5个温带树种冠层枝叶非结构性碳水化合物浓度的空间变异

非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)是树木存活和生长的重要能源物质。冠层NSC不但是全树NSC的来源,也是全树NSC的重要储存库。然而,冠层NSC空间变异的研究较少,因而影响了树木NSC分配的估算精度。以红松(Pinus koraiensis)、兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)、水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)、蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)和白桦(Betula platyphylla)5个温带树种为研究对象,测定了不同高度冠层叶和细枝(直径≤3 cm)NSC浓度,分析了粗枝(一级侧枝)枝皮、边材和心材NSC浓度轴向变化及其与枝径的关系。结果表明:(1)除了5月末兴安落叶松树冠中层叶淀粉浓度显著高于树冠下层,以及8月中旬树冠上层叶可溶性糖浓度显著高于树冠中层之外,其他树种冠层叶NSC浓度的垂直变化不显著。常绿树种红松叶龄对NSC浓度的影响在生长季中期显著,但在生长季末期和休眠季节的影响不显著。(2)除了5月末红松树冠上层细枝可溶性糖浓度显著高于树冠中层之外,其他树种不同高度冠层间细枝NSC浓度差异不显著。(3)在纵向上,阔叶树种蒙古栎、水曲柳和白桦粗枝的枝皮、边材和心材NSC浓度多随着距树枝基部距离的增加而升高;在径向上,NSC浓度(除了水曲柳边材淀粉和白桦枝皮淀粉之外)多随着枝径增加而降低,表明树枝中的NSC浓度随着远离碳源而降低。总体上,5个温带树种冠层叶、细枝NSC浓度的空间变异不显著,但枝径和叶龄对NSC浓度的影响因树种、组织和季节而异,这在未来研究中应予考虑。     

温带12个树种新老树枝非结构性碳水化合物浓度比较

非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)是树木存活的重要碳储备。以温带12个树种(红松、樟子松、红皮云杉、兴安落叶松、蒙古栎、春榆、水曲柳、胡桃楸、山杨、大青杨、白桦和紫椴)为对象,在不同物候期取样7次以比较新枝和老枝的NSC浓度的季节动态,分析新枝和老枝的可溶性糖和淀粉浓度的关系,探索引起树枝NSC种间差异的原因。结果表明:除了山杨和大青杨之外,其它树种的新枝和老枝NSC浓度具有相似的季节动态,且新枝NSC浓度普遍高于老枝。常绿树种发芽前老枝TNC(总非结构性碳水化合物,即糖和淀粉之和)浓度快速上升,发芽后TNC变化较小,秋季TNC略有回升。落叶树种展叶前多数树种老枝TNC浓度下降;完全展叶后新枝和老枝TNC浓度均逐渐升高;秋季新枝和老枝的TNC大量积累,在休眠季节部分淀粉转化为可溶性糖。所有树种的新老枝中可溶性糖和淀粉均具有显著的线性关系;而可溶性糖、淀粉和TNC在新枝和老枝之间也均有显著的相关性。除了红皮云杉、春榆(缺乏数据)和蒙古栎(夏季出现两次生长)之外,其它9个树种老枝的TNC浓度的季节平均值、最大值和储存能力均随枝长生长期的延长而显著下降,说明枝长生长期与TNC存储功能之间相关联。     

4种温带针叶树种树干CO_2释放通量的季节动态及其驱动因子

树干CO_2释放通量(E_s)是森林生态系统碳收支的重要组分,但是目前对E_s的季节动态和树种间差异的调控认识不足。该文采用红外气体分析法于2013年7–10月和2014年3–7月原位测定了东北温带森林中4个针叶树种(红松(Pinus koraiensis)、红皮云杉(Picea koraiensis)、樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica)和落叶松(又名兴安落叶松)(Larix gmelinii))的E_s、树干温度(Ts)等因子,旨在比较分析E_s的季节动态和树种间差异及其驱动因子。结果发现:整个测定期间4个树种E_s的时间动态总体上与Ts变化一致,高峰值出现在温度较高和生长迅速的夏季(5月末–7月初),最小值则出现在温度较低的春季(3月末–4月末)或秋季(10月)。Ts分别解释了所有树种生长季(5–9月)和非生长季(其他月份)E_s变异性的42%–91%和56%–89%。进一步分析发现,除了Ts之外,生长季期间4个树种的E_s与日胸围生长量、樟子松和落叶松的E_s与空气相对湿度、樟子松的E_s与边材氮浓度也显著相关。这些结果表明Ts是影响E_s的主导环境因子,但影响程度随树种、生长节律变化而变化。同一树种生长季的E_s显著高于非生长季,而同一季节不同树种之间E_s差异显著。生长季不同树种E_s的温度系数(Q10值)的差异不显著(波动在1.64–2.09之间),但在非生长季却存在显著性差异(波动在1.80–3.14之间);并且红皮云杉、樟子松和落叶松生长季的Q10值均显著低于非生长季,说明不同树种E_s对温度变化响应的差异主要表现在非生长季。上述这些温带针叶树E_s的季节和种间变化受温度等多因子联合驱动,因此采用单一的E_s温度响应方程会增大E_s年通量估测的不确定性。     

黑龙江省次生林主要组成树种光合能力与叶片含氮量研究

以黑龙江省次生林主要组成树种蒙古栎、白桦、水曲柳、山杨、胡桃楸、黄波罗为研究对象,测定自然状态下这6个树种的光合能力,并分析光合能力与叶片含氮量之间的关系.研究结果表明,树种的光合能力存在明显的季节变化,不同树种间的光合能力、光合潜力存在差异.生长季中,胡桃楸具有最高的光合能力最大值,白桦具有最高的年平均光合能力,蒙古栎具有最大的光合潜力.蒙古栎叶片含氮量与光合能力线性正相关(r=0.97),白桦、水曲柳叶片含氮量与光合能力呈二次曲线相关(r=0.61,r=0.51).     

樟子松幼树株高及其逆境生理指标对沙埋的响应特征

以3龄樟子松幼树为材料,2013年在科尔沁沙地研究了不同沙埋深度下其株高、叶片膜透性、渗透调节物质含量及保护酶活性变化,以揭示沙埋条件下樟子松幼树生长及其对逆境的生理响应特征。结果显示:(1)在沙埋深度低于株高以上2cm时被埋樟子松幼树能够正常生长,其株高和芽长均明显高于非沙埋对照,并以沙埋深度为株高的50%时增长幅度最大;当沙埋深度超过株高2cm以上时,虽然植株高度和芽长也较埋前有一定增长,但均低于对照,且所有处理植株均未破土,后来全部死亡。(2)所有沙埋处理的叶片可溶性糖含量均显著低于对照,而POD活性显著高于对照,可溶性蛋白质和脯氨酸含量也高于对照。(3)随沙埋深度增加,叶片相对含水量总体呈增加趋势,但大多数处理与对照差异不显著;丙二醛含量基本呈显著下降趋势,可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量先增加后下降,而大多数处理的膜透性与对照差异不显著;随着沙埋深度增加,叶片可溶性糖含量显著下降,SOD和POD活性均先增加后下降。(4)相关分析显示,樟子松幼树叶片膜透性变化与MDA含量变化相关性几乎为零,可溶性蛋白与脯氨酸含量呈显著正相关关系,可溶性糖含量与脯氨酸含量呈显著负相关关系。研究表明,沙埋深度低于樟子松株高以上2cm能够促进其幼树生长;沙埋并没有导致樟子松幼树体内的膜脂过氧化,也没有引起细胞膜的损伤,在受到沙埋胁迫时,樟子松幼树体内SOD、POD以及可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸分别在防止其膜脂过氧化和维持细胞膨压中起到重要作用,而可溶性糖含量在沙埋过程中没有起到渗透调节作用。     

降雨量变化对樟子松生理生态特性的影响

全球气候变化背景下大气环流及水文循环的改变,可导致区域降雨格局变化,作用于区域陆地生态系统物质循环与能量流动过程,从而影响植物群落对降水量变化的生理生态响应.以科尔沁沙地樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var.mongolica)人工林为对象,设置野外降雨变化实验样地(天然降雨(CK)、降雨量减少30％(-30％)、降雨量增加30％(+30％)3种处理)、选择2个不同的生长季降雨格局( DRY-236 mm、WET-357 mm),研究生长季樟子松针叶的光合速率、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率、叶绿素、脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白、丙二醛(MDA)、SOD活性以及生长变化,分析降雨变化对樟子松人工林的影响.结果表明,樟子松针叶光合、蒸腾速率和水分利用效率与降雨量呈正相关,降雨量变化对樟子松生理生态特征产生显著影响,其中生长季水分胁迫对樟子松生长的影响存在滞后效应,樟子松针叶N含量的变化可反映不同水分变化与土壤养分有效性共同作用模式.     

四个温带树种树干呼吸的时间动态及其影响因子

揭示树干呼吸(RW)的时空变化规律及其影响因子,不但是模拟和估测森林碳收支的重要内容,而且对解释森林生产力的变化有重要意义。采用红外气体分析法于2008年5-9月份测定了自然条件下东北东部山区4个主要树种(红松Pinus koraiensis,兴安落叶松Larix gmelinii,白桦Betula platyphylla,水曲柳Fraxinus mandshurica)的RW日进程,探索其RW及其温度系数(Q10)的时间变化格局及其影响因子。结果表明:树种、径级、月份及其交互作用均显著地影响RW。测定期间RW的总体平均值分别为:落叶松(3.69μmol·m-·2s-1)、水曲柳(3.24μmol·m-·2s-1)、白桦(1.64μmol·m-·2s-1)、红松(1.62μmol·m-·2s-1)。4个树种的RW的日变化(7月除外)大体上与树干温度(TW)变化一致,呈单峰曲线格局,但峰值出现时间因树种和月份而异,RW比TW滞后2-6h。7月份的RW对TW的响应不明显,呈现S型或无峰的日变化格局。RW日平均的季节变化基本与TW和物候节律相符,呈单峰模式。虽然树种之间Q10的差异显著(波动在1.09-2.95之间),但所有树种Q10的季节变化格局一致,均在8月达到最低值,9月份反弹达到最大值。除白桦之外,同一树种不同个体的RW与其胸径之间有显著的正相关关系,但这种关系的形式和相关程度却因树种而异。在构建森林碳循环机理模型时,应考虑RW及其温度敏感性随树种和时间的变化特性。     

红松,白桦的氮营养行为及其种间分异

对红松、白桦的吸收空间和吸收N素的时间 (季节 )、数量、形态的研究表明 ,在混交情况下 ,白桦表现出较典型的浅根性特征 ,吸收根主要集中在土壤表层 ;红松则具有深根性趋势 ,其吸收根在下层土壤空间的分布明显增加 .白桦吸收N素养分的季节比较集中 ,具有明显的峰期 ;而受白桦庇荫的红松则在整个生长季中一直比较平缓地吸收N素 ,峰期不甚明显 .白桦对N的消耗量较大 ;而红松对N的消耗量则相对较小 ,N利用效率比白桦高 34% .在对N素养分化学形态的偏向选择性方面 ,白桦较喜NO-3 N ,而红松则较偏好NH 4 N .     

长白山过渡带红松和鱼鳞云杉径向生长对气候因子的响应

利用树轮生态学方法, 研究了长白山阔叶红松林和暗针叶林过渡带优势树种红松(Pinus koraiensis)和鱼鳞云杉(Picea jezoensis var. komarovii)的生长特征及其与气候因子的关系, 以期揭示气候响应关系的种间差异性。结果表明, 红松和鱼鳞云杉年平均径向生长量与生理年龄显著相关, 红松先于鱼鳞云杉达到最大年生长量, 且红松年平均生长速率显著高于鱼鳞云杉(p < 0.001); 红松和鱼鳞云杉对气候的响应存在差异, 红松与7月份的月平均温度和降水显著正相关, 而鱼鳞云杉与5月平均温度显著正相关, 与5月降水显著负相关。响应面分析进一步证实, 红松生长主要与生长季温度和降水相关, 而生长季初期的降水是限制鱼鳞云杉生长的主要原因。全球变暖有利于红松径向生长, 红松种群有向高海拔上升的可能。     

白桦和紫椴树干非结构性碳水化合物的空间变异

以中国东北温带森林两个散孔材树种白桦和紫椴为对象,研究落叶后树干木质部中非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)浓度的空间变异.结果表明: 两种树种的可溶性糖与淀粉的总和(TNC)与可溶性糖浓度均随树干径向深度增加而缓慢下降,淀粉的径向变化不明显,即使在树干径向深处仍存有大量的NSC.两种树种树干的TNC、可溶性糖和淀粉浓度从根颈到胸高降低,之后逐渐升高,最大值出现的高度因树种和TNC组分而异.两种树种树干糖淀粉比值的纵向变化趋势为：白桦随树干升高而增大,紫椴则随之减小.树干NSC储量估算的误差主要来源于NSC浓度的纵向变化,其次是径向变化.喜光树种白桦的树干TNC浓度(1.0%干质量)显著低于耐阴树种紫椴(4.3%干质量),可能与其生活史对策差异有关.采用考虑了树干NSC纵向和径向变化的取样方法,可以有效地降低树木或林分水平上NSC储量估算的不确定性.
     

Intraspecific variability in functional traits matters: case study of Scots pine

Although intraspecific trait variability is an important component of species ecological plasticity and niche breadth, its implications for community and functional ecology have not been thoroughly explored. We characterized the intraspecific functional trait variability of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in Catalonia (NE Spain) in order to (1) compare it to the interspecific trait variability of trees in the same region, (2) explore the relationships among functional traits and the relationships between them and stand and climatic variables, and (3) study the role of functional trait variability as a determinant of radial growth. We considered five traits: wood density (WD), maximum tree height (H _max), leaf nitrogen content (N_mass), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf biomass-to-sapwood area ratio (B _L:A _S). A unique dataset was obtained from the Ecological and Forest Inventory of Catalonia (IEFC), including data from 406 plots. Intraspecific trait variation was substantial for all traits, with coefficients of variation ranging between 8 % for WD and 24 % for B _L:A _S. In some cases, correlations among functional traits differed from those reported across species (e.g., H _max and WD were positively related, whereas SLA and N_mass were uncorrelated). Overall, our model accounted for 47 % of the spatial variability in Scots pine radial growth. Our study emphasizes the hierarchy of factors that determine intraspecific variations in functional traits in Scots pine and their strong association with spatial variability in radial growth. We claim that intraspecific trait variation is an important determinant of responses of plants to changes in climate and other environmental factors, and should be included in predictive models of vegetation dynamics.     

Temporal dynamics and spatial variability in the enhancement of canopy leaf area under elevated atmospheric CO2

Increased canopy leaf area (L) may lead to higher forest productivity and alter processes such as species dynamics and ecosystem mass and energy fluxes. Few CO₂ enrichment studies have been conducted in closed canopy forests and none have shown a sustained enhancement of L. We reconstructed 8 years (1996–2003) of L at Duke's Free Air CO₂ Enrichment experiment to determine the effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) on L before and after canopy closure in a pine forest with a hardwood component, focusing on interactions with temporal variation in water availability and spatial variation in nitrogen (N) supply. The dynamics of L were reconstructed using data on leaf litterfall mass and specific leaf area for hardwoods, and needle litterfall mass and specific leaf area combined with needle elongation rates, and fascicle and shoot counts for pines. The dynamics of pine L production and senescence were unaffected by elevated [CO₂], although L senescence for hardwoods was slowed. Elevated [CO₂] enhanced pine L and the total canopy L (combined pine and hardwood species; P<0.050); on average, enhancement following canopy closure was ～16% and 14% respectively. However, variation in pine L and its response to elevated [CO₂] was not random. Each year pine L under ambient and elevated [CO₂] was spatially correlated to the variability in site nitrogen availability (e.g. r²=0.94 and 0.87 in 2001, when L was highest before declining due to droughts and storms), with the [CO₂]‐induced enhancement increasing with N (P=0.061). Incorporating data on N beyond the range of native fertility, achieved through N fertilization, indicated that pine L had reached the site maximum under elevated [CO₂] where native N was highest. Thus closed canopy pine forests may be able to increase leaf area under elevated [CO₂] in moderate fertility sites, but are unable to respond to [CO₂] in both infertile sites (insufficient resources) and sites having high levels of fertility (maximum utilization of resources). The total canopy L, representing the combined L of pine and hardwood species, was constant across the N gradient under both ambient and elevated [CO₂], generating a constant enhancement of canopy L. Thus, in mixed species stands, L of canopy hardwoods which developed on lower fertility sites (～3 g N inputs m^?2 yr^?1) may be sufficiently enhanced under elevated [CO₂] to compensate for the lack of response in pine L, and generate an appreciable response of total canopy L (～14%).     

从异龄叶性状分析几种常绿阔叶植物变异与关联

该研究从个体与物种两个水平分析福建省鬼洞山中亚热带常绿阔叶次生林中七种阔叶树种异龄叶的平均叶面积(MLA)、比叶面积(SLA)和叶干物质含量(LDMC)三个性状的变异及关联,探讨叶性状物质分配策略对植物生活策略优化的限制性影响。结果表明:(1)对七种阔叶树种的个体和物种水平变异系数而言,均为MLA(82.9%;76.9%)SLA(38.9%;35.5%)LDMC(25.4%;23.8%);在个体和物种水平上当年生叶片MLA变异系数(71.5%;64.0%)小于往年生叶片(72.2%;65.8%),SLA、LDMC值则相反。(2)在个体和物种水平,当年生叶MLA对往年生叶MLA变异的解释率分别为50.1%和61.5%,当年生叶SLA对往年生叶SLA变异的解释率分别为56.6%和77.0%,当年生叶LDMC对往年生叶LDMC变异的解释率分别为51.7%和68.3%。(3)7种亚热带常绿阔叶植物异龄叶MLA、SLA与LDMC变化规律说明,当年生叶与往年生叶投资相同干物质,当年叶可形成更大的叶面积,且叶面积建成的消耗较往年叶小。研究认为,异龄叶性状在异龄叶间存在变异与关联,叶面积形成过程中生物量建成与消耗的协调可能影响植物叶片的发育。     

Effects of soil water on photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits of Cyclobalanopsis glauca seedlings growing under nutrient-rich and -poor soil

Cyclobalanopsis glauca is a dominant species in mid-subtropical forest, and usually plays an important role in forest ecosystems. However, it often suffers redundant precipitation or water stress, which often concurs with high temperature, nutrient depletion and strong irradiance. The study presented in the paper hypothesized that soil water exerted strong influence on leaf gas exchange and traits. The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of soil water changes on photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits and their relationships of C. glauca seedlings growing on nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil at three water levels. The study measured the specific leaf area (SLA), nitrogen content, chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic light response curve. Its results showed that there were no differences in leaf size, leaf dry weight, SLA, leaf dry matter content, Leaf nitrogen concentration and Leaf chlorophyll between the two soil nutrient treatments, while these parameters differed significantly among different water levels for either of the treatments. There were large variations in leaf photosynthetic parameters and leaf traits among the different water treatments, indicating different response patterns of C. glauca seedling and its adaptation to the different soil water conditions. There were no significant differences in light-saturated photosynthetic rate (A_max) and apparent quantum yield (Ø) between the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils, which indicated that the C. glauca seedlings could maintain similar capacities in different soils that differed in nutrient condition. As to the relation between the photosynthesis and leaf traits, the A_max and PNUE were positively correlated with the SLA, respectively, but the SLA had significant negative relationship with the leaf N (P<0.01) in nutrient-rich soil. In contrast, both A_max and PNUE were significantly negatively correlated with the SLA, respectively (P<0.01); and the SLA was not significantly positively correlated with the leaf nitrogen concentration of the nutrient-poor soil (P>0.05). The specific leaf areas (SLA), nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations as well as other photosynthetic features were influenced in a coordinative manner by the soil water. The relation among the A_max, PNUE and the N_mass, SLA could be described as a binomial equation and a liner negative regression for the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil, respectively. In conclusion, soil water was more constraining factor than the soil nutrient to the photosynthesis of C. glauca seedlings, nutrient-rich soil could offset some negative influence resulting from soil water deficit on LSP and LCP. Factors affecting the variations of photosynthetic characteristics and leaf traits of C. glauca seedlings differed between the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soils.     

Effect of ambient ozone at the somma of Lake Mashu on growth and leaf gas exchange in Betula ermanii and Betula platyphylla var. japonica

We examined the effects of ambient ozone, at the somma of Lake Mashu in northern Japan, on the growth and photosynthetic traits of two common birch species in Japan (mountain birch and white birch). Seedlings of the two birch species were grown in open-top chambers and were exposed to charcoal-filtered ambient air (CF) or non-filtered ambient air (NF) at the somma of Lake Mashu during the growing season in 2009. For the mountain birch, ambient ozone significantly increased the ratio of aboveground dry mass to belowground dry mass (T/R ratio), although no difference in the whole-plant biomass was observed between the treatments. For the white birch, in contrast, ozone exposure at ambient level did not decrease in growth and photosynthesis. These results suggest that ambient O₃ at the somma of Lake Mashu may shift the allocation of biomass to above-ground rather than below-ground in the mountain birch.     

Allocation to leaf area and sapwood area affects water relations of co-occurring savanna and forest trees

Water availability is a principal factor limiting the distribution of closed-canopy forest in the seasonal tropics, suggesting that forest tree species may not be well adapted to cope with seasonal drought. We studied 11 congeneric species pairs, each containing one forest and one savanna species, to test the hypothesis that forest trees have a lower capacity to maintain seasonal homeostasis in water relations relative to savanna species. To quantify this, we measured sap flow, leaf water potential (Ψ_L), stomatal conductance (g _s), wood density, and Huber value (sapwood area:leaf area) of the 22 study species. We found significant differences in the water relations of these two species types. Leaf area specific hydraulic conductance of the soil/root/leaf pathway (G _t) was greater for savanna species than forest species. The lower G _t of forest trees resulted in significantly lower Ψ_L and g _s in the late dry season relative to savanna trees. The differences in G _t can be explained by differences in biomass allocation of savanna and forest trees. Savanna species had higher Huber values relative to forest species, conferring greater transport capacity on a leaf area basis. Forest trees have a lower capacity to maintain homeostasis in Ψ_L due to greater allocation to leaf area relative to savanna species. Despite significant differences in water relations, relationships between traits such as wood density and minimum Ψ_L were indistinguishable for the two species groups, indicating that forest and savanna share a common axis of water-use strategies involving multiple traits.     

Plant's‐eye view of temperature governs elevational distributions

Explaining species geographic distributions by macroclimate variables is the most common approach for getting mechanistic insights into large‐scale diversity patterns and range shifts. However, species' traits influencing biophysical processes can produce a large decoupling from ambient air temperature, which can seriously undermine biogeographical inference. We combined stable oxygen isotope theory with a trait‐based approach to assess leaf temperature during carbon assimilation (T_L) and its departure (ΔT) from daytime free air temperature during the growing season (T_gs) for 158 plant species occurring from 3,400 to 6,150 m a.s.l. in Western Himalayas. We uncovered a general extent of temperature decoupling in the region. The interspecific variation in ΔT was best explained by the combination of plant height and δ¹³ C, and leaf dry matter content partly captured the variation in T_L. The combination of T_L and ΔT, with ΔT contributing most, explained the interspecific difference in elevational distributions. Stable oxygen isotope theory appears promising for investigating how plants perceive temperatures, a pivotal information to species biogeographic distributions.     

Ecosystem carbon fluxes of a ryegrass and clover fodder crop in a Mediterranean environment

A mixture of ryegrass (Lolium italicum A. Braun) and clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) was sown in Eboli (Salerno, Southern Italy) in September 2007. Crop growth, leaf and canopy gas exchange and ecophysiological traits were monitored throughout the growth cycle. The gross primary production (GPP) was not affected by air temperature (T _air); on the contrary the ecosystem respiration (R _eco) decreased as T _air decreased while net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) increased. When was normalized with leaf area index (LAI), GPP decreased with T _air, a likely response to cold that down-regulated canopy photosynthesis in order to optimize the light use at low winter temperatures. Net photosynthetic rates (P _N), the effective quantum yield of PSII (Φ_PSII) and photosynthetic pigment content were higher in clover than ryegrass, in relation to the higher leaf N content. The lower Φ_PSII in ryegrass was linked to lower photochemical quenching coefficient (q_P) values, due to a reduced number of reaction centres, in agreement with the lowest Chl a content. This behaviour can be considered as an adaptive strategy to cold to avoid photooxidative damage at low temperature rather than an impairment of PSII complexes.     

Why is liana abundance low in semiarid climates?

Lianas are abundant in seasonal tropical forests, where they avoid seasonal water stress presumably by accessing deep‐soil water reserves. Although lianas are favoured in seasonal environments, their occurrence and abundance are low in semiarid environments. We hypothesized that lianas do not tolerate the great water shortage in the soil and air characteristic of semiarid environments, which would increase the risk of embolism. We compared the rooting depth of coarse roots, leaf dynamics, leaf water potential (ψ_leaf), embolism resistance (P₅₀) and lethal levels of embolism (P₈₈) between congeneric lianas that occur with different abundances in two semiarid sites differing in soil characteristics and vapour pressure deficit in the air (VPD_air). Regardless of soil texture and depth, water availability was restricted to the rainy season. All liana species were drought deciduous and had superficial coarse roots (not deeper than 35 cm). P₅₀ varied from ?1.8 to ?2.49 MPa, and all species operated under narrow safety margins against catastrophic (P₅₀) and irreversible hydraulic failure (P₈₈), even during the rainy season. In short, lianas that occur in semiarid environments have lower resistance to cavitation and limit carbon fixation to the rainy season because of leaf fall in the early dry season. We suggest that leaf shedding and shallow roots impairing carbon gain and growth in the dry season may explain why liana abundance is lower in semiarid than in other seasonally dry environments.     

桂西南喀斯特地区优势木本经济植物叶功能性状变异及其适应策略

植物叶功能性状可直接或间接地反映植物对环境变化的响应与适应策略。该文采用野外气体交换测量和实验室分析相结合的方法,以桂西南典型喀斯特灌丛常见种龙须藤和黄荆为对照,对该区域5种优势木本经济植物的叶功能性状指标及其关系进行研究。结果表明:(1) 11个叶功能性状指标种内均存在不同程度的变异,除胞间CO_2浓度和水分利用效率外,其余指标均存在显著差异。(2)比叶面积与叶干物质含量、叶组织密度呈极显著负相关;净光合速率与气孔导度、蒸腾速率呈极显著正相关;叶绿素与净光合速率、胞间CO_2浓度和蒸腾速率呈显著或极显著负相关。(3)结合叶经济谱理论分析,毛葡萄、长穗桑和黄荆属快速投资-收益型物种,趋向于选择光合能力强、比叶面积大但寿命短的生存策略;而柠檬、山黄皮、枇杷和龙须藤属缓慢投资-收益型物种,趋向于选择光合能力弱、比叶面积小和寿命长的生存策略;其中,枇杷和龙须藤的功能性状又发生了趋异分化,枇杷具有较高的水分利用效率,而龙须藤具有较高的叶干物质含量。综上结果说明桂西南喀斯特地区5种优势木本植物通过叶功能性状间的权衡采取了不同的适应策略,对于喀斯特退化生态系统植被恢复与重建具有重要的理论指导意义。