控制降水梯度对荒漠草原优势植物叶功能性状及土壤养分的影响

探究植物叶功能性状随降水梯度的变化规律,对揭示干旱区优势植物对环境变化的响应和适应策略至关重要。以盐池荒漠草原为研究对象,采用遮雨棚和喷灌系统控制降水梯度,分析了优势植物蒙古冰草（Agropyron mongolicum）、短花针茅（Stipa breviflora）及达乌里胡枝子（Lespedeza davurica）叶功能性状变异,以及土壤水分、养分和微生物特性与响应性状间的相关关系。结果表明：HW（增水50%）处理下3个植物LA（叶面积）、LDMC（干物质含量）显著增大,LW处理（减水50%）下短花针茅和达乌里胡枝子LA、LDMC显著减小,降水处理对短花针茅和达乌里胡枝子SLA（比叶面积）影响不显著,LW处理显著提高了蒙古冰草SLA;LW处理显著提高了蒙古冰草和短花针茅LNC（叶氮含量）和LPC（叶磷含量）;HW显著降低了土壤C、N含量,LW和HW均显著减少了真菌数量,而放线菌数量、微生物生物量C、N显著增加;3种优势植物LA均与土壤水分显著正相关,蒙古冰草和短花针茅通过提高SLA、LNC及LNP来适应干旱生境,蒙古冰草和短花针茅LNC及LNP是表征土壤P、微生物生物量有效性的关键指标,达乌里胡枝子通过自我调节养分利用策略来适应C、N、P含量和微生物活性较低的生境,从而决定其在群落中的优势地位。     

桂林岩溶石山檵木群落老龄林植物叶性状

该研究以桂林岩溶石山檵木群落老龄林的25种主要植物为对象,通过测定其叶干质量(DW)、叶干物质含量(LDMC)、叶面积(LA)、叶厚度(LT)、比叶面积(SLA)和叶组织密度(LTD)等叶性状指标,探讨不同物种叶性状的差异以及性状之间的内在联系。结果表明:DW、LDMC、LA、LT、SLA和LTD在乔木层8种植物之间以及灌木层17种植物之间均呈极显著差异(P0.01)。乔木层植物叶片具有相对较大的DW、LDMC和LT,灌木层植物叶片具有相对较大的SLA,乔木层和灌木层植物叶片LA和LTD的差异不显著。Pearson相关性分析表明,乔木层与灌木层植物叶性状相关性除LTD与LDMC和LA,SLA与LA不一致外,其他性状两两之间相关性均表现为一致性。主成分分析表明,在6个叶性状指标中,DW、LDMC和LTD可以作为反映岩溶石山檵木群落老龄林乔木层植物适应生境的重要叶性状指标,主要表征植物抵御外界干扰及不利环境的能力和对生长环境干湿程度适应的能力,具有"缓慢投资-收益"叶经济谱的特点。SLA和LTD可以作为反映岩溶石山檵木群落老龄林灌木层植物适应生境的重要叶性状指标,主要表征植物获取资源的能力,具有"快速投资-收益"叶经济谱的特点。     

不同养分水平对飞机草生长与生物量分配的影响

采用温室盆栽模拟实验研究了不同养分水平对外来入侵植物飞机草(Chromolaena odorata)的生长性状、生物量积累以及生物量分配格局的影响。实验共设置5 种养分浓度处理, 分别为Hoagland 标准营养液的10%、25%、50%、100%和200%溶液。结果表明: 养分水平对飞机草植株的生长性状以及生物量的积累、分配产生显著影响。随着养分水平的增加, 飞机草的总分枝数量、长度以及一级分枝数量、长度持续增加, 并且100%、200%处理还能促进二级分枝的萌发生长。飞机草的叶片数、总叶面积、总生物量以及茎、叶两器官生物量随养分水平的上升显著增加, 但株高、根生物量不受养分浓度变化的影响。根生物量比、根冠比随养分水平的提高显著下降, 叶生物量比则显著上升, 但茎生物量比在各养分浓度保持稳定。叶面积比、叶根比、RGR 亦随养分含量的上升显著增加。说明养分资源丰富的环境将促进飞机草的地上部生长, 而生物量分配格局的变化可能是其在入侵蔓延过程中适应养分异质性生境的重要生态策略。     

土壤养分对菊科一年生入侵种和本地种繁殖性状的影响

入侵植物繁殖性状的研究可为揭示植物入侵机制提供重要的科学依据。为研究土壤养分对入侵植物和本地植物繁殖性状的影响, 并进一步研究养分添加是否更能促进入侵植物的繁殖能力, 我们设置了低、高两个养分水平, 通过同质园实验比较了不同土壤养分对假臭草(Praxelis clematidea)、胜红蓟(Ageratum conyzoides)、三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa) 3种菊科一年生入侵种和夜香牛(Vernonia cinerea)、一点红(Emilia sonchifolia)、墨旱莲(Eclipta prostrata) 3种本地种繁殖性状的影响。研究结果显示, 养分添加提高了6种菊科植物的开花株高、株高、地上生物量、单粒种子重量、总花序数、每花序种子数、总种子数量、总种子重量, 并使开花时间提前、花期延长。养分添加对入侵种的开花株高和单粒种子重量的提高幅度要比本地种更显著。相对于部分本地植物(夜香牛、墨旱莲), 养分添加更能促进部分入侵植物(假臭草、胜红蓟)的繁殖能力。三叶鬼针草和一点红的总种子数量和总种子重量在两种土壤养分水平下均较小。本地种墨旱莲的总种子数量和总种子重量在低养分条件下高于3个入侵种。这些结果表明, 高土壤养分仅能促进部分入侵植物相对于部分本地植物的繁殖能力。     

粤东89种常见植物叶功能性状变异特征

叶功能性状体现了植物为获得最大化碳收获所采取的生存适应策略。本文研究了粤东89种常见植物叶功能性状包括叶面积(LA)、比叶面积(SLA)、叶干物质含量(LDMC)、叶氮含量(LNC)的变异特征及其与科类群、生活史属性和生境的关系。89种植物的LA、SLA、LDMC、LNC平均值分别为20.59 cm2、300.149 cm2·g-1、0.2213 g·g-1、2.55%;变异幅度依次是:LA(145.06%)SLA(97.21%)LDMC(36.40%)LNC(27%)。LMDC与SLA呈极显著负相关关系(P0.001)。不同科类群间SLA、LDMC差异显著(P0.05),禾本科植物LDMC最大(0.359 g·g-1)、SLA最小(163.749 cm2·g-1),伞形科植物LDMC最小(0.136 g·g-1)、SLA最大(1091.42 cm2·g-1);藤本和灌木LA显著大于草本植物(P0.01);科类群能解释LA、SLA、LDMC和LNC变异的26.3%、30.2%、40.9%和13.8%,其次是植物高度和生活型;科类群、植物高度和生活型三者交互作用能解释LA、SLA、LDMC、LNC变异的82.5%、80.9%、79.4%和56.7%;植物分布区、原产地及生境对叶性状均无显著影响(P0.05)。粤东89种植物叶性状的种间变异主要受物种系统发育史和生活史特征的影响。     

不同生境下入侵种假臭草叶片的气孔特征

【背景】探讨入侵种假臭草不同生境下气孔的变化规律,揭示假臭草种群在不同生境下所采取的生长对策及适应机制,可为入侵生物的防治提供参考。【方法】采取光学显微镜系统观察桉树林、木薯地、弃耕地、公路边4种生境下假臭草叶片的气孔特征。【结果】光照和土壤肥、水条件对假臭草叶片的气孔孔径（横轴方向和纵轴方向）、单个气孔器面积、气孔器总面积、气孔密度及气孔指数的影响显著。低光照及肥沃、湿润土壤生境与高光照及贫瘠、干旱土壤相比,假臭草的气孔孔径（横轴方向和纵轴方向）、单个气孔器面积、气孔器总面积较大,气孔密度及气孔指数较小。【结论与意义】假臭草叶片气孔特征表现可塑性,说明其对异质环境具有一定的生态适应能力。     

三种高寒植物幼苗生物量分配及性状特征对光照和养分的响应

为了解高寒植物幼苗对生境资源异质性的适应策略,以高寒草甸中常见的3种草本植物大耳叶风毛菊(Saussurea macrota)、甘西鼠尾草(Salvia przewalskii)和千里光(Senecio scandens)为材料,比较研究了这3种植物幼苗对不同光照和养分资源的响应。结果表明:光照和养分异质性显著影响了3种植物幼苗的性状特征和生物量分配,并存在一定的交互影响。随着光照的降低,3个物种的幼苗的生物量和根分配呈现降低趋势,但是其株高、比叶面积、叶分配、茎分配却逐渐升高。在低养分条件下,3个物种幼苗的总生物量、株高、比叶面积和叶分配均降低,而根分配均却显著增加。对于光照和养分资源异质性而言,光照异质性对高寒植物生物量分配和性状特征的改变具有更大的影响。喜阴物种大耳叶风毛菊和喜光物种甘西鼠尾草比中性生境物种千里光表现出了较大的性状特征和生物量分配的可塑性指数。     

松嫩平原碱化草甸朝鲜碱茅(Puccinellia chinampoensis)种群生殖分蘖株的生长规律

朝鲜碱茅(Puccinellia chinampoensis)是一种耐盐碱丛生型禾草,广泛分布于松嫩平原碱化草甸.采用每隔3d对朝鲜碱茅种群中处于抽穗初期的生殖分蘖株随机挂一次标签,于籽实蜡熟期同时进行大样本取样与测定的方法,定量分析了5次所标记的生殖分蘖株的数量性状的变化规律及生殖分蘖株的生长规律.结果表明,在朝鲜碱茅种群中,虽然抽穗时间只相隔3d,但生殖分蘖株的各数量性状均具有较大的表型可塑性,总的变化趋势是抽穗时间相隔越长,差异越大.其中,5次样本中的相邻平均花序生物量之间的差异均达到了显著水平.延长生殖生长16d,平均分蘖株高增加了23.16%,花序长增加了25.70%,分蘖株生物量增加了74.99%,花序生物量增加到2.63倍,生殖分配增加了93.25%.随着生殖生长时间的延长,朝鲜碱茅种群生殖分蘖株高、分蘖株生物量和花序生物量均呈指数增加,花序长和生殖分配呈直线增加,生殖生长比率呈先增加后降低的抛物线变化.不同时间进入生殖生长阶段的生殖分蘖株均具有相同的生长规律.其中,花序长均随分蘖株高的增加呈指数异速增长,花序生物量均随分蘖株生物量的增加呈直线同速增长.分蘖株的生殖生长越延长,对现实种群的贡献就越大,对未来种群的贡献更大.     

影响黄帚橐吾种子生产的因素Ⅰ.生境和花序结构

 通过对黄帚橐吾(Ligularia virgaurea)自然种群在不同生境和种群密度下的种子生产的研究,结果显示：1）黄帚橐吾的种子生产无论是在种群水平,还是在总花序上同一部位头状花序水平,均受到生境条件的影响,其种子数量、种子均重和种子总重量等特征在不同生境间表现出沙地＞滩地＞坡地,在同一生境内则为高密度种群＞低密度种群和植被盖度较低＞植被盖度较高的趋势（滩地例外）;2）种子生产中的种子数量和种子总重与总花序大小、头状花序数量以及无性系株大小多呈显著正相关,与个体密度无关,但种子均重与上述因素（除无性系株大小外）的关系不显著;3）在总花序内不同部位头状花序间表现出的种子生产变化趋势（顶部＞基部）不受生境条件、种群密度等因素的影响; 4）种子生产在总花序上所表现出的这种部位依赖性可能是由于不同部位头状花序间开花时序上的差异引起种子从母体获取资源上的不同所致。     

不同生境下入侵植物胜红蓟种群构件生物量分配特性

为探究入侵植物胜红蓟在种群构件水平上的生长特性,以更好地了解其整体的生存策略和入侵性,通过测定胜红蓟各构件的生物量、各构件生物量相关性、繁殖构件/营养构件比和根冠比,对Ⅰ房前屋后、Ⅱ菜园地、Ⅲ桔园和Ⅳ路边4种不同生境下的胜红蓟种群构件的生物量分配进行了分析研究。结果表明:不同生境下胜红蓟种群各构件的生物量既存在差异,又存在相同的趋势,即:茎生物量叶生物量根生物量花果生物量;生境Ⅱ胜红蓟总生物量、茎、叶和花果生物量均最大,生境Ⅳ的均最小,两者之间均存在显著差异(P0.05);不同生境中胜红蓟种群的根、茎、叶、花果生物量分配与其各构件生物量大小顺序并不一致,前者各生境间的差异小于后者各生境间的差异;4种生境下繁殖构件与营养构件生物量比大小顺序依次为ⅣⅢⅡⅠ,其值分别为0.069、0.061、0.050和0.042,根冠比大小顺序依次为ⅢⅠⅣⅡ,其值分别为0.211、0.179、0.154和0.090;胜红蓟植株株高与各构件及各构件之间存在极显著正相关(P0.01),株高与各构件的相关性中,株高与茎生物量的相关性最强,相关系数为0.525,各构件的相关性中,茎生物量与叶和花果生物量的相关性较强,其相关系数均大于0.900。胜红蓟种群在不同生境下各构件的生物量、繁殖构件/营养构件比和根冠比表现出的差异显示了其较强的表型可塑性和对异质环境的适应性,可能增强了其入侵性。不同生境下胜红蓟种群各构件生物量相同的趋势及生物量分配比间相对较小的差异显示了胜红蓟种群构件生物量分配模式的相对稳定性。胜红蓟种群各构件间的极显著相关性显示了其整体性的生存策略。     

Competitive ability of two Brassica varieties in relation to biomass allocation and morphological plasticity under varying nutrient availability

Green cabbage (Brassica campestris, leafy variety) and turnip (Brassica campestris var. rapifera, rooty variety) were grown in both monocultures and mixtures at three nutrient levels to investigate their responses to nutrient availability with respect to biomass allocation, morphological plasticity and competitive ability. Their allocation parameters and leaf morphological traits were affected by both nutrient availability and developmental stage. Both of the varieties had a smaller biomass allocation to leaf blades, but a greater allocation to petioles at high nutrient levels. Root:shoot ratio (RSR) of green cabbage decreased with increasing nutrient availability, whereas that of turnip increased. Turnip had a smaller leaf blade weight ratio (LBWR) than cabbage, being compensated for by larger leaf area ratio (LAR) and specific leaf area (SLA). Leaf area ratio and SLA of both the varieties increased with increasing nutrient availability as did their mean dry weights. The mean dry weight of turnip was slightly greater than that of green cabbage in their respective monocultures, while that of green cabbage was greater than that of turnip in their 1:1 mixture. Therefore, green cabbage, having inherently greater biomass allocation to leaves, was generally more competitive than turnip with more biomass allocation to roots, especially at higher nutrient levels. However, within a variety, morphological plasticity (variation in LAR and SLA) was more important than the plasticity in biomass allocation (e.g. variation in RSR and LBWR) in determining competitive ability. The implication of our results is that competition models based on biomass allocation pattern alone may fail to predict competitive outcomes and that such models should also take morphological plasticity into full account.     

Allometric Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agriophyllum squarrosum</Emphasis> in Response to Soil Nutrients,Water, and Population Density in the Horqin Sandy Land of China

We monitored the allometric effects for greenhouse-grown Agriophyllum squarrosum plants in response to variations in population density and the availability of soil nutrients and water. Biomass allocations were size-dependent. The plasticity of roots, stems, leaves, and reproductive effort was “true” in response to changes in nutrient content. At a low level of soil minerals, plants allocated more resources to the development of roots and reproductive organs than to leaves, but data for stem allocations were consistent for tradeoffs between the effects of nutrients and plant size. The plasticities of leaf allocation and reproductive effort were “true” whereas those of root and stem allocations were “apparent” in response to fluctuations in soil water, being a function of plant size. Decreasing soil water content was associated with higher leaf allocation and lower reproductive effort. Except for this “apparent” plasticity of leaf allocation, none was detected with population density on biomass allocation. Architectural traits were determinants of the latter. For roots, the determining trait was the ratio of plant height to total biomass; for stems and reproduction, plant height; and for leaves, the ratio of branch numbers to plant height.     

Intra-specific variation in relative growth rate: impact on competitive ability and performance of Lychnis flos-cuculi in habitats differing in soil fertility

Plant species from unproductive or adverse habitats are often characterized by a low potential relative growth rate (RGR). Although it is generally assumed that this is the result of selection for specific trait combinations that are associated with a low rate of net biomass accumulation, few studies have directly investigated the selective (dis-)advantage of specific growth parameters under a set of different environmental conditions. Aim of the present study was to quantify the impact of inherent differences in growth parameters among phenotypes of a single plant species, Lychnis flos-cuculi, on their performance under different soil nutrient conditions. Growth analysis revealed significant variation in RGR among progeny families from a diallel cross between eight genotypes originating from a single population. Differences in RGR were due to variation in both leaf area ratio (LAR) and in net assimilation rate (NAR). A genetic trade-off was observed between these two components of growth, i.e. progeny families with high investment in leaf area had a lower rate of net biomass accumulation per unit leaf area. The degree of plasticity in RGR to nutrient conditions did not differ among progeny families. Inherent differences in growth parameters among progeny families had a significant impact on their yield in competition with Anthoxanthum odoratum and Taraxacum hollandicum. In nutrient-rich conditions, progeny families with an inherently high leaf weight ratio (LWR) achieved higher yield in competition, but variation in this trait could not explain differences in competitive yield under nutrient-poor conditions. Inherent differences in growth parameters among progeny families were poorly correlated with differences in survival and average rosette biomass (a good predictor of fecundity) among these progeny families sown in four field sites along a natural gradient of soil fertility. In the more productive sites none of the growth parameters was significantly correlated with rosette biomass, but in the least productive site progeny families with an inherently high specific leaf area (SLA) tended to produce smaller rosettes than low-SLA families. These results are consistent with the view that a selective advantage may accrue from either high or low values of individual RGR components, depending on habitat conditions, and that the selective advantage of low trait values in nutrient-poor environments may results in indirect selection for low RGR in these habitats.     

Growth and allocation of the arctic sedges Eriohorum angustifolium and E. vaginatum: effects of variable soil oxygen and nutrient availability

In arctic tundra soil, oxygen depletion associated with soil flooding may control plant growth either directly through anoxia or indirectly through effects on nutrient availability. This study was designed to evaluate whether plant growth and physiology of two arctic sedge species are more strongly controlled by the direct or indirect effects of decreased soil aeration. Eriophorum angustifolium and E. vaginatum, which originate from flooded and well-drained habitats, respectively, were grown in an in situ transplant garden at two levels of soil oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus availability over two growing seasons. In both species, N addition had a stronger effect on growth and biomass allocation than P addition or soil oxygen depletion. Net photosynthesis and carbohydrate concentrations were relatively insensitive to changes in these factors. Biomass reallocated from shoots to below-ground parts in response to limited N supply was equally divided between roots (nutrient acquisition) and perennating rhizomes (storage tissue formation) in E. angustifolium. E. Vaginatum only increased its allocation to rhizomes. In the flood-tolerant E. angustifolium, growth was improved by soil anoxia and biomass allocation among plant parts was not significantly affected. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, whole-plant growth in E. vaginatum improved in flooded soils; however, it only did so when N availability was high. Under low N availability growth in flooded soils was reduced by 20% compared to growth in the aerobic environment. Reduced biomass allocation to rhizomes and thus to storage potential under anaerobic conditions may reduce long-term survival of E. vaginatum in flooded habitats.     

Meristem activity and biomass production as response mechanisms in two forest herbs

Actaea spicata and Geranium sylvaticum are deciduous rosette herbs, frequently coexisting in nutrient-rich forests of boreal Sweden. A. spicata is restricted to this habitat whereas G. sylvaticum has a wider ecological amplitude. To explore the different distributions of these species we studied the growth mechanisms by which they responded to nutrient and light supply. Plants raised from seeds were grown under four combinations of light and nutrient supplies and growth was followed for 20 weeks. Growth responses were measured as biomass accumulation and meristem activity, i.e. leaf development by shoot meristems. Biomass accumulation and meristem activity were affected by nutrient and light treatments. However, A. spicata responded more to nutrients, whereas G. sylvaticum responded more to light, and low resource supply shortened the time during which shoot meristems of A. spicata developed leaves without a corresponding effect on biomass accumulation. In G. sylvaticum, the periods of leaf development and biomass accumulation were the same, but a relationship between high development rates and peak allocation of biomass to shoot meristems indicated a storage function of these during leaf development. We conclude that the inflexible growth of A. spicata, mainly affected by nutrient supply, makes it less competitive in open habitats and restricts it to shaded, nutrient-rich habitats. G. sylvaticum should be more successful in habitats subjected to unpredictable disturbances, due to a flexible growth morphology and a dynamic function of meristems that buffers against variation in nutrient supply and facilitates positive light responses. Meristematic data should be included in interspecific comparisons on growth responses to different resource supplies. Unless species have the same growth mechanism, it is not satisfactory to study biomass-related traits alone, as internal constraints concerning plant development might confuse the interpretation.     

豚草入侵对新疆伊犁河谷林下本地草本植物群落结构的影响

为探究外来入侵植物豚草（Ambrosia artemisiifolia）对本地植物群落结构的影响,结合区内林下草本植物调查和室内分析方法,分析了豚草不同入侵压力下（无入侵、轻度入侵、中度入侵、重度入侵）本地草本植物丰富度、盖度等特征,探讨了地形、气候、土壤、光照、人口密度等外部因素与豚草种群特征、本地植物群落结构之间的关系。结果表明：豚草种群盖度与其高度、密度、生物量显著正相关。与对照相比,轻度入侵下本土草本植物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数显著增加,丰富度、盖度未出现显著差异。随着豚草入侵程度加剧,本地草本植物物种丰富度、盖度极显著降低,样方Shannon-Wiener多样性指数先升高再降低,本土草本植物Pielou均匀度指数差异不显著。冗余分析（RDA）表明,土壤全氮、与道路距离、土壤全磷、郁闭度对研究区植物群落结构影响最大,土壤全氮含量随豚草盖度和生物量增加而减少,距道路越近或光照越强,豚草盖度和生物量越高。增强伊犁河谷地区交通往来货物豚草检验检疫力度、增加林内植被郁闭度或是抑制区内豚草入侵的有效手段。     

辽东栎林内不同小生境下幼树植冠构型分析

以黄土高原黄龙山林区辽东栎林内3个小生境（林下、林隙、林缘）下辽东栎天然更新幼树为研究对象,采用典型抽样法对辽东栎幼树侧枝、叶片和树冠的空间分布状况以及生物量分配状况进行调查分析,探讨微生境与幼树植冠构型特征的关系,明确辽东栎幼树对不同小生境的适应策略,为栎林经营和林分结构优化提供理论依据。结果显示：（1）3种生境下辽东栎幼树构型发生了可塑性变化,林下幼树树冠层次比较单一,林隙与林缘的幼树树冠层次更加丰富。（2）由林下至林缘,幼树的树高、枝下高呈逐渐减小的趋势,而地径变化趋势与之相反;幼树的冠幅、树冠面积、树冠率呈先增加后减小的趋势,并且林下与林隙、林缘的差异显著;幼树的总体分枝率、逐步分枝率、枝径比呈先增加后减小的趋势。（3）3种生境下,幼树的一级枝的枝长、直径与倾角随着树高的增加而呈减小的趋势,但3种生境的差异不显著;林下一级枝主要分布在冠层中上部,而林隙与林缘一级枝主要分布在冠层中下、中上部。（4）由林下至林缘幼树叶长、叶宽、单叶面积和比叶面积逐渐降低,而单株叶数、叶总面积、叶面积指数呈先增大后减小趋势;与其他2种生境相比林下叶片分布趋于冠层上部。（5）幼树地上部分生物量中林下主干生物量占83%,枝和叶生物量只占17%;而林隙与林缘虽然各部位生物量有所差异但比例基本一致,其中主干占66%左右,枝和叶生物量占34%左右。研究表明,林隙生境下幼树的构型优于林缘和林下生境,在今后栎林的经营中,可以通过适当间伐来增加林隙数量,为森林更新和结构的优化提供有利条件。     

胡杨叶功能性状特征及其对地下水埋深的响应

叶片性状反映了植物对环境的适应能力及其自我调控能力。以塔里木干旱荒漠区建群种胡杨（Populus euphratica）为研究对象,通过分析自然生长状况下胡杨叶功能性状对地下水埋深（GWD）的响应及功能性状间的权衡关系,揭示胡杨对极端干旱荒漠环境的生态适应策略。结果表明：胡杨7个叶功能性状种内变异程度不同（9.20%-40.02%）,叶面积（LA）变异程度最大,叶干物质含量（LDMC）与叶片含水量（LWC）变异程度较低,GWD梯度上表现出较大的分化变异特征。叶性状在不同GWD之间差异显著（P<0.05）,与GWD呈极显著相关（P<0.01）。比叶面积（SLA）、LA、LWC与叶干重（LDM）呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,与叶厚度（LT）、叶组织密度（LTD）、LDMC呈极显著的负相关（P<0.01）;LDMC与LT、LTD,LWC与LA、SLA呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,反映胡杨通过叶性状间的相互调节与权衡来适应干旱荒漠环境。逐步回归分析表明LA、LT对GWD变化最敏感,可间接借助这2个性状来预测干旱荒漠区地下水埋深变化。随GWD降低,胡杨SLA、LA、LDM、LWC减小,而LT、LTD、LDMC增大,其由高生长速率、资源利用能力的开拓型策略转变为以增强自身养分储存、防御能力的保守型策略,拓宽了生态幅和增强其在干旱逆境的适合度。可见,极端干旱荒漠区胡杨形成了小的LA、SLA、LDM,大的LT、LDMC、LTD等一系列有利于减少水分散失、储存养分和增强耐旱能力的干旱性状组合,这可能是其适应干旱贫瘠环境的生态策略。     

Structural features of Polytrichum formosum Hedw. populations along a habitat sequence of cutover restoration in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

In order to detect the effects of forest harvesting on bryophyte populations, structural parameters (frequency, coverage, density, height, and biomass) of Polytrichum formosum Hedw. populations in the eastern Tibetan Plateau were investigated on four cutover habitats which had been harvested by clear-cut in 1998, 1997, 1994 and 1990, representing restoration histories of 4, 5, 8, and 12 years, and on nearby primary spruce forest. Vascular plant coverage including shrubs, herbs and litter was estimated as well. It was found that the moss was not recorded in the nearby primary spruce forest but occurred on all clear-cut habitats. The frequency index, coverage, average height, shoot density and biomass on all cutovers was 23.8±10.3% (±SD), 1.8±2.5%, 105.5±53.3 mm, 1,358.9±1,744.1 shoot/m² and 7.3±12.5 g/m², respectively. The moss population on clear-cut habitat was an invading pioneer moss, and the structural parameters showed large-scale variability, agreeing with the initial hypothesis that deforestation promoted the establishment of the moss, which prefers light, on clear-cut habitats. Of all structural parameters, only the average height increased across clear-cut habitats along the restoration sequence. The relationships between the structural parameters and vascular coverage indicated the moss only occurred patchily on clear-cut habitats. The population occurrence potentially depended on shrub coverage, and the development was crucially controlled by herb coverage. The results suggested that the present structure of P. formosum populations on the clear-cut habitats was the result of environmental degradation resulting from forest clear-cut logging, population biology and reproductive strategies.     

New seed morphological features in Moehringia L. (Caryophyllaceae) and their taxonomic and ecological significance

Abstract

Relative growth rate (RGR) is a fundamental trait for comparative plant ecology but cannot be measured in situ, leading to problems in interpreting vegetation function. However, the components of RGR (net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), leaf weight ratio (LWR), and specific leaf area (SLA)) can be calculated for wild plants from morphological measurements (leaf area, leaf dry mass, whole plant dry mass), which potentially reflect RGR. Seeds of 19 species from Italian prealpine calcareous grasslands were collected and seedlings were cultivated under controlled conditions. RGR, NAR, LAR, LWR and SLA were analysed. The results demonstrated that RGR was positively correlated with SLA and LAR (p < 0.01). Furthermore, LAR was positively correlated with LWR and negatively with NAR (p < 0.05). Monocotyledons showed significantly higher LAR, LWR and NAR than dicotyledons, as the latter allocated a greater proportion of biomass to stems, but RGR and SLA showed no such phylogenetic constraint. Therefore SLA is the most reliable indicator of RGR in ecological and functional surveys of prealpine calcareous grasslands, and has the additional advantage that it can be measured from leaf material alone. Lower mean RGR and SLA for calcareous grassland species suggests that this vegetation is less likely to recover from the effects of disturbance than meadows and dry meadows.