水曲柳苗木地下竞争与地上竞争的定量研究

对3种密度进行栽培试验,利用通径分析的方法,研究了水曲柳地下竞争和地上竞争的关系及对总竞争的影响。结果表明,水曲柳苗木的地下部分生物量、地上部分生物量和总生物量与营养空间有密切关系。随着苗木空间距离增加,由生物量计算的竞争指数下降。在同一密度条件下,地下竞争指数明显大于地上竞争指数。由于地下生长与地上生长的相互作用,各竞争指数之间具有明显的相关性。但是地下竞争和地上竞争对总竞争的影响是不同的,通径分析可以定量的区分地下竞争和地上竞争的相对大小。地下竞争对总竞争的直接作用范围在0．5543～0．7426之间,明显大于地上竞争对总竞争的直接作用(0．2851～0．5282)。随着距离的增加,单株苗木的生长空间加大,地上部分的竞争作用增加,地下部分的竞争程度减弱。但是,地下根系的竞争在水曲柳苗木总的竞争中占有重要地位。     

不同密度大叶相思林的竞争效应

对不同密度4年生大叶相思Acacia auriculiformis林分的竞争指数进行研究,以便为合理管理和利用大叶相思人工林提供理论依据。结果表明,随着密度的降低,大叶相思林的各器官竞争指数呈减小趋势。在同一密度条件下,地上竞争指数明显大于地下竞争指数。由于地下生长与地上生长的相互作用,各竞争指数之间具有明显的相关性。通径分析表明,地上竞争对总竞争的直接作用明显大于地下竞争对总竞争的直接作用。     

植物种群自疏过程中构件生物量与密度的关系

不论是在对植物种群自疏规律还是在对能量守衡法则的研究中,个体大小(M)大多针对植物地上部分生物量,地下部分和构件生物量及其动态十分重要又多被忽视。以1年生植物荞麦为材料研究了自疏种群地下部分生物量、包括地下部分的个体总生物量以及各构件生物量与密度的关系。结果表明:平均地上生物量和个体总生物量与密度的异速关系指数(γabove-ground和γindividual)分别为-1.293和-1.253,与-4/3无显著性差异(P>0.05),为-4/3自疏法则提供了有力证据;平均根生物量-密度异速指数γroot(-1.128)与-1无显著性差异(P>0.05),与最终产量恒定法则一致;平均茎生物量-密度异速指数γstem(-1.263)接近-4/3(P>0.05),平均叶生物量-密度异速指数γleaf(-1.524)接近-3/2(P>0.05),分别符合-4/3自疏法则与-3/2自疏法则;而繁殖生物量与密度的异速关系指数γreproductive(-2.005)显著小于-3/2、-4/3或-1(P<0.001)。因此,不存在一个对植物不同构件普适的生物量-密度之间的关系。光合产物在地上和地下构件的生物量分配格局以及构件生物量与地上生物量之间特异的异速生长关系导致不同构件具有不同的自疏指数。无论对于地上生物量还是个体总生物量,荞麦种群能量均守衡,而对于地下生物量,荞麦种群能量不守衡。     

密度对尖头叶藜生物量分配格局及异速生长的影响

植物器官指示植物不同的功能,而植物器官生物量分配比例的变化表征了植物对资源获取能力的调整。在植物生长发育过程中,植物各器官呈一种明显的异速生长规律。利用异速生长分析方法,通过模拟不同密度(16、44.4、100、400株/m~2)下尖头叶藜(Chenopodium acuminatum)的生长特性,研究密度对尖头叶藜器官生物量分配格局及异速生长的影响。结果表明,随密度增加,尖头叶藜地上和地下器官都存在不同程度的竞争:其中,根和主茎生物量分配增加,茎和地上生物量分配减少,而叶和繁殖生物量分配不随密度变化而变化。研究发现,尖头叶藜各器官间具有显著的异速生长关系:其中叶∶主茎、根∶地上部分、根∶茎、根∶主茎、繁殖器官∶地上部分及繁殖器官∶根生物量间的异速生长不随密度变化而变化,属于表观可塑性;而叶∶地上部分、叶∶根、叶∶茎、茎∶地上部分、主茎∶地上部分、繁殖器官∶茎、繁殖器官∶主茎生物量间具有极显著的异速生长关系,异速指数和个体大小显著受密度变化影响,属于真正可塑性,这表明密度能够影响尖头叶藜各器官的生长变化。尖头叶藜叶∶主茎、叶∶根及主茎∶地上部分生物量间的异速指数在D4-密度时与3/4差异不显著(P0.05),符合生态代谢理论,而在D1—D3密度时与3/4差异显著(P0.05),表明充分竞争的植株更符合代谢理论,而竞争不激烈的植株对资源的投入具有物种特异性。     

红葱种群地上和地下构件的密度制约调节

虽然个体大小和密度的关系是植物生态学研究的中心问题, 但是大多数基础研究只观测植株地上部分的生物量, 即地上部分大小-密度关系, 而对于地下构件大小-密度关系的研究十分薄弱。因为植物个体的生长是构件变化的过程, 所以个体大小和密度的关系不仅表现为种群水平和个体水平, 也表现为构件水平。该文研究了5个密度(36、49、64、121和225株·m^-2)的红葱(Allium cepa var. proliferum)种群地下构件密度制约调节规律及其与地上构件密度制约调节规律的关系, 地下部分和全株(包括地上部分和地下部分)的密度制约调节规律, 及二者与地上部分密度制约调节规律的关系。结果表明: (1)不同密度环境下, 植物的表型可以通过各器官形态的可塑性反应发生调整; 植株地下构件和地上构件的各个特征(株高、叶片长、叶片数、鳞茎直径、分蘖重)均与密度呈显著的线性相关关系; (2)平均根、鳞茎、叶片和鞘生物量均与密度呈显著的幂函数负相关关系, 但异速指数不同: 鳞茎(-1.14)<叶片(-1.03)<根(-0.78)<鞘(-0.49), 表明地下构件的大小和地上构件的大小随密度的变化不一致; (3)平均地下、地上和个体生物量均与种群密度呈显著的幂函数负相关关系, 但异速指数不同, 分别为: -1.13、-0.95和-0.98, 表明地上部分大小和全株大小随种群密度的变化基本一致, 但与地下部分大小的变化不一致。总之, 密度制约对植株地下构件的调节作用大于地上构件, 对地下部分的调节作用大于地上部分, 红葱种群对地下资源的竞争占主导地位。     

不同休牧模式对东祁连山高寒草甸草原植被特征变化的影响

对东祁连山高寒草甸区不同休牧模式下植物群落特征和地下根系生物量进行比较研究,试验设传统夏季休牧(TG)、全生长季休牧(RG)和全年禁牧(NG)3个处理。结果表明:与TG处理相比,RG和NG处理增加了垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)和冷地早熟禾(Poa crymophila)的重要值、各功能群(禾本科、莎草科、豆科和杂类草)植物的高度、禾本科植物密度和生物量以及总地上、地下生物量,其中以NG处理区效果最为明显;同时RG和NG处理降低了杂类草植物的重要值、地下与地上生物量的比值以及杂类草的生物量和密度;在3种休牧模式中,Shannon-Wiener指数(H)、Pielou均匀度指数(J)和丰富度指数(S)及群落总密度的排列顺序均为:NGTGRG。研究表明,短期禁牧和全生长季休牧是提升青藏高原高寒草甸草原生产力与生态恢复的重要措施之一。     

密度制约决定的植物生物量分配格局

基于自然环境下红葱(Allium cepa var.proliferum)个体各器官生物量积累动态、生物量分配比例动态、生物量比率动态和形态性状对不同种群密度(36、49、64、121和225株·m-2)响应的模拟实验,分析了密度制约对其生物量分配格局的影响。结果表明:红葱地上部分、叶和鞘的生物量分配比例均随密度的增加而增加,地下部分和鳞茎的分配比例随密度的增加而下降,而根的分配比例未随密度发生显著变化。除根:叶、根:地上比在密度处理间无显著差异外,各器官间生物量比率均表现出明显的密度依赖性。随着个体的生长,根:鞘、根:叶、根:地上比逐渐减小,鳞茎:叶、鳞茎:鞘、鳞茎:地上比先减小后增加,而地上:地下比先增加后减小。比叶面积与密度呈显著正相关(P<0.01),叶面积和根长与密度呈显著负相关(P<0.05),而比根长不受密度的影响。由此可见,种内竞争水平会对植物体内的资源分配产生较大影响;植物生物量分配格局响应不同密度具有可塑性,随着密度的增加,红葱个体会增加地上营养器官的生物量分配,并以减小地下无性繁殖器官的生物量分配为代价。最优化分配理论仅在无竞争存在的情况下适用,当竞争发生时,种群密度及其制约性调节是决定...     

植物竞争对3种移植树苗生长的影响

在植物幼苗生长过程中,总是受到包括地下根竞争在内的各种竞争影响。植物间的竞争主要同有效光辐射、水分和各种营养相关。当外来植物侵入森林群落时,可能受到群落中其它植物竞争的影响。该文通过移植尾叶桉(Eucalyptus urophylla)、大叶相思(Acacia auriculaeformis)两种外来种和本地种荷木(Schima superba)幼苗,挖沟排除根竞争和砍树创造林窗来排除地上竞争的野外实验,研究植物竞争对幼苗生长的影响。有根竞争时,荷木、尾叶桉和大叶相思幼苗的生物量和净初级生产力均小于没有根竞争时,可见地下根竞争对3种幼苗生长有抑制性影响。尾叶桉、大叶相思和荷木3种幼苗受到的总竞争强度分别是0.357 9、0.338 3和0.198 9,受到的地下根竞争强度则分别是0.104 3、0.053 04和0.118 8,受到的地上竞争强度则分别是0.285 1、0.277 0和0.090 85。尾叶桉和大叶相思两种幼苗受到的总竞争强度间的差异不显著,但都显著大于荷木;3种幼苗受到的地上竞争强度间的差异同总竞争强度情况相似;尾叶桉和荷木两种幼苗受到的地下根竞争强度间的差异不显著,但都显著大于大叶相思。地上竞争对阳性树种尾叶桉和大叶相思两种幼苗的生长影响大,而地下根竞争则对耐阴性强的荷木幼苗影响大。尾叶桉和大叶相思两种外来种幼苗受到的总竞争强度均大于本地种荷木幼苗,这反映了这两种外来树种侵入次生林这样的群落受到竞争影响大。     

密度对四季竹地上生物量分配格局及异速增长模式的制约性调节

为了给四季竹(Oligostachyum lubricum)高效培育的林分结构建立提供理论依据,对立竹胸径基本一致的4种立竹密度(24600 ～ 29800株·hm-2,D1;37500 ～ 42600株·hm-2,D2;46500 ～ 52800株·hm-2,D3;76500～ 85500株·hm-2,D4)四季竹纯林进行了1～3 a立竹地上生物量积累、分配与异速生长模式的研究.结果表明:四季竹立竹构件生物量分配比例秆＞叶＞枝.随着立竹年龄增大,不同密度的四季竹林立竹秆、枝、叶生物量和地上生物量及叶/枝、叶/秆、枝/秆构件生物量比总体上均呈增大趋势,且2 a、3 a立竹显著高于1 a立竹,枝、叶生物量分配比例呈升高趋势,而秆生物量分配比例呈下降趋势.随着立竹密度增大,1～3a立竹地上生物量、构件生物量总体上呈“∧”型变化,D1～D3密度时逐渐升高,D4密度时显著下降,各年龄立竹枝、叶生物量分配比例降低,而秆生物量比例增大,叶/枝、叶/秆、枝/秆生物量比总体上1 a立竹呈倒“N”型变化,2 a、3 a立竹呈下降趋势.叶-枝构件生物量符合近等速增长模式,异速生长指数随密度的增大而小幅度下降,叶-秆、枝-秆构件生物量符合简单异速增长模式,异速生长指数随密度的增大分别呈升高、先升高后降低的变化趋势.研究表明,当超出一定密度时(D2密度以上),四季竹立竹生物量分配更趋向于支撑构件(秆),以促进立竹纵向生长来获取更多的光资源;46500～ 52800株·hm-2是试验四季竹林立竹生物量高效积累和有效分配的密度.     

野生和栽培滇龙胆草生物量分配及异速生长

植物地上-地下生物量分配反映了植物的生长策略。草本植物地上-地下生物量是否是等速生长还有争论。养分和密度会影响药用植物地上-地下生物量的分配。本研究比较了野生和栽培滇龙胆草地上-地下生物量分配的差异,分析了栽培年限和密度对栽培滇龙胆草生物量分配的影响。结果表明,野生与栽培滇龙胆草地上-地下生物量分配存在显著差异(P0.05),可能与土壤营养水平和竞争强度有关,但地下生物量和地上生物量为近等速生长关系。密度、密度与生长年限的交互作用均对地下生物量有显著影响(P0.05)。滇龙胆草栽培时需控制密度并研究施肥和土壤微生物等因素对其药用部位产量(地下生物量)的影响。     

Effects of above- and below-ground competition from shrubs on photosynthesis, transpiration and growth in Quercus robur L. seedlings

For a tree seedling to successfully establish in dense shrubbery, it must maintain function under heterogeneous resource availability. We evaluated leaf-level acclimation in photosynthetic capacity, seedling-level transpiration, and seedling morphology and growth to gain an understanding of the effects of above- and below-ground competition on Quercus robur seedlings. Experimental seedlings were established in a typical southern Swedish shrub community where they received 1 of 4 competition levels (above-ground, below-ground, above- and below-ground, or no competition), and leaf-level responses were examined between two growth flushes. Two years after establishment, first-flush leaves from seedlings receiving above-ground competition showed a maximum rate of photosynthesis (A_max) 40% lower than those of control seedlings. With the development of a second flush above the shrub canopy, A_max of these seedlings increased to levels equivalent to those of seedlings free of light competition. Shrubby competition reduced oak seedling transpiration such that seedlings exposed to above- and below-ground competition showed rates 43% lower than seedlings that were not exposed to competition. The impaired physiological function of oak seedlings growing amid competition ultimately led to a 60-74% reduction in leaf area, 29-36% reduction in basal diameter, and a 38-78% reduction in total biomass accumulation, but root to shoot ratio was not affected. Our findings also indicate that above-ground competition reduced A_max, transpiration and biomass accumulation more so than below-ground competition. Nevertheless, oak seedlings exhibited the ability to develop subsequent growth flushes with leaves that had an A_max acclimated to utilize increased light availability. Our findings highlight the importance of flush-level acclimation under conditions of heterogeneous resource availability, and the capacity of oak seedlings to initiate a positive response to moderate competition in a shrub community.     

Management of below-ground biomass of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Typha angustifolia</Emphasis> by harvesting shoots above the water surface on different summer days

A dynamic model of regrowth in Typha angustifolia after cutting shoots above the water surface was formulated by characterizing the phenology and mobilization of resources from below-ground to above-ground organs after the cutting. The model parameters were determined by two cutting experiments to investigate the different strategies with flowering and non-flowering shoots after cutting in 2001 and by four cutting experiments to elucidate the regrowth characteristics after cutting on different days from June to September in 2002. A difference was evident both for flowering and non-flowering shoots and for each cutting day. From June to August, non-flowering shoots regrew immediately after cutting, but flowering shoots did not. The shoot regrowth height, number of leaves and shoot biomass were higher with the earlier cutting. The model was validated using the below-ground biomass observed in December 2002 and below-ground dynamics observed in 2003. In the low-flowering shoot zone of the stands, in which the percentage of flowering shoots was small (around 10%), the decrease in below-ground biomass became larger from June (20%) to August (60%). Cutting the high-flowering shoot zone (flowering shoots: 78%) in July 2001, just 1 week after peduncle formation, decreased the below-ground biomass by about 50%. In the low-flowering shoot zone, cutting just before senescence is better for decreasing below-ground biomass with a smaller rate of flowering shoots. The difference of below-ground biomass reduction in non-flowering shoots is mainly due to the decrease in downward translocation (DWT) of above-ground material to below-ground organs during senescence, because of the decrease in regrowth biomass. As for flowering shoots, the decrease in the photosynthate transportation from above-ground to below-ground organs and that of DWT are closely related because they cannot grow again within the season.     

Responses of Fraxinus excelsior seedlings to grass-induced above- and below-ground competition

The competitive interactions between woody seedlings and herbaceous vegetation have received increasing interest in recent years. However, little is known about the relative contributions and underlying mechanisms of above- and below-ground competition between species. We used a novel experimental approach to assess the responses of Fraxinus excelsior seedlings to different combinations of root and shoot competition imposed by the grass Dactylis glomerata under greenhouse conditions. Seedling growth was significantly reduced by competition for soil resources, but neither biomass nor height were significantly affected by shoot competition for light. Competitive response indices based on biomass confirmed that below-ground competition was more important than above-ground competition, and indicated that root and shoot competition did not interact to influence plant growth. Fraxinus biomass allocation and seedling traits were almost all significantly affected by root competition; these responses varied depending on the trait examined. In contrast, morphological responses to shoot competition were limited. In the absence of root competition, seedlings showed a significant increase in the biomass allocated to leaves and a greater leaf area ratio in response to shoot competition. Our findings suggest that morphological modifications help to mitigate the negative effects of competition, but the expression of plasticity may be suboptimal due to resource constraints. The present study also highlights the importance of appropriate experimental controls and analysis to avoid confounding effects of experimental design and ontogeny on the interpretation of competitive responses.     

Competitive effects of the invasive shrub,Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder (Caprifoliaceae), on the growth and survival of native tree seedlings

Invasive plants are often associated with reduced cover of native plants, but rarely has competition between invasives and natives been assessed experimentally. The shrub Lonicera maackii, native to northeastern Asia, has invaded forests and old fields in numerous parts of eastern North America, and is associated with reduced tree seedling density in Ohio forests. A field experiment was conducted to test the effects of established L. maackii on the survival and growth of transplanted native tree species. The experiment examined above-ground competition (by removing L. maackii shoots) and below-ground competition (by trenching around transplanted seedlings). The effects of above-ground competition with L. maackii were generally more important than below-ground competition, though both were detected. Shoot treatment was the key determinant for the survival of all species except P. serotina, whereas trenching only enhanced survival for A. saccharum caged and P. serotina, and only in the shoot removal treatment. For the surviving seedlings, L. maackii shoot removal increased growth of A. saccharum seedlings protected with cages, but actually reduced the growth of unprotected Q. rubra and A. saccharum seedlings, indicating that L. maackii shoots confer some protection from deer browsing. Significant interactions between root and shoot treatment on Q. rubra growth parameters, specifically greatest growth in the shoot present & trenched treatment, is attributed to protection from deer browsing combined with release from below-ground competition. Despite this protective function of L. maackii shoots, the overall effect of this invasive shrub is increased mortality of native tree seedlings, suggesting it impacts the natural regeneration of secondary forests.     

密度对濒危物种疏花水柏枝幼苗存活与生长的影响

疏花水柏枝(Myricarialaxiflora)原产于三峡库区长江干流的河滩,三峡水库的蓄水淹没了其所有的野生种群,使之濒临绝灭。通过一系列的密度处理实验,我们研究了不同密度下疏花水柏枝幼苗的存活率、幼苗总生物量、地下生物量、地上生物量、一级枝数、二级枝数、一级枝长度的变化,揭示了密度对一年生幼苗存活与生长的影响。结果显示,随着密度的增加,疏花水柏枝种群内部的竞争加剧,幼苗的死亡率增加,特别是当密度大于250ind./m2时,死亡率显著上升,上述体现植株生长状况的各指标值也随密度的增加而显著减小。表明疏花水柏枝一年生幼苗的存活与生长受到密度的影响。文中还建立了密度影响下疏花水柏枝各构件部分生长发育的回归模型,解释了密度对它们的调节作用。最后对疏花水柏枝种群重建中的相关问题进行了分析讨论,以求为回归引种实践提供参考。     

Are epiphytes a significant component of intertidal Zostera noltii beds?

The role of epiphytes in an intertidal Zostera noltii seagrass bed in Marennes-Oléron Bay was assessed in comparison with the other main benthic primary producers (Z. noltii, microphytobenthos) at two bathymetric levels and on a seasonal basis. Assemblage and biomass of epiphytes were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Z. noltii and its detrital matter followed a typical seasonal pattern: microphytobenthos was present in large quantities throughout the year representing 21% of the total biomass while detrital matter, above-ground parts and below-ground parts accounted for 65, 9 and 5%, respectively. Only two species of epiphytic diatoms, Cocconeis scutellum and Cocconeis placentula, were observed on seagrass leaves. Epiphyte biomass was very low, representing on average less than 0.001% of that of microphytobenthos or leaves. This low epiphyte biomass is linked with the absence of macroalgae and also with the low biovolume of Cocconeis, which formed a monolayer of cells on leaves. This can be explained by the severe conditions of the intertidal and the high leaf turn-over of Z. noltii leaves.     

Effects of dwarf bamboo (Fargesia denudata) density on biomass, carbon and nutrient distribution pattern

Dense dwarf bamboo population is a structurally and functionally important component in many subalpine forest systems. To characterize the effects of stem density on biomass, carbon and majority nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) distribution pattern, three dwarf bamboo (Fargesia denudata) populations with different stem densities (Dh with 220 ± 11 stems m^?2, Dm with 140 ± 7 stems m^?2, and Dl with 80 ± 4 stems m^?2, respectively) were selected beneath a bamboo-fir (Picea purpurea) forest in Wanglang National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China. Leaf, branch, rhizome, root and total biomass of dwarf bamboo increased with the increase of stem density, while carbon and nutrient concentrations in bamboo components decreased. Percentages of below-ground biomass and element stocks to total biomass and stocks decreased with the increase of stem density, whereas above-ground biomass and element stocks exhibited the opposite tendency. Moreover, more above-ground biomass and elements were allocated to higher part in the higher density population. In addition, percentages of culm biomass, above-ground biomass and element stocks below 100 cm culm height (H₁₀₀) increased with the increase of stem density, while percentages of branch and leaf biomass below H₁₀₀ decreased. Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed that root biomass, above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass and total biomass significantly correlated to leaf biomass in H_100?200 and total leaf biomass within high density population, while they significantly correlated to leaf biomass in H_50?150 within low density population. The results suggested that dwarf bamboo performed an efficient adaptive strategy to favor limited resources by altering biomass, carbon and nutrients distribution pattern in the dense population.     

Growth dynamics and biomass allocation of Eleocharis sphacelata at different water depths: observations, modeling, and applications

Imbalanced biomass allocation patterns in emergent aquatic plants to above and below-ground structures as a response to climatic variations and water depth were investigated on the basis of observation of three stable homogeneous populations established under different water regimes and climatic environments in Goulburn and Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia, from August 2003 to December 2004. The growth of shoots depended on water inundation-drawdown patterns and climatic variations. Shoot density was greater in shallow water but with shorter shoot length and less maximum above-ground biomass density than for plant stands in deep water. Deep-water populations attained higher below-ground biomass with higher above to below-ground biomass ratio than for the shallow-water population. Translocation of carbohydrate reserves between above and below-ground organs in deep-water populations were mostly downward throughout the year whereas the depletion–recharge pattern varied seasonally in shallow water populations. Shoots of deep-water populations grew year-round whereas in shallow water shoots died off after recession of the water level with no re-growth afterward, showing that Eleocharis sphacelata is better adapted to deep water and is stressed under shallow-water conditions. A mathematical model was formulated to describe the growth patterns of E. sphacelata and subsequently to predict the effect of water depth on production. Model simulations are in satisfactory agreement with observed patterns of growth. The model also predicts that maximum production decreases sharply with increasing water depth.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acer rubrum</Emphasis> (red maple) growth is negatively affected by soil from forest stands dominated by its invasive congener (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acer platanoides</Emphasis>, Norway maple)

Invasive species continue to alter the plant communities of the eastern United States. To better understand the mechanisms and characteristics associated with invasive success, we studied competition between two Acer species. In a greenhouse, we tested (1) the effect of forest soil type (beneath an invasive and native stand) on seedling growth of the invasive Acer platanoides (Norway maple) and native A. rubrum (red maple), and the (2) effects of full (above- and below-ground) and partial inter-specific competition on species growth. We found A. rubrum growth was negatively affected by soil from the invaded stand, as it had lower above-ground (32%) and below-ground (26%) biomass, and number of leaves (20%) than in the native soil. The root:shoot resource allocations of A. platanoides depended on soil type, as it had 14% greater root:shoot mass allocation in the native soil; this ability to change root:shoot allocation may be contributing to the ecological success of the species. Widely published as having a large ecological amplitude, A. rubrum may be a useful species for ecological restoration where A. platanoides has been present, but the impacts of A. platanoides on soil functioning and subsequent plant interactions must be addressed before protocols for native reintroductions are improved and implemented.     

The Effects of Competition on Growth and Biomass Allocation in Nymphoides peltata (Gmel.) O. Kuntze Growing in Microcosm

Two experiments were designed to investigate the effects of competition on growth and biomass allocation in Nymphoides peltata. First, competition between N. peltata and Zizania latifolia was assigned with the densities of N. peltata to Z. latifolia ratios of 4:0, 4:2, 4:4 and 4:8. The increase of density of Z. latifolia resulted in apparent decrease of total biomass, relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and mean leaf area per plant of N. peltata. N. peltata allocated above-ground biomass to shoots and roots and decreased the ratios of above-ground to below-ground biomass (A _b/B _b) with increasing density of Z. latifolia. Second, competitions between N. peltata and emerged Z. latifolia, floating-leavedTrapa bispinosa and submerged Myriophyllum spicatum were studied in the mean time. Total biomass, A _b/B _b and mean leaf area per plant of N. peltata were higher when competing with floating-leaved T. bispinosa than in N. peltata growing in the community with submerged M. spicatum and emerged Z. latifolia. There were no significant differences in RGR, net assimilation rate (NAR) and LAR of N. peltata when growing with each of the competitor species. Our studies indicate that the growth of N. peltata is strongly inhibited by the presence of Z. latifolia, and N. peltata can show certain competitive advantages over T. bispinosa and M. spicatum.