Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation and nitrogen deposition on the growth of invasive plant Triadica sebifera

Aims Exotic plant invasions are important components of global change, threatening both the stability and function of invaded ecosystems. Shifts in competitive ability of invasive plants versus their native congeners have been documented. Enhanced UV-B radiation and nitrogen (N) deposition might interact with soil biota communities impacting the invasion process of exotic plant species. To understand the potential effects by UV-B and N with soil biota on plant growth would enhance our understanding of the mechanisms in plant invasions in the context of global change.
Methods We conducted a full-factorial pot experiment in the native range (China) of Triadica sebifera invading US to investigate how UV-B radiation, N and soil biota together determined their seedling growth.
Important findings The results showed that UV-B radiation, N and soil sterilization together impacted the growth of T. sebifera seedlings. UV-B radiation induced changes in biomass allocation with larger leaf biomass observed in response to UV-B radiation. In addition, N increased aboveground biomass and decreased root biomass simultaneously. Soil biota imposed positive effects on growth of T. sebifera, and the addition of N amplified these positive effects. The negative effects by UV-B radiation on growth of T. sebifera showed no response to N addition. Plant height, leaf biomass and total biomass of the invasive T. sebifera populations out- performed those of the native ones. In addition, invasive T. sebifera populations weakened the dependence of root/shoot ratio and root biomass on local soil microorganisms than native populations, but enhanced that of leaf area ratio.     

末次盛冰期以来观光木的潜在地理分布变迁

观光木(Tsoongiodendron odorum)是木兰科的古老残遗物种, 目前正面临严峻的生存威胁, 属于极小种群濒危植物。通过生态位模型(ENM)能够重建观光木地理分布格局的历史变迁, 探究气候变化对该物种分布的影响, 并了解其地理分布与气候需求间的关系, 从而为全球变暖背景下观光木的保护提供理论基础。该文基于96条现代分布记录和8个环境变量, 采用最大熵(MaxEnt)模型模拟观光木在末次盛冰期、全新世中期、现代和未来(2061-2080年, RCP 8.5)的潜在分布区, 利用SDM toolbox分析观光木的地理空间变化, 并综合贡献率、置换重要值和Jackknife检验来评估气候因子的重要性。研究结果表明: (1)观光木的高度适生区在南岭地区, 末次盛冰期时没有大尺度向南退缩, 很可能在山区避难所原地存活; (2)在全新世中期和未来两个增温的气候情境下, 观光木的分布区均表现为缩减, 其中未来分布的减幅更大, 表明气候变暖对观光木的生长有一定的负面影响; (3)总体上看, 观光木各个时期的地理分布范围相对稳定, 说明观光木对气候变化有一定的适应能力, 人为活动或自身繁育问题可能是致濒的重要原因, 并建议对广东和广西群体进行优先保护。     

Effects of environmental factors on gross caloric values of three life-forms aquatic plants on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,China

Aims Gross caloric value (GCV) reflected plants’ capability of converting solar energy. It provided a reliable indicator of plants’ adaptations to environments in perspective of energy conversion and fixation. The aims of this study were (1) to illustrate the characteristics of GCV of aquatic plants on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, (2) to explore the geographical and environmental patterns and (3) to discuss the underlying mechanisms in forming the patterns.
Methods In July and August 2015, we collected 533 samples of aquatic plants’ leaves in 143 field sites on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, and measured their GCV using SDACM-4000 oxygen bomb calorimeter. Together with mean annual temperature (MAT) of climatic factor and properties of water body, this study compared the differences of GCV among submerged, emergent and floating-leaved plants by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s HSD. We further regressed GCV of submerged and emergent plants against geographical and climatic factors and properties of water body by simple regression to explore the relative effects of environmental factors on GCV.
Important findings On the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the mean GCV was (15.95 ± 3.90) kJ·g^-1. Among the three life forms, the rank of GCV was the emergent plants (18.10 kJ·g^-1) > the floating-leaved plants (16.77 kJ·g^-1) > the submerged plants (14.31 kJ·g^-1). With an increasing latitude, the GCV of emergent and submerged plants increased. Only GCV of emergent plants decreased with increasing altitude and temperature. The GCV of emergent and submerged plants increased with increased water salinity. Dissolved oxygen had significant negative effects on emergent plants, while pH value had no significant effects.     

Effects of fertilization on the relations of diameter at breast height between different-aged ramets of Phyllostachys edulis population

克隆植物不同年龄分株间可以通过生理整合作用相互传递资源, 实现资源共享。施肥可以改变林地资源状况, 进而可能影响分株间的整合作用及不同年龄分株间的生长关系。该文采用标准主轴(SMA)估计法和多元回归分析, 对不同施肥管理下大型克隆植物毛竹(Phyllostachys edulis)种群不同年龄分株(1年生分株、3年生分株和5年生分株)间的胸径(DBH)关系进行了研究, 探讨毛竹不同年龄分株DBH大小关系对施肥的响应。结果表明: 连续5年施肥有效地增加了毛竹1年生分株的DBH, 而施肥1年处理下, 1年生分株DBH与3年生分株和5年生分株平均DBH差异不显著(p > 0.05)。1年生分株与3年生分株和5年生分株DBH之间的SMA斜率为0.88-1.10, 均与1.00不存在显著差异(p > 0.05), 表现为等速生长关系。施肥1年和连续施肥5年没有改变不同年龄分株DBH之间的SMA斜率, 但连续5年施肥导致SMA的y轴截距显著增大(p < 0.001), 即在3年生分株和5年生分株DBH相同的情况下, 连续5年施肥使1年生分株具有更大的DBH增长量。采用多元线性逐步回归分析发现, 毛竹1年生分株的DBH大小在很大程度上受3年生分株DBH大小的影响, 而连续5年施肥可增强5年生分株对1年生分株DBH大小的影响。     

Change of growth characters and carbon stocks in plantations of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica in Saihanba,Hebei, China

Aims Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica is one of the main afforestation tree species in North China. It is important to study the characters of growth and carbon (C) sequestration, which can provide scientific basis for the sustainable management. Therefore, our study aims at quantifying the growth characters and C sequestration in these middle-aged plantations, and to investigate the effect of diameter at breast height (DBH) on those dynamics. Methods We selected a middle-aged P. sylvestris var. mongolica plantation as our permanent experimental plot, which is located in Saihanba, Hebei Province, China. DBH and height of all stands in this plot were measured in 2006 and 2016. Based on the anatomical trees and allometric equation, we calculated C density and sequestration from 2006 to 2016. We also analyzed C sequestration in different DBH groups in the study area. Important findings Our results showed that the carbon sink of those middle-age (age between 28 and 38 years old) plantation would be enhanced in future, and there were differences in characters of growth and C sequestration among DBH groups. The decadal increment rate of DBH and height were 4.19% and 1.97%, and the increment rate was the lowest in the 0-10 cm DBH class. The mortality rate of the plantation was 8.39%, with 7.82% mortality occurred in 0-10 cm tree size class. The forest stands biomass carbon stocks in 2006 and 2016 were 59.04 and 109.64 t?hm^-2, respectively, and almost 87.1% of the carbon stocks were in the middle DBH-class, even though the number of trees only accounted for nearly 59.2%. The small class’s number of trees accounted for 39.1%, while the carbon stocks accounted for 8.3%. Our results also demonstrate that forests in Saihanba would continue to act as a carbon sink in the coming years. The variations among DBH groups highlights that the diameter class should be taken into consideration while assess the ecological efficiency and carbon sequestration capacity in a certain area.     

Current stocks and potential of carbon sequestration of the forest tree layer in Qinghai Province,China

为阐明青海省森林生态系统乔木层植被碳储量现状及其分布特征, 该研究利用240个标准样地实测的乔木数据, 估算出青海省森林生态系统不同林型处于不同龄级阶段的平均碳密度, 并结合青海省森林资源清查资料所提供的不同龄级的各林型面积, 估算了青海省森林生态系统乔木层的固碳现状、速率和潜力。结果表明: 1) 2011年青海省森林乔木层平均碳密度为76.54 Mg·hm ^-2, 总碳储量为27.38 Tg。云杉(Picea spp.)林、柏木(Cupressus funebris)林、桦木(Betula spp.)林、杨树(Populus spp.)林是青海地区的主要林型, 占青海省森林面积的96.23%, 占青海省乔木层碳储量的86.67%, 其中云杉林的碳储量(14.78 Tg)和碳密度(106.93 Mg·hm ^-2)最高。按龄级划分, 乔木层碳储量表现为过熟林>中龄林>成熟林>近熟林>幼龄林。2)青海省乔木层总碳储量从2003年的23.30 Tg增加到2011年的27.38 Tg, 年平均碳增量为0.51 Tg·a ^-1。乔木层固碳速率为1.06 Mg·hm ^-2·a ^-1, 其中柏木林的固碳速率最大(0.44 Mg·hm ^-2·a ^-1); 桦木林的固碳速率为负值(-1.06 Mg·hm ^-2·a ^-1)。3)青海省乔木层植被固碳潜力为8.50 Tg, 其中云杉林固碳潜力最高(3.40 Tg)。该研究结果表明青海省乔木层具有较大的固碳潜力, 若对现有森林资源进行合理管理和利用, 将会增加青海省森林的碳固存能力。     

Variations and interrelationships of foliar hydraulic and photosynthetic traits for Larix gmelinii

Aims Variations and potential trade-offs of leaf hydraulic and photosynthetic traits are essential for assessing and predicting the effect of climate change on tree survival, growth and distribution. Our aims were to examine variations and interrelationships of leaf hydraulic and photosynthetic traits in response to changes in site conditions for Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii)—a dominant tree species in Chinese boreal forests.Methods This study was conducted at the Maoershan Forest Ecosystem Research Station. A transect of 27 year-old Dahurian larch plantation was established that consisted of five plots extending from the valley to the ridge of a slope. The predawn leaf water potential (Ψ_pre), area- and mass-based leaf hydraulic conductance (K_area and K_mass, respectively), resistance to embolism capacity (P₅₀), leaf mass per area (LMA), net photosynthetic rate (A), and leaf nitrogen content (N) were measured in August 2016.Important findings The Ψ_pre, K_area, K_mass, P₅₀, A, LMA, and N all varied significantly among the plots (p < 0.05), indicating significant intra-specific variations in these traits in response to the changes in site conditions. The P₅₀ was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with Ψ_pre, K_area or K_mass, suggesting that a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety exist within the species to some degree. There were significant (p < 0.05) pairwise correlations between A, LMA, and N. Nevertheless, there was no significant (p < 0.05) correlation between the measured photosynthetic traits and hydraulic traits. We concluded that the intra-specific variations and multiple interrelationships of the leaf hydraulic and photosynthetic traits for the larch reflect the plasticity of its leaf traits and strategies of its survival and growth as a result of its acclimation to diverse site conditions.     

模拟氮沉降对北京东灵山辽东栎林树木生长的影响

传统的元素限制模型认为氮是温带森林生长的限制元素, 不过该结论更多是从地上生物量以及群落水平进行阐述, 忽视了不同物种以及不同径级树木对外源氮的响应差异。辽东栎(Quercus wutaishanica)林是华北地区常见的森林类型, 该研究以北京东灵山辽东栎林为研究对象, 通过设置3个氮添加水平的实验, 即对照CK (0 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1), N50 (50 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1)和N100 (100 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1), 模拟氮沉降对群落和物种水平以及不同径级树木生长的影响。经过7年氮添加, 实验结果显示: 物种水平上, 氮添加明显促进了优势树种辽东栎的生长; 群落水平上, 树木生长随氮浓度增加有不断上升趋势, 但统计学差异不显著; 氮添加显著抑制了辽东栎以及群落内小径级(3-10 cm)树木生长, 中(10-20 cm)、大径级(>20 cm)树木生长随氮沉降水平增加呈上升趋势, 但统计学差异不显著。表明氮是辽东栎以及温带森林树木生长的限制元素; 不同径级的辽东栎和群落内其他植物对氮添加响应不一致, 氮添加抑制了小径级树木生长, 中、大径级树木生长对氮添加响应不明显。     

Diversity of dark septate endophyte in the roots of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and its companion plants

Aims Dark septate endophytes (DSE) extensively colonize in plant root tissues in different ecosystems. However, our understanding of the ecological significance of DSE in semiarid and arid lands is limited. The main objective of this study was to compare the community composition and species diversity of DSE in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and its companion plants in desert habitats. Methods Healthy root samples of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus’s companion plants, Artemisia desertorum, Caragana rosea, Nitraria tangutorum and Caragana korshinskii, were collected separately from four main locations of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus plantation in Dengkou of Nei Mongol, Minqin of Gansu, Yinchuan and Shapotou of Ningxia in July 2013. Important findings A total of 103 strains belonging to seven species (i.e Alternaria, Curvularia, Embellisia, Phialocephala, Phoma, Podospora and Pleosporales) of DSE were isolated from the four types of companion plants by means of morphological identification and molecular identification. Among the seven genera, Alternaria, Embellisia, Curvularia and Podospora are found for the first time in desert ecosystems. Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and its companion plants at the same site had significantly different community composition of DSE. Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and its companion plants at different sites had significantly different DSE diversity index. The colonization and species richness of DSE, especially the species and the quantity of spores were higher in roots of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus than in its companion plants. This study supports the results that DSE can form a better symbiotic relationship with the roots of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus than with its companion plants, and can enhance the ecological adaptability of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus to the extreme desert environment.     

Effects of glyphosate on interspecific competition between Solidago canadensis and Imperata cylindrica

Aims The extensive use of herbicide to control invasive plants would change the relationship between alien and neighboring plants. In order to provide data for rational use of herbicide and a theoretical reference for further studies on the ecological effects of glyphosate, we explored the variation of the relationship between an invasive plant Solidago canadensis and a native plant Imperata cylindrica when they were sprayed glyphosate.
Methods A replacement series experiment was conducted from June to August 2016 in Wetland Ecosystem Research Station of Hangzhou Bay, State Forestry Administration, to examine the effects of glyphosate at seven concentration levels (0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8 mL·L^-1) on the growth and interspecific competition of S. canadensis and I. cylindrica.
Important findings (1) Glyphosate treatment significantly inhibited the growth of S. canadensis and I. cylindrica (p < 0.05). During the test, cumulative growth of height and leaf number of S. canadensis were apparently reduced with the increase of glyphosate concentration, but the leaf number of S. canadensis treated with 0.3- 1.5 mL·L^-1 glyphosate was re-growing with time, while the one treated with 1.8 mL·L^-1 was mostly dead. The withering rate of tiller and green leaf of I. cylindrica also significantly increased with the increase of glyphosate concentration, and the growth indices of this plant treated with 0.3-0.6 mL·L^-1 were also re-growing with time. (2) Glyphosate treatment significantly affected interspecific competition (p < 0.05), which diminished as the glyphosate concentration increased. (3) Interspecific competition has significant influence on the biomass allocation of S. canadensis (p < 0.05). When facing competition, S. canadensis would allocate more organic matter to root and thus increase the ratio of root to shoot. Competition only inhibited the tiller number and total biomass of I. cylindrica, but insignificantly affected its ratio of root to shoot. (4) The interaction between glyphosate treatment and S. canadensis-I. cylindrica interspecific relationship also significantly influenced the biomass of S. canadensis and I. cylindrica (p < 0.05), but insignificantly affected the root/shoot ratio of two plants. Different plants have different tolerance to glyphosate stress. Compared with native plant I. cylindrica, S. canadensis has stronger tolerance to glyphosate. Low-concentration glyphosate could decrease the competitive intensity between S. canadensis and I. cylindrica, which may disturb the structure and dynamics of plant communities.     

Responses of growth and litterfall production to nitrogen addition treatments from common shrublands in Mt. Dongling,Beijing, China

Aims The shrublands of northern China have poor soil and nitrogen (N) deposition has greatly increased the local soil available N for decades. Shrub growth is one of important components of C sequestration in shrublands and litterfall acts as a vital link between plants and soil. Both are key factors in nutrient and energy cycling of terrestrial ecosystems, which greatly affected by nitrogen (N) addition (adding N fertilizer to the surface soil directly). However, the effects and significance of N addition on C sequestration and litterfall in shrublands remain unclear. Thus, a study was designed to investigate how N deposition and related treatments affected shrublands growth related to C sequestration and litterfall production of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla and Spiraea salicifolia in Mt. Dongling region of China.
Methods A N enrichment experiment has been conducted for V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands in Mt. Dongling, Beijing, including four N addition treatment levels (control (N₀, 0 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1), low N (N₁, 20 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1), medium N (N₂, 50 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1) and high N (N₃, 100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1)). Basal diameter and plant height of shrub were measured from 2012-2013 within all treatments, and allometric models for different species of shrub’s live branch, leaf and root biomass were developed based on independent variables of basal diameter and plant height, which will be used to calculate biomass increment of shrub layer. Litterfall (litterfall sometimes is named litter, referring to the collective name for all organic matter produced by the aboveground part of plants and returned to the surface, and mainly includes leaves, bark, dead twigs, flowers and fruits.) also was investigated from 2012-2013 within all treatments.
Important findings The results showed 1) mean basal diameter of shrubs in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were increased by 1.69%, 2.78%, 2.51%, 1.80% and 1.38%, 1.37%, 1.59%, 2.05% every year; 2) The height growth rate (the shrub height relative growth rate is defined with the percentage increase of plant height) of shrubs in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were 8.36%, 8.48%, 9.49%, 9.83% and 2.12%, 2.86%, 2.36%, 2.52% every year, respectively. Thee results indicated that N deposition stimulated growth of shrub layer both in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands, but did not reach statistical significance among all nitrogen treatments. The above-ground biomass increment of shrub layer in the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands were 0.19, 0.23, 0.14, 0.15 and 0.027, 0.025, 0.032, 0.041 t C·hm^-2·a^-1 respectively, which demonstrated that short-term N addition had no significant effects on the accumulation of C storage of the two shrublands. The litter production of the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia communities in 2013 were 135.7 and 129.6 g·m^-2 under natural conditions, respectively. Nitrogen addition promoted annual production of total litterfall and different components of litterfall to a certain extent, but did not reach statistical significance among all nitrogen treatments. Above results indicated that short-term fertilization, together with extremely low soil moisture content and other related factors, lead to inefficient use of soil available nitrogen and slow response of shrublands to N addition treatments.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration in shrublands in Mt. Dongling,Beijing, China

Aims Soil respiration from terrestrial ecosystems is an important component of terrestrial carbon budgets. Compared to forests, natural or semi-natural shrublands are mostly distributed in nutrient-poor sites, and usually considered to be relatively vulnerable to environmental changes. Increased nitrogen (N) input to ecosystems may remarkably influence soil respiration in shrublands. So far the effects of N deposition on shrubland soil respiration are poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the soil respiration of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla and Spiraea salicifolia shrublands and their response to N deposition. Methods We carried out a N enrichment experiment in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands in Mt. Dongling, Beijing, with four N addition levels (N₀, control, 0; N₁, low N, 20 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1; N₂, medium N, 50 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1 and N₃, high N, 100 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1). Respiration was measured from 2012-2013 within all treatments.Important findings Under natural conditions, annual total and heterotrophic respiration were 5.91 and 4.23, 5.76 and 3.53 t C·hm^-2·a^-1 for the V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands, respectively and both were not affected by short-term N addition. In both shrubland types, soil respiration rate exhibited significant exponential relationships with soil temperature. Temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) of total soil respiration in V. negundo var. heterophylla and S. salicifolia shrublands ranged from 1.44 to 1.58 and 1.43 to 1.98, and Q₁₀ of heterotrophic soil respiration ranged from 1.38 to 2.11 and 1.49 to 1.88, respectively. Short-term N addition decreased only autotrophic respiration rate during the growing season, but had no significant effects on total and heterotrophic soil respiration in V. negundo var. heterophylla shrubland. In contrast, N addition enhanced the heterotrophic soil respiration rate and did not influence autotrophic and total soil respiration in S. salicifolia shrubland.     

摩西斗管囊霉改善连作花生根际土壤的微环境

花生(Arachis hypogaea)长期连作导致土壤环境恶化, 严重影响产量和品质。丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)作为有益真菌能够与80%的陆生植物根系形成共生关系, 这种共生体能够改善植物根系微环境, 提高植物对营养物质的吸收和对逆境胁迫的抗性。为了探究AMF对花生连作土壤微环境的影响, 该研究通过对花生连作土壤接种和未接种摩西斗管囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae)试验, 在花生不同生长期检测根际土壤的酶活性、土壤矿物质含量、土壤微生物群落结构和多度的变化情况, 以及对连作花生产量和品质的影响。研究结果表明: 1)摩西斗管囊霉能够显著提高花生根际土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶和硝酸还原酶的活性; 2)摩西斗管囊霉显著增加花生连作土壤中全氮、全磷、全钾、速效磷和速效钾的含量; 3)摩西斗管囊霉显著降低土壤中有害真菌曲霉菌属(Aspergillus)的多度, 减少镰刀菌属(Fusarium)和赤霉菌属(Gibberella)的多度, 但是没有达到显著水平, 显著增加有益细菌放线菌Gaiella属的多度; 4)摩西斗管囊霉显著提高连作花生的产量, 增加籽仁中蛋白质、油酸和亚油酸的含量。因此, 摩西斗管囊霉能够改善连作花生根际土壤微生态环境, 增强连作土壤对致病菌的抵抗能力, 从而缓解连作障碍对花生根系的危害。     

Predicting the global areas for potential distribution of Gastrodia elata based on ecological niche models

Aims Previous studies on the globally suitable areas for growing the medicinal plant Gastrodia elata is lacking. This study aims to predict the global areas for potential distribution of this plant based on multiple ecological niche models. Methods A total of 220 global distribution points of G. elata and 19 ecological variables were compiled and eight environmental variables were selected for the model training. Three ecological niche models, including BIOCLIM, DOMAIN, and MAXENT, were used to predict the global areas for potential distribution of G. elata. The resulting data of different models were analyzed and compared with two statistical criteria: the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and Kappa value. Important findings The predictions of the three models are basically identical, showing that the global areas for potential distribution of G. elata are predominantly in the range of 20° N to 50° N in Asia, mainly in China, South Korea and Japan. A small proportion of the suitable areas occur in India, Nepal and the European countries near Mediterranean. The most suitable areas distribute in provinces close to the Sichuan Basin and the central East China, the mid-eastern parts of South Korea such as Chungcheongbuk-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam- do, and the Kyushu region and the Shikoku region on Japan’s main island. Therefore, these three countries can be used as the main production areas of G. elata for its commercial development. The AUC average values of the three models are all above 0.9 and the Kappa average values all above 0.65, justifying their applications for predicting the potential areas of G. elata. Among them, the MAXENT model appears to perform the best, followed by DOMAIN and BIOCLIM.     

内蒙古和青藏高原草原植物叶片与根系氮利用效率空间格局及影响因素

氮利用效率是植物的关键功能性状, 同时紧密关联生态系统功能, 但是目前对氮利用效率的区域格局及影响因素仍然不清楚。该研究分析了内蒙古和青藏高原草原82个调查地点、139种植物叶片和根系的氮利用效率及其与环境因素、植物功能群之间的关系, 实验结果显示: 1)草甸草原植物叶片的氮利用效率为53 g·g ^-1, 显著大于高寒草甸(46 g·g ^-1)、荒漠草原(41 g·g ^-1)和典型草原(39 g·g ^-1)。高寒草甸根系氮利用效率为108 g·g ^-1, 显著高于其他生态系统。2)叶片氮利用效率比根系对温度更加敏感, 但随着干旱指数的增加, 两者均表现出显著的降低趋势。3)杂类草叶片和根系氮利用效率低于莎草科和禾本科植物, 豆科植物叶片和根系氮利用效率分别比非豆科植物低48%和60%。4)植物氮利用效率与土壤氮含量之间没有显著关系。总体上, 内蒙古和青藏高原草原植物叶片和根系氮利用效率的空间格局存在差异, 主要影响因素为植物功能群和干旱指数。本研究系统揭示内蒙古和青藏高原草原植物氮利用效率的空间格局及关键驱动因子, 有助于在全球变化背景下了解我国草地生产力维持机制, 同时为草原生态系统管理提供科学依据。     

模拟降雨格局变化对亚热带地区两树种液流特征的影响

在全球变化的影响下, 中国亚热带地区近几十年降水格局发生了急剧变化。这种变化对亚热带常绿阔叶林植物的生长和森林水分平衡的影响尚不清楚。为此, 该研究从植物整树蒸腾角度出发, 通过在天然次生林中进行人工隔除降雨模拟降水格局变化, 研究降水变化对植物水分利用的影响。试验于2012年9月至2014年12月在广东鹤山森林生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站内的常绿阔叶林内进行, 通过林下搭建遮雨棚, 截留干季(10月至次年3月)的降雨, 并在湿季(次年4至9月)等量返还到样地中, 在保证总降水量不变的前提下模拟干季更干、湿季更湿(DD)的降雨格局变化。在此期间对样地内的木荷(Schima superba)与火力楠(Michelia macclurei)树干液流特征进行连续监测。运用独立样本t检验对对照组(AC)两个树种间的平均最大液流通量密度(¯J_S)差异性进行分析, 并将DD处理下两个树种的¯J_S与AC进行对比, 来检验隔除降雨对森林蒸腾的效应。结果表明: 当光合有效辐射(PAR)大于1 100 μmol·m ^-2·s ^-1时, 对照样地火力楠和木荷的¯J_S分别为(49.5 ± 1.7)和(43.6 ± 2.0) mL∙m ^-2∙s ^-1, 且前者表现出对光合有效辐射(PAR)更强的敏感性。截留降雨处理开始后(2012-10), 两个树种DD与AC处理的¯J_S比值(DD:AC)均先减小后增加, 其中木荷的比值从处理前的0.74下降到了第1次截留降雨处理期(2012-10至2013-03)的0.68, 增加到了第2次截留降雨处理期(2013-10至2014-03)的0.93以及第3次截留降雨处理期(2014-10至2014-11)的1.04; 火力楠则从处理前的1.00下降到了第1次截留降雨处理期的0.94, 在第2次截留降雨处理期增长到1.06, 变化幅度小于木荷。此外, 在第3次截留降雨处理期, 木荷在相同的水汽压亏缺及PAR下能够保持更高的¯J_S。这些结果表明, 短期干旱事件会促使森林蒸腾急剧下降, 然而在长期干旱下, 植物会通过提高¯J_S来弥补干旱带来的损失, 而木荷由于具有较大的¯J_S可塑性, 从而使其在干旱条件下维持更高的水分传输速率。     

Changes in nutrient cycling with age in a Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation forest

Aims The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of nutrient cycling in Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations) with different ages, and to provide scientific basis for the management of high-yield plantations in China.     

Community characteristics and spatial distribution of dominant tree species in a deciduous broad-leaved forest of Muzhaling,Henan, China

Aims The objective of this paper is to quantify the species composition and spatial distribution pattern in a deciduous broad-leaved forest in temperate to subtropical ecological transition zone.
Methods In this study, a 3-hm² forest was selected in the temperate to subtropical ecological transition zone to analyze the community species composition, structure of diameter at breast height, community classification and spatial distribution pattern of dominant tree species.
Important findings Our results showed that in the plot there were 85 species, 52 genera and 31 families, mainly composed of Betulaceae, Celastraceae, Caprifoliaceae, Salicaceae and Aceraceae. Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata and Pinus armandii are dominant species of the community tree layer. The rare species and occasional species accounted for 20.0% and 28.24% of total species respectively. Size distribution of all species showed an invert J-shape, which indicates that the community is in a stable and normal growth status. Using multiple regression trees, the community in this plot can be divided into four categories: 1) Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata + Pinus armandii + Litsea tsinlingensis + Cerasus clarofolia + Lindera obtusiloba; 2) Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata + Salix chaenomeloides + Sorbus hupehensis; 3) Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata + Ailanthus altissima + Cerasus clarofolia + Litsea tsinlingensis; 4) Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata + Fraxinus chinensis + Litsea tsinlingensis + Philadelphus incanus. Under the completely random distribution model, the main species in the plot display clustered distributions, with the different species occurring in different habitat types, showing obvious terrain habitat preferences. However, under the heterogeneous Poisson distribution model, these species at different scales are distributed randomly or regularly. This study helps to understand the plant community species composition of the Muzhaling World Geopark, community structure and community distribution. The results show that the terrain habitat heterogeneity is an important factor influencing the spatial distribution of the species. The present work improves the understanding of plant community in Muzhaling World Geopark, and provides technical reference for biodiversity conservation and forest management of this area.     

Carbon density characteristics of sparse Ulmus pumila forest and Populus simonii plantation in Onqin Daga Sandy Land and their relationships with stand age

Aims
Sparse Ulmus pumila forest is an intrazonal vegetation in Onqin Daga Sandy Land, while Populus simonii has been widely planted for windbreak and sand dune stabilization in the same region. Our objective was to compare the differences in carbon (C) density of these two forests and their relationships with stand age.
Methods
We measured the C content of tree organs (leaf, twig, stem, and root), herb layers (above ground vegetation and below ground root) and soil layers (up to 100 cm) in sparse Ulmus pumila forests and Populus simonii plantations of different stand ages, and then computed C density and their proportions in total ecosystem carbon density. In addition, we illustrated the variation in carbon density-stand age relationship for tree layer, soil layer and whole ecosystem. We finally estimated the C sequestration rates for these two forests by the space-for-time substitution approach.
Important findings
The average C contents of tree layer and soil layer for sparse Ulmus pumila forests were lower than those for Populus simonii plantations. The total C density of sparse Ulmus pumila forests was half of that of Populus simonii plantations. The carbon density of soil and tree layers accounted for more than 98% of ecosystem C density in the two forests. Irrespective of forest type, the C density ratios of soil to vegetation decreased with stand age. This ratio was 1.66 for sparse Ulmus pumila forests and 1.87 for Populus simonii plantations when they were over-matured. The C density of tree layer, soil layer, and total ecosystem in both forests increased along forest development. There were significantly positive correlations between tree layer’s C density and stand age in both forests and between the total ecosystem C density of sparse Ulmus pumila forests and stand age. The C sequestration rate of tree layer was 5-fold higher in Populus simonii plantation than in sparse Ulmus pumila forest. The ecosystem-level C sequestration rate was 0.81 Mg C·hm^-2·a^-1 for sparse Ulmus pumila forest and 5.35 Mg C·hm^-2·a^-1 for Populus simonii plantation. These findings have implications for C stock estimation of sandy land forest ecosystems and policy-making of ecological restoration and C sink enhancement in the studied area.     

吉林老白山鱼鳞云杉树轮蓝光强度和轮宽指数与气候响应关系随海拔变化的对比

树轮数据是晚全新世古气候研究中最重要的代用指标。树轮参数各具优缺点, 蓝光强度(BI)是一种获取成本低廉的最大晚材密度(MXD)的光学替代参数, 其蓝色光反射率或强度最小值(256-BI)与相应的MXD值高度相关, 被很多的学者认为是树轮气候学研究中一个具有重要潜能的新兴参数。该研究以吉林老白山3个海拔(900、1 200和1 500 m)的鱼鳞云杉(Picea jezoensis)为例, 分析鱼鳞云杉的BI及轮宽指数(RWI)与气候因子的响应差异, 以期为BI参数在树轮气候学的进一步应用提供参考。结果表明: 不同海拔鱼鳞云杉BI或RWI对气候的响应趋势基本一致。BI与温度主要呈正相关关系, 而RWI与温度主要呈负相关关系, 其中BI与当年夏季及生长季最高温度显著正相关, 而RWI (低、中海拔)与全年平均气温、当年生长季和全年最低温度显著负相关。BI与当年夏季标准化降水蒸散指数(SPEI)显著负相关, RWI与夏季SPEI负相关关系较弱或为正相关; BI和RWI几乎相反的生长-气候关系可能是早、晚材权衡关系的体现。研究区域鱼鳞云杉的BI参数可能与年轮宽度记录不同的气候信号, 在空间尺度上对于当年夏季降水、最高温度以及SPEI的响应好于传统宽度指标。BI与主要气候因子相关关系的时间稳定性好于RWI, 因此, BI在树轮气候学的研究中具有一定的应用潜能。