外来种互花米草和土著种芦苇空中凋落物氮动态的比较研究

土壤氮含量是限制植物生长的重要因素, 所以入侵植物要入侵成功必须突破土壤氮限制的瓶颈。近年来, 外来种互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)在中国海岸带盐沼中快速取代土著种芦苇(Phragmites australis), 引起了多方面的生态学后果。为了解互花米草与本地种芦苇空中凋落物的氮含量是否存在差异及产生这种差异的机制, 2003年11月至2004年4月, 作者在长江口九段沙湿地对互花米草与芦苇空中凋落物氮含量(单位面积凋落物的总氮量, N g/m²)进行了测定, 结果表明互花米草的氮含量比芦苇高。在空中分解过程中, 互花米草茎(包括叶鞘与秆)凋落物的氮含量显著上升, 但芦苇茎凋落物的氮含量显著降低。2006年1月, 又对中国海岸带6个地点的盐沼中互花米草的凋落物进行取样和氮浓度测定, 发现互花米草空中叶鞘与秆的老凋落物(2004年冬季产生)的氮浓度均显著高于其新产生的凋落物(2005年冬季产生), 表明在空中分解过程中, 互花米草叶鞘与秆凋落物氮含量增加具有普遍性。进一步的温室受控实验结果表明, 互花米草凋落物氮含量增加可能是由腐生固氮微生物引起的。以上结果表明,互花米草取代芦苇后, 改变了空中凋落物的氮动态, 增加了生态系统中氮的输入, 可能有利于互花米草的快速扩张。     

Decomposition dynamics of Phragmites australis litter in Lake Burullus,Egypt

This study estimated the decomposition rate and nutrient dynamics of Phragmites australis litter in Lake Burullus (Egypt) and investigated the amount of nutrients released back into the water after the decomposition of the dead tissues. Phragmites australis detritus decomposition was studied from April to September 2003 utilizing the leaf, stem, and rhizome litterbags technique with coarse mesh (5 mm) bags on five sampling dates and with nine replicate packs per sample. All samples were dried, weighed and analyzed for N, P, Ca, Mg, Na, and K concentrations. The exponential breakdown rate of leaves (?0.0117/day) was significantly higher than that of rhizomes (?0.0040/day) and stems (?0.0036/day). N, Na and K mineralization were the highest from leaf litter, followed by rhizomes and stems, while P, Ca and Mg mineralization were the highest from rhizomes, followed by leaves and stems. The dead shoot biomass at the end of 2003 amounted to 4550 g DM/m² which enters the decomposition process. By using the decay rate of 0.0117 and 0.0036/day for the leaves and stems, 3487 g DM/m² is decomposed in a year, leaving only 1063 g DM/m² after 1 year. This is mainly equivalent to releasing the following nutrients into surrounding water (in g/m²): 24.4 N, 1.1 P, 15.5 Ca, 3.5 Mg, 11.3 Na and 16.7 K. In conclusion, the present study indicates a significant difference in relation to the type of litter; these breakdown rates were generally greater than most rates reported in previous studies that used the same technique and mesh size.     

Comparative study of periphyton colonisation on common reed (Phragmites australis) and artificial substrate in a shallow lake,Manyas, Turkey

Hydrobiologia - Colonisation of epiphytic algae on the common reed (Phragmites australis) and on glass slides were studied during a twenty-four week exposure period in a shallow, turbid lake,...     

Mass loss and nutrient dynamics during litter decomposition under three mixing treatments in a typical steppe in Inner Mongolia

Background and aims

Mixing effects during litter decomposition could occur between two or more different litter species because of the potential nutrient transfer. However, evidence of mixing effects is variable and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Using a three-year decomposition experiment, we aim to examine for the effects of litter mixing and position on decomposition rates and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics.

Methods

We studied litter decomposition of Stipa krylovii (Sk) and Astragalus galactites (Ag), two dominant species with contrasting litter quality, in a typical steppe of northern China in both single decomposition and three mixing treatments. The three mixing treatments included thorough mixing (Sk-Ag), Ag over Sk (Ag/Sk), and Sk over Ag (Sk/Ag).

Results

Both the Sk-Ag and the Sk/Ag mixture had negative mixing effects on the mass loss of the litter mixture, while the Ag/Sk mixture had a neutral mixing effect. The percent mass loss was higher when the litter species was placed at the top (25.0 and 51.9 % of mass remaining for Ag and Sk, respectively) than at the bottom (38.3 and 61.8 % of mass remaining for Ag and Sk, respectively). The Sk/Ag mixture had negative effects on the release of N while all three mixing treatments had positive effects on the release of P.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that: (1) mixing treatments can induce different mixing effects; (2) environmental factors likely play an important role in controlling the mixing effect; and (3) litter-mixtures have different non-additive effects on N and P, which may further increase the heterogeneity of N and P availability as the two litter species may fall differentially in terms of space and time.     

Initial colonization, nutrient supply, and fungal activity on leaves decaying in streams

Aquatic hyphomycetes dominate leaf decomposition in streams, and their biomass is an important component in the diet of leaf-eating invertebrates. After 2 weeks of exposure in a first-order stream, maple leaf disks had low levels of fungal biomass and species diversity. Spore production by aquatic hyphomycetes also was low. Subsets of these disks were left in the stream for another 3 weeks or incubated in defined mineral solutions with one of three levels of nitrate and phosphate. Stream disks lost mass, increased ergosterol levels and spore production, and were colonized by additional fungal species. External N and P significantly stimulated mass loss, ergosterol accumulation, and spore production of laboratory disks. On disks incubated without added N and P, ergosterol levels declined while conidium production continued, suggesting conversion of existing hyphal biomass to propagules. In all other treatments, approximately equal amounts of newly synthesized biomass were invested in hyphae and conidia. Net yield (fungal biomass per leaf mass lost) varied between 1% (in the laboratory, without added N or P) and 31% (decay in stream). In most treatments, the three aquatic hyphomycete species that dominated spore production during the first 2 weeks in the stream also produced the largest numbers of conidia in the following 3 weeks. Principal-component analysis suggested two divergent trends from the initial fungal community established after 2 weeks in the stream. One culminated in the community of the second phase of stream exposure, and the other culminated in the laboratory treatment with the highest levels of N and P. The results suggest that fungal production in streams, and, by extension, production of invertebrates and higher tropic levels, is stimulated by inorganic N and P.     

Effects of oil on internal gas transport, radial oxygen loss, gas films and bud growth in Phragmites australis

Background and Aims

Oil pollution of wetlands is a world-wide problem but, to date, research has concentrated on its influences on salt marsh rather than freshwater plant communities. The effects of water-borne light oils (liquid paraffin and diesel) were investigated on the fresh/brackish wetland species Phragmites australis in terms of routes of oil infiltration, internal gas transport, radial O₂ loss (ROL), underwater gas films and bud growth.

Methods

Pressure flow resistances of pith cavities of nodes and aerenchyma of leaf sheaths, with or without previous exposure to oil, were recorded from flow rates under applied pressure. Convective flows were measured from living excised culms with oiled and non-oiled nodes and leaf sheaths. The effect of oil around culm basal nodes on ROL from rhizome and root apices was measured polarographically. Surface gas films on submerged shoots with and without oil treatment were recorded photographically. Growth and emergence of buds through water with and without an oil film were measured.

Key Results

Internodes are virtually impermeable, but nodes of senesced and living culms are permeable to oils which can block pith cavity diaphragms, preventing flows at applied pressures of 1 kPa, natural convective transport to the rhizome, and greatly decreasing ROL to phyllospheres and rhizospheres. Oil infiltrating or covering living leaf sheaths prevents humidity-induced convection. Oil displaces surface gas films from laminae and leaf sheaths. Buds emerge only a few centimetres through oil and die.

Conclusions

Oil infiltrates the gas space system via nodal and leaf sheath stomata, reducing O₂ diffusion and convective flows into the rhizome system and decreasing oxygenation of phyllospheres and rhizospheres; underwater gas exchange via gas films will be impeded. Plants can be weakened by oil-induced failure of emerging buds. Plants will be most at risk during the growing season.Key words: Phragmites australis, oil pollution, convective flow, pressure flow resistance, phyllosphere oxygenation, rhizosphere oxygenation, underwater gas films, bud emergence, stomata, pith cavity diaphragms, leaf sheath aerenchyma, rhizome aeration     

敦煌阳关湿地芦苇叶片养分重吸收模式及其对土壤水分的响应

植物叶片的养分重吸收是养分贫瘠生境中植物重要的养分保存机制。研究叶片养分重吸收对土壤水分的响应,有助于了解植物对环境的适应策略。以敦煌阳关湿地优势植物芦苇为对象,研究不同水分条件[高: 33.5%±1.9%、中: 26.4%±1.3%、低: 11.3%±1.5%]下芦苇叶片氮磷重吸收模式及其对土壤水分的响应。结果表明: 1)随着土壤水分下降,土壤N浓度显著降低,芦苇成熟叶片及衰老叶片N浓度显著升高,成熟叶片和衰老叶片P浓度及土壤P浓度均无显著变化。2)高水分条件叶片N重吸收效率为 76.1%,显著高于中(65.5%)、低(62.5%)水分条件;不同水分条件叶片P重吸收效率无显著差异。3)成熟叶片和衰老叶片N浓度与叶片N重吸收效率呈极显著负相关;成熟叶片P浓度与叶片P重吸收效率无显著相关性,而衰老叶片P浓度与叶片P重吸收效率呈极显著负相关。说明土壤水分缺乏不利于叶片N重吸收。     

The endophytic fungal communities associated with the leaves and roots of the common reed (Phragmites australis) in Lake Trasimeno (Perugia,Italy) in declining and healthy stands

We surveyed the fungal endophytes in the leaves and roots of Phragmites australis plants along a gradient of reed decline at Lake Trasimeno (central Italy) in Oct. 2010. An integrated approach consisting of cultivation and molecular identification was used. Endophytes were recovered from 61.59 % of the samples, with a total of 1 541 isolates. On the basis of a molecular analysis of the rDNA Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region, 25 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. Fusarium sp. (OTU 21) and Gibberella moniliformis (OTU 1) were the most frequently isolated fungi. Comparisons of the leaf and root samples demonstrated spatial heterogeneity in the endophyte assemblages among the plant parts and sites. In this study, we have shown that reed plants in different states of decline harbour different endophytic communities. This finding may help to understand the very complex scenario of reed die-back.     

Mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonisation of Pacific salmon carcasses in south-eastern Alaskan streams

1. We examined the spatial and temporal dynamics of pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ) carcass decomposition (mass loss and macroinvertebrate colonisation) in south-eastern Alaskan streams. Dry mass and macroinvertebrate fauna of carcasses placed in streams were measured every two weeks over two months in six artificial streams and once after six weeks in four natural streams. We also surveyed the macroinvertebrate fauna and wet mass of naturally occurring salmon carcasses.
2. Carcass mass loss in artificial streams was initially rapid and then declined over time ( k =–0.033 day^–1), and no significant differences were found among natural streams.
3. Several macroinvertebrate taxa colonised carcasses, but chironomid midge (Diptera: Chironomidae) and Zapada (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) larvae were found consistently and were the most abundant (on average 95 and 2%, respectively, of the invertebrates found). Chironomid abundance and biomass increased over time, whereas Zapada abundance and biomass did not. Significant differences in abundance were found among natural streams for Baetis (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) and Sweltsa (Plecoptera: Chloroperlidae) larvae, while no significant differences were found for chironomid and Zapada abundance or biomass.
4. Our results suggest that salmon carcasses initially undergo a high rate of mass loss that tapers off with time. Chironomid and Zapada larvae are likely to be important in mediating nutrient and energy transfer between salmon carcasses and other components of the freshwater-riparian food web in south-eastern Alaskan streams.     

On the relationship between isoprene emission and thermotolerance in Phragmites australis leaves exposed to high temperatures and during the recovery from a heat stress

Thermotolerance induced by isoprene has been assessed during heat bursts but there is little information on the ability of endogenous isoprene to confer thermotolerance under naturally elevated temperature, on the interaction between isoprene-induced thermotolerance and light stress, and on the persistence of this protection in leaves recovering at lower temperatures. Moderately high temperature treatment (38 °C for 1.5 h) reduced photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II in isoprene-emitting, but to a significantly lower extent than in isoprene-inhibited Phragmites australis leaves. Isoprene inhibition and high temperature independently, as well as together, induced lipid peroxidation, increased level of H₂O₂, and increased catalase and peroxidase activities. However, leaves in which isoprene emission was previously inhibited developed stronger oxidative stress under high temperature with respect to isoprene-emitting leaves. The heaviest photosynthetic stress was observed in isoprene-inhibited leaves exposed to the brightest illumination (1500 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and, in general, there was also a clear additive effect of light excess on the formation of reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzymes, and membrane damage. The increased thermotolerance capability of isoprene-emitting leaves may be due to isoprene ability to stabilize membranes or to scavenge reactive oxygen species. Irrespective of the mechanism by which isoprene reduces thermal stress, isoprene-emitting leaves are able to quickly recover after the stress. This may be an important feature for plants coping with frequent and transient temperature changes in nature.     

Genetic and epigenetic changes during the invasion of a cosmopolitan species (Phragmites australis)

While many introduced invasive species can increase genetic diversity through multiple introductions and/or hybridization to colonize successfully in new environments, others with low genetic diversity have to persist by alternative mechanisms such as epigenetic variation. Given that Phragmites australis is a cosmopolitan reed growing in a wide range of habitats and its invasion history, especially in North America, has been relatively well studied, it provides an ideal system for studying the role and relationship of genetic and epigenetic variation in biological invasions. We used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and methylation‐sensitive (MS) AFLP methods to evaluate genetic and epigenetic diversity and structure in groups of the common reed across its range in the world. Evidence from analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on AFLP and MS‐AFLP data supported the previous conclusion that the invasive introduced populations of P. australis in North America were from European and Mediterranean regions. In the Gulf Coast region, the introduced group harbored a high level of genetic variation relative to originating group from its native location, and it showed epigenetic diversity equal to that of the native group, if not higher, while the introduced group held lower genetic diversity than the native. In the Great Lakes region, the native group displayed very low genetic and epigenetic variation, and the introduced one showed slightly lower genetic and epigenetic diversity than the original one. Unexpectedly, AMOVA and principal component analysis did not demonstrate any epigenetic convergence between native and introduced groups before genetic convergence. Our results suggested that intertwined changes in genetic and epigenetic variation were involved in the invasion success in North America. Although our study did not provide strong evidence proving the importance of epigenetic variation prior to genetic, it implied the similar role of stable epigenetic diversity to genetic diversity in the adaptation of P. australis to local environment.     

Effect of broken dead culms of Phragmites australis on radial oxygen loss in relation to radiation and temperature

The amount of oxygen released from the roots of Phragmites australis was quantified to examine the effects of airflow through dead culms, radiation, and temperature on radial oxygen loss (ROL). To investigate the effect of dead culms on ROL quantitatively, the ROL of individual plants with open dead culms was compared to that of plants with sealed dead culms as a function of light intensity and temperature. The relationship between ROL and plant morphology (aboveground biomass, shoot diameter, shoot height) was investigated. When exposed to 300, 600, and 900 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ light, the ROL was 15.6, 22.5, and 30.9 μmol O₂ g⁻¹ dry root day⁻¹, respectively, from plants with open dead culms and 11.0, 16.4, and 23.3 μmol O₂ g⁻¹ dry root day⁻¹, respectively, from plants with sealed dead culms. The ROL from plants with open dead culms was obviously higher than that from plants with sealed dead culms in every condition. The ROL from plants with open culms was 37% and 30% higher than that from plants with sealed culms at 20°C and 30°C, respectively. The effects of plant-specific parameters such as leaf area and shoot diameter on radial oxygen loss were evident. From the point of view of rhizosphere oxidation during the growing season, the existence of open dead culms should be taken into consideration for optimal plant management in constructed wetlands. This study provides a theoretical understanding of the effects of open dead culms, light conditions, and temperature on radial oxygen loss. Handling editor: S. M. Thomaz     

Effects of seasonal temperature on shoot growth dynamics and shoot morphology of common reed (Phragmites australis)

The shoot growth during the vegetation period andshoot morphology at the end of the season wereinvestigated in four monoclonal aquatic reed stands(Phragmites australis) with differentproductivity in Berlin and Brandenburg. Investigationswere conducted over a period of six years (1991–96) toascertain the effects of differences in temperatures.All clones showed significant year-to-year variationin shoot morphology. The mean final shoot length ofthe two clones with highest variation ranged from252 cm (1991) to 388 cm (1993; Templiner See), andfrom 170 cm (1993) to 229 cm (1994; Parsteiner See).In spite of this considerable variation, morphologicalparameters measured at the end of the growing seasonshowed only a slight relation to the average airtemperature either during the main growth phase (Aprilto June) or during the period of bud formation (Augustto October of the previous year). Contrary to meanshoot length at the end of the growing season, shootelongation during the main growth phase (from April toJune) was clearly related to the sum of daily averagetemperatures. Thus, taking into account temperaturemay enhance the accuracy of studies on reed growthwhenever these studies are carried out at localitiesdiffering in temperature or in different years.     

Growth of Lythrum salicaria and Phragmites australis plants originating from a wide geographical area: response to nutrient and water supply

Aim The response of L. salicaria and P. australis plants originating from a broad latitudinal gradient to mineral nutrient and water supply was studied. We suggest implications for mechanisms possibly underlying the invasiveness of these two plant species. Location A common garden tub experiment was carried out at T?eboň, Czech Republic (49° N 14°47′ E, altitude 433 m). Methods Plants of 30 L. salicaria and 6 P. australis populations originating from a wide geographical area in Europe and in Israel (60°?32° N latitude, 6° W?20° E longitude) were cultivated for one growing season at two water levels and three (L. salicaria) or two (P. australis) nutrient doses, respectively. At the end of cultivation, basic morphological and growth characteristics were recorded. Results The latitude of the original geographical location was the most significant factor, affecting both the phenology and most of the plant morphological and growth characteristics measured in both plant species, with the characteristics related to plant size being negatively correlated with latitude. The effect of nutrient dose was very strong in both species, while the effect of water level was more pronounced in P. australis than in L. salicaria. Main conclusions The results confirmed the existence of a large phenotypic variability in both plant species within their native ranges of occurrence. In both plant species, the latitudinal variation in plant morphological and growth characteristics most probably indicates the differentiation of genotypes adapted to local geographical conditions. The plants of both species originating from all geographical locations tested responded to the respective nutrient treatments in a similar manner. Exceptions were found in growth characteristics related to reproduction in L. salicaria, indicating that better nutrient supply could enhance the reproductive ability of certain genotypes. Based on the results obtained, we suggest implications for mechanisms possibly underlying the invasiveness of the plant species studied.     

Genetics,novel weapons and rhizospheric microcosmal signaling in the invasion of Phragmites australis

Chemical communication and perception strategies between plants are highly sophisticated but are only partly understood. Among the different interactions, the suppressive interaction of a class of chemicals released by one plant through root exudates against the neighbouring plants (allelopathy) have been implicated in the invasiveness of many exotic weedy species. Phragmites australis (common reed) is one of the dominant colonizers of the North American wetland marshes and exhibits invasive behavior by virtually replacing the entire native vegetation in its niche. Recently, by adopting a systematic bioassay driven approach we elucidated the role of root derived allelopathy as one of the important mechanisms by which P. australis exerts its invasive behavior. Additionally, our recent preliminary data indicates the involvement of rhizobacterial signaling in the invasive success of P. australis. A better understanding of biochemical weaponry used by P. australis will aid scientists and technologists in addressing the impact of root secretions in invasiveness of weedy species and thus promote a more informed environmental stewardship.Key words: Phragmites australis, roots, phytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species, microtubules, microcosm     

Aspects of programmed cell death during early senescence of barley leaves: possible role of nitric oxide

Summary. Leaf senescence is a highly coordinated process which involves programmed cell death (PCD). Early stages of leaf senescence occurring during normal leaf ontogenesis, but not triggered by stress factors, are less well known. In this study, we correlated condensation of chromatin and nuclear DNA (nDNA) fragmentation, two main features of PCD during early senescence in barley leaves, with the appearance of nitric oxide (NO) within leaf tissue. With the help of the alkaline version of the comet assay, together with measurements of nDNA fluorescence intensity, we performed a detailed analysis of the degree of nDNA fragmentation. We localised NO in vivo and in situ within the leaf and photometrically measured its concentration with the NO-specific fluorochrome 4-amino-5-methylamino-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein. We found that both nDNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation occurred quite early during barley leaf senescence and always in the same order: first nDNA fragmentation, in leaves of 6-day-old seedlings, and later chromatin condensation, in the apical part of leaves from 10-day-old seedlings. PCD did not start simultaneously even in neighbouring cells and probably did not proceed at the same rate. NO was localised in vivo and in situ within the cytoplasm, mainly in mitochondria, in leaves at the same stage as those in which chromatin condensation was observed. Localisation of NO in vascular tissue and in a large number of mesophyll cells during the senescence process might imply its transport to other parts of the leaf and its involvement in signalling between cells. The fact that the highest concentration of NO was found in the cytoplasm of mesophyll cells in the earliest stage of senescence and lower concentrations were found during later stages might suggest that NO plays an inductive role in PCD. Correspondence: A. Mostowska, Department of Plant Anatomy and Cytology, Institute of Experimental Biology of Plants, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland.