental modification). The strategy and mechanism of plant adaptation is a hot topic in the field of evolutionary ecology. Leymus chinensis is one of constructive species in the Nei Mongol grassland. Particularly, Leymus chinensis is a rhizomatous and clonally reproductive grass, a genotype that can play an important role in the community. In this study, we aimed to (1) investigate the phenotypic plasticity of L. chinensis under different conditions, and (2) test the genetic differentiation and reaction norms (the relationship between the environment and the phenotype of an individual or a group of individuals) under four environmental conditions among different genotypes of L. chinensis. Methods Ten genotypes of L. chinensis were randomly selected. Under the control condition, we studied the effects of genotype, defoliation, drought and their interactions on 11 quantitative traits of growth (8 traits including photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, maximum net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, specific leaf area, relative growth rate, the number of tillers increased, aboveground and underground biomass growth), defense (total phenol concentration of leaf) and tolerance (non-structural carbohydrate content of root, root/shoot ratio) of L. chinensis. We studied the phenotypic plasticity, genetic differentiation and reaction norms mainly through tested the effect of environment and genotype on these traits. Important findings First, all 11 traits showed obvious phenotypic plasticity (i.e., significant effect of drought, defoliation and their interactions). The expression of 10 genotypes of L. chinensis was divergent under different environmental conditions. Interactions of genotype and environment significantly affected the maximum net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, specific leaf area, relative growth rate, total phenolic concentration of leaf, and total non-structural carbohydrate content of root. This indicated that the phenotypic plasticity of these five traits exhibited genetic differentiation. Second, the increase of number of tillers, belowground biomass and non-structural carbohydrate content of root did not show genetic differentiation under the same condition. The other eight traits showed significantly genetic differentiation, and the heritabilities (H²) of six traits related to growth were higher than 0.5. The leaf total phenol concentration and root/shoot ratio showed genetically differentiation only under the drought and defoliation condition, with the heritabilities being 0.145 and 0.201, respectively. These results explained why L. chinensis widely distributed in the Nei Mongol grassland, and provided genetic and environmental basis for related application and species conservation in this grassland ecosystem.     

Nitrogen acquisition,net production and allometry of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alnus fruticosa</Emphasis> at a young moraine in Koryto Glacier Valley,Kamchatka, Russian Far East

Alders (Alnus spp.) often dominate at nutrient-poor sites by symbiotic relations with atmospheric nitrogen-fixing bacteria. However, little is known about quantitative relationships between root nodule as a nitrogen acquisition organ and leaf as a carbon acquisition organ. To examine carbon allocation, nitrogen acquisition and net production in nutrient-poor conditions, we examined allocation patterns among organs of shrub Alnus fruticosa at a young 80-year-old moraine in Kamchatka. Slopes of double-log allometric equations were significantly smaller than 1.0 for the root mass, leaf mass and root nodule mass against stem mass, and for the root nodule mass against root mass, indicating that smaller individuals invested disproportionally more biomass into resource-acquiring leaf and root tissues than to supportive tissues compared to older individuals. The slope of allometric equation of root depth against stem height was 0.542, indicating that smaller/younger individuals allocate disproportionally more biomass into root length growth than stem height growth. On the contrary, the root nodule mass isometrically scaled to leaf mass. The whole-plant nitrogen content also isometrically scaled to root nodule mass, indicating that a certain ratio of nitrogen acquisition depended on root nodules, irrespective of plant size. Although the net production per plant increased with the increase in stem mass, the slope of the double-log regression was smaller than 1.0. On the contrary, the net production per plant isometrically increased with leaf mass, root nodule mass and leaf nitrogen content per plant. Since the leaf mass isometrically scaled to root nodule mass, growth of each individual occurred at the leaves and root nodules in a coordinated manner. It is suggested that their isometric increase contributes to the increase in net production per plant for A. fruticosa in nutrient-poor conditions.     

Variation in biomass allocation of Nitraria tangutorum during different phenological phases

植物生物量的分配模式是植物对环境适应的结果, 并伴随着植物生活史的每一个阶段, 与植物的生长和发育息息相关。目前关于植物生物量分配的大小依赖性已有相关报道, 但关于其对物候期的响应尚鲜有报道。该研究以乌兰布和沙漠地区白刺(Nitraria tangutorum)为研究对象, 通过对其2016与2017年连续2个生长季里盛花期、盛果期与营养生长期3个物候期的根、压条、新枝、老枝、叶、繁殖器官等部分的生物量测定, 采用标准化主轴回归方程的斜率和截距的显著性比较, 分别探讨了白刺在不同物候期的异速生长的大小依赖程度和相对生物量分配比例, 特别是地上与地下部分之间、支持与同化器官之间, 在不同物候期的生物量分配规律。结果表明: 白刺的繁殖生长对生物量分配模式造成的影响主要体现在相对生物量分配比例(36.00%)而不是个体大小的依赖性程度上(16.67%), 且对新枝的影响较大, 使其不同物候期的大小依赖性程度发生了改变, 但是变化趋势不一致, 同时繁殖生长增加对叶片的相对生物量分配比例, 减少对老枝的相对生物量分配比例, 但并没有改变他们的大小依赖性程度。白刺生长过程中的地下部分生物量分配率随个体生物量的累积均增大, 而繁殖分配会在一定程度内减弱这种速率。白刺随着个体生物量的增大其生物量向支持器官分配率也越大, 但随着生长时间推移, 更倾向于将生物量分配给同化吸收器官。     

Plant leaf traits,height and biomass partitioning in typical ephemerals under different levels of snow cover thickness in an alpine meadow

Aims In the cold life zones, snow cover is a comprehensive environmental factor that directly influences soil temperature, soil water content, light and nutrient availability. Plants in these zones develop a series of unique mechanisms involving phenological characteristics, reproductive strategies, physiology and morphology to adapt to environmental changes. This paper is focused on the responses of plant leaf traits, height and biomass partitioning to variations in snow cover thickness, in order to better understand the responses of plant functional traits and specific adaptation strategies under global climate change scenarios. Methods Three transects were established along a gradient of snow cover in an alpine meadow of Mt. Kaka, in the eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Primula purdomii, Pedicularis kansuensis and Ranunculus tanguticus, which are three widely distributed and dominant ephemerals, were sampled and studied, particularly at their blooming stages. Plant height, specific leaf area (SLA) and biomass partitioning were measured accordingly. Important findings The values of SLA in Pedicularis kansuensis and R. tanguticus were relatively greater under better soil conditions; it was smaller in Primula purdomii with thick snow cover. The relationship between aboveground biomass and belowground biomass in Primula purdomii was allometric at sites with both thick and thin snow cover. No significant relationships were found between aboveground biomass and belowground biomass in Pedicularis kansuensis and R. tanguticus at some individual sites. However, when samples of the three species were pooled, the relationships between aboveground biomass and belowground biomass were allometric at all sites, which did not support isometric scaling hypothesis. In addition, on sites with either thick or thin snow cover, aboveground biomass had greater rate of accumulation than belowground biomass; whereas on sites with medium snow cover, the rate of biomass accumulation was greater for belowground component than aboveground component. Functional traits and biomass variables were better correlated in Primula purdomii and Pedicularis kansuensis than in R. tanguticus.