Fractal root system of Melica przewalskyi along different aspect in degraded grassland

Aims Fractal root system is phenotypic plasticity result of plant root architecture to respond to environmental heterogeneity, may reflect the growth strategy of plants to adapt to environmental conditions. Our objective was to explore the relationship between root fractal dimension and fractal abundance of fractal root system of Melica przewalskyi population in response to aspect variation in the northwest of China. Methods The study site was located in a degraded alpine grassland on the northern slope in Qilian Mountains, Gansu Province, China. Survey and sampling were carried out at 40 plots which were set up along four slope aspects transects with 20 m distance between adjacent plots. Handheld GPS was used to determine the elevation, longitude and latitude of each plot. ArcGIS was used to set up digital elevation model (DEM). Community traits were investigated and six individuals roots of M. przewalskyi were collected randomly at each plot. The samples were cleaned and divided into different organs, then scanning the root with the Win-RHIZO for measurements of fractal dimension and fractal abundance in laboratory, and their biomass were then measured after being dried at 80 °C in an oven. Important findings With the slope aspect turned from north to east, west, and south, the density, height and soil moisture content of the plant community displayed a pattern of initial decline, the height, density, root fractal abundance of M. przewalskyi increased and the root fractal dimension decreased. The root fractal dimension was negatively associated with the fractal abundance in all aspects, but the relationship varied along the slope aspects gradient; there was a highly significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) between the root fractal dimension and fractal abundance at north slope and south slope aspect, whereas the correlation only reached a significant level (p < 0.05) at the east slope aspect and west slope aspect; indicating that there is a trade-off between the root fractal dimension and fractal abundance. In addition, when the slope aspect changed from north to east, west and south, the standardized major axis (SMA) slope of the regression equation in the scaling relationships between root fractal dimension and fractal abundance increased (p < 0.05), indicating that the roots of M. przewalskyi at the droughty southern slope have less branch and more sparse in the same soil volume of root exploitation and utilization. Consequently, the resource allocation pattern on reasonable trade-off between root fractal dimension and fractal abundance in different slope aspect of M. przewalskyi, reflects the relationship between the income and the cost of construction of plant root architecture.     

坡向和坡位对四川夹金山灌丛群落结构与物种多样性特征的影响

研究不同坡向、坡位夹金山灌丛群落结构和物种多样性特征。结果表明: 在 24 个样地中,共有维管植物 186 种,隶属于 50 科 127 属。其中,灌木层有 32 种,隶属于 14 科 22 属,阴坡下坡位物种数最多;草本层有 154 种,隶属于 43 科 109 属,阴坡物种数最少。灌木层的平均高度表现为阳坡>半阳坡>阴坡,平均密度则相反;草本层平均高度表现为阴坡>半阳坡>阳坡,平均密度无显著变化。坡位仅对阳坡草本层平均高度有显著影响,灌木层物种多样性在阴坡较高,草本层物种多样性在阳坡下坡位和阴坡中坡位较高。坡向对灌木层和草本层 Shannon多样性指数、Simpson优势度指数、物种丰富度指数、Pielou均匀度指数影响显著(除草本层 Simpson 指数),坡位对灌木层和草本层物种多样性指数均无显著影响,坡向和坡位的交互作用对草本层物种多样性的影响大于灌木层。冗余分析(RDA)表明,物种多样性不仅与坡向正弦值、坡向余弦值相关,也与群落结构特征相关性较大。     

Seed germination and plant fitness response of a narrowly endemic,rare winter annual to spatial heterogeneity in microenvironment

Environmental heterogeneity affects distributions of plant species, although the effects of fine-scale heterogeneity on plant demographies are not widely studied. Diminutive winter annuals, especially rare taxa, can be sensitive to spatial variation in microenvironment as a consequence of their small stature above and belowground. To address whether spatial environmental heterogeneity affects demography, germination and fitness of Chorizanthe orcuttiana, an endangered winter annual distributed in distinct easterly and westerly microhabitats within an exceedingly narrow niche in California, we performed multiyear observational and empirical studies. We manipulated after-ripening environment, soil moisture and ambient light at both aspects, and profiled microclimate, soil physicochemistry and soil microbiomes at all sites. We show that easterly aspects host larger plants in larger populations, and have lower air temperatures combined with higher soil moisture in comparison to the west-facing sites. Yet, soil physicochemistry and microbiomes were similar across all sites. Manipulations of after-ripening conditions showed that seeds exposed to low humidity (17%) during dormancy and sown at easterly aspects exhibited the highest germination percentages, whereas seeds incubated in situ and subsequently sown at westerly aspects yielded the lowest germination. Simultaneous manipulations of soil moisture and light showed that at both aspects higher moisture combined with shade led to higher germination, whereas ambient soil moisture combined with shade yielded the lowest germination. Altogether, our studies show that the diminutive, rare winter annual C. orcuttiana exhibits higher germination and plant fitness under cooler soil conditions with higher soil moisture while preferring drier environments during after-ripening.     

Restoration of indigenous dominance in exotic grassland by the establishment of juvenile Microlaena stipoides plants

Two experiments were conducted to determine the establishment success of reintroducing Microlaena stipoides (pātītī, weeping rice grass) into existing high‐fertility grassland on the volcanic cones of the Auckland Isthmus. The first experiment monitored the survival and development of juveniles planted in a factorial design including two planting densities, two slope classes and two aspects across three cones. Plant survival during establishment was consistently over 90%. Maximum M. stipoides cover after 2 years (>80%) was achieved on north‐facing steep slopes (>25°) at the greater planting density (40 plants/m²). However, results were particularly idiosyncratic to specific cone/topographical combinations. The second experiment, on a flat site on one cone, monitored the survival and development of juveniles planted across four post‐planting treatments designed to suppress resident vegetation recovery. Plant survival after 6 months was relatively low (50%), and none of the treatments achieved greater than 5% cover of M. stipoides after 1 year. The chosen post‐planting treatments were unable to suppress vigorous recovery of competitive exotic grasses on a moist fertile site. Overall, juvenile planting was shown to be a potentially successful method of Microlaena establishment and could restore indigenous dominance to exotic grassland in this environment, but individual site factors and the high cost of establishment must be considered.     

重度火烧迹地微地形对土壤微生物特性的影响——以坡度和坡向为例

通过对大兴安岭重度火烧迹地不同坡度和坡向的土壤微生物群落进行调查研究,旨在揭示重度火烧迹地过火6a后森林恢复过程土壤微生物群落的变化规律与影响因素.研究结果表明:平地土壤微生物生物量碳含量(MBC)和土壤微生物生物量碳氮比(MBC/MBN)均高于坡地,其中MBC/MBN达到差异极显著水平.平地土壤微生物的代谢活性AWCD值、对31种4类碳源(糖类、脂类、氨基酸、代谢物)的利用能力和Shannon-Winner多样性指数(H')均极显著低于坡地.西坡土壤微生物AWCD值和H'高于南坡,但AWCD和H'与土壤养分、pH值、EC无显著相关关系,说明坡向可能与土壤微生物代谢活性和多样性的关系并不密切,反映了两坡向土壤微生物群落结构的相似性.坡度由于影响了土壤养分和水分条件,进而影响了土壤微生物的生物量、群落结构、物种多样性和碳源利用能力.火烧迹地恢复初期平地土壤微生物量碳高于坡地,西坡高于南坡;恢复6a后,土壤微生物量碳的差异己不显著,但土壤微生物群落结构、物种多样性以及代谢特性仍具有显著差异,这可能与地形坡度仍然显著影响土壤水分含量的因素有关.     

Tree recruitment at the treeline across the Continental Divide in the Northern Rocky Mountains,USA: the role of spring snow and autumn climate

ABSTRACT

Background: Topoclimate can influence tree establishment within treeline ecotones. Yet much less is known about how regional topography, such as the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountains, mediates the role of climate in governing treeline dynamics.

Aims: To utilise the Continental Divide to test whether contrasts in growing-season moisture regimes to the west (summer-dry) and east (summer-wet) impact the spatio-temporal patterns of tree establishment and rates of treeline advance in the Northern Rocky Mountains.

Methods: We sampled trees at sites on north- and south-facing slopes, west and east of the Continental Divide. We used dendroecological techniques to reconstruct patterns of tree establishment. Age-structure data were quantitatively compared with climate to evaluate possible mechanistic linkages.

Results: Across all sites, 96% of trees established after 1950. There was a treeline advance (range = 39–140 m) accompanied by increases in tree density. Significantly more trees established during wet springs on both sides of the Divide.

Conclusions: Overall, snow duration in spring and autumn temperatures appear to influence patterns of tree recruitment at the treeline. Continued warming will likely amplify the role of autumn climate in regulating tree establishment throughout treeline ecotones in the Northern Rocky Mountains, particularly west of the Divide where summer-dry conditions persist.     

坡向对暗紫贝母生长和繁殖特征的影响

在青藏高原东部的牛牛山和卡卡山,在其东、南、西、北4个坡面各设置一个海拔相同(3800m)的样地,每个样地中随机选择30株同龄级的暗紫贝母植株作为研究对象,然后比较各坡面的生态因子以及暗紫贝母的生长和繁殖特征。结果表明:1融雪时间、气温、土壤含水量在南北坡面间有显著的差异,但土壤p H在各坡面间无明显差异。2开始生长期、始花期和盛花期等物候阶段都是北坡最迟,南坡最早,而枯黄期在各坡面间无显著差异。3单叶面积、比叶面积和植株株高以北坡最大,南坡最小。4鳞茎生物量以南坡最大,北坡最小,东、西坡面的值介于南、北坡之间。5单粒果实的生物量在各坡面之间无明显的差异,果实生物量在地上部分中所占的比例以南坡最大,北坡最小。6单粒果实平均种子数以北坡最多,南坡最少;而种子千粒重则以南坡最重,北坡最轻。可见,坡面对暗紫贝母的生长和繁殖特征有显著的影响,尤其是在南北坡面之间大多数性状差异显著。     

沙丘微地形生境蚁丘分布特征及其对恢复过程的响应

为了阐明沙丘微地形生境蚁丘特征及分布规律对沙丘固定过程的响应规律,以科尔沁沙地为研究区,选择不同固沙阶段沙丘的4个方位（西北、东南、西南、东北）布设调查样地,测定了不同样地的蚁丘密度、直径和高度,分析了不同样地蚁丘特征及空间分布规律。结果表明：（1）流动沙丘背风向（即东南方位）蚁丘密度显著高于其他方位,但从流动沙丘到半流动沙丘,背风向（即东南方位）蚁丘密度显著低于其他方位;从半固定沙丘开始,半固定和固定沙丘微地形对蚁丘密度分布的影响较小。（2）在流动沙丘、半流动沙丘、半固定沙丘,不同微地形生境中蚁丘直径和高度均呈现出相似的分布规律,即东南方位均小于其他方位。在固定沙丘,蚁丘高度表现为东南方位亦较低,但蚁丘直径表现为西南和东北方位显著小于西北方位。（3）在流动沙丘,西北、西南和东南方位上蚁丘空间分布均表现为均匀分布型,而在半流动、半固定和固定沙丘,4个方位上蚁丘空间分布均表现为聚集分布型。（4）相关性分析表明,不同固沙阶段不同微生境下蚁丘密度、高度、直径与植物密度、多样性间的相关性不同。随着固沙阶段演替,不同微生境下蚁丘特征与植物密度、多样性的相关性增强。研究表明,在科尔沁沙地,随着流动沙丘固定和生境逐渐恢复,沙丘不同空间方位上蚁丘密度分布差异缩小,而蚁丘直径和高度仍存在沙丘微地形间显著差异性,并且蚁丘空间方位上均呈现聚集分布状态。     

Photosynthetic and morphological characters of Caragana microphylla in different slope aspects and positions

In order to find out how small scale topographical factors affect growth and physiological characters of Caragana microphylla, which is a widely distributed shrub species and has an important role in restoring degraded grassland in natural ecosystem, a natural population of C. microphylla was chosen in a typical steppe community in June, 2009. The population was 34 km to the southeast of Xilinhot City, China, and a total of 54 shrubs were selected from different slope aspects and positions. We investigated the photosynthetic and morphological characters of these shrubs and analyzed the relationship between plant traits of C. microphylla and soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability. Moreover, the relationship between plant traits of C. microphylla and herbaceous aboveground biomass was studied. (1) The maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pn_max) was significantly lower on shady slopes than that on sunny slopes and higher on upper slopes than that on lower slopes. Stomatal conductance (Gs), net photosynthetic rate/intercellular CO₂ concentration (Pn/Ci) and intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) under saturated irradiance showed similar trends with slope aspect and position. Likewise, the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), PSII potential activity (Fv/Fo) and the first-year shoot morphological characters of C. microphylla were also correlated with slope aspect and position. (2) Soil nitrogen availability showed no significant effect on photosynthetic or morphological traits of C. microphylla, however, there were several significant relationships between soil phosphorus availability and plant traits. Dry weight, shoot length, compound leaf size, and leaflet length of first-year shoots of C. microphylla were significantly negatively correlated with soil C:P ratio. Though not significant, photosynthetic parameters under saturated light and other morphological characters of first-year shoots were negatively correlated with soil C:P ratio, i.e., these traits increased with increasing soil phosphorus availability. These suggested that the difference of soil phosphorus availability played an important role in making C. microphylla having different photosynthetic and morphological characters on different slope aspects and positions. The individuals grown in relatively P-rich site had longer shoots and larger leaves and grew better. Low phosphorus content was thought to limit photosynthetic activity through several different mechanisms, including both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations, the latter being more likely in the present study. (3) Photosynthetic and morphological characters of C. microphylla were all negatively correlated with herbaceous aboveground biomass, though only Pn/Ci and length of first-year shoot were significantly correlated with it. This indicated that the difference in plant community was a factor making C. microphylla have different growth and physiological characters on different aspects and positions of slope. A number of studies showed that grazing of the herbaceous layer promoted the establishment and proliferation of woody species, and then led to grassland deterioration; but in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, some widely distributed shrub species like C. microphylla created resource islands and provide favorable microhabitat for grass species. In the present study, we found negative correlations between traits of C. microphylla and herbaceous aboveground biomass. We suggested that the removal of livestock grazing result in the decrease of the distribution C. microphylla and increase of grass coverage, and lead to the restoration of the typical steppe.     

Discriminant analysis of Lepidopteran prey characteristics and their effects on the outcome of bird-feeding trials

Discriminant analysis was used to analyse the results of 348 bird-feeding trials conducted from 1982 to 1985 in Leverett, Massachusetts. Four size classes, seven appearance categories, and five larval host types, based on 163 species of moths and butterflies used as prey in two or more trials, were selected as predictor variables to discriminate between prey taken and not taken by birds. Discriminant analysis of individual feeding trials correctly classified 97.5 percent of prey taken or not-taken and ranked the predictor variables according to their relative importance in determining prey acceptability. Characteristics most acceptable to birds were: (1) large size, (2) bark-like appearance, (3) warning colouration, (4) woody generalist, (5) dead-leaf-like appearance, (6) woody specialist, and (7) medium size. Characteristics least acceptable to birds were: (1) small size, (2) mimetic appearance, (3) butterfly appearance, (4) herbaceous specialist food type, (5) black-and-white appearance, (6) extra large size, and (7) overall generalist feeder. A summary of the analyses includes a discriminant function based on lepidopteran characteristics that can be used to predict the prey acceptability of species not used in this study. A multiple regression analysis of prey taken revealed that size alone and larval host type combined with other prey characteristics were the most important variables in determining the selection of prey regardless of their abundance in the trials.