岩溶木本植物对干旱的生理生态适应

受全球气候变暖和季风气候影响,西南岩溶区年降水量及其在季节间的分配发生明显变化,无雨期频率和持续时间增加,且基岩风化严重,基质储水能力差,致使岩溶木本植物面临的季节性和地质性干旱加剧。该文通过参考相关文献分析结构性状和生理调节探讨岩溶木本植物如何适应地质性和季节性干旱。结果表明岩溶木本植物应对干旱的策略与其他干旱、半干旱区的植物大体一致,主要有抗旱和避旱两种策略:抗旱性植物一般具有比叶面积小、叶肉多汁、储水组织发达、细胞液浓度高等适应干旱的特征,可通过增加木材密度、增强木质部导管的抗栓塞性和提高水分利用效率以适应干旱; 避旱植物则可通过小而密的气孔和叶脉、发达的表皮毛、栅栏组织和维管束鞘等结构特征减少水分丧失,并可通过落叶、深根吸收深层水源和脱落酸(ABA)介导提早关闭气孔以适应干旱。虽然关于岩溶植物形态结构和生理调节对干旱适应机制的研究取得了一定进展,但仍然存在一些亟待解决的问题,例如:深入研究岩溶地区基岩水分状况及其对植物的贡献; 加强岩溶木本植物根系结构和生物量分配、树木构型及根际微生物与木本植物干旱适应的协同关系研究; 同时探索如何将岩溶植物生态适应研究成果应用于生产实践中,科学指导石漠化治理与生态修复。     

中国热带珊瑚岛优势木本植物抗风桐和草海桐的水分适应策略解析

植物水力性状能够反映植物对不同水分条件的适应能力，研究热带珊瑚岛特殊生境下优势植物的水力功能特征对深入理解热带珊瑚岛植物的水分适应策略，从而选择热带珊瑚岛植被构建和恢复的适生物种具有重要意义。该研究以中国热带珊瑚岛生境中2种优势适生木本植物：抗风桐(Pisonia grandis)和草海桐(Scaevola sericea)为研究对象，比较了其叶片和枝条的水力性状，并分析了其水分适应策略。结果表明, 抗风桐的叶片栓塞抗性、枝条边材比导水率和叶片膨压丧失点显著高于草海桐，而枝条栓塞抗性、叶片导水率、边材密度和叶面积边材面积比均显著低于草海桐。抗风桐的叶片具有比枝条更强的抗栓塞能力，对水分胁迫敏感，但同时选择以高效的枝干水分运输来满足叶片高蒸腾需求的充足供水。草海桐枝条与叶片则存在水力脆弱性分区，在面临水分胁迫时叶片充当“安全阀”以保证枝干木质部的水力安全。抗风桐与草海桐能够通过协调叶片与枝条水力性状采取不同的水分适应策略，从而更好地适应热带珊瑚岛的特殊生境。     

季节性干旱胁迫对石灰山三种常绿优势树种的水分和光合生理的影响

以西双版纳地区石灰山季节雨林三种优势常绿树种油朴(Celtis wightii)、尖叶闭花木(Cleistanthus sumatranus)和轮叶戟(Lasiococca comberi var.pseudoverticillata)为材料,研究了季节性干旱对树木枝条水分传导、最大光合速率(Amax)和渗透调节相关的叶片的生理生态特征等的影响.结果表明,与雨季相比三种植物的叶片凌晨水势在旱季都有显著的降低,说明该生境的植物在旱季遭受较为严重的土壤干旱胁迫.除油朴的枝条边材比导率(Ks)在旱季和雨季没有显著性差异外,尖叶闭花木和轮叶戟的Ks在旱季都有显著的降低;而枝条的叶比导率(Kl)三树种在两个季节间均无显著变化.Kl在旱季没有显著性降低,可能是常绿树种在旱季通过脱落部分叶片以调整其水力结构来保持较高的单位叶面积的水分供应.在旱季三树种Amax都有显著减小.Ks和Kl都和Amax呈正相关关系,说明了枝条木质部的水分传导对叶片光合作用有较直接的影响.三树种叶片膨压丧失点的水势和饱和渗透势在旱季也均显著降低,表明三树种都通过较强的渗透调节来适应季节性的干旱.与同一生境中两种常见落叶树种相比较,三树种木质部导管抵抗空穴化的能力较强,能在较低的木质部水势下保持其水分传导,以在旱季仍能维持叶片较为正常的生理功能.这些结果初步揭示了石灰山常绿优势树种通过水力结构的调整和渗透调节等来适应季节性干旱的策略.     

桂西南喀斯特季雨林木本植物的水力安全

桂西南喀斯特地区生物多样性丰富、特有种多,同时也是石漠化问题较为严重的区域。由于该喀斯特地区土层浅薄、岩石裸露、表层储水能力差,植物在干旱季节经常会受到水分胁迫。植物水力学特征不仅是探讨喀斯特地区植物的生理生态适应性的关键,还能够为石漠化地区的植被恢复提供重要参考。该研究测定了桂西南喀斯特季雨林17种代表性木本植物(包括不同生活型、叶片习性和生境)的木质部脆弱性曲线、最低水势、叶片膨压丧失点和边材密度等水力性状,结果发现:(1)喀斯特植物木质部导水率丧失50%时的水势值(P50)的种间差异较大(–0.51––2.51MPa),其中常绿种的抗栓塞能力比落叶种强;(2)喀斯特植物的木质部水力安全边界值(最低水势与P50之间的差值)的均值为0.36 MPa,说明喀斯特森林植物在自然最低水势状况下木质部发生栓塞的程度较高;但是不同植物种间存在显著差异,这可能与喀斯特峰丛洼地生境的复杂性以及物种不同的抗旱策略有关;(3)由于喀斯特植物水分适应机制的多样化,导致木质部水力安全边界与叶片膨压丧失点、边材密度的相关性并不显著。在区域气候干热化的背景下,结合喀斯特植物的栓塞脆弱性和长期水势监测(尤其极端干旱事件)分析它们的水力安全,对预测未来喀斯特森林物种分布和群落动态具有重要的指示作用。     

科尔沁沙地南缘主要固沙植物旱季水分来源

探讨固沙植物水分来源以及物种间水分利用关系对揭示植物共存机理和固沙植被稳定机制具有重要意义.本研究选取科尔沁沙地南缘两种典型生境(固定沙丘和丘间低地)共12种固沙植物,通过测定植物水、同期降水、地下水和土壤水的稳定同位素比率(δD和δ¹⁸O),利用IsoSource模型计算植物对不同深度土壤水的利用比例,初步阐明半干旱沙区主要固沙植物旱季水分来源以及物种间的水分利用关系.结果表明:两种生境中不同生活型固沙植物水δD和δ¹⁸O差异显著,但丘间低地乔木和灌木差异不显著.在丘间低地从乔木到草本水分来源逐渐变浅,乔木和灌木主要利用50～150 cm或30～50 cm土壤水,半灌木主要利用10～30 cm土壤水,草本主要利用0～10 cm土壤水;固定沙丘灌木主要利用0～30 cm土壤水,半灌木则主要利用50 cm附近土壤水.表明旱季固定沙丘植物比丘间低地植物更依赖0～50 cm土壤水.固沙植物水分来源与植物生活型、根系分布范围有关,其中根系分布范围影响可能更大.     

西南岩溶山地石漠化及生态恢复研究展望

本文总结了 2 0世纪 90年代以来西南岩溶山地脆弱生态理论研究和生态重建实践方面的进展 ,从科学研究动态和生态环境退化以及恢复研究的现实需要两方面论述了西南岩溶山地石漠化与生态恢复研究的若干核心 :植被过程研究、生态水文过程研究、景观过程研究、西南岩溶山地区域环境评估、预测与生态恢复研究。     

Seasonal variation in native hydraulic conductivity between two deciduous oak species

植物抗旱性机制包括耐旱性和避旱性。耐旱性的特征主要是木质部易栓塞性和膨压损失点,而避旱性的特征则是叶片脱落和落叶性。虽然这些机制可以权衡物种连续性,但对于干旱引发的叶片脱落和持续时间的变化如何影响木质部和叶片耐受性之间的关系却知之甚少。在本研究中,我们研究两种具有不同叶片脱落叶行为的橡树(栎属)的耐旱性程度差异。我们预测了Quercus deserticola 在旱季结束时落叶(晚落叶)而面临更大的空化风险,导致其比Q. laeta更耐旱,对水分的利用也更加保守。Q. laeta 只在旱季中期很短的时间内落叶(短落叶)。本研究在墨西哥中部进行,两种橡树各具有单个种群,它们之间相距1.58公里,海拔差为191米。Q. deserticola (晚落叶)多出现在下坡,而Q. laeta (短落叶)多出现在沿坡度海拔较高的地方。我们评估了样地内茎干的水分传导率的季节差异(雨季和旱季),并检测了两个物种间木质部对空化的脆弱性、叶片水分利用和叶片膨松损失点的差异。两种橡树在耐旱性状方面没有显著差异,主要包括木质部易栓塞性、叶片膨松损失点和气孔导度。然而,两种植物在旱季都有不同的表现：短落叶植物对木质部功能的负面影响要比晚落叶植物低。综上所述,两种橡树在植物生理性能方面的季节变化取决于冠层叶面积的减少。     

桂西南喀斯特季雨林木本植物的水力安全

桂西南喀斯特地区生物多样性丰富、特有种多, 同时也是石漠化问题较为严重的区域。由于该喀斯特地区土层浅薄、岩石裸露、表层储水能力差, 植物在干旱季节经常会受到水分胁迫。植物水力学特征不仅是探讨喀斯特地区植物的生理生态适应性的关键, 还能够为石漠化地区的植被恢复提供重要参考。该研究测定了桂西南喀斯特季雨林17种代表性木本植物(包括不同生活型、叶片习性和生境)的木质部脆弱性曲线、最低水势、叶片膨压丧失点和边材密度等水力性状, 结果发现: (1)喀斯特植物木质部导水率丧失50%时的水势值(P₅₀)的种间差异较大(-0.51- -2.51 MPa), 其中常绿种的抗栓塞能力比落叶种强; (2)喀斯特植物的木质部水力安全边界值(最低水势与P₅₀之间的差值)的均值为0.36 MPa, 说明喀斯特森林植物在自然最低水势状况下木质部发生栓塞的程度较高; 但是不同植物种间存在显著差异, 这可能与喀斯特峰丛洼地生境的复杂性以及物种不同的抗旱策略有关; (3)由于喀斯特植物水分适应机制的多样化, 导致木质部水力安全边界与叶片膨压丧失点、边材密度的相关性并不显著。在区域气候干热化的背景下, 结合喀斯特植物的栓塞脆弱性和长期水势监测(尤其极端干旱事件)分析它们的水力安全, 对预测未来喀斯特森林物种分布和群落动态具有重要的指示作用。     

岩溶山区水分时空异质性及植物适应机理研究进展

西南岩溶地区虽然降水充沛,但因具有二元水文结构,地表水大量渗漏、地下水深埋,加上土层浅薄且分布不连续、土壤储水能力低,岩溶干旱严重,水分亏缺仍然是植被恢复重建的关键限制因子。如何有效地进行植被的恢复重建和实现水土资源的协调利用,是该地区石漠化综合治理面临的主要难题。由于地质背景的特殊性、地形地貌的复杂性和生境的高度异质性,岩溶山区水分运移过程与其他类型区显著不同,亟需综合考虑岩性、地形地貌、土壤与岩石分布、植被等因素的影响。在简要介绍岩溶山区土壤-岩石环境特征的基础上,综述了降雨入渗产流规律、水分时空异质性、植物水分来源及适应机理等几个方面的研究进展,探讨了当前研究中存在的问题,并对未来研究进行了展望。今后应以大气-植被-土壤-岩石系统为研究对象,将水分运移过程与植物的水分利用方式有机结合,综合运用土壤物理学、生态水文学、植物生理学、岩溶地质学等多学科研究手段,探讨表层岩溶带的水文调节功能及其主要影响因素,揭示坡面、小流域尺度植被与水文过程的相互作用机理,为西南岩溶山区水源涵养型植物群落的优化配置提供科学依据。     

热带喀斯特森林常绿和落叶榕树的水力特征和水分关系与抗旱策略

以热带喀斯特地区的直脉榕(Ficus orthoneura)和豆果榕(F.pisocarpa)为实验材料,研究了常绿和落叶树木枝条和叶片的解剖结构特征、光合水分特征和耐旱性的差异,目的在于探讨不同生活型榕树适应干旱生境的策略.直脉榕和豆果榕的叶片都有两层栅栏组织、游离状的海绵组织和钟乳体等旱生结构,同时叶片角质层蒸腾速率(gmin)和气孔导度(gs)相对较低.但与落叶的豆果榕相比,常绿的直脉榕的枝条木质部失去50％传导率的水势(P50)和gmin更低,表现出更保守的水分利用策略.总体上,两种榕树都表现出了对喀斯特干旱生境的良好适应,但是它们的适应策略表现出一定的差别.豆果榕通过落叶度过旱期,而直脉榕在结构和功能上比豆果榕更耐旱.抗旱策略和水分利用策略的不同导致两种榕树的生态位分异,减少了彼此间的水分竞争,有利于它们在喀斯特生境中共存.     

Droughts,hydraulic redistribution,and their impact on vegetation composition in the Amazon forest

Hydraulic redistribution (HR), the nocturnal transport of moisture by plant roots from wetter to drier portions of the root zone, in general can buffer plants against seasonal water deficits. However, its role in longer droughts and its long-term ecological impact are not well understood. Based on numerical model experiments for the Amazon forest, this modeling study indicates that the impact of HR on plant growth differs between droughts of different time scales. While HR increases transpiration and plant growth during regular dry seasons, it reduces dry season transpiration and net primary productivity (NPP) under extreme droughts such as those during El Niño years in the Amazon forest. This occurs because, in places where soil water storage is not able to sustain the ecosystem through the dry season, the HR-induced acceleration of moisture depletion in the early stage of the dry season reduces water availability for the rest of the dry season and causes soil moisture to reach the wilting point earlier. This gets exacerbated during extreme droughts, which jeopardizes the growth of trees that are not in dry season dormancy, i.e., evergreen trees. As a result, the combination of drought and HR increases the percentage of drought deciduous trees at the expense of evergreen trees, and the fractional coverage of forest canopy is characterized by sudden drops following extreme droughts and slow recovery afterwards. The shift of the tropical forest towards more drought deciduous trees as a result of the combined effects of extreme drought and HR has important implications for how vegetation will respond to future climate changes.     

Leaf functional traits of Neotropical savanna trees in relation to seasonal water deficit

The seasonal savannas (cerrados) of Central Brazil are characterized by a large diversity of evergreen and deciduous trees, which do not show a clear differentiation in terms of active rooting depth. Irrespective of the depth of the root system, expansion of new foliage in deciduous species occurs at the end of the dry season. In this study, we examined a suite of leaf traits related to C assimilation, water and nutrients (N, P) in five deciduous and six evergreen trees that were among the dominant families of cerrado vegetation. Maximum CO₂ assimilation on a mass basis (A_mass) was significantly correlated with leaf N and P, and specific leaf area (SLA; leaf area per unit of leaf mass). The highest leaf concentrations of both nutrients were measured in the newly mature leaves of deciduous species at the end of the dry period. The differences in terms of leaf N and P between evergreen and deciduous species decreased during the wet season. Deciduous species also invested less in the production of non-photosynthetic leaf tissues and produced leaves with higher SLA and maintained higher water use efficiency. Thus, deciduous species compensated for their shorter leaf payback period by maintaining higher potential payback capacity (higher values of A_mass) and lower leaf construction costs (higher SLA). Their short leafless period and the capacity to flush by the end of the dry season may also contribute to offset the longer payback period of evergreen species, although it may involve the higher cost of maintaining a deep-root system or a tight control of plant water balance in the shallow-rooted ones.     

Stem hydraulic traits and leaf water-stress tolerance are co-ordinated with the leaf phenology of angiosperm trees in an Asian tropical dry karst forest

Background and Aims

The co-occurring of evergreen and deciduous angiosperm trees in Asian tropical dry forests on karst substrates suggests the existence of different water-use strategies among species. In this study it is hypothesized that the co-occurring evergreen and deciduous trees differ in stem hydraulic traits and leaf water relationships, and there will be correlated evolution in drought tolerance between leaves and stems.

Methods

A comparison was made of stem hydraulic conductivity, vulnerability curves, wood anatomy, leaf life span, leaf pressure–volume characteristics and photosynthetic capacity of six evergreen and six deciduous tree species co-occurring in a tropical dry karst forest in south-west China. The correlated evolution of leaf and stem traits was examined using both traditional and phylogenetic independent contrasts correlations.

Key Results

It was found that the deciduous trees had higher stem hydraulic efficiency, greater hydraulically weighted vessel diameter (D_h) and higher mass-based photosynthetic rate (A_m); while the evergreen species had greater xylem-cavitation resistance, lower leaf turgor-loss point water potential (π₀) and higher bulk modulus of elasticity. There were evolutionary correlations between leaf life span and stem hydraulic efficiency, A_m, and dry season π₀. Xylem-cavitation resistance was evolutionarily correlated with stem hydraulic efficiency, D_h, as well as dry season π₀. Both wood density and leaf density were closely correlated with leaf water-stress tolerance and A_m.

Conclusions

The results reveal the clear distinctions in stem hydraulic traits and leaf water-stress tolerance between the co-occurring evergreen and deciduous angiosperm trees in an Asian dry karst forest. A novel pattern was demonstrated linking leaf longevity with stem hydraulic efficiency and leaf water-stress tolerance. The results show the correlated evolution in drought tolerance between stems and leaves.Key words: Tropical dry forest, karst, leaf habit, hydraulic conductivity, cavitation resistance, leaf water-stress tolerance, wood density, leaf density, phylogenetic independent contrasts     

Radial growth response of trees to seasonal soil humidity in a subtropical forest

Tree growth is the most important factor in determining the carbon sequestration processes of forest ecosystems. However, the growth phenology (seasonal growth pattern) and responses of tree growth to climatic variables vary considerably among different species, especially between deciduous and evergreen species. Thus, it is crucial to explore the seasonal growth patterns of different tree species in relation to climate to better understand the responses of tree physiology to climate changes, especially in mixed-species forest stands. In this study, we monitored the daily basal area increments of 220 individuals belonging to 15 common broadleaved tree species, nine deciduous and six evergreen species, in mixed-species experimental stands in subtropical China and analysed the relationships between radial stem growth and seasonal climate at a high-temporal resolution. We fitted daily increments of stem diameters with four frequently used nonlinear models and chose the best model for each species. The results showed that the evergreen trees grew faster than the deciduous trees, both annually and within the growing season. The tested nonlinear models (Korf, Weibull, logistic and Gompertz) produced good fits for the growth patterns of all species. Overall, the evergreen species began stem growth earlier and finished later during the growing season than that of the deciduous species. Within the growing season, the radial growth of trees in mixed stands containing both types of species was strongly positively correlated with humidity. In spring, increases in both temperature and moisture increased the daily relative basal area increment of all species. Maximum growth rates occurred when the soil water content reached its highest level and gradually decreased when the soil water content decreased. In summer, high temperatures combined with low amounts of precipitation led to heat-induced summer drought, to which the evergreen trees appeared to be more tolerant than the deciduous trees, which was reflected in the reduced stem growth of the latter. These results indicate the different climate-dependent seasonal growth strategies of evergreen and deciduous trees related to the trade-off described by the leaf economics spectrum, i.e., short-lived leaves with higher assimilation rates in deciduous and longer-lived leaves with a greater drought tolerance in evergreen species.     

中国喀斯特生态保护与修复研究进展

喀斯特生态系统是地球表层系统的重要组成部分。我国西南喀斯特地区以高强度农业活动为主,人地矛盾尖锐、石漠化严重,是我国最大面积的连片贫困区。在国家科技计划项目等的持续支持下,我国围绕喀斯特区生态修复与石漠化治理,系统开展了喀斯特生态保护与修复基础理论、技术研发、产业示范等研究,在喀斯特生态系统退化机理、石漠化治理技术与模式、生态治理助力脱贫攻坚、喀斯特景观资源保护、喀斯特国际合作等方面取得突出进展,引领了国际喀斯特学科发展。面对当前石漠化治理过程中产生的治理成效巩固困难、缺乏可持续性等新问题,未来喀斯特生态保护与修复研究应以增强生态治理的可持续性为导向,加强生态恢复过程机理与机制研究,提升喀斯特生态系统服务、提高生态恢复质量、巩固扶贫成果,实现石漠化治理的提质与增效,为"美丽中国"战略的贯彻实施及全球喀斯特地貌分布区所属国家的生态治理提供"中国方案"。     

木论喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶林木本植物萌生特征

萌生更新是植物进行自我更新的重要方式之一。为了阐明喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶林植物的萌生特征,基于木论25 hm²动态监测样地的调查数据,分析了木本植物萌生更新数量特征、不同生活型植物萌生能力的差异、萌生能力与地形因子和萌生能力与物种多样性的关系。研究结果表明：样地具有萌生现象的木本植物共有197种,隶属59个科137个属,分别占样地植物科属种的86.8%、93.7%、91.3%。萌生现象在样地内各物种中普遍存在,滇丁香、长管越南茜、火棘、香叶树等物种的萌生能力较强。不同生活型的植物的萌生能力存在显著差异,常绿树种的萌生能力显著高于落叶树种（P<0.001）。萌生物种丰富度比例及萌生物种个体比例都与群落物种多样性呈显著正相关。萌生能力与土层厚度呈显著负相关,与凹凸度呈显著正相关,此外萌生物种丰富度比例还与海拔呈正相关关系,而萌生物种个体比例与岩石出露率和土壤坡度呈正相关关系。由此可见,作为喀斯特森林群落更新中一种占优势的更新方式,萌生更新在一定程度上能够增加群落物种多样性,萌生能力与地形因子存在一定关联。     

哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林木径向生长季节动态及其对气候因子的响应

研究采用树木生长环在哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林持续9年(2009—2017年)监测了2个常绿树种(厚皮香,Ternstroemia gymnanthera;南亚枇杷,Eriobotrya bengalensis)和2个落叶树种(西桦,Betula alnoides;珍珠花,Lyonia ovalifolia)的树干月生长量,采用逻辑斯蒂生长模型(Logistic model)模拟树木径向生长量和物候参数,并分析了年、季尺度上径向生长与主要气候因子的关系。结果表明:1)4个树种年平均生长量为6.3 mm,落叶树种年平均生长量(10.6 mm/a)显著高于常绿树种(3.0 mm/a);2)雨季(5—10月)是哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林树木生长的主要时期,4个树种雨季平均生长量为5.9 mm,占全年总生长量的93%,其中落叶树种雨季生长量占全年的96%,而常绿树种雨季生长量占全年的86%;3)常绿树种生长季长度为169天,长于落叶树种(137天),而落叶树种最大生长速率(0.14 mm/d)显著高于常绿树种(0.03 mm/d),最大径向生长速率能很好地预测树种年生长量;4)低温、雾日和光合有效辐射是影响哀牢山亚热带常绿阔叶林4个研究树种径向生长的重要环境因子,其中温度对常绿树种径向生长具有显著影响,而雨日、雾日与空气湿度等水分因子对落叶树种径向生长更为重要。常绿树种年生长量对旱季气候因子的响应相比落叶树种更为敏感,树木旱季生长量除了受低温限制外,也受到水分供给的影响。气候变化可能改变不同物候类型树种在哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林中的生长状态与分布格局。     

Ecophysiological responses of two closely related Magnoliaceae genera to seasonal changes in subtropical China

Aims Plants use a variety of hydraulic strategies to adapt to seasonal drought that differ by species and environmental conditions. The early-diverging Magnoliaceae family includes two closely related genera with contrasting leaf habits, Yulania (deciduous) and Michelia (evergreen), which naturally inhabit temperate and tropical regions, respectively. Here, we evaluate the hydraulic strategy of species from both genera that have been ex situ conserved in a subtropical region to determine how they respond to the novel cool–dry season climatic pattern.Methods We measured ecophysiological traits in five Michelia and five Yulania species conserved in the South China Botanical Garden in both wet and dry season conditions and monitored the whole-year sap flow for four of these species.Important findings We found that Magnoliaceae species that have been ex situ conserved in a subtropical climate did not suffer from excessive water stress due to the mild drought conditions of the dry season and the ecophysiological adjustments the species made to avoid this stress, which differed by leaf habit. Specifically, deciduous species completely shed their leaves during the dry season, while evergreen species decreased their turgor loss points, dry mass based photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance and specific leaf areas (SLAs) compared to wet season measurements. In comparing the two distinct leaf habits during the wet season, the leathery-leaved evergreen species had higher leaf hydraulic conductance and leaf to sapwood area ratios than the papery-leaved deciduous species, while the deciduous species had greater hydraulic conductivity calculated on both a stem and leaf area basis, dry mass based photosynthetic rates, leaf nutrients, SLAs and stomatal sizes than the evergreen species. Interestingly, species from both genera maintained similar sap flow in the wet season. Both photosynthetically active radiation and vapour pressure deficit affected the diurnal patterns of sap flow in the wet season, while only vapour pressure deficit played a dominant role in the dry season. This study reveals contrasting hydraulic strategies in Yulania and Michelia species under subtropical seasonal conditions, and suggests that these ecophysiological adjustments might be affected more by leaf habit than seasonality, thus reflecting the divergent evolution of the two closely related genera. Furthermore, we show that Magnoliaceae species that are ex situ conserved in a subtropical climate are hydraulically sound, a finding that will inform future conservation efforts of this ancient family under the threat of climatic change.     

Comparative ecophysiological responses to drought of two shrub and four tree species from karst habitats of southwestern China

Drought stress is one of the most important factors in limiting the survival and growth of plants in the harsh karst habitats of southwestern China, especially at the seedling establishment stage. The ecophysiological response to drought stress of native plants with different growth forms is useful for re-vegetation programs. Two shrub and four tree species were studied, including Pyracantha fortuneana (evergreen shrub), Rosa cymosa (deciduous shrub), Cinnamomum bodinieri (evergreen tree), and other three deciduous trees, Broussonetia papyrifera, Platycarya longipes, and Pteroceltis tatarinowii. The seedlings were randomly assigned to four drought treatments, i.e., well-watered, mild drought stress, moderate drought stress, and severe drought stress. Leaf water relations, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and growth of the seedlings were investigated. Under severe drought stress, the two shrubs with low leaf area ratio (LAR) maintained higher water status, higher photosynthetic capacity, and larger percent biomass increase than the most of the trees. The two shrubs also had lower specific leaf area, greater intrinsic water use efficiency, and thermal dissipation than the trees. This suggested that the two shrubs had high tolerance to severe drought and were suitable for re-vegetation in harsh habitats. The evergreen C. bodinieri exhibited higher leaf mass ratio (LMR) and LAR than the deciduous species under mild and moderate stress. However, the low maximum quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (F _v/F _m) and net assimilation rate, and the sharp decreases of water potential, LMR, LAR, and biomass under severe stress indicated C. bodinieri’s weak tolerance to severe drought. In response to drought stress, the three deciduous trees revealed sharp reductions of biomass due to the large drought-induced decreases of gas exchange, LAR, and LMR. Under drought conditions, the deciduous trees minimized water loss by stomatal closure and by reducing transpiration leaf area and light harvesting through shedding leaves. This suggested that the three deciduous trees were more sensitive to water availability than the shrubs and used avoidance strategies against drought stress. However, the better growth performance of the deciduous trees than that of the shrubs under favorable conditions suggested that deciduous trees could be suitable for habitats with mild and temporary drought stress.     

Plant ecology of tropical and subtropical karst ecosystems

Substantial areas of tropical forests, including those within nine tropical biodiversity hotspots, contain karst landscapes that have developed on soluble carbonate rocks. Here, we review how the ecology of karst forest trees is influenced by hydrological, edaphic, and topographic factors that exhibit fine spatial heterogeneity. Comparative analysis of drought tolerance traits including wood density contributes to the assessment of whether karst tree species are more drought‐tolerant compared to non‐karst trees. Although karst ecosystems are generally considered to have low phosphorus availability, foliar nitrogen‐to‐phosphorus ratios exhibit wide variation across karst regions without a clear difference from non‐karst ecosystems. According to the analyses of leaf phenology, stem water storage, and isotopic signatures from xylem sap, water use strategies of karst trees can be classified into five types: (a) soil water dependent, (b) epikarst water dependent (mainly use water stored in fine pores and gaps within the epikarst rock during the dry season), (c) groundwater dependent, (d) fog water dependent, and (e) drought‐deciduous (shed leaves during the dry season). Overall, published data suggest that only a subset of karst tree species are exclusively distributed within karst hilltops where water availability is limited. The diverse resource acquisition and utilization strategies of karst plants across edaphic habitats must be considered when developing effective strategies to conserve and restore biodiversity in karst landscapes, which are under increasing anthropogenic pressure.