Canopy structure within a Quercus ilex forested watershed: variations due to location,phenological development,and water availability

Spatial and temporal changes in canopy structure were studied in 1988 and 1989 in a Mediterranean Quercus ilex forest in north-eastern Spain. Due to differences in precipitation patterns the 1989 growing season was drier than the 1988 growing season. Sampling was conducted in parallel at two sites which represent endpoints along a slope gradient within a watershed (ridge top at 975 m, and valley bottom at 700 m). At both sites, similar inter-annual changes in canopy structure were observed in response to differences in water availability. Samples harvested in the upper 50 cm of the canopy during 1989 exhibited a decrease in both average leaf size and the ratio of young to old leaf and stem biomass relative to samples obtained in 1988. At the whole canopy level, a decrease in leaf production efficiency and an increase in the stem to leaf biomass ratio was observed in 1989. Temporal changes in canopy leaf area index (LAI) were not statistically significant. Average LAI values of Q. ilex at the two sites were not significantly different despite differences in tree stature and density (4.6 m² m^–2 at the ridge top, and 5.3 m² m^–2 at the valley bottom). Vertical distribution of leaves and stems within the canopy was very similar at the two locations, with more than 60% of the total LAI in the uppermost metre of the canopy. The possible significance of such an LAI distribution on the canopy carbon budget is discussed.     

Nutrient content and seasonal fluctuations in the leaf component of coark-oak (Quercus suber L.) litterfall

Nutrient content and seasonality of the leaf component in cork-oak litterfal were studied over a two year period in two cork-oak forest sites differing in biomass and edaphic condition in the north-eastern Iberian peninsula. Fallen senescent leaves compared to young leaves showed higher non-mobile nutrient concentrations and lower mobile nutrient concentrations, specially P, N, K, and Mg. At both sites, seasonal fluctuations affected both leaf production and leaf mineral content. The maximum leaf fall period correspond to the start of the vegetative growth and to the lowest N and P concentration in the falling leaves. The opposite was true for the winter, when litterfal was minimal and N and P content in falling leaves was at a maximum.The comparison between falling leaves and canopy leaves suggests that the analysis of fallen leaves can be a useful measure of N and P nutrition in cork-oak. We found site dependent differences in nutrient content and nutrient remobilization. In comparison with Q. ilex, although litter production was in the same range, nutrient retranslocation was greater for Q. suber.     

南方红壤侵蚀区芒萁叶片对微地形的响应

植物功能性状可以反映植物应对环境变化的响应策略。该文以芒萁为研究对象,主要采用单因素方差分析和冗余分析,比较了3种微地形(沟脊、沟壁、沟底)中环境因子和芒萁叶片功能性状的差异,分析了芒萁对浅沟微地形的响应及其适应策略。结果表明:(1)芒萁叶片功能性状的总体变异程度在0.05～0.47之间,叶厚和叶面积均表现为沟底>沟壁>沟脊(P<0.05),沟壁的叶氮含量显著高于沟脊和沟底,沟脊的叶磷含量显著低于沟壁和沟底,比叶面积和叶碳含量在3种微地形间均无显著差异。(2)沟脊的芒萁通过减小叶面积来降低水分散失进行自我保护,沟壁的芒萁通过增加叶氮含量来提高叶片光合速率而促进生长,沟底的芒萁通过增大叶面积来提高光捕获能力而促进生长。综上结果认为,土壤养分和温湿条件的差异,促使芒萁通过调节营养物质含量和改变叶片形态以更好地适应环境。     

Nitrogen and phosphorus resorption in trees of a Mexican tropical dry forest

Resorption efficiency (RE) and proficiency, foliar nutrient concentrations, and relative soil nutrient availability were determined during 3 consecutive years in tree species growing under contrasting topographic positions (i.e., top vs. bottom and north vs. south aspect) in a tropical dry forest in Mexico. The sites differed in soil nutrient levels, soil water content, and potential radiation interception. Leaf mass per area (g m^–2) increased during the growing season in all species. Soil P availability and mean foliar P concentrations were generally higher at the bottom than at the top site during the 3 years of the study. Leaf N concentrations ranged from 45.4 to 31.4 mg g^–1. Leaf P varied from 2.3 to 1.8 mg g^–1. Mean N and P RE varied among species, occasionally between top and bottom sites, and were higher in the dry than in the wet years of study. Senesced-leaf nutrient concentrations (i.e., a measure of resorption proficiency) varied from 13.7 to 31.2 mg g^–1 (N) and 0.4 to 3.3 mg g^–1 (P) among the different species and were generally indicative of incomplete nutrient resorption. Phosphorus concentrations in senesced leaves were higher at the bottom than at the top site and decreased from the wettest to the the driest year. Soil N and P availability were significantly different in the north- and south-facing slopes, but neither nutrient concentrations of mature and senesced leaves nor RE differed between aspects. Our results suggest that water more than soil nutrient availability controls RE in the Chamela dry forest, while resorption proficiency may be interactively controlled by both nutrient and water availability.     

Nutrient Addition Differentially Affects Ecological Processes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avicennia germinans</Emphasis> in Nitrogen versus Phosphorus Limited Mangrove Ecosystems

Nutrient over-enrichment is a major threat to marine environments, but system-specific attributes of coastal ecosystems may result in differences in their sensitivity and susceptibility to eutrophication. We used fertilization experiments in nitrogen (N)- and phosphorus (P)-limited mangrove forests to test the hypothesis that alleviating different kinds of nutrient limitation may have different effects on ecosystem structure and function in natural systems. We compared a broad range of ecological processes to determine if these systems have different thresholds where shifts might occur in nutrient limitation. Growth responses indicated N limitation in Avicennia germinans (black mangrove) forests in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida, and P limitation at Twin Cays, Belize. When nutrient deficiency was relieved, A. germinans grew out of its stunted form by increasing wood relative to leaf biomass and shoot length relative to lateral growth. At the P-limited site, P enrichment (+P) increased specific leaf area, N resorption, and P uptake, but had no effect on P resorption. At the N-limited site, +N increased both N and P resorption, but did not alter biomass allocation. Herbivory was greater at the P-limited site and was unaffected by +P, whereas +N led to increased herbivory at the N-limited site. The responses to nutrient enrichment depended on the ecological process and limiting nutrient and suggested that N- versus P-limited mangroves do have different thresholds. +P had a greater effect on more ecological processes at Twin Cays than did +N at the IRL, which indicated that the P-limited site was more sensitive to nutrient loading. Because of this sensitivity, eutrophication is more likely to cause a shift in nutrient limitation at P-limited Twin Cays than N-limited IRL.     

蒙古栎不同冠层部位叶片养分动态

以长白山原始针阔叶混交林优势树种蒙古栎为对象,研究了6-10月生长季不同冠层叶片单位叶面积质量(LMA)、单位质量和单位叶面积的C、N、P含量变化,以及N、P的再吸收效率与利用效率.结果表明:在生长季,蒙古栎冠层上、下部叶片的LMA和单位叶面积C含量(Carea)表现出明显的月动态变化;单位叶面积N、P含量(Narea、Parea)的月变化趋势与单位质量N、P含量(Nmass、Pmass)相似,而用单位叶面积与单位质量表示的N、P再吸收效率无明显差异.冠层位置对N的再吸收效率和利用效率无明显影响,但冠层上部P的再吸收效率和利用效率显著高于冠层下部.在未来气候变化情景下,蒙古栎较高的生存力和竞争力有助于促进生态系统的养分循环.     

Phosphorus Accretion in Old Leaves of a Mediterranean Shrub Growing at a Phosphorus-Rich Site

Studies dealing with changes in the plant internal nutrient cycling in response to natural, long-term P-fertility gradients are scarce. In this short report, we show some evidence on how leaf P dynamics can be drastically altered when plants typical from nutrient-poor sites grow in long-term P-enriched soils. The study was conducted in two natural populations of the Mediterranean evergreen shrub Pistacia lentiscus L.: one in a P-poor site and the other in a P-rich site. Soil texture and N, P, and organic matter contents were measured at each site. Leaf N and P concentrations were also measured in current-year, 1-year-old, and 2-year-old leaves, and in the senesced leaves. In the P-poor site, leaf P and N decreased as the leaves aged. This occurs because of nutrient reabsorption to other plant organs and/or dilution of nutrients by carbon compounds. In contrast, the leaves from the P-rich site acummulated P (but not N) during leaf lifespan. Consequently, P concentration in senesced leaves was very high in the P-rich site. These results show that, in long-lived perennials living in the field, long-term P enrichment can switch the normal process of P resorption during leaf aging to P accretion in the leaf. P accumulation in the leaves, which are periodically shed, might constitute a simple P excretion mechanism for plants typical from P-poor soils.     

Dinitrogen-fixing Acacia species from phosphorus-impoverished soils resorb leaf phosphorus efficiently

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption from senescing leaves were studied, and the contribution of N and P cycling through litterfall to soil nutrient patchiness was investigated for four Acacia species in the Great Sandy Desert in north-western Australia. N and P concentrations of mature and recently shed leaves were analysed and compared; soils under the canopies of the shrubs and soils in gaps (open areas) between the shrubs were also analysed and compared for N and P concentrations. Mature leaf P concentrations of the plants were considerably lower than the global average values, and N : P ratios of mature leaves were high. Plants derived 0-75% of their leaf N from symbiotic N(2)-fixation. N-resorption efficiency was between 0 and 43%, and P-resorption efficiency was between 32 and 79%; all plants were more efficient at P resorption than at N resorption, and litter N : P ratios were significantly higher than mature leaf N : P ratios. Soils of the study sites were P-impoverished. Total soil N and P concentrations were higher under the canopy than in gaps, but bicarbonate-extractable P concentration was higher in gaps. Nutrient cycling through litterfall results in soil nutrient patchiness and forms 'islands of fertility' under the canopies of the shrubs.     

胡杨枝芽生长特征及其展叶物候特征

以5个不同发育阶段的胡杨(Populus euphratica Oliv.)个体为研究对象,观测记录了枝芽展叶物候、枝芽生长特征和叶形变化的空间分布规律。结果表明:不同发育阶段的胡杨个体以及同一个体树冠的不同层次,其枝芽生长及其展叶物候期表现出不同的时空特征。随着树龄的增加和树冠层次的增高(由基向顶),当年新生枝条长度、枝条叶片数和叶形指数逐渐减小,但叶面积和叶片干重逐渐增大。5个不同发育阶段胡杨个体均表现出展叶物候始于树冠顶层,依次向下结束于树冠基部;展叶物候期共性表现在枝芽萌动期均在4月上旬,起始展叶期集中在4月中旬,展叶终期则在5月上旬到下旬;树龄较大的个体其枝芽萌动期、起始展叶期、展叶终期较树龄较小的个体早;其枝芽萌动期到展叶终期的时间进程较树龄较小的个体短;不同发育阶段的个体枝芽萌动期出现的时间较为离散,起始展叶期和展叶终期出现的时间较为集中。相关分析表明,出叶周期与枝条长度、枝条叶片数量和叶形指数呈极显著正相关,与叶面积和叶片干重呈显著负相关。     

Soil Phosphorus Fractionation and Phosphorus-Use Efficiency of a Bornean Tropical Montane Rain Forest During Soil Aging With Podozolization

We compared phosphorus (P) dynamics and plant productivity in two montane tropical rain forests (Mount Kinabalu, Borneo) that derived from similar parent materials (largely sedimentary rocks) and had similar climates but differed in terms of soil age. The younger site originated from Quaternary colluvial deposits, whereas the older site had Tertiary-age material. The older site had a distinctive spodic horizon, reduced levels of labile inorganic soil P, higher concentrations of recalcitrant organic soil P, and lower rates of net soil N mineralization. P fertilization led to soil nitrogen (N) immobilization in the P-deficient soil, indicating that soil N mineralization was limited by P at the P-deficient older site. Mean foliar nutrient concentration (on both a weight and an area basis) was similar at the two sites for all elements except P, which was lower at the older site. Aboveground net primary production (ANPP) was lower at the older site than at the younger one; this difference could be explained by the reduced availability of P and N (as down-regulated by P) at the older site. The relatively ample allocation of P and N to leaves, despite the reduced availability at the P-deficient old site, was attributable to its high resorption efficiency. High resorption resulted in lower concentrations of elements in leaf litter—that is, less decomposable low-quality litter. On the other hand, the concentration of leaf litter lignin was considerably lower at the older site; this appeared to be a de facto adaptive mechanism to avoid retarding litter decomposition.     

重庆石灰岩地区主要木本植物叶片性状及养分再吸收特征

以重庆石灰岩地区15种常绿木本植物和14种落叶木本植物为研究对象,对两种生活型植物叶片衰老前后叶干物质含量(LDMC)、比叶面积(SLA)和叶片厚度(LT)进行了比较,并采用不同的计算方法(单位质量叶片养分含量、单位面积叶片养分含量)分析了两类植物叶片衰老前后养分含量及再吸收特征,最后对养分再吸收效率与其他叶性状因子之间的关系进行了相关分析。结果表明:常绿植物成熟叶LDMC、LT及衰老叶LT显著低于落叶植物,落叶植物成熟叶和衰老叶SLA均显著高于常绿植物(P0.05);基于单位质量叶片计算的养分含量,常绿植物成熟和衰老叶N、P量均低于落叶植物,而基于单位面积叶片计算的N、P含量则表现出相反的趋势;基于不同方法计算的N、P再吸收效率差异不明显,其中常绿植物基于单位质量叶片养分含量计算的N、P平均再吸收效率为39.42%、43.79%,落叶植物的为24.08%、33.59%;常绿和落叶植物N、P再吸收效率与LDMC、SLA、LT和成熟叶N、P含量之间没有显著相关性,但与衰老叶养分含量存在显著负相关(P0.05)。研究发现,无论是常绿植物还是落叶植物,衰老叶N、P含量均较低,表明石灰岩地区植物具有较高的养分再吸收程度。     

Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves in two Stipa species native to central Argentina

Abstract Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves enables plants to conserve and reuse nutrients. As such, it could be expected that plant species adapted to infertile soils have a higher nutrient resorption efficiency (percentage reduction of nutrients between green and senesced leaves) and/or higher nutrient resorption proficiency (absolute reduction of nutrients in senesced leaves) than those adapted to fertile soils. Our objective was to compare nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) resorption of two congener grasses that successfully occupy uplands of relatively low fertility (Stipa gynerioides) or lowlands of relatively high fertility (Stipa brachychaeta) in natural grasslands of central Argentina. The two Stipa species did not differ in N and P resorption efficiency, but S. gynerioides had a higher N and P resorption proficiency than S. brachychaeta. As a consequence, leaf‐level N and P use efficiency were higher in the species adapted to low fertility conditions than in the species adapted to high fertility conditions. The higher nutrient resorption proficiency of S. gynerioides was also associated with relatively low leaf‐litter decomposition and nutrient release rates found in a previous study.     

亚热带红壤侵蚀区马尾松针叶养分含量及再吸收特征

叶片衰老过程中的养分再吸收是植物适应养分贫瘠生境的一种重要策略,一直是生态学领域的研究热点。以亚热带红壤侵蚀区生态恢复先锋树种马尾松为研究对象,分析4种不同恢复水平下马尾松叶片养分含量随叶龄的变化情况及养分再吸收特征。结果表明:(1)叶片中N、P、K含量变化范围分别在(6.10±0.52)—(12.02±0.85)mg/g、(0.17±0.03)—(1.02±0.01)mg/g、(1.58±0.49)—(9.46±0.90)mg/g,随叶龄增长整体呈先增加后降低的趋势,具有一个快速积累期和一个相对漫长衰减期的动态特征,这表明叶龄也是影响叶片养分含量的重要因素;(2)叶片N、P、K含量随生境恢复水平的提高而增加,且N、P含量在除凋落叶外的叶龄阶段均表现出显著正相关,表明叶片中这两种营养元素在动态变化上存在协同性;(3)在叶片N、P、K再吸收效率中,P、K再吸收效率较高,而N相对较低。养分再吸收受生境中营养元素的含量水平、循环方式等因素的综合影响表现出一定选择性,对生境中较为贫瘠或使其生长受到限制的元素具有较高的再吸收效率。这不仅可以减小植物对外源养分的依赖性,同时也维持了体内重要营养元素的平衡。随叶龄增长叶片中N/P逐渐增大,反映出在叶片衰老过程中对限制元素P具有较强的再吸收能力,这种反馈调节提高了马尾松对养分贫瘠环境的适应性。本文的研究结果可为亚热带红壤侵蚀退化区先锋物种在贫瘠生境条件下的养分利用机制与适应对策方面的研究提供理论依据。     

Browsing-induced Effects on Leaf Litter Quality and Decomposition in a Southern African Savanna

We investigated the linkages between leaf litter quality and decomposability in a savanna plant community dominated by palatable-spinescent tree species. We measured: (1) leaf litter decomposability across five woody species that differ in leaf chemistry; (2) mass decomposition, nitrogen (N); and carbon (C) dynamics in leaf litter of a staple browse species (Acacia nigrescens) as well as (3) variation in litter composition across six sites that experienced very different histories of attack from large herbivores. All decomposition trials included litter bags filled with chopped straw to control for variation in site effects. We found a positive relationship between litter quality and decomposability, but we also found that Acacia and straw litter mass remaining did not significantly vary between heavily and lightly browsed sites. This is despite the fact that both the quality and composition of litter returned to the soil were significantly different across sites. We observed greater N resorption from senescing Acacia leaves at heavily browsed sites, which in turn contributed to increase the C:N ratio of leaf litter and caused greater litter N immobilization over time. This, together with the significantly lower tree- and herb-leaf litter mass beneath heavily browsed trees, should negatively affect decomposition rates. However, estimated dung and urine N deposition from both browsers and grazers was significantly greater at high- than at low-herbivory sites. We hypothesize that N inputs from dung and urine boost litter N mineralization and decomposition (especially following seasonal rainfall events), and thereby offset the effects of poor leaf litter quality at chronically browsed sites. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Canopy structure and vertical patterns of photosynthesis and related leaf traits in a deciduous forest

Canopy structure and light interception were measured in an 18-m tall, closed canopy deciduous forest of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) in southwestern Wisconsin, USA, and related to leaf structural characteristics, N content, and leaf photosynthetic capacity. Light attenuation in the forest occurred primarily in the upper and middle portions of the canopy. Forest stand leaf area index (LAI) and its distribution with respect to canopy height were estimated from canopy transmittance values independently verified with a combined leaf litterfall and point-intersect method. Leaf mass, N and A _max per unit area (LMA, N/area and A _max/area, respectively) all decreased continuously by over two-fold from the upper to lower canopy, and these traits were strongly correlated with cumulative leaf area above the leaf position in the canopy. In contrast, neither N concentration nor A _max per unit mass varied significantly in relation to the vertical canopy gradient. Since leaf N concentration showed no consistent pattern with respect to canopy position, the observed vertical pattern in N/area is a direct consequence of vertical variation of LMA. N/area and LMA were strongly correlated with A _max/area among different canopy positions (r²=0.81 and r²=0.66, respectively), indicating that vertical variation in area-based photosynthetic capacity can also be attributed to variation in LMA. A model of whole-canopy photosynthesis was used to show that observed or hypothetical canopy mass distributions toward higher LMA (and hence higher N/area) in the upper portions of the canopy tended to increase integrated daily canopy photosynthesis over other LMA distribution patterns. Empirical relationships between leaf and canopy-level characteristics may help resolve problems associated with scaling gas exchange measurements made at the leaf level to the individual tree crown and forest canopy-level.     

Photosynthetic Electron Transport in Shoots of Sitka Spruce from Different Levels in a Forest Canopy

Shoots from the lower levels of a Sitka forest canopy [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.] have much lower photosynthetic capacities per unit leaf area than do those from the top of the canopy. Chloroplast fragments have been isolated from the needles at three levels in the canopy and Photosystem I and Photosystem II activities measured. Measurements were made at eight photon flux densities giving light response curves for photosystem activity in the three canopy levels. Expressed per unit leaf area, light-saturated activities of Photosystem I and II were lower at the bottom of the canopy than at the top suggesting that photosystem activity might be limiting photosynthesis in the shoots from the bottom of the canopy. Chlorophyll concentration per unit fresh weight did not vary amongst the three levels, but specific leaf area increased and dry weight fraction decreased with increasing depth in the canopy, leading to a large reduction with depth in chlorophyll content per unit leaf area.     

氮添加对黄河三角洲滨海湿地芦苇养分再吸收效率的影响

大气氮沉降增加能改变土壤养分可利用性,影响滨海湿地植物的养分再吸收。目前研究多关注氮沉降量对养分再吸收过程的影响,且研究集中于叶片,鲜有研究区分不同形态氮素对植物不同器官养分再吸收过程的影响。通过两年的野外控制实验,研究硝态氮、铵态氮添加对黄河三角洲滨海湿地芦苇(Phragmites australis)叶、茎养分再吸收效率的影响。结果表明：两类氮添加均显著增加叶、茎的氮、磷含量(P<0.001),增幅达32.74%—43.22%(氮)、30.91%—36.51%(磷)。叶片氮的再吸收效率为54.14%—67.66%,茎氮的再吸收效率为50.60%—62.85%。叶片磷的再吸收效率为56.80%—70.38%,茎磷的再吸收效率为77.43%—84.95%。两类氮添加均显著降低氮、磷的再吸收效率(P<0.001),但两类氮添加处理下的养分再吸收效率无差异。叶、茎氮的再吸收效率无差异,但茎磷的再吸收效率明显高于叶(P<0.01)。总之,氮添加降低芦苇对氮、磷的再吸收效率,且茎对养分的再吸收也具有不可忽略的贡献。     

Low leaf N and P resorption contributes to nutrient limitation in two desert shrubs

Both water and nutrients are limiting in arid environments, and desert plants have adapted to these limitations through numerous developmental and physiological mechanisms. In the Mono Basin, California, USA, co-dominant Sarcobatus vermiculatus and Chrysothamnus nauseosus ssp. consimilis are differentially N and P limited. We hypothesized that low leaf N resorption contributes to N-limitation in Sarcobatus and that low leaf P resorption contributes to P-limitation in Chrysothamnus. As predicted, Sarcobatus resorbed proportionally 1.7-fold less N than Chrysothamnus, but reduced leaf P in senescent leaves to lower levels than Chrysothamnus (8.0–10.8-fold lower based on leaf area or mass, respectively), consistent with N, but not P limitations in Sarcobatus. Again, as predicted, Chrysothamnus resorbed proportionally 2.0-fold less P than Sarcobatus yet reduced leaf N in senescent leaves to lower levels than Sarcobatus (1.8–1.3-fold lower based on leaf area or mass, respectively), consistent with P, but not N limitations in Chrysothamnus. Leaf N and P pools were approximately 50% of aboveground pools in both species during the growing season, suggesting leaf resorption can contribute significantly to whole plant nutrient retention. This was consistent with changes in leaf N vs. P concentration as plants grew from seedlings to adults. Our results support the conclusion that N-limitation in Sarcobatus and P-limitation in Chrysothamnus are in part caused by physiological (or other) constraints that prevent more efficient resorption of N or P, respectively. For these species, differential nutrient resorption may be a key physiological component contributing to their coexistence in this saline, low resource habitat.     

Effects of drought and shade on nitrogen cycling in the leaves and canopy of Mediterranean Quercus seedlings

Nitrogen (N) withdrawn from leaves before abscission can help to supply N requirements in plants of nutrient poor habitats. Besides N shortage, Mediterranean Quercus seedlings must face water and light stresses. However, there is little information on the influence of these stresses in the nitrogen resorption efficiency (NRE) at leaf level, and none at canopy level. We tested in two separated experiments how changes in water and light availability affect NRE and its components at both levels in seedlings of two evergreen oaks [Quercus coccifera L. and Quercus ilex subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp] and in a semi-deciduous one (Quercus faginea Lam.). In the summer drought experiment seedlings were left to dehydrate to ?2.5 and to ?0.5 MPa (water stress and control, respectively) before watering. In the light experiment seedlings were grown at 100, 20 and 5% of full sunlight. The leaf abscission pattern was monitored and N content, N loss and NRE were calculated in the two peaks of leaf abscission (spring and late summer). After one year of treatments summer drought had little effect on N resorption and its components at both leaf and canopy levels. Moderate shade increased NRE at leaf level in Q. faginea but this response vanished at canopy level. N loss at the leaf level was unaffected. Deep shade decreased N lost at the canopy level in spring but increased it in late summer. N resorption and N losses at the canopy level were lower at late summer than in spring, due to fewer leaves falling. This study highlights the importance of the scale on the study of nitrogen dynamics (leaf vs. whole canopy), as the scaling factor (amount of leaf shedding) also responds to environmental factors, either enhancing or reversing the effects found at leaf level.     

滨海沙地主要造林树种叶片功能性状及养分重吸收特征

为探讨不同树种对滨海沙地干旱贫瘠环境的适应策略,以滨海沙地主要造林树种木麻黄、湿地松、厚荚相思和尾巨桉为对象,研究了不同树种叶片功能性状及养分重吸收特征.结果表明:阔叶树种(厚荚相思和尾巨桉)的叶面积、比叶面积显著高于针叶树种(木麻黄和湿地松),而针叶树叶干物质含量、叶厚度最高.成熟叶和凋落叶的N、P含量表现为阔叶树高于针叶树,成熟叶高于凋落叶,但凋落叶N∶P较高.针叶树种的N、P养分重吸收效率大于阔叶树种,P重吸收效率明显高于N,木麻黄、湿地松、厚荚相思和尾巨桉的N、P吸收效率分别为64.2%、63.1%、47.0%、16.8%和92.5%、81.6%、80.3%、18.0%.比叶面积与叶片N、P含量呈显著正相关,与叶干物质含量,叶厚度以及N、P养分重吸收效率呈显著负相关;叶干物质含量与叶厚度及N、P养分重吸收效率呈显著正相关.就叶片功能的权衡关系而言,木麻黄和湿地松属于缓慢投资-收益型物种,具有较高的养分重吸收效率,而厚荚相思和尾巨桉属于快速投资-收益型物种,养分的重吸收效率较低.不同滨海沙地造林树种通过叶片功能性状及养分重吸收之间的相互协调实现对滨海沙地特殊生境的适应性.