4种沙生灌木幼苗PV曲线水分参数对干旱胁迫的响应

以柠条、沙木蓼、杨柴和花棒4种沙生灌木幼苗为材料,采用盆栽法在适宜水分、中度干旱和重度干旱(田间持水量的75%、50%和35%)3种土壤水分条件下,应用PV技术测定了它们在膨压为0时的渗透势(ψstlp)、相对水含量(RWCtlp)和相对渗透水含量(ROWCtlp),以及饱和含水时的渗透势(ψssat)、束缚水含量(Va)、膨压随叶水势下降而降低的速率b值和组织细胞总体弹性模量(ε′)等水分参数,并用隶属函数值法对4种苗木在干旱下保持膨压的能力进行了综合评价.结果显示:与适宜水分条件下相比较,除花棒幼苗在中度及重度干旱下ψssat值、柠条苗在中度干旱下ψssat和ψstlp差值和在中度及重度干旱下Va值、沙木蓼苗在中度干旱下ε′和RWCtlp值均变化很小以外,4种苗木其它水分参数在不同程度干旱胁迫下均有较明显的变化,且其变化幅度随干旱胁迫的加剧而增加,从而使苗木保持膨压及吸水保水的能力较适宜水分下明显增强;苗木保持膨压能力的综合评价结果为:中度干旱下柠条>花棒>杨柴>沙木蓼,重度干旱下柠条>花棒>沙木蓼>杨柴.研究表明,柠条幼苗对干旱胁迫具有极强的渗透调节适应性.     

模拟岩溶水分供应分层的干旱胁迫对青冈栎光合特性和生长的影响

根据喀斯特地质特点,建立水分供应分层模拟柱(土壤层-岩石层-岩溶水层),并设置不同土壤水分梯度:重度干旱、中度干旱、水分适宜和水分饱和(相当于土壤田间持水量的30％～40％、50％ ～ 60％、70％ ～ 80％和90％～100％),研究2年生青冈栎(Cyclobalanopsis glauca)苗木在模拟喀斯特生境下地经生长量、枝条生长量、光合曲线特征以及光合参数变化.结果表明:土壤干旱胁迫能显著降低青冈栎地径和枝条生长量,但在岩溶层有水的条件下,地径生长量不受土壤干旱胁迫影响;青冈栎的光合作用-光响应曲线符合非直角双曲线函数模型,不同处理光响应曲线的变化趋势基本一致;最大净光合速率和表观量子效率均表现为水分饱和＞水分适宜＞中度干旱＞重度干旱;土壤干旱胁迫使青冈栎光饱和点降低、光补偿点升高,但岩溶水层有水时情况发生改变.     

模拟贝壳砂水分变化对旱柳光合特性的影响

为探讨贝壳堤岛旱柳叶片光合特性的水分响应规律,以2 a生旱柳苗木为材料,模拟设置贝壳砂生境系列水分梯度,测定分析不同土壤水分条件下旱柳叶片的主要光合生理参数。结果表明:（1）直角双曲线修正模型可较好模拟旱柳叶片净光合速率的光响应过程,维持旱柳较高光合作用的土壤相对含水量（RWC）为50.1%～94.4%,适宜光强为800～1 600 μmol·m^-2·s^-1,水分对光强利用的补偿效应显著。（2）随土壤水分的降低,旱柳叶片净光合速率、光饱和点、表观量子效率及最大净光合速率均表现为先升高后降低;干旱和渍水胁迫条件下,旱柳叶片的光补偿点升高,光饱和点降低,光照生态幅变窄,光能利用效率降低,水分胁迫抑制光能效应明显。（3）随土壤水分的降低,旱柳叶片瞬时和潜在水分利用效率均表现为先升高后降低,分别在RWC为45.7%、40.6%时达到最大值,适度干旱胁迫可显著提高旱柳叶片的水分利用效率。（4）干旱和渍水胁迫均显著降低旱柳叶片的叶绿素含量和叶片水势,随土壤水分降低两者均表现为先升高后降低,叶绿素含量和叶片水势分别在RWC为58.9%、50.1%达到最高值。研究发现,贝壳砂生境旱柳叶片光合生理参数对土壤水分表现出一定的阈值响应,维持旱柳较高光合能力和水分利用效率的适宜土壤水分相对含量为50.1%～77.7%,表现为耐水湿不耐干旱的水分特性。     

水盐梯度下克里雅河流域芦苇光合响应特征

选择新疆克里雅河流域地下水埋深不同的样点芦苇为材料,采用Li-6400便携式光合系统仪对各样点芦苇的光合响应特征进行实地测定,探讨其适应干旱胁迫和盐胁迫环境的光合机理。结果显示:(1)在干旱区,当地下水位大于2m时,芦苇的光饱和点、表观量子效率、光呼吸速率随地下水位的下降显著降低,而水分利用效率却随着地下水位的下降呈上升趋势;随着地下水位的下降,芦苇的羧化效率、最大净光合速率、CO2饱和点显著下降,水分利用效率随之增大;1.6m地下水位的芦苇相对于2.7m地下水位下芦苇的最大净光合速率、光饱和点、光补偿点、暗呼吸速率分别下降19.98%、40.61%、37%、74.56%。(2)在盐胁迫下芦苇的光合参数整体低于受干旱胁迫的参数;盐胁迫下的芦苇水分利用效率大于受干旱胁迫环境。(3)与陆生环境下的芦苇相比,渍水条件下芦苇的最大净光合速率、光饱和点、光补偿点分别下降41.32%、14.56%、55.55%。研究表明,提高空气CO2供应量可降低水分利用效率从而缓解芦苇盐胁迫伤害,并且可通过调节气孔开闭程度显著增加水生芦苇最大净光合速率,这种变化是植物自身对环境因素变化的生理性反馈和适应性选择对策的结果。     

水分胁迫和温度对夏蜡梅叶片气体交换和叶绿素荧光特性的影响

夏蜡梅是浙江省特有的濒危单种属物种.本文研究了不同程度土壤水分胁迫和不同温度处理对2年生盆栽夏蜡梅光合作用的影响.结果表明:轻度和中度水分胁迫下夏蜡梅净光合速率分别下降至对照的92.3%和74.3%,净光合速率的降低主要由气孔限制引起;重度水分胁迫下,净光合速率仅为对照的44.4%,主要由非气孔限制引起.夏季夏蜡梅的光合适宜温度范围在20 ℃～28 ℃,39 ℃下其净光合速率、水分利用效率和最大光化学效率显著降低,暗呼吸速率和蒸腾速率显著升高.随着水分胁迫的加重及处理温度的升高,夏蜡梅光补偿点上升,光饱和点、表观量子效率和最大净光合速率下降.重度水分胁迫及高温是制约夏蜡梅生存的重要环境因子.     

贝壳砂生境干旱胁迫下杠柳叶片光合光响应模型比较

以黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛3年生杠柳(Periploca sepium)苗木为试验材料, 模拟设置贝壳砂生境下的4种水分梯度, 利用CIRAS-2型光合作用系统测定杠柳叶片在不同干旱胁迫下的光合作用光响应过程, 采用4种光响应模型进行拟合分析, 以比较贝壳砂生境干旱胁迫下适宜的光响应模型, 探讨最佳光响应模型参数对干旱胁迫的适应规律。结果表明: 4种模型对杠柳叶片光合作用光响应过程拟合效果的优劣顺序为: 直角双曲线修正模型>非直角双曲线模型>指数模型>直角双曲线模型, 后3种模型均为没有极值的函数, 故不能很好地拟合光响应曲线光抑制过程, 并不能直接求解最大净光合速率(P_nmax)和光饱和点(LSP)。光响应参数拟合效果最佳表现为: 非直角双曲线模型的暗呼吸速率(R_d), 直角双曲线模型的光补偿点(LCP), 直角双曲线修正模型的P_nmax和LSP。4种光响应模型对干旱胁迫具有不同的适应性, 直角双曲线修正模型适应各种水分条件, 直角双曲线模型和指数模型较适合轻度干旱胁迫条件, 非直角双曲线模型较适合重度干旱胁迫条件。随干旱胁迫的加剧, 光响应参数表观量子效率(AQY)、R_d和LCP先升高后下降, 净光合速率(P_n)、P_nmax和LSP逐渐下降。轻度、中度和重度干旱胁迫下, LSP分别比对照下降5.2%、16.3%和34.5%, P_nmax分别比对照下降17.8%、39.0%和59.0%。水分充足条件下, 杠柳叶片光能利用最强, 光照生态幅最宽; 重度干旱胁迫下, 杠柳叶片表现出明显的光饱和、光抑制现象, 光能利用减弱, 光合能力受到较大限制。     

呼伦贝尔草甸草原不同土壤水分梯度下羊草的光合特性

为探索气候变化引起的干旱可能对呼伦贝尔草甸草原生产力造成的影响,利用Li-6400便携式光合测定系统对呼伦贝尔草原4个土壤水分梯度下羊草的光合生理指标进行测定.结果表明:羊草叶片净光合速率的日变化在土壤质量含水量为(40±1)%、(20±1)%及(10±1)%的条件下呈双峰曲线,峰值分别出现在8:00和16:00,有明显的光合午休现象,在干旱胁迫(土壤质量含水量为(5±1)%)条件下变化趋势平缓,曲线双峰特征不明显,净光合速率大幅下降;叶片蒸腾速率和气孔导度的日变化趋势均呈双峰曲线;不同土壤水分梯度下羊草叶片胞间CO2浓度的日变化与净光合速率日变化趋势相反.通过光响应的研究表明,土壤水分胁迫使最大净光合速率、光饱和点、表观量子效率以及水分利用效率降低,而光补偿点升高.干旱胁迫降低了呼伦贝尔草甸草原植被的光合生产能力,从而可能导致草地生产力大幅下降.     

土壤干旱对转基因甘薯光合曲线的响应

采用盆栽试验的方法,设置适宜水分、中度干旱和重度干旱(土壤田间持水量的75%—80%、60%—65%和35%—40%)等3个土壤水分条件,以叶片同时转入Cu/Zn SOD和APX基因的甘薯和未转基因对照植株为材料,研究它们在不同水分条件下的光合响应特性。结果表明:在不同的土壤水分条件下,转基因(TS)和未转基因(NS)植株光响应曲线的变化趋势均基本一致,但转基因甘薯叶片的光合速率都高于未转基因植株,尤其是在严重的干旱胁迫下两者的差异最为显著,表明同时转入的Cu/Zn SOD和APX抗氧化酶基因有利于甘薯在干旱逆境下维持较高的光合能力。正常的水分水平及中度干旱胁迫下,TS和NS植株叶片的Pmax无明显差别,但在严重干旱条件下TS叶片的Pmax显著高于NS。在本试验中,与适宜水分处理相比,NS植株叶片的表观量子效率(φ)在中度干旱胁迫下就开始显著下降,而TS植株只是轻微下降,到严重干旱时,两者都显著下降,但是TS仍略高于NS植株。随着土壤干旱程度增加,甘薯叶片光补偿点(LCP)增高,光饱和点(LSP)、表观量子效率(φ)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)下降,表明干旱胁迫使气孔关闭,光能利用率降低,同时利用CO2的能力降低,光合产物消耗增加,不利于同化产物的积累,在干旱胁迫条件下,转基因甘薯叶片光补偿点(LCP)、光呼吸增高以及光饱和点下降的幅度均明显小于未转基因植株,这可能是因为转入的抗氧化酶基因提高干旱胁迫下叶片中酶促防御系统的活性,适度缓解了干旱逆境引起的膜脂过氧化伤害。     

干旱胁迫对多花黄精叶片光合特性的影响

以3年生多花黄精实生苗为材料,通过盆栽控水方式设置对照(80%土壤含水量)、轻度干旱(65%土壤含水量)、中度干旱(50%土壤含水量)和重度干旱(35%土壤含水量)4个处理,研究干旱胁迫对多花黄精叶片光合特性的影响,探讨多花黄精光合特性对干旱胁迫的响应规律。结果表明：(1)随着干旱胁迫程度的加深,多花黄精叶片叶绿素(a+b)含量、叶绿素b含量均呈先升高后下降的变化趋势,叶绿素a含量却逐渐下降,叶绿素a/b值和类胡萝卜素含量则呈“升高-下降-升高”的变化趋势。(2)多花黄精叶片净光合速率日变化在正常和轻度干旱胁迫条件下呈“单峰”曲线,而在中度和重度干旱胁迫条件下则表现为“双峰”曲线,且其“光合午休”现象的主要影响因素为非气孔限制。(3)随着干旱胁迫程度的加深,多花黄精叶片净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、光能利用效率日均值均随之下降,但其水分利用效率日均值却随之上升。(4)随着干旱胁迫程度的加深,多花黄精的光补偿点先降低再急剧增加,而光饱和点则呈先增加再降低的变化趋势,且其表观量子效率逐渐降低;同时,其CO₂补偿点和CO₂饱和点均随着干旱胁迫程度...     

干旱胁迫对日本荚蒾幼苗光合生理特性的影响

为了探讨极小种群野生植物日本荚蒾(Viburnum japonicum)对干旱胁迫的响应,以日本荚蒾二年实生苗为材料进行盆栽控水实验,设置正常供水(CK)、轻度干旱(LS)、中度干旱(MS)和重度干旱(SS)4个水分处理,研究持续干旱处理对日本荚蒾幼苗光合生理特性的影响。结果表明:在CK、LS、MS水分梯度下,日本荚蒾幼苗生长正常,但在SS胁迫下受影响明显,植株全部死亡。各胁迫阶段叶片净光合速率(P_n)、SPAD值、最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、表观量子效率(AQY)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)表现出随水分梯度的降低而减小,光饱和点(LSP)、光补偿点(LCP)则相反,各水分梯度下AQY随时间延长逐渐上升,SS处理幼苗在胁迫45d及以后P_n均为负值。最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)在胁迫过程中变化范围较小;实际光量子效率(ΦPSII)、电子传递速率(ETR)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)随土壤水分的减少而降低,非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)逐渐上升,LS、MS与CK间变化幅度较小,但SS与CK间差距逐渐增大。结果表明在轻度和中度干旱下日本荚蒾幼苗表现出一定的适应性和耐干旱能力,而长期重度干旱则对幼苗影响较为严重。     

四种植物种子萌发及苗期抗旱性差异的研究

对四种豆科植物种子萌发及苗期抗旱性作了比较研究,结果表示：种子萌发期抗旱笥强的植物其苗期抗旱性亦强。干旱引起组织脱水,植株生长受到抑制,幼苗出现衩始萎蔫时间与细胞膜受害时间一致。四种植物显示萎蔫时土壤含水量明显不同,红豆草为４．８０％、羊柴２．２％、花棒１．７４％、柠条１．５１％．据种子相对发芽率、膜透性变化等生理指标综合评定四种植物种子萌发及苗期抗旱能力次序为：柠条＞花棒＞羊柴＞红豆草。     

Factors influencing carbon fixation and water use by mediterranean sclerophyll shrubs during summer drought

Summary Mediterranean sclerophyll shrubs respond to seasonal drought by adjusting the amount of leaf area exposed and by reducing gas exchange via stomatal closure mechanisms. The degree to which each of these modifications can influence plant carbon and water balances under typical mediterranean-type climate conditions is examined. Leaf area changes are assessed in the context of a canopy structure and light microclimate model. Shifts in physiological response are examined with a mechanistically-based model of C₃ leaf gas exchange that simulates progressive reduction of maximum photosynthesis and transpiration rates and increasingly strong midday stomatal closure over the course of drought. The results demonstrate that midday stomatal closure may effectively contribute to drought avoidance, increase water use efficiency, and strongly alter physiological efficiency in the conversion of intercepted light energy to photoproducts. Physiological adjustments lead to larger reductions in water use than occur when comparing leaf area index 3.5 to 1.5, extremes found for natural stands of sclerophyll shrubs in the California chaparral. Reductions in leaf area have the strongest effect on resource capture and use during non-water-stressed periods and the least effect under extreme drought conditions, while shifts in physiological response lead to large savings of water and efficient water use under extreme stress. An important model parameter termed GFAC (proportionality factor expressing the relation of conductance [g] to net photosynthesis rate) is utilized, which changes in response to the integrated water stress experimence of shrubs and alters the degree to which stomata may open for a given rate of carbon fixation. We attempt to interpret this parameter in terms of physiological mechanisms known to modify control of leaf gas exchange during drought. The analysis helps visualize means by which canopy gas exchange behavior may be coupled to physiological changes occurring in the root environment during soil drying.     

干旱半干旱地区人工固沙灌木林生态系统演变特征

应用实验生态学方法分析了沙坡头地区栽植于1956、1964、1981、1987年的无灌溉人工植被固沙群落浅层土壤分形特征、植被盖度、物种特征、生物量、土壤水分、土壤微生物,以及群落土壤物理和土壤养分特征,并与流动沙丘进行比较。结果表明,在干旱半干旱的草原化荒漠地区,首先利用半隐蔽式草方格沙障对流动沙丘进行固定,然后栽植灌木柠条、花棒等和半灌木油蒿,经过40多年的稳定演变,该区域逐渐形成由矮灌木与草本植物覆盖,以及隐花植物与微生物土壤结皮复合的固定沙丘景观。在人工植被固沙防护体系稳定演变过程中,浅表层土壤的细粒化和养分富集化特征,微生物土壤结皮与亚表层土壤厚度,以及浅表层土壤体积含水率均随固沙年限的延长趋于显著增加。而土壤微生物数量、植被盖度、植物种数等生物群落学属性在固沙年限达40a左右时,已趋于最大,尔后呈缓慢下降趋势。随着固沙年限的增加,灌木树种不断衰退减少,当固沙年限逾17a之后,群落生物量增至峰值后略有下降。土壤分形维数与土壤粘粒含量呈显著正相关关系,流动沙丘被人工植被固定年代越久远,浅表层(0~3cm)土壤粘粒含量(4.50%)越高,其分形维数越大(D=2.4083),表明人工植被固沙防护体系浅表层土壤结构变得越紧实,流动沙丘(D=2.0484)在人工植被的固定作用下,发生逆转的趋势越显著,沙丘日趋固定。     

内蒙古高原锦鸡儿属植物的形态和生理生态适应性

比较研究内蒙古高原锦鸡儿属(Caragana)中生种,旱生种和强旱生种的叶片形态结构、渗透调节、气孔调节和保护酶,目的是揭示锦鸡儿属不同类型植物的生态适应策略。中生种叶片平展,被稀疏绿色短柔毛;旱生种叶片平展或呈瓦状,被灰色柔毛;强旱生种叶片呈瓦状或卷成筒状,被直立或伏帖绢毛。叶片厚度强旱生种>旱生种>中生种,叶片面积、生物量和比叶面积(SLA)强旱生种<旱生种<中生种。叶片长宽比,强旱生种和旱生种大于中生种。这些形态结构导致保水能力强旱生种>旱生种>中生种,光能利用能力中生种>旱生种>强旱生种。渗透调节物质含量、细胞质离子浓度和细胞渗透势强旱生种>旱生种>中生种。渗透调节物质含量的差异主要表现在强旱生种可溶性糖和无机离子含量远高于旱生种,后者又远高于中生种。叶含水量、自由水含量、叶水势和气孔导度中生种>旱生种>强旱生种,束缚水含量、束缚水/自由水比值、POD和SOD活性正好相反,CAT活性旱生种>中生种>强旱生种。这些生理特性导致抗旱能力强旱生种>旱生种>中生种,但代谢速率正好相反。旱生种和中生种表现出较少的日水分亏缺,强旱生种水分亏缺从清晨到傍晚持续大幅增加。细胞膜相对透性和MDA含量强旱生种>旱生种>中生种。自由基含量表现为旱生种>中生种>强旱生种。这些数据说明虽然旱生种和强旱生种形成了多种特点来适应干旱环境,但仍然是不充分的。结论:(1)分布于半湿润至半干旱区的锦鸡儿属中生种依靠活跃的代谢、大量的水分消耗和快速生长使其在生物环境中取得竞争优势;生活在干旱地区和强干旱地区的旱生种和强旱生种依靠低代谢、节水和高抗旱性来抵抗苛刻的非生物环境。(2) 旱生种和强旱生种主要通过可溶性糖和无机离子的积累,调节细胞质渗透势,保持水分平衡,这是一种相对节省能量的适应对策。     

Experimental Measurement of the Water Relations Parameters of Nine Shrubs and Some Ecological Interpretations

Determination of some water relations parameters of 9 shrubs with the Pressure-volume technique has shown that there were considerable variations in the water relations parameters of different shrubs and that some parameters were indicative for their adaptations to the ecological conditions. It has been found that two desert shrubs, Tetraena mongolica Maxim. and Zygophyllum xanthoxylon (Bge.) Maxim., exhibited strong ability of drought tolerance, whereas the typical sandy shrubs were quite diverse in adaptation strategy. Salix psammophila C. Wang et Ch. Y. Yang, Artemis& ordosica Krasch., Caragana intermedia Kuang et H. C. Fu and Ammopiptanthus mongolicus (Maxim.) were more or less close to each other in water relations parameters. Their фπ, p ranged from - 1.4 MPa to -2.4MPa, and Vp/Vo lay between 62% and 76%. However, some special features of adaptation were found in the other three species, e.g., Sabina vulgaris Ant., Hedysarum mongolicum Turcz. and Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch.     

CO2浓度倍增和土壤干旱对两种幼龄沙生灌木碳分配的影响

利用大型环境生长箱研究了两种幼龄沙地优势灌木柠条 (Caraganaintermedia) 和羊柴 (Hedysarummon golicum) 对CO2 浓度倍增和土壤干旱交互作用的响应。CO2 浓度倍增并没有改善两种沙生灌木叶片的水分状况, 而土壤干旱使叶片的相对含水量 (RWC) 显著降低。在土壤水分充足条件下, CO2 浓度倍增促进两种沙生灌木植株生长, 在干旱条件下则主要促进根的生长, 提高根冠比。土壤干旱显著减少了植株生物量, 但相对促进了根的生长, 特别是显著提高了羊柴的根冠比。CO2 倍增使稳定性碳同位素组分 (δ13 C) 降低, 但土壤干旱使之增加。两种沙生灌木叶片与根部的δ13 C值呈极显著线性关系, 羊柴的斜率大于柠条的, 表明前者叶片与根部在光合产物分配上具有较高的生态可塑性, 这和干旱条件下羊柴的根冠比增加相关联。羊柴的“源库”调节特性反映了对土壤水分胁迫具有较高的耐性。     

杨柴对高CO2浓度和土壤干旱胁迫的响应

毛乌素优势植物杨柴 (HedysarummongolicumTurcz.)对高CO2 浓度和土壤干旱胁迫响应的研究结果表明 :干旱胁迫可使杨柴根系伸长 ,根生物量、地径、主茎高和茎生物量下降 ;高CO2 浓度使杨柴根和茎生物量明显增加 ,CO2 的“施肥效应”显著 ,干旱使CO2 的“施肥效应”减弱。同时 ,土壤干旱胁迫使杨柴的根 /冠比增加 ,说明在土壤干旱胁迫情况下根的生长比地上部分 (茎 )的生长更活跃 ,有利于提高杨柴在干旱沙漠地区的固沙作用 ;CO2 浓度升高和土壤干旱胁迫均使杨柴叶片的水势下降 ,叶片水势的下降使叶片细胞对水分的束缚力增强 ,从而减少植物蒸腾耗水 ,有利于提高水资源的利用效率     

Gas exchange of a desert shrub (Zygophyllum dumosum Boiss.) under different soil moisture regimes during summer drought

The effects of soil water potential on photosynthesis and transpiration of whole Zygophyllum dumosum Boiss. shrubs were examined with a field IRGA system during a rainless summer. Daily photosynthesis and transpiration activities were not notably different on a unit phyllode area basis among shrubs at naturally differing soil water potentials. Irrigation of shrubs caused phyllodes to increase significantly in water content and new leaflets to appear. Leaflets had three times as many stomata per unit area (23000 stomata cm^-2) as phyllodes (7100 stomata cm^-2) but photosynthesis and transpiration rates were not measurably different between irrigated and non-irrigated shrubs on a unit area basis. This finding suggests that sufficient soil moisture will lead to increased carbon uptake of the entire shrub simply because the total area of photosynthesizing tissue increases. Gas exchange rates appear to be controlled solely by atmospheric conditions under the stresses of summer.     

Canopy vs. soil effects of shrubs facilitating tree seedlings in Mediterranean montane ecosystems

Abstract. Question: Is the facilitative effect of nurse shrubs on early recruitment of trees mediated by a ‘canopy effect’(microclimate amelioration and protection from herbivores), a ‘soil effect’(modification of soil properties), or both? Location: Two successional montane shrublands at the Sierra Nevada Protected Area, SE Spain. Method: Seedlings of Quercus and Pinus species were planted in four experimental treatments: (1) under shrubs; (2) in open interspaces without vegetation; (3) under shrubs where the canopies were removed; (4) in open interspaces but covering seedlings with branches, mimicking a shrub canopy. Results: Both effects benefited seedling performance. However, microclimatic amelioration due to canopy shading had the strongest effect, which was particularly pronounced in the drier site. Below‐ground, shrubs did not modify soil physical characteristics, organic matter, total N and P, or water content, but significantly increased available K, which has been shown to improve seedling water‐use efficiency under drought conditions. Conclusions: We propose that in Mediterranean montane ecosystems, characterised by a severe summer drought, pioneer shrubs represent a major safe site for tree early recruitment during secondary succession, improving seedling survival during summer by the modification of both the above‐and below‐ground environment.     

Comparative physiology of burned and unburned Rhus laurina after chaparral wildfire

Summary Laurel Sumac (Rhus laurina) is a dominant member of the coastal chaparral community of southern California that survives periodic burning by wildfires by resprouting from a lignotuber (root crown). We investigated the physiological basis for resprouting by comparing shoot elongation, leaf nitrogen content, tissue water status, leaf conductance to water vapor diffusion, and photosynthetic rates of post-fire R. laurina to those of adjacent unburned shrubs. Resprouts had higher rates of shoot elongation, leaf conductance, and photosynthesis than mature, unburned shrubs. Leaf nitrogen contents were elevated in burned shrubs even though their leaves developed interveinal chlorosis. A comparison of soil water potential to predawn water potential indicated that roots of R. laurina remain active below 2 m during the first summer drought after wildfire. Our results support the hypothesis that lignotubers not only contain dormant buds that develop into aerial shoots after wildfire but they also supply nutrient resources that enhance shoot elongation. Because R. laurina is relatively sensitive to drought, yet very successful in its rapid recovery after fire, maintaining an active root system after shoot removal may be the primary function of the massive lignotuber formed by this species.