Stoichiometric characteristics of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus of Sibiraea angustata shrub on the eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

Aims Little is known about the stoichiometric characteristics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in plateau shrubs across China. Sibiraea angustata is a typical and representative shrub species on the eastern Qinghai- Xizang Plateau, and exploring its C, N and P distribution patterns and stoichiometric properties in different organs (including root, shoot, leaf, twig and fruit) would help us better understand the mechanisms of C, N and P cycling and balance in the S. angustata dominated shrub ecosystem.
Methods Sixteen sampling sites were selected on the eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau by the stratified sampling method. The height and coverage of the dominant shrubs, latitude, longitude and altitude of the sites were recorded. Three 5 m × 5 m plots were selected at each site. At least 128 biological samples of plant organs of S. angustata were collected and measured, respectively. The C and N concentrations of plant samples were analyzed using an elemental analyzer (2400 II CHNS). The P concentration was analyzed using the molydate/ascorbic acid method after H₂SO₄-H₂O₂ digestion.
Important findings The C, N and P concentrations of different organs followed the order of: shoot (495.07 g·kg^-1) > twig (483.37 g·kg^-1) > fruit (480.35 g·kg^-1) > root (468.47 g·kg^-1) > leaf (466.33 g·kg^-1); leaf (22.27 g·kg^-1) > fruit (19.74 g·kg^-1) > twig (7.98 g·kg^-1) > shoot (4.54 g·kg^-1) > root (4.00 g·kg^-1) and fruit (2.85 g·kg^-1) > leaf (1.92 g·kg^-1) > twig (0.96 g·kg^-1) > root (0.52 g·kg^-1) > shoot (0.45 g·kg^-1), respectively. The ranges of the coefficient of variation (CV) for C, N and P concentrations were 1.71%-4.44%, 14.49%-25.50% and 11.46%-46.15%, respectively. Specifically, the C concentration was relatively high and stable, and the maximum CV values for N and P were found in roots. The N:P value of different organs varied from 7.12-12.41 and the minimum CV for N:P was found in twig, which indicated that N:P in twig had higher internal stability. In addition, correlation analysis indicated that the C concentration was significantly negatively correlated with N and P concentrations and correlation coefficients were -0.407 and -0.342, respectively. However, N concentration had dramatically positive correlation with P concentration and the correlation coefficient was 0.814. These results also could indicate that the C, N and P stoichiometric characteristics in the S. angustata shrub accorded with the homeostatic mechanism and growth rate hypothesis to some extent, the distributions of C, N and P concentrations were closely related to the function of the organs and it should be prudent to use ecological stoichiometric ratios to judge the condition of nutrient limitation at the species level.     

Responses of soil inorganic nitrogen to increased temperature and plant removal during the growing season in a Sibiraea angustata scrub ecosystem of eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

为了揭示气候变暖背景下高寒灌丛土壤氮转化过程, 该文研究了青藏高原东缘窄叶鲜卑花(Sibiraea angustata)灌丛生长季节土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量对增温和去除植物的响应。结果表明: 窄叶鲜卑花灌丛土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量具有明显的季节动态。整个生长季节, 土壤硝态氮含量呈先增加后降低的趋势, 而铵态氮含量均表现为一直增加的趋势。在生长季初期和中期, 各处理土壤硝态氮含量均显著高于铵态氮含量, 而在生长季末期土壤硝态氮含量均显著低于铵态氮含量, 说明该区域土壤氮转化过程在生长季初期和中期以硝化作用为主, 而在生长季末期以氨化作用为主。不同时期土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量对增温和去除植物的响应不同: 增温对硝态氮的影响主要发生在生长季中期和末期, 且因植物处理的不同而有显著差异, 增温仅在生长季中期使不去除植物样方铵态氮含量显著升高。去除植物对土壤硝态氮的影响仅表现在对照样方(不增温), 去除植物显著提高了生长季初期和中期土壤硝态氮含量, 显著降低了生长季末期土壤硝态氮含量; 同时去除植物显著降低了增温样方生长季中期土壤铵态氮含量。灌丛植被在生长季初期和中期可能主要吸收土壤硝态氮, 其吸收过程不受土壤增温的影响。     

放牧干扰对青藏高原东缘窄叶鲜卑花空间结构的影响

在四川西北部松潘县卡卡沟对青藏高原东缘高海拔地区3个不同放牧强度下的窄叶鲜卑花灌丛的空间结构进行了研究,结果表明：放牧干扰对卡卡沟东南坡的窄叶鲜卑花空间结构影响显著,植株的总生物量、总叶面积和茎的边材面积在重度放牧下显著低于轻度和中度放牧梯度样地。中度和重度放牧情况下叶片长度、宽度以及面积均比轻度放牧显著提高;植株高度随放牧强度增加出现先升后降的现象,而顶部枝叶生物量分配则出现与之相反的情况。虽然植物空间结构发生变化,但是单位边材面积上支持的叶面积并没有变化,中度放牧使植株枝叶生物量更加均匀分布。放牧干扰下植物空间结构的塑性变化依然受到Huber数的制约,使叶片蒸腾耗水与茎的供水能力上维持平衡。     

氮硅添加对青藏高原高寒草甸土壤氮矿化的影响

为了解全球气候变化背景下氮沉降对土壤氮矿化的影响及硅添加对土壤氮矿化的促进作用, 该试验设置不同浓度的氮肥单独添加(0、20、40、60 g·m ^-2, 分别为对照CK、N20、N40、N60)以及与硅肥配施(硅酸4 g·m ^-2, Si4), 测定不同处理下0-20、20-40、40-60 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量、铵态氮含量、净硝化速率、净氨化速率以及净矿化速率。结果显示: (1)单独添加氮肥, 各土层土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量均随处理浓度的增加而增加, 0-20 cm土层N20、N40、N60处理下土壤硝态氮和铵态氮分别较CK增加63.48%、126.04%、247.03%和80.66%、152.52%、244.56%; 随着土层深度增加, 土壤硝态氮、铵态氮含量均有下降, 20-40、40-60 cm土层较0-20 cm土层硝态氮含量分别平均减少53.90%、76.05%, 铵态氮含量分别平均减少48.62%、68.23%。(2)土壤净硝化速率、净氨化速率及净矿化速率随着氮肥浓度增加均呈上升趋势。相同氮肥添加浓度下, 土壤净硝化速率、净氨化速率和净矿化速率随着土层深度增加逐渐下降(除CK外)。(3)与单独添加氮肥比较, 氮硅肥配施, 土壤氮含量有显著提高, 在0-20 cm土层硝态氮和铵态氮较CK分别增加98.78%、192.62%、330.16%和99.96%、195.82%、306.32%, 20-40、40-60 cm土层也有类似趋势。同时, 氮硅配施促进了土壤氮矿化行为, 在0-20 cm土层, N60Si4处理下的土壤净硝化速率、净氨化速率较单独施氮时分别增加35.88%、27.41%。以上结果表明, 与单独氮肥添加相比, 氮硅配施不但能提高土壤氮含量, 而且能促进土壤氮的矿化作用, 对大气氮沉降有一定的缓解作用。     

Effects of short-term nitrogen addition on fine root biomass,lifespan and morphology of Castanopsis platyacantha in a subtropical secondary evergreen broad-leaved forest

Aims Fine roots are the principal parts for plant nutrients acquisition and play an important role in the underground ecosystem. Increased nitrogen (N) deposition has changed the soil environment and thus has a potential influence on fine roots. The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect of N deposition on biomass, lifespan and morphology of fine root.Methods A field N addition experiment was conducted in a secondary broad-leaved forest in subtropical China from May 2013 to September 2015. Three levels of N treatments: CK (no N added), LN (5 g·m^-2·a^-1), and HN (15 g·m^-2·a^-1) were applied monthly. Responses of fine root biomass, lifespan, and morphology of Castanopsis platyacantha to N addition were analyzed by using a minirhizotron image system from April 2014 to September 2015. Surface soil sample (0-10 cm) was collected in November 2014 and soil pH value, and concentrations of NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^--N were measured.Important findings The biomass and average lifespan of the fine roots of C. platyacantha were 128.30 g·m^-3 and 113-186 days, respectively, in 0-45 cm soil layer. Nitrogen addition had no significant effect on either fine root biomass or lifespan in 0-45 cm soil layer. However, LN treatment significantly decreased C. platyacantha root superficial area in 0-15 cm soil layer. HN treatment significantly decreased soil pH value. Our study indicated that short-term N addition influences soil inorganic N concentration and thus decreased pH value in surface soil, and thereafter affect fine root morphology. Short-term N addition, however, did not affect the fine root biomass, lifespan and morphology in subsoil.     

Responses of soil respiration to reduced water table and nitrogen addition in an alpine wetland on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

近20年来, 青藏高原高寒湿地经历了明显的气候变化, 从而导致多数湿地水位下降和氮沉降的增加。对于湿地生态系统来说, 水位下降意味着土壤通气性能的改善, 可能会导致土壤呼吸的增加; 而氮沉降的增加可能会降低土壤微生物生物量和pH值, 从而可能抑制土壤呼吸。为此, 在青海海北高寒草地生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站利用中宇宙(Mesocosm)实验方法, 探讨了青藏高原高寒泥炭型湿地土壤呼吸对水位降低和氮添加的响应。结果表明: (1)水位降低显著增强了土壤呼吸, 而氮添加对土壤呼吸的影响依赖于水位的变化: 对照水位下, 氮添加显著抑制土壤呼吸; 而水位降低时, 氮添加对土壤呼吸速率无显著影响。(2)土壤呼吸速率与地上生物量、枯落物累积量之间呈显著正相关关系, 而与根系生物量无显著相关关系。(3)水位降低显著提高了土壤呼吸的温度敏感性, 而氮添加对其无显著的影响。因此预测: 随着氮沉降的升高, 高寒泥炭湿地土壤CO₂的排放量将会减少; 然而随着暖干化背景下水位的降低, 青藏高原高寒湿地会排放更多的CO₂。     

川西高原季节性雪被覆盖对窄叶鲜卑花凋落物分解和养分动态的影响

2010年1-5月在川西高原采用人工雪厚度梯度试验(0、30和100 cm),应用网袋分解法对窄叶鲜卑花叶片凋落物进行分解试验,测定了凋落物的分解速率及其养分动态.结果表明:在无雪被覆盖的样地上分解5个月后的凋落物质量损失率为29.9％,而中雪和深雪样地的凋落物质量损失率分别为33.8％和35.2％.分解过程中,凋落物氮存在一定的富集现象,磷处于波动的富集状态,碳质量分数和碳氮比均呈现前期急剧下降后期逐渐上升的趋势.雪被覆盖显著增加了凋落物的质量损失率和氮含量,而对碳和磷含量无显著影响.在川西高原地区,30 cm以上的持续雪被覆盖能够改变凋落物的分解过程,从而可能对土壤营养物质转化和植物群落构建产生实质性的影响.     

氮肥和种植密度对达乌里胡枝子的生长与生物固氮的影响

氮供给和种植密度是影响植物生长的两个重要因素。豆科植物因其生物固氮能力而在受到氮限制的生态系统中具有重要作用, 氮含量增加促进植物生长的同时也会抑制豆科植物的生物固氮能力, 种植密度会通过种内竞争影响豆科植物的生长和生物固氮能力, 然而少有研究关注氮肥添加和种植密度对豆科植物生长和生物固氮能力的影响。该研究以达乌里胡枝子(Lespedeza davurica)为研究对象, 通过温室盆栽实验, 探究氮肥和种植密度对其生长和生物固氮的影响。实验设置4个氮添加水平(0、5、10、20 g·m^-2·a^-1)和3种种植密度(1、3、6 Ind.·pot^-1, 约32、96、192 Ind.·m^-2)。结果发现: 1)施肥和密度增加均影响了达乌里胡枝子的生长。叶片碳(C)、氮(N)含量、净光合速率随施氮量增加而增加, 氮添加也促进了植物的生长, 当施氮量为10 g·m^-2·a^-1时植物产量达到最大。叶片C、N含量、净光合速率随种植密度增加而下降, 密度增加可以促进每盆的总生物量, 但对单个植株的生长有负效应。2)氮肥对根瘤形成有抑制作用, 但种植密度增加会缓解氮肥对生物固氮能力带来的“氮阻遏”。该实验条件下, 当施氮量为10 g·m^-2·a^-1, 种植密度为3 Ind.·pot^-1, 或施氮量为5 g·m^-2·a^-1, 种植密度为6 Ind.·pot^-1时, 能最大程度发挥“施氮增产”和种植密度缓解“氮阻遏”的作用。氮添加降低了达乌里胡枝子的根瘤生物量和对根瘤形成的投资(根瘤生物量占总生物量的比例), 从而抑制达乌里胡枝子的生物固氮。种植密度增加导致达乌里胡枝子因种内竞争增加而使资源获取受限, 从而增加对根瘤的投资和根瘤生物量来获得更多来自大气中的氮。3)结构方程结果显示, 氮肥和种植密度通过直接或间接作用, 解释了64%的达乌里胡枝子生物量变化和42%的根瘤生物量变化。上述结果表明合理优化豆科植物的施肥量和种植密度可能对人工草地种植以及退化草地恢复管理具有重要意义。     

Effects of nitrogen addition on root dynamics in an alpine meadow,Northwestern Sichuan

该文以川西北高寒草甸为研究对象, 采用微根管法研究了不同施氮(N)水平下高寒草甸植物群落根系现存量、生产量、死亡量和周转率的变化及其与土壤理化性质的相互关系。结果表明: N添加显著增加了土壤速效氮(AN)含量, 降低了土壤pH值, 但是对土壤有机质(SOM)和全氮(TN)含量无显著影响。在0-10 cm土层, 平均根系现存量和累积根系生产量无显著变化, 累积根系死亡量在N10处理下显著降低了206.1 g·m ^-2, 根系周转率在N30处理下显著提高了17%; 在10-20 cm土层, N添加处理的平均根系现存量和累积根系生产量分别显著降低了195.3和142.3 g·m ^-2 (N10)、235.8和212.1 g·m ^-2 (N20)、198.0和204.4 g·m ^-2 (N30), 累积根系死亡量和周转率无显著变化。此外, 累积根系生产量、死亡量和周转率与AN含量相关性较大, 而平均根系现存量与SOM、AN和TN含量相关性较大。综上所述, N添加对高寒草甸的影响主要通过改变土壤可利用N含量, 进而影响根系的动态特征、空间分布格局和周转以及碳分配特征。     

青藏高原东缘窄叶鲜卑花灌丛生长季土壤无机氮对增温和植物去除的响应

为了揭示气候变暖背景下高寒灌丛土壤氮转化过程, 该文研究了青藏高原东缘窄叶鲜卑花(Sibiraea angustata)灌丛生长季节土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量对增温和去除植物的响应。结果表明: 窄叶鲜卑花灌丛土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量具有明显的季节动态。整个生长季节, 土壤硝态氮含量呈先增加后降低的趋势, 而铵态氮含量均表现为一直增加的趋势。在生长季初期和中期, 各处理土壤硝态氮含量均显著高于铵态氮含量, 而在生长季末期土壤硝态氮含量均显著低于铵态氮含量, 说明该区域土壤氮转化过程在生长季初期和中期以硝化作用为主, 而在生长季末期以氨化作用为主。不同时期土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量对增温和去除植物的响应不同: 增温对硝态氮的影响主要发生在生长季中期和末期, 且因植物处理的不同而有显著差异, 增温仅在生长季中期使不去除植物样方铵态氮含量显著升高。去除植物对土壤硝态氮的影响仅表现在对照样方(不增温), 去除植物显著提高了生长季初期和中期土壤硝态氮含量, 显著降低了生长季末期土壤硝态氮含量; 同时去除植物显著降低了增温样方生长季中期土壤铵态氮含量。灌丛植被在生长季初期和中期可能主要吸收土壤硝态氮, 其吸收过程不受土壤增温的影响。     

Effects of external nitrogen additions on soil organic carbon dynamics and the mechanism

What would be the impact of external nitrogen additions on soil carbon, an issue still under debating, as reported experimental results were either positive, negtive or neutral. Several factors may be related to these seemingly controversial results: differences in ecosystem types and soil properties, soil carbon detection methods, soil depths, and contents of soil labile and recalcitrant carbon that affect the responses to nitrogen additions, all could cause discrepancies and variations in carbon sequestration. The several processes that contribute to enhance soil organic carbon storage include increasing litter input, decresing soil carbon output, particularly, by supressed decomposition of recalcitrant carbon, promoting soil humifiction and formation of recalcitrant carbon storage. However, there are still many uncertainties associated with these issues. To improve our understanding, the research about carbon in deep soil layers, dissolved organic carbon leaching and accumulation, and the effect of labile and recalcitrant soil C ratios on N addition responses, should be further investigated in the future studies.     

青藏高原高寒草甸植物群落生物量对氮、磷添加的响应

青藏高原正经历着明显的温暖化过程, 由此引起的土壤温度的升高促进了土壤中微生物的活性, 同时青藏高原东缘地区大气氮沉降十分明显, 并呈逐年增加的趋势, 这些环境变化均促使土壤中可利用营养元素增加, 因此深入了解青藏高原高寒草甸植物生物量对可利用营养元素增加的响应, 是准确预测未来全球变化背景下青藏高原高寒草甸碳循环过程的重要基础。该研究基于在青藏高原高寒草甸连续4年(2009-2012年)氮、磷添加后对不同功能群植物地上生物量、群落地上和地下生物量的测定, 探讨高寒草甸生态系统碳输入对氮、磷添加的响应。结果表明: (1)氮、磷添加均极显著增加了禾草的地上绝对生物量及其在群落总生物量中所占的比例, 同时均显著降低了杂类草在群落总生物量中的比例, 此外磷添加极显著降低了莎草地上绝对生物量及其在群落总生物量中所占的比例。(2)氮、磷添加均显著促进了青藏高原高寒草甸的地上生物量增加, 分别增加了24%和52%。(3)氮添加对高寒草甸地下生物量无显著影响, 而磷添加后地下生物量有增加的趋势。(4)氮添加对高寒草甸植物总生物量无显著影响, 而磷添加后植物总生物量显著增加。研究表明, 氮、磷添加可缓解青藏高原高寒草甸植物生长的营养限制, 促进植物地上部分的生长, 然而高寒草甸植物的生长极有可能更受土壤中可利用磷含量的限制。     

Influence of nitrogen addition on the primary production in Nei Mongol degraded grassland

Aims Irrational utilization and global climate change have caused degradation of grassland ecosystems in northern China with low soil fertility, decreased vegetation coverage and productivity. Nitrogen addition has been suggested an effective way to enhance restoration of those degraded grasslands. In this study, we selected a typical steppe with three different degrading levels, including lightly, moderately and heavily degraded communities, in East Ujimqin, Nei Mongol. Our objectives of this study are to examine if and how nitrogen (N) addition can enhance restoration of those degraded grasslands Methods Treatments with four levels of N addition (0, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 g N·m^-2·a^-1) were conducted to each of the three degraded communities from 2014 to 2015. Nitrogen was applied as urea in June of both years. Aboveground biomass was collected at the species level in 1 m × 1 m plot in August each year, all species biomass was summed as net primary production, and biomass of plant functional groups was calculated by perennial rhizome grasses, perennial bunchgrasses, perennial forbs, shrubs and semi-shrubs, annuals and biennials.Important findings Our results showed that the high (20.0 g N·m^-2·a^-1) and medium level N addition (10.0 g N·m^-2·a^-1) significantly increased the aboveground biomass of the slightly degraded community by 53.1% and 51.6% compared with no N addition. N addition had no significant effects on the moderately and heavily degraded communities. N addition with high and medium levels increased aboveground biomass of perennial rhizome grasses by 45.1% and 47.7%, but decreased that of perennial forbs by 37.4% and 42.1% at the slightly degraded community. Our results indicated that N addition could increase the growth of perennial rhizome grasses, and the growth of perennial forbs was suppressed consequently. Our results suggest that even the application of N fertilizers can only be helpful to restoration of those slightly degraded grasslands. Besides, N addition had no significant effects on species richness in different degraded communities indicating the fact that the study may not last long enough. For the purpose of increasing aboveground biomass of degraded grassland, we should not only consider the type and quantity of fertilization, but also the attribute of the degraded communities. In addition, the response of degraded community in biomass may strongly be impacted by degrading level of studied grassland.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on the plant diversity and biomass of degraded grasslands of Nei Mongol,China

人为干扰及气候变化导致内蒙古草地发生了大面积退化, 氮添加是促进退化草地生产力恢复的一项重要措施。该文基于2011年建立的氮肥添加实验平台, 以3个不同退化程度(中度退化、重度退化、极度退化)草地群落为研究对象, 设置对照、10、20、30、40和50 g·m ^-2·a ^-1 6种氮添加处理, 分析氮添加对退化草地恢复过程中群落多样性和生物量的影响。结果表明: (1)氮添加降低了中度、重度退化草地恢复进程中物种丰富度和多样性, 对极度退化草地恢复进程中物种丰富度和多样性无明显影响。(2)氮添加促进了3个不同退化程度草地恢复进程中群落地上生物量的增加。(3)氮添加显著增加了群落中禾草的地上生物量及其在群落地上生物量中所占的比例, 降低了杂类草在群落地上生物量中的比例, 但对杂类草地上生物量无显著影响。研究表明在利用施肥措施治理退化草地的过程中, 需要充分考虑草地退化程度以及由氮添加引起的群落多样性和生产力的改变对草地生态系统功能的影响。     

Effects of localized nitrogen supply treatments on growth and root parameters in Pinus massoniana families under phosphorus deficiency

Aims A heterogeneous spatially distribution of nutrients in natural soil may affect plant growth. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of localized nitrogen (N) supply treatments on growth traits and root parameters among different families in Pinus massoniana.Methods Five families of P. massoniana seedlings from full-sib progenies were used as test materials (1, 25, 49, 52, and 57). This study included two conditions, (i.e. homogeneous phosphorus (P) deficiency vs. heterogeneous P efficiency) among soil layers in combination with four N supply treatments in a one-year pot experiment. These N supply treatments were: (1) Homogeneously high N along the soil profile (HHH); (2) high N-high N-low N (HHL); (3) low N-low N-high N (LLH); (4) low N-low N-on side with N addition and the other side without N supply (LLH/L).Important findings This study indicated that localized N supply treatment did enhance the growth of P. massoniana, and this enhancement mainly happened in the pattern of N applied to deep soil. The results showed: 1) Compared to the homogeneous low P condition, there were increase in the growth traits and root parameters of P. massoniana under heterogeneous low P condition. Particularly, the root length and root surface area under the heterogeneous P deficiency condition were 1.95 times and 2.11 times higher than that subjected to the homogeneous P deficiency. 2) Localized N supply treatment affected seedling growth, and there was a significant interaction among N supply pattern and P condition. In compared with homogeneous N supply treatment, the height, basal diameter and dry weight of seedlings increased significantly by localized N supply treatments (LLH and/or LLH/L) under both two P deficiency conditions. But when the seedlings parameters were enhanced under homogeneous P deficiency, they were inhibited under heterogeneous P deficiency subjected to HHL. 3) Within the two P conditions, LLH and LLH/L stimulated root proliferation significantly, and root parameters were significantly enhanced under the heterogeneous P deficiency condition. Specifically, the root length and root surface area subjected to LLH/L rather than HHH were significantly enhanced by 29.2% and 32.3%, respectively. However, the length and surface area of the roots were suppressed by HHL treatment. 4). There were significant differences in response to different N supply treatments among P. massoniana families Seedlings in the families of 49, 52, and 57 responded to the localized N supply treatments with increased root proliferation, which enhanced seedling dry mass. On the other hand, the seedling growth in the family of 25 were stimulated by N and (or) P concentration, while the response of seedlings in the family of 1 to local nitrogen supply was relatively slow and exhibited growth retardation.     

Effects of N addition on ecological stoichiometric characteristics in six dominant plant species of alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,China

以青藏高原高寒草甸为研究对象, 通过人工氮肥添加试验, 研究6个群落优势种在不同施氮(N)水平下叶片碳(C)、N、磷(P)元素含量的变化以及生态化学计量学特征。结果表明: 自然条件下, 6个物种叶片N、P质量浓度存在显著的差异, 表现为: 黄花棘豆(Oxytropis ochrocephala)最高, 为24.5和2.51 g·kg^-1, 其叶片N含量低于而P含量高于我国其他草地的豆科植物; 其余5个物种叶片N、P质量浓度分别为11.5-18.1和1.49-1.72 g·kg^-1, 嵩草(Kobresia myosuroides)叶片N含量最低, 垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)叶片P含量最低, 与我国其他区域的研究结果相比, 其叶片N和P含量均低于我国其他草地非豆科植物。随氮素添加量的增大, 6种群落优势种叶片的C和P含量保持不变; 其他5种植物叶片N含量显著增加, 黄花棘豆叶片N含量保持不变。未添加氮肥时, 6种植物叶片N:P为7.3-11.2, 说明该区植物生长更多地受N限制。随N添加量的增加, 除黄花棘豆外, 其他5种植物叶片N:P大于16, 表现为植物生长受P限制。综合研究表明, 青藏草原高寒草甸植物叶片N含量较低, 植物受N影响显著, 但不同物种对N的添加反应不同, 豆科植物黄花棘豆叶片对N添加不敏感, 其他5个物种叶片全N含量随着N添加量的升高而增加, 该研究结果可为高寒草甸科学施肥提供理论依据。     

Effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration of Rhododendron simsii shrubland in the subtropical mountainous areas of China

Aims As the second largest C flux between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems, soil respiration plays a vital role in regulating atmosphere CO₂ concentration. Therefore, understanding the response of soil respiration to the increasing nitrogen deposition is urgently needed for prediction of future climate change. However, it is still unclear how nitrogen deposition influences soil respiration of shrubland in subtropical China. Our objectives were to explore the effects of different levels of nitrogen fertilization on soil respiration, root biomass increment, and litter biomass, and to analyze the relationships between soil respiration and soil temperature and moisture.
Methods From January 2013 to September 2014, we conducted a short-term simulated nitrogen deposition experiment in the Rhododendron simsii shrubland of Dawei Mountain, located in Hunan Province, southern China. Four levels of nitrogen addition treatments (each level with three replicates) were established: control (CK, no nitrogen addition), low nitrogen addition (LN, 2 g·m^-2·a^-1), medium nitrogen addition (MN, 5 g·m^-2·a^-1) and high nitrogen addition (HN, 10 g·m^-2·a^-1). Soil respiration was measured by LI-8100 soil CO₂ efflux system. At the same time, we measured root biomass increment and litter biomass in each plot.
Important findings Soil respiration exhibited a strong seasonal pattern, with the highest rates found in summer and the lowest rates in winter. Annual accumulative soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (2.37 ± 0.39), (2.79 ± 0.42), (2.26 ± 0.38) and (2.30 ± 0.36) kg CO₂·m^-2, respectively. Annual mean soil respiration rate in the CK, LN, MN and HN was (1.71 ± 0.28), (2.01 ± 0.30), (1.63 ± 0.27) and (1.66 ± 0.26) μmol CO₂·m^-2·s^-1, respectively, and it was 17.25% higher in the LN treatment compared with CK (p = 0.06). The root biomass increment was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 18.36%, 36.49% and 61.63%, respectively, compared to CK. The litter biomass was increased by LN, MN, and HN treatments by 35.87%, 22.17% and 15.35%, respectively, compared with CK. Soil respiration exhibited a significant exponential relationship with soil temperature (p < 0.01, R² is 0.77 to 0.82) and a significant linear relationship with soil moisture at the depth of 5 cm (p < 0.05, R² is 0.10 to 0.15). The temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) value of CK, LN, MN and HN plots was 3.96, 3.60, 3.71 and 3.51, respectively. These results suggested that nitrogen addition promoted plant growth and decreased the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration. The increase of root biomass under N addition may be an important reason for the change of soil respiration in the study area.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on plant biomass and tissue elemental content in different degradation stages of temperate steppe in northern China

Aims Grassland degradation has become a common problem worldwide. Several studies have analyzed the effects of nitrogen (N) addition on plant growth in grasslands, but few have considered its effects on plant growth in degraded grasslands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of N addition on plant growth in grasslands with different levels of degradation in Inner Mongolia, China.     

施氮对青藏高原东缘窄叶鲜卑花灌丛土壤呼吸的影响

开展土壤呼吸对大气氮沉降增加的响应研究对预测陆地生态系统碳循环具有重要意义。采用外施氮肥模拟氮沉降,结合壕沟法分离土壤呼吸组分,研究青藏高原东缘主要的灌丛类型——窄叶鲜卑花(Sibiraea angustata)灌丛土壤呼吸对不同施氮水平(N0(对照)、N2、N5和N10分别相当于0、2、5和10 g N m-2a-1浓度的氮沉降)的短期响应。结果表明:试验期间(2012年5—10月份),(1)土壤呼吸呈现明显的季节变化,施氮对生长季土壤总呼吸、异养呼吸无显著影响,而对自养呼吸有显著的抑制作用(P0.05)。(2)土壤呼吸也存在显著的日变化,施氮对一天中土壤总呼吸及其组分均有显著影响(P0.001)。总体上,施氮促进了土壤总呼吸、异养呼吸,而抑制了自养呼吸。(3)施氮对土壤总呼吸、异养呼吸平均每月排放CO2通量无显著影响,而对自养呼吸平均每月排放CO2通量有显著的抑制作用(P0.05),并在不同月份对土壤呼吸及其组分的影响不同。(4)土壤总呼吸、异养呼吸与地下5 cm土壤温度之间具有较好的指数关系(P0.001),而与土壤含水量相关性较弱。关于土壤呼吸各组分对大气氮沉降响应差异的机理有待进一步研究。     

Effects of nitrogen addition on photosynthetic characteristics of Leymus chinensis in the temperate grassland of Nei Mongol,China

Aims The increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition due to human activity and climate change greatly causes grassland ecosystems shifting from being naturally N-limited to N-eutrophic or N-saturated, and further affecting the growth of grass species. The aims of this study are: 1) to evaluate the effects of different N addition levels on morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of Leymus chinensis; 2) to determine the critical N level to facilitate L. chinensis growth.
Methods We conducted a different N addition levels experiment in dominant species in the temperate steppe of Nei Mongol. The aboveground biomass, morphological and leaf physiological traits, pigment contents, chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters and biochemical parameters of L. chinensis were investigated.
Important findings Our results showed that aboveground biomass first increased and then decreased with the increased N, having the highest values at the 10 g N·m^-2·a^?1 treatment, but the 25 g N·m^-2·a^?1 still significantly increased the aboveground biomass relative to 0 g N·m^-2·a^?1. Leymus chinensis accommodate low N situation through allocating less N to carboxylation system and decreasing leaf mass per area (LMA) in order to get more light energy. Moderate N addition captured more light energy through increasing total chlorophyll (Chl) contents and decreasing the ratio of Chl a/b. Moderate N addition increased LMA, carboxylation efficiency, maximum carboxylation rate (V_cmax), maximum electron transport rate (J_max) and decreased J_max/V_cmax, thus allocating more N to carboxylation system to enhance carboxylation capability. Moreover, the photochemical activity of PSII was increased through higher effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, electron transport rate and photochemical quenching coefficient. Excessive N addition had negative effects on physiological variables of L. chinensis due to lower carboxylation capability and photochemical activity of PSII, further leading to decreased net photosynthetic rate, whereas increased non-photochemical quenching coefficient and carotenoids played the role in the dissipation of excess excitation energy. Overall, moderate N addition facilitated the photosynthetic characteristics of dominant species, but excessive N addition inhibited photosynthetic characteristics. The most appropriate N addition for the growth of L. chinensis was 5-10 g N·m^-2·a^?1 in the temperate steppe of Nei Mongol, China.