Needle morphological evidence of the homoploid hybrid origin of Pinus densata based on analysis of artificial hybrids and the putative parents,Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus yunnanensis

Genetic analyses indicate that Pinus densata is a natural homoploid hybrid originating from Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus yunnanensis. Needle morphological and anatomical features show relative species stability and can be used to identify coniferous species. Comparative analyses of these needle characteristics and phenotypic differences between the artificial hybrids, P. densata, and parental species can be used to determine the genetic and phenotypic evolutionary consequences of natural hybridization. Twelve artificial hybrid families, the two parental species, and P. densata were seeded in a high‐altitude habitat in Linzhi, Tibet. The needles of artificial hybrids and the three pine species were collected, and 24 needle morphological and anatomical traits were analyzed. Based on these results, variations in 10 needle traits among artificial hybrid families and 22 traits among species and artificial hybrids were predicted and found to be under moderate genetic control. Nineteen needle traits in artificial hybrids were similar to those in P. densata and between the two parental species, P. tabuliformis and P. yunnanensis. The ratio of plants with three needle clusters in artificial hybrids was 22.92%, which was very similar to P. densata. The eight needle traits (needle length, the mean number of stomata in sections 2 mm in length of the convex and flat sides of the needle, mean stomatal density, mesophyll/vascular bundle area ratio, mesophyll/resin canal area ratio, mesophyll/(resin canals and vascular bundles) area ratio, vascular bundle/resin canal area ratio) relative to physiological adaptability were similar to the artificial hybrids and P. densata. The similar needle features between the artificial hybrids and P. densata could be used to verify the homoploid hybrid origin of P. densata and helps to better understand of the hybridization roles in adaptation and speciation in plants.     

干旱和遮荫对马尾松幼苗生长和光合特性的影响

为探究马尾松对干旱和遮荫胁迫的生理响应规律和适应机制,以2年生马尾松幼苗为对象,设置对照(CK)、模拟干旱(DR)、遮荫(LL)以及干旱与遮荫的交互处理(DRLL)4种环境,研究干旱和遮荫对马尾松幼苗的生长和光合生理特性的影响。结果表明:(1)在干旱、遮荫和二者的交互处理下,马尾松幼苗的基径和株高增长量均显著减小,且二者的交互处理加重了干旱和遮荫单一处理下的减小趋势,二者交互作用的影响符合"相互作用理论"。(2)在干旱处理下,针叶长度和比叶面积减小,净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度和细胞间隙CO_2浓度显著降低,水分利用效率显著增加,光合色素含量基本不变。(3)在遮荫处理下,针叶长度和比叶面积增大,净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度显著降低,光合色素含量显著增加,水分利用效率和细胞间隙CO_2浓度基本未发生改变。(4)二者的交互处理下,针叶长度、比叶面积减小,净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度显著降低,且降低程度大于干旱单一处理,光合色素含量显著增加,但其增加程度小于遮荫单一处理。说明干旱和遮荫均能抑制马尾松植株的生长,但其光合生理特性在干旱和遮荫胁迫下分别表现出不同的响应特征。在干旱处理下,通过牺牲针叶长度和比叶面积、调节气孔导度达到保水目的来适应干旱环境;在遮荫处理下,通过增大针叶长度、比叶面积和光合色素含量来响应遮荫环境。在二者的交互处理下,干旱胁迫导致马尾松针叶长度、比叶面积和气孔导度的减小趋势不仅未因遮荫环境而得到缓解,而且还削弱了对光合色素的合成能力,因此,二者的交互作用会进一步加重对马尾松生长的抑制。     

Gas exchange and canopy structure of 9-year-old loblolly pine,pitch pine and pitch x loblolly hybrids

Summary Seasonal gas exchange and canopy structure were compared among 9-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.), and pitch x loblolly hybrids (Pinus rigida x taeda) growing in an F2 plantation located in Critz, Va., USA. Leaf net photosynthesis, conductance, internal CO₂ concentration (c_i), water use efficiency (WUE; photosynthesis/conductance), dark respiration and the ratio of net photosynthesis/respiration did not vary among or within the three taxa. Significant differences in volume production, crown length, total crown leaf surface area and the silhouette area of shade shoots among the taxa were observed. The loblolly-South Carolina source had greater volume and crown surface area than the pitch pine, and the hybrid taxa were intermediate between the two. Although the silhouette area ratio of shade foliage varied among taxa, it was not related to volume. A strong relationship between total leaf surface area and volume was observed. Leaf conductance, c_i, WUE and leaf water potential were the physiological parameters significantly and positively correlated with volume. This study suggests that the amount of needle surface in the canopy is more important in early stand volume growth than the leaf carbon exchange rate and the degree of needle self-shading in the lower canopy.     

Using unmanned aerial vehicle‐based multispectral,RGB and thermal imagery for phenotyping of forest genetic trials: A case study in Pinus halepensis

The assessment of genetic differentiation in functional traits is fundamental towards understanding the adaptive characteristics of forest species. While traditional phenotyping techniques are costly and time‐consuming, remote sensing data derived from cameras mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide potentially valid high‐throughput information for assessing morphophysiological differences among tree populations. In this work, we test for genetic variation in vegetation indices (VIs) and canopy temperature among populations of Pinus halepensis as proxies for canopy architecture, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic efficiency and water use. The interpopulation associations between vegetation properties and above‐ground growth (stem volume) were also assessed. Three flights (July 2016, November 2016 and May 2017) were performed in a genetic trial consisting of 56 populations covering a large part of the species range. Multispectral (visible and near infrared wavelengths), RGB (red, green, blue) and thermal images were used to estimate canopy temperature and vegetation cover (VC) and derive several VIs. Differences among populations emerged consistently across flights for VC and VIs related to leaf area, indicating genetic divergence in crown architecture. Population differences in indices related to photosynthetic pigments emerged only in May 2017 and were probably related to a contrasting phenology of needle development. Conversely, the low population differentiation for the same indices in July 2016 and November 2016 suggested weak interpopulation variation in the photosynthetic machinery of mature needles of P. halepensis. Population differences in canopy temperature found in July 2016 were indicative of variation in stomatal regulation under drought stress. Stem volume correlated with indices related to leaf area (positively) and with canopy temperature (negatively), indicating a strong influence of canopy properties and stomatal conductance on above‐ground growth at the population level. Specifically, a combination of VIs and canopy temperature accounted for about 60% of population variability in stem volume of adult trees. This is the first study to propose UAV remote sensing as an effective tool for screening genetic variation in morphophysiological traits of adult forest trees.     

Difference in cuticular transpiration and sclerophylly in juvenile and adult pine needles relates to the species-specific rates of development

Pinus species show remarkable ontogenetic differences in needle morphology (heterophylly) between juvenile and adult vegetative phases. This developmental shift may play an adaptative role in their success under diverse habitats. As a first step to know the functional differences between each vegetative phase, we compared water loss through the cuticles of juvenile and adult needles of 21-month-old nursery-grown seedlings of nine hard pine species. Cuticular transpiration (CT), calculated after complete stomatal closure, was obtained by leaf-drying curves, and was related to leaf, ontogenetic and climatic parameters. The rate of cuticular transpiration (RCT) between juvenile and adult needles differed across pine species, and in particular segregated the Mediterranean species Pinus canariensis and P. halepensis, from the Eurasian P. uncinata and introduced species P. radiata. For these species, RCT was always higher in juvenile needles. The different leaf and ontogenic parameters studied were correlated with the variation in RCT among the nine pine species. We discuss this relationship in the light of the species ecology. Besides their possible adaptive interpretation, these results suggest an underlying need to consider the ontogenetic heterophylly when assessing functional traits in hard pine seedlings, in particular those traits that govern water relations.     

Differential coordination of stomatal conductance,mesophyll conductance,and leaf hydraulic conductance in response to changing light across species

Stomatal conductance (g_s) and mesophyll conductance (g_m) represent major constraints to photosynthetic rate (A), and these traits are expected to coordinate with leaf hydraulic conductance (K_leaf) across species, under both steady‐state and dynamic conditions. However, empirical information about their coordination is scarce. In this study, K_leaf, gas exchange, stomatal kinetics, and leaf anatomy in 10 species including ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms were investigated to elucidate the correlation of H₂O and CO₂ diffusion inside leaves under varying light conditions. Gas exchange, K_leaf, and anatomical traits varied widely across species. Under light‐saturated conditions, the A, g_s, g_m, and K_leaf were strongly correlated across species. However, the response patterns of A, g_s, g_m, and K_leaf to varying light intensities were highly species dependent. Moreover, stomatal opening upon light exposure of dark‐adapted leaves in the studied ferns and gymnosperms was generally faster than in the angiosperms; however, stomatal closing in light‐adapted leaves after darkening was faster in angiosperms. The present results show that there is a large variability in the coordination of leaf hydraulic and gas exchange parameters across terrestrial plant species, as well as in their responses to changing light.     

Compensatory photosynthesis as a response to partial debudding in ezo spruce, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea jezoensis</Emphasis> seedlings

The effects of partial debudding on photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and nitrogen contents of 1-year-old needles and newly grown needles were studied in Picea jezoensis (Sieb. et Zucc.). Seventy-five percent of the buds of P.jezoensis seedlings were removed soon after bud break. Gas exchange was measured three times for 1-year-old needles and twice for current-year needles. The photosynthetic rates of 1-year-old needles were greater in debudded seedlings than in control seedlings, and the difference increased as the growing season progressed. This greater photosynthetic rate in debudded seedlings was accompanied by greater stomatal conductance. However, neither the photosynthetic rates nor the stomatal conductance of current-year needles differed between debudded and control seedlings after the needles had fully expanded. Debudding also had no effect on mass-based nitrogen contents in either the 1-year-old or the current-year needles. Area-based nitrogen in the 1-year-old needles did not differ between debudded and control seedlings, but was greater in debudded seedlings than in control seedlings in current-year needles. These results suggest that the enhanced photosynthetic rate is more likely a result of an increased root/leaf ratio that reduces the stomatal limitation of photosynthetic rate than a result of altered sink-source relationships or increased leaf nitrogen content.     

Variation in mesophyll anatomy and photosynthetic capacity during leaf development in a deciduous mesophyte fruit tree (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus persica</Emphasis>) and an evergreen sclerophyllous Mediterranean shrub (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Olea europaea</Emphasis>)

The relative importance that biomechanical and biochemical leaf traits have on photosynthetic capacity would depend on a complex interaction of internal architecture and physiological differences. Changes in photosynthetic capacity on a leaf area basis and anatomical properties during leaf development were studied in a deciduous tree, Prunus persica, and an evergreen shrub, Olea europaea. Photosynthetic capacity increased as leaves approached full expansion. Internal CO₂ transfer conductance (g _i) correlated with photosynthetic capacity, although, differences between species were only partially explained through structural and anatomical traits of leaves. Expanding leaves preserved a close functional balance in the allocation of resources of photosynthetic component processes. Stomata developed more rapidly in olive than in peach. Mesophyll thickness doubled from initial through final stages of development when it was twice as thick in olive as in peach. The surface area of mesophyll cells exposed to intercellular air spaces per unit leaf area tended to decrease with increasing leaf expansion, whereas, the fraction of mesophyll volume occupied by the intercellular air spaces increased strongly. In the sclerophyllous olive, structural protection of mesophyll cells had priority over efficiency of photochemical mechanisms with respect to the broad-leaved peach. The photosynthetic capacity of these woody plants during leaf development relied greatly on mesophyll properties, more than on leaf mass per area ratio (LMA) or nitrogen (N) allocation. Age-dependent changes in diffusion conductance and photosynthetic capacity affected photosynthetic relationships of peach versus olive foliage, evergreen leaves maturing functionally and structurally a bit earlier than deciduous leaves in the course of adaptation for xeromorphy.     

SHOOT STRUCTURAL EFFECTS ON NEEDLE TEMPERATURES AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN CONIFERS

Greater needle packing (number of needles per unit stem length) among shoots of Picea engelmannii (Parry ex. Engelm.), Abies lasiocarpa ([Hook] Nutt.), and Pinus contorta (Engelm.) collected at sun-exposed locations resulted in leaf temperatures (T₁) that were well above air temperature (T_a) and which were closer to optimum for maximum photosynthesis under field conditions. Maximum photosynthesis in these species occurred at leaf temperatures well above mean maximum T_a during most of the summer growth period. An approximate doubling in needle packing on sun shoots of these species, however, led to an estimated temperature enhancement of daily photosynthetic carbon gain of 21 to 36% compared to estimations assuming T₁ = T_a for the entire day. Elevated T₁ due to needle packing may lead to substantial increases in summer carbon gain for conifers experiencing cold-limited, short growth seasons.     

兴安落叶松针叶解剖结构变化及其光合能力对气候变化的适应性

叶片易受环境因子影响,其形态解剖结构特征不但与叶片的生理功能密切相关,而且反映树木对环境变化的响应和适应。叶片结构的改变势必会改变树木的生理功能。同一树种长期生长在异质环境条件下,经过自然选择和适应,会在形态和生理特性等方面产生变异,形成特定的地理种群。另外,母体所经受的环境胁迫也会影响到其子代的生长、发育和生理等特征。因此,了解植物叶片形态结构对环境变化的响应与适应是探索植物对环境变化的响应适应机制的基础。兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii Rupr.)是我国北方森林的优势树种,主要分布在我国东北地区,但日益加剧的气候变化可能会改变其现有的分布区。为了区分叶片对气候变化的可塑性和适应性,本研究采用同质园法比较测定了6个不同气候条件下的兴安落叶松种源的32年生树木的针叶解剖结构和光合生理相关因子,利用石蜡切片方法分析了针叶的解剖结构特征、光合能力（Pmax-a）、水分利用效率（WUE）之间的关系及其对气候变化的适应性。结果表明：表皮细胞厚度、叶肉细胞厚度、传输组织厚度、维管束厚度、内皮层厚度以及叶片总厚度均存在显著的种源间差异（P < 0.05）。叶肉细胞厚度与Pmax-a、气孔导度和WUE之间均存在显著的正相关关系（P < 0.05）。叶肉细胞厚度、表皮细胞厚度、叶片总厚度以及叶肉细胞厚度和表皮细胞厚度在叶片总厚度中所占比例均与种源地的干燥度指数（即年蒸发量与年降水量之比）呈正线性关系。这些结果说明：不同种源兴安落叶松针叶解剖结构因对种源原地气候条件的长期适应而产生显著的差异,从而引起其针叶光合作用、水分利用等生理功能发生相应的变化,从而有利于该树种在气候变化的情景下得以生存和繁衍。     

Small trees,big problems: Comparative leaf function under extreme edaphic stress

Premise of the Study

The pygmy forest, a plant community of severely stunted conifers and ericaceous angiosperms, occurs on patches of highly acidic, nutrient‐poor soils along the coast of Northern California, USA. This system is an excellent opportunity to study the effect of severe nutrient deficiency on leaf physiology in a naturally‐occurring ecosystem. In this study, we seek to understand the physiological mechanisms stunting the plants' growth and their implications for whole plant function.

Methods

We measured 14 traits pertaining to leaf photosynthetic function or physical structure on seven species. Samples were taken from the pygmy forest community and from conspecifics growing on higher‐nutrient soils, where trees may grow over 30 m tall.

Key Results

Pygmy plants of most species maintained similar area‐based photosynthetic and stomatal conductance rates to conspecific controls, but had lower specific leaf area (leaf area divided by dry weight), lower percent nitrogen, and less leaf area relative to xylem growth. Sequoia sempervirens, a species rare in the pygmy forest, had a categorically different response from the more common plants and had remarkably low photosynthetic rates.

Conclusions

Pygmy plants were not stunted by low photosynthetic rates on a leaf‐area basis; instead, several species had restricted whole‐plant photosynthesis due to low leaf area production. Pygmy plants of all species showed signs of greater carbon investment in their leaves and higher production of nonphotosynthetic leaf tissue, further contributing to slow growth rates.     

Bundle sheath extensions affect leaf structural and physiological plasticity in response to irradiance

Coordination between structural and physiological traits is key to plants' responses to environmental fluctuations. In heterobaric leaves, bundle sheath extensions (BSEs) increase photosynthetic performance (light‐saturated rates of photosynthesis, A_max) and water transport capacity (leaf hydraulic conductance, K_leaf). However, it is not clear how BSEs affect these and other leaf developmental and physiological parameters in response to environmental conditions. The obscuravenosa (obv) mutation, found in many commercial tomato varieties, leads to absence of BSEs. We examined structural and physiological traits of tomato heterobaric and homobaric (obv) near‐isogenic lines grown at two different irradiance levels. K_leaf, minor vein density, and stomatal pore area index decreased with shading in heterobaric but not in homobaric leaves, which show similarly lower values in both conditions. Homobaric plants, on the other hand, showed increased A_max, leaf intercellular air spaces, and mesophyll surface area exposed to intercellular airspace (S_mes) in comparison with heterobaric plants when both were grown in the shade. BSEs further affected carbon isotope discrimination, a proxy for long‐term water‐use efficiency. BSEs confer plasticity in traits related to leaf structure and function in response to irradiance levels and might act as a hub integrating leaf structure, photosynthetic function, and water supply and demand.     

Leaf hydraulic conductance varies with vein anatomy across Arabidopsis thaliana wild‐type and leaf vein mutants

Leaf venation is diverse across plant species and has practical applications from paleobotany to modern agriculture. However, the impact of vein traits on plant performance has not yet been tested in a model system such as Arabidopsis thaliana. Previous studies analysed cotyledons of A. thaliana vein mutants and identified visible differences in their vein systems from the wild type (WT). We measured leaf hydraulic conductance (K_leaf), vein traits, and xylem and mesophyll anatomy for A. thaliana WT (Col‐0) and four vein mutants (dot3‐111 and dot3‐134, and cvp1‐3 and cvp2‐1). Mutant true leaves did not possess the qualitative venation anomalies previously shown in the cotyledons, but varied quantitatively in vein traits and leaf anatomy across genotypes. The WT had significantly higher mean K_leaf. Across all genotypes, there was a strong correlation of K_leaf with traits related to hydraulic conductance across the bundle sheath, as influenced by the number and radial diameter of bundle sheath cells and vein length per area. These findings support the hypothesis that vein traits influence K_leaf, indicating the usefulness of this mutant system for testing theory that was primarily established comparatively across species, and supports a strong role for the bundle sheath in influencing K_leaf.     

Leaf morphology of 40 evergreen and deciduous broadleaved subtropical tree species and relationships to functional ecophysiological traits

We explored potential of morphological and anatomical leaf traits for predicting ecophysiological key functions in subtropical trees. We asked whether the ecophysiological parameters stomatal conductance and xylem cavitation vulnerability could be predicted from microscopy leaf traits. We investigated 21 deciduous and 19 evergreen subtropical tree species, using individuals of the same age and from the same environment in the Biodiversity‐Ecosystem Functioning experiment at Jiangxi (BEF‐China). Information‐theoretic linear model selection was used to identify the best combination of morphological and anatomical predictors for ecophysiological functions. Leaf anatomy and morphology strongly depended on leaf habit. Evergreen species tended to have thicker leaves, thicker spongy and palisade mesophyll, more palisade mesophyll layers and a thicker subepidermis. Over 50% of all evergreen species had leaves with multi‐layered palisade parenchyma, while only one deciduous species (Koelreuteria bipinnata) had this. Interactions with leaf habit were also included in best multi‐predictor models for stomatal conductance (g_s) and xylem cavitation vulnerability. In addition, maximum g_s was positively related to log ratio of palisade to spongy mesophyll thickness. Vapour pressure deficit (vpd) for maximum g_s increased with the log ratio of palisade to spongy mesophyll thickness in species having leaves with papillae. In contrast, maximum specific hydraulic conductivity and xylem pressure at which 50% loss of maximum specific xylem hydraulic conductivity occurred (Ψ₅₀) were best predicted by leaf habit and density of spongy parenchyma. Evergreen species had lower Ψ₅₀ values and lower maximum xylem hydraulic conductivities. As hydraulic leaf and wood characteristics were reflected in structural leaf traits, there is high potential for identifying further linkages between morphological and anatomical leaf traits and ecophysiological responses.     

Drought responses,phenotypic plasticity and survival of Mediterranean species in two different microclimatic sites

• Climate models predict a further drying of the Mediterranean summer. One way for plant species to persist during such climate changes is through acclimation. Here, we determine the extent to which trait plasticity in response to drought differs between species and between sites, and address the question whether there is a trade‐off between drought survival and phenotypic plasticity.
• Throughout the summer we measured physiological traits (photosynthesis – A_max, stomatal conductance – g_s, transpiration – E, leaf water potential – ψl) and structural traits (specific leaf area – SLA, leaf density – LD, leaf dry matter content – LDMC, leaf relative water content – LRWC) of leaves of eight woody species in two sites with slightly different microclimate (north‐ versus south‐facing slopes) in southern Spain. Plant recovery and survival was estimated after the summer drought period.
• We found high trait variability between species. In most variables, phenotypic plasticity was lower in the drier site. Phenotypic plasticity of SLA and LDMC correlated negatively with drought survival, which suggests a trade‐off between them. On the other hand, high phenotypic plasticity of SLA and LDMC was positively related to traits associated with rapid recovery and growth after the drought period.
• Although phenotypic plasticity is generally seen as favourable during stress conditions, here it seemed beneficial for favourable conditions. We propose that in environments with fluctuating drought periods there can be a trade‐off between drought survival and growth during favourable conditions. When climate become drier, species with high drought survival but low phenotypic plasticity might be selected for.

     

Size-dependency in hydraulic and photosynthetic properties of three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acer</Emphasis> species having different maximum sizes

Recent studies suggest that physiological traits can be affected by tree size due to stronger hydraulic limitation in taller trees. As trees vary greatly in size, both within and among species, the adaptive responses to hydraulic limitation may be different among species with different maximum sizes. To investigate this, we explored size-dependency in photosynthetic and hydraulic parameters of three Acer species (Acer mono Maxim., Acer amoenum Carr and Acer japonicum Thunb.) using trees of various sizes under well-lit conditions. Leaf stomatal conductance of the Acer species decreased with tree size, implying that water supply to leaves decreases as trees grow. In contrast, content of nitrogen increased with tree size, which may compensate for the decrease in stomatal conductance to maintain the photosynthetic rate. Although the increase in nitrogen and leaf mass per area were larger in species with larger statures, the size-dependency in stomatal conductance was not different among species, and photosynthetic rate and hydraulic conductance were maintained in the three Acer species. Therefore, we suggest that hydraulic limitation on gas exchange does not necessarily depend on the maximum height of the species and that maintenance of photosynthesis and hydraulic properties is a fundamental physiological process during tree growth.     

Relationships between vessel element anatomy and physiological as well as morphological traits of leaves in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus crenata</Emphasis> seedlings originating from different provenances

We attempted to observe differences in vessel element anatomy, and physiological and morphological traits of leaves in Fagus crenata seedlings originated from seven different provenances grown under the uniform environmental conditions. We also investigated the relationships between the anatomical characteristics of the vessel elements and physiological plus morphological traits of leaves in Fagus crenata seedlings. To carry out the experiments, Fagus crenata samples were prepared from Chichibu Research Forest of Tokyo University. For anatomical studies of the vessel elements, vessel number per mm², average vessel area, and the percentage of vessel area from the pith to the bark side were measured. We also measured transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf dry mass per unit leaf area and leaf density for foliar studies. The anatomical characteristics of the vessel elements as well as the physiological and morphological traits of leaves were noticeably different among provenances. In addition, we found significant correlations between the foliar characteristics not only with vessel number per mm², but also with vessel area percentage and sum of the (vessel area)², theoretical hydraulic conductivity, from the pith to the bark side. Therefore, we concluded that variations in physiological and morphological traits of leaves in response to provenance variation were in correspondence with vessel number per mm² as a parameter that determines the total vessel area and consequent water hydraulic conductance in Fagus crenata as a diffuse porous hardwood.     

Leaf Physiological Traits and their Importance for Species Success in a Mediterranean Grassland

We related leaf physiological traits of four grassland species (Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne, Festuca valida, and Taraxacum officinale), dominant in a Mediterranean grassland, to their origin and success at community level. From early May to mid-June 1999, four leaf samplings were done. Species originating from poor environments (P. pratensis, F. valida) had low carbon isotope discrimination (), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf water and mineral contents, and net photosynthetic rate on mass basis (P _mass) but high chlorophyll content. The reverse traits were evident for the fast-growing species (L. perenne, T. officinale). Under the resource-limiting conditions (soil nitrogen and water) of the Mediterranean grassland, the physiological traits of P. pratensis and F. valida showed to be more adapted to these conditions leading to high species abundance and dominance.     

黄土高原不同植被带内草地植物叶片解剖性状的变异规律

叶片作为植物与外界进行物质交换的桥梁,其解剖性状能够相互协调以应对外界环境对植物生长造成的不利影响,从而反映出植物对环境变化所采取的适应策略。通过对黄土高原不同植被带(森林草原带、典型草原带、荒漠草原带)草地群落中常见115种植物(包括单子叶植物,双子叶植物,木本植物和草本植物四种功能型植物)叶片进行取样,并运用石蜡制片技术和光学显微技术获得叶片解剖性状(包括表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、海绵组织厚度、叶肉厚度和叶片厚度),旨在研究不同植被带内草地植物叶片解剖性状的变异规律及其与群落内物种相对优势度之间的关系,为黄土高原植被恢复和生态环境改善提供理论依据。结果表明：(1)沿着干旱梯度,从森林草原带、典型草原带到荒漠草原带,除叶肉厚度外,植物各叶片解剖性状值均呈现增大趋势,表明干旱地区叶片的旱生结构特征明显。(2)不同功能型植物叶片解剖性状与环境因子的关系各异。木本植物和草本植物的栅栏组织厚度和栅海比均与降水和土壤养分呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05)。同时,木本植物的叶片厚度与水分呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05),而草本植物表皮厚度仅与土壤养分呈显著负相关关系(P<0.05)...