不同坡向高寒退化草地狼毒株高和枝条数的权衡关系

权衡关系是生活史对策理论的基础, 株高和枝条数的权衡关系对理解植物在不同生境下的表型可塑性有重要意义。该研究选择祁连山北坡高寒退化草地, 利用ArcGIS建立研究区域的数字高程模型(DEM), 并提取样地坡向数据, 采用广义相加模型(GAM)与偏相关分析相结合的方法, 分析了不同坡向影响下狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)种群株高和枝条数的关系。结果表明: 随着坡向由北坡转向东坡、南坡、西坡, 草地群落地上生物量和盖度呈“减小—增大—减小”的变化趋势, 群落高度则先增大后减小; 坡向是影响狼毒株高和枝条数空间分异的主要地形因子; 随着坡向由北、东转向西、南, 狼毒种群株高呈下降趋势, 而枝条数呈上升趋势, 二者表现出此消彼长的权衡关系, 狼毒植株比叶面积先增大后减小。不同坡向狼毒株高和枝条数的权衡关系, 反映了异质生境中资源多重竞争下狼毒生物量分配机制和提高种群适应性的种群更新策略。     

Trade-off between the biomass and number of flowers in Stellera chamaejasme along an elevation gradient in a degraded alpine grassland

权衡关系是植物生活史对策理论的基础, 花大小-数量的权衡关系对理解花的生物量分配具有重要的意义。该文利用实验生态学方法, 研究了祁连山北坡高寒退化草地4个不同海拔狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)种群花大小与花数量间的关系。结果表明: 随着海拔升高, 草地群落的高度、密度和地上生物量均呈先升高后降低的倒U型分布, 狼毒花大小呈逐渐增大的趋势, 而花数量呈相反的变化趋势; 不同海拔样地狼毒花大小与花数量间的相关性存在差异, 海拔2700、2900和3000 m样地狼毒花大小和花数量之间均存在极显著的负相关关系(p < 0.01), 海拔2800 m样地二者之间存在显著的负相关关系(p < 0.05), 狼毒植株分配给花大小与花数量的资源间存在着“此消彼长”的权衡关系; 海拔2800 m样地是狼毒植株花大小与花数量权衡关系由低海拔的花数量多而单花生物量低向高海拔的花数量少而单花生物量高转变的区域。狼毒植株通过合理权衡花数量和花大小的资源配置, 以补偿在海拔梯度上不利因素对种群繁衍带来的影响, 从而实现种群的繁殖成功, 反映了毒杂草对异质性生境的表型可塑性机制。     

Trade-off relationship between root forks and branch angle of Reaumuria songarica on different aspects of slopes

Aims Root architecture is a major determinant in root spatial distribution and soil searching efficiency, may reflect plant strategies to adapt to the environments. Our objective was to examine the relationship between root forks and branch angle of Reaumuria songarica in response to slope aspects in the northwest of China.Methods The study site was located in desert grasslands on the northern slope of Qilian Mountains, Gansu Province, China. Survey and sampling were carried out along 20 belt transects. It were set up on sites of four different slope aspects at intervals of 30 m vertically from elevation 1940 m of the study area moving upward, 6 plots were set up flatly on site of each belt transect at intervals of 20 m. A handheld GPS was used to record longitude, latitude and altitude of each plot. ArcGIS was used to set up digital elevation model to extract the information of elevation, aspect, and slope for each plot. The traits of plant communities were investigated and 1 individual’s samplings of R. songarica were used to measure the root forks, root length and root branch angle in laboratory in each plot, and biomass of different organs was measured after being dried at 80 °C in an oven. The 120 plots were categorized into groups of south, west, east, and north aspects of slopes, and the linear regression analysis was then used to examine the trade-off relationship between root forks and branch angle in various groups.Important findings The results showed that with the slope aspect turned from south, west, east to north, the density, cover, height, above biomass and soil moisture content of the plant community displayed a pattern of initial increase, while the height, root-shoot ratio, root branch angle of R. songarica displayed a pattern of initial decrease, and the density, specific root length, root forks increase. The number of root forks was negatively associated with the branch angle, but the relationship varied along the aspect gradient (p < 0.05). There was a highly significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) between the root forks and branch angle on north slope and south slope, whereas less significant (p < 0.05) on the east slope and west slope. There is a trade-off relationship between the root forks and link length. In addition, when the slope aspect changed from south to west, east and north, the standardized major axis slope of regression equation in the scaling relationships between root forks and branch angle decrease (p < 0.05), indicating that the root architecture model of R. songarica by diffusion to gather. Consequently, the patterns of resource allocation between root forks and branch angle in different slope habitats reflected the mechanism of environment adaptation under conditions of multiple competitions for resources in plant populations.     

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.     

高寒退化草地狼毒种群不同海拔花大小-数量的权衡关系

权衡关系是植物生活史对策理论的基础, 花大小-数量的权衡关系对理解花的生物量分配具有重要的意义。该文利用实验生态学方法, 研究了祁连山北坡高寒退化草地4个不同海拔狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)种群花大小与花数量间的关系。结果表明: 随着海拔升高, 草地群落的高度、密度和地上生物量均呈先升高后降低的倒U型分布, 狼毒花大小呈逐渐增大的趋势, 而花数量呈相反的变化趋势; 不同海拔样地狼毒花大小与花数量间的相关性存在差异, 海拔2700、2900和3000 m样地狼毒花大小和花数量之间均存在极显著的负相关关系(p < 0.01), 海拔2800 m样地二者之间存在显著的负相关关系(p < 0.05), 狼毒植株分配给花大小与花数量的资源间存在着“此消彼长”的权衡关系; 海拔2800 m样地是狼毒植株花大小与花数量权衡关系由低海拔的花数量多而单花生物量低向高海拔的花数量少而单花生物量高转变的区域。狼毒植株通过合理权衡花数量和花大小的资源配置, 以补偿在海拔梯度上不利因素对种群繁衍带来的影响, 从而实现种群的繁殖成功, 反映了毒杂草对异质性生境的表型可塑性机制。     

红砂根系分叉数和分支角度权衡关系的坡向差异

根系构型是决定根系分布及其对土体搜索效率的重要因素, 是植物与资源环境异质性相互适应的结果。利用ArcGIS建立研究区域的数字高程模型(digital elevation model), 采用全根系挖掘法, 研究了祁连山北坡荒漠草原不同坡向红砂(Reaumuria songarica)根系分叉数和分支角度的关系。结果表明: 不同坡向梯度草地群落的盖度、密度、高度和土壤含水量呈不同的变化趋势(p < 0.05), 红砂种群的密度、高度和根冠比等生物学特征的变化规律存在差异(p < 0.05); 不同坡向红砂根系分叉数和分支角度的相关性存在差异(p < 0.05), 在南坡和北坡红砂根系分叉数和分支角度之间存在极显著的负相关关系(p < 0.01), 在东坡和西坡根系分叉数和分支角度之间存在显著的负相关关系(p < 0.05), 红砂根系分配给根系分叉数和分支角度的资源存在着“此消彼长”的权衡关系; 随着坡向由南坡向西坡、东坡、北坡转变, 红砂根系分叉数和分支角度回归方程的标准化主轴斜率逐渐减小(p < 0.05), 红砂根系构型模式由扩散型转向聚集型。不同坡向红砂根系合理权衡连接长度和分支角度的资源配置模式, 反映了异质生境中植物种群应对资源多重竞争的环境生态适应机制。     

高寒草地甘肃臭草根系分形结构的坡向差异性

根系分形结构是植物根系构型应对环境异质性的表型可塑性结果, 可反映植物对生长环境的适应策略。利用ArcGIS建立研究区域的数字高程模型, 并提取坡向数据, 采用全根挖掘和Win-RHIZO根系分析仪相结合的方法, 研究了祁连山北坡高寒退化草地不同坡向甘肃臭草(Melica przewalskyi)的根系分形结构。结果表明: 随着坡向由北坡向东坡、西坡、南坡转变, 草地群落的密度、高度和土壤含水量逐渐减小, 甘肃臭草种群的密度、高度以及根系分形丰度呈逐渐增大的趋势、分形维数逐渐减小; 不同坡向甘肃臭草根系分形维数和分形丰度间的相关性存在差异(p < 0.05), 南坡和北坡甘肃臭草根系分形维数分形丰度之间存在极显著负相关关系(p < 0.01), 东坡和西坡之间存在显著负相关关系(p < 0.05), 甘肃臭草根系分形维数和分形丰度存在着“此消彼长”的权衡关系; 随着坡向由北坡向东坡、西坡、南坡转变, 甘肃臭草根系分形维数和分形丰度回归方程的标准化主轴(SMA)斜率逐渐增大(p < 0.05), 说明在干旱的南坡, 根系所开发利用的相同体积的土壤内, 根系分支更少、更稀疏。不同坡向甘肃臭草合理权衡根系分形维数和分形丰度的资源配置模式, 体现了植物根系构型构建的资源投资权衡机制。     

Biomass estimation models and allocation patterns of 14 shrub species in Mountain Luya,Shanxi, China

Aims Shrub species have evolved specific strategies to regulate biomass allocation among various organs or between above- and belowground biomass and shrub biomass model is an important approach to estimate biomass allocation among different shrub species. This study was designed to establish the optimal estimation models for each organ (leaf, stem, and root), aboveground and total biomass of 14 common shrub species in Mountain Luya, Shanxi Province, China. Furthermore, we explored biomass allocation characteristics of these shrub species by using the index of leaf biomass fraction (leaf to total biomass), stem biomass fraction (stem to total biomass), root biomass fraction (root to total biomass), and root to shoot mass ratio (R/S) (belowground to aboveground biomass).
Methods We used plant height, basal diameter, canopy diameter and their combination as variables to establish the optimal biomass estimation models for each shrub species. In addition, we used the ratios of leaf, stem, root to total biomass, and belowground to aboveground biomass to explore the difference of biomass allocation patterns of 14 shrub species.
Important findings Most of biomass estimation models could be well expressed by the exponential and linear functions. Biomass for shorter shrub species with more stems could be better estimated by canopy area; biomass for taller shrub species with less stems could be better estimated by the sum of the square of total base diameter multiply stem height; and biomass for the rest shrub species could be better estimated by canopy volume. The averaged value for these shrub species was 0.61, 0.17, 0.48, and 0.35 for R/S, leaf biomass fraction, stem biomass fraction, and root biomass fraction, respectively. Except for leaf biomass fraction, R/S, stem biomass fraction, and root biomass fraction for shrubs with thorn was significantly greater than that for shrubs without thorn.     

高寒草地狼毒枝-叶性状的坡度差异性

枝条与叶片的生长关系是植物形成不同冠层结构充分利用空间资源的一种策略, 有利于植株通过构型调整增强自身的光合效率和竞争力, 以适应不同的生境条件。在石羊河上游高寒退化草地, 利用ArcGIS建立研究区域的数字高程模型(DEM), 并提取样地坡度数据, 采用标准化主轴估计(SMA)方法, 研究了不同坡度狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)种群枝与叶的生长。结果表明: 随着坡度增大, 狼毒叶大小、枝长度和分枝数均呈逐渐减小趋势; 狼毒分枝数与枝长度、叶片数与枝长度均呈异速生长关系, 枝长度增加的速度大于叶片数增加的速度, 分枝数增加的速度大于枝长度增加的速度; 不同坡度间的比较显示, 较大坡度上狼毒分枝数与枝长度、叶片数与枝长度的异速斜率均较大, 在枝长度一定的条件下, 较大坡度的狼毒具有更大的叶片数与枝长度的比值和分枝数与枝长度的比值。坡度差异造成环境因子和植被群落环境的变化, 进而影响狼毒的资源利用策略, 表现为枝条与叶片构型以及二者之间关系的变化, 反映了毒杂草较强表型可塑性的适应机制。     

Biomass allocation and carbon density of Sophora moorcroftiana shrublands in the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River,Xizang, China

Aims The expansion of shrublands is considered as one of the key reasons leading to the increase of carbon density in terrestrial ecosystems in China. In the present study, our aims were to explore the biomass allocation and carbon density of Sophora moorcroftiana shrublands in Xizang.
Methods We sampled the biomass of S. moorcroftiana shrubs from 18 sites in the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River, Xizang. Using concentrations of different organs, we estimated the carbon density of different layers in S. moorcroftiana shrublands.
Important findings The plant cover rather than biomass volume (the product of cover and height) provided the best fit for aboveground biomass. The average of the total biomass was 5.71 Mg·hm^-2, ranging from 2.32 to 8.96 Mg·hm^-2. The average biomass of shrub layer, the main component of shrub ecosystem, was 4.08 Mg·hm^-2, accounting for 71% of the total biomass. The belowground biomass of shrub and herb layers was 2.08 and 0.86 Mg·hm^-2, respectively, which was higher than the corresponding aboveground biomass. The average biomass carbon density was 2.48 Mg·hm^-2. Shrub vegetation in the eastern part of the middle reaches has lower carbon density than that in the western part. The relatively high biomass allocation to roots to increase water and nutrient undertake as well as physical support for plants is an important strategy of S. moorcroftiana to cope with the arid environment on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Moreover, the lower carbon density in the eastern part of the middle reaches might be due to the dry environment resulted from high temperature and evapotranspiration and enhanced human activities at low altitudes. The continuous decrease of evapotranspiration under scenarios of future climate change may lead to increase in carbon density in S. moorcroftiana shrublands.     

Exploring the community assembly of subalpine meadow communities based on functional traits and community phylogeny

Aims The community assembly has been a prominent issue in community ecology. This work was intended to explore the mechanisms of the species coexistence and biodiversity in communities. Our objective was to explore the mechanisms of community assembly in subalpine meadow plant communities along slope gradients in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, Northwest China.Methods We selected five slope-oriented plots to construct a super-tree representing the species pool. We surveyed the leaf functional traits and soil environmental factors in different slopes. Then we tested the phylogenetic signal of leaf dry matter content (LDMC), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen content (LNC) and leaf phosphorus content (LPC).Important findings The changes of slope aspect had significant influence on soil water content (SWC) and soil nutrient content. Most of the plants leaf functional traits had significant difference along different slope aspects. The LDMC was higher in south and southwest slope than north slope, while SLA, LNC and LPC were relatively high in north and northwest slope. The LPC showed feeble phylogenetic signal, while LDMC, SLA, LNC did not have a significant phylogenetic signal. With changes in the slope aspect from south to north, community phylogenetic structure shifted from over-dispersion to clustered dispersion. In south and southwest slope, habitat filtering was the driving force for community assembly. Interspecific competition was the main driving factor for community assembly in north and northwest slope aspects. But in west slope, two indices showed contrary consequence. This means the process of community assembly in west slope was more complicated and its phylogenetic index may be the result of several mechanisms working together.     

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.     

Correlation analysis between vein density and stomatal traits of Robinia pseudoacacia in different aspects of Beishan Mountain in Lanzhou

AimsThe relationship between leaf venation and stomatal traits reflects leaf water potential of plants, and is fundamental to probe the relationship between physiological functions and water use. Our objective was to study the changes in the relationship between venation density and stomatal traits (stomatal density and stomatal length) in Robinia pseudoacacia with the changes in slope aspects.MethodsIn Beishan Mountain of Lanzhou in Gansu Province, China, 20 transects were laid out horizontally along the contour at intervals of 50 m from an elevation of 1550-1750 m in four different slope aspects, and 12 plots were set up along each transect at intervals of 5 m. A handed GPS (global positioning system) was used to measure latitude, longitude and altitude at each plot. Community characteristics, including crown density, tree height and soil moisture, were investigated. Robinia pseudoacacia within all plots were sampled and used for measurements of individual leaf area, venation density, stomatal density and stomatal length in laboratory in each plot. The 240 plots were categorized into groups of southern, eastern, western and northern aspects, and the standardized major axis (SMA) estimation method was then used to examine the relationship between the stomatal density, stomatal length and vein density.Important findings The results showed that with a change of the aspect from south to east, west, and north, the crown density, average tree height and soil moisture of the plant community increased, while leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vein density and stomatal density decreased. In addition, stomatal length and individual leaf area increased. Venation density of each aspect of R. pseudoacacia was positively correlated with stomatal density (p < 0.05) and negatively with stomatal length (p < 0.05). These correlations were strongest in south slope (p < 0.01).     

退化典型草原狼毒种群结构与数量动态

狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)是我国退化草原上常见的一种毒害草,在一些退化严重的草原上可能形成以狼毒为优势种的群落,严重影响我国天然草原畜牧业的可持续发展。本文根据狼毒的枝条数将狼毒种群划分成10个龄级(Ⅰ～Ⅹ),研究了坝上地区退化典型草原狼毒种群的年龄结构、种群结构动态指数、种群静态生命表、存活曲线及生存分析,量化狼毒种群的生存状况。结果表明: 研究区内狼毒种群年龄结构呈增长型,狼毒幼苗充足但存活率不高;狼毒种群结构呈增长型,但种群发展过程存在波动性,特别是在第Ⅱ、Ⅷ龄级时个体数量会发生骤降,是狼毒种群自身发展的瓶颈时期;狼毒种群的存活曲线为Deevey-Ⅱ型,但生存分析表明狼毒种群具有前期锐减、后期稳定的特点,主要因为Ⅰ或Ⅱ龄级狼毒的死亡密度函数(f_x)和危险率(λ_x)最大。Ⅰ龄级个体充足是狼毒种群在退化典型草原扩张的基础,但幼龄个体的转化率低可能是狼毒种群在草原退化早期无法快速扩张的原因之一。建议在草原退化早期狼毒数量有限时及早介入进行防除。     

Growth and reproductive strategies of Thalictrum petaloideum under different stocking rates

放牧是内蒙古草原最主要的利用方式, 而草原植物在不同放牧压力下的生长和繁殖策略是它们与有蹄类动物长期协同进化的结果。为了了解瓣蕊唐松草(Thalictrum petaloideum)的生长和繁殖策略如何响应载畜率的变化, 作者依托中国科学院内蒙古草原站的大型放牧实验平台, 从种群、个体和器官三个组织水平上研究了该物种对放牧强度的响应。结果表明: 1)在种群水平上, 随着载畜率的增加, 瓣蕊唐松草减少了生殖株丛数或不进行有性生殖生长。该实验条件下, 载畜率每hm ² 7.5只羊(夏季)是瓣蕊唐松草不再进行生殖生长的阈值; 2)在个体水平上, 随着载畜率的增加, 瓣蕊唐松草降低了株高和个体生物量, 减少了生殖枝、花朵和种子等生殖器官的数量。随着载畜率的增加, 瓣蕊唐松草生殖分配的调节从依赖于植株个体大小向不依赖于植株个体大小转变。3)在器官水平上, 随着载畜率的增加, 瓣蕊唐松草减少了生殖枝的花朵负荷, 提高了单粒质量。籽粒数量和籽粒质量之间的权衡是瓣蕊唐松草应对放牧干扰的重要机制。     

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.     

Estimation of biomass allocation and carbon density of Rhododendron simsii shrubland in the subtropical mountainous areas of China

Aims As an important potential carbon sink, shrubland ecosystem plays a vital role in global carbon balance and climate regulation. Our objectives were to derive appropriate regression models for shrub biomass estimation, and to reveal the biomass allocation pattern and carbon density in Rhododendron simsii shrubland.
Methods We conducted investigations in 27 plots, and developed biomass regression models for shrub species to estimate shrub biomass. The biomass of herb and litterfall were obtained through harvesting. Plant samples were collected from each plot to measure carbon content in different organs.
Important findings The results showed that the power and linear models were the most appropriate equation forms. The D and D²H (where D was the basal diameter (cm) and H was the shrub height (m)) were good predictors for organ biomass and total biomass of shrubs. All of the biomass models reached extremely significant level, and could be used to estimate shrub biomass with high accuracy. It was more difficult to predict leaf and annual branch biomass than stem biomass, because leaf and annual branch were susceptible to herbivores and inter-plant competition. The mean biomass of the shrub layer was 20.78 Mg·hm^-2, in which Rhododendron simsii and Symplocos paniculata biomass accounted for 93.63%. Influenced by both environment and species characteristics, the biomass of the shrub layer organs was in the order of stem > root > leaf > annual branch. The root:shoot ratio of the shrub layer was 0.32, which was less than other shrubs in subtropical regions. The relative higher aboveground biomass allocation reflected the adaptation of plants to the warm and humid environment for more photosynthesis. The mean total community biomass was 26.26 Mg·hm^-2, in which shrub layer, herb layer and litter layer accounted for 79.14%, 7.62% and 13.25%, respectively. Litter biomass was relatively high, which suggested that this community had high nutrient return. There were significant correlations among aboveground biomass, belowground biomass and total biomass of shrub layer and herb layer. The mean biomass carbon density of the community was 11.70 Mg·hm^-2 and the carbon content ratio was 44.55%. The carbon density was usually obtained using the conversion coefficient of 0.5 in previous studies, which could overestimate carbon density by 12.22%.     

Plastic responses of stem and leaf functional traits in Leymus chinensis to long-term grazing in a meadow steppe

植物对不同功能性状进行权衡, 通过表型可塑性达到对异质生境的适应是植物的一种生态对策。羊草(Leymus chinensis)是欧亚温带草原东缘的主要优势植物, 研究其对放牧的表型反应对揭示草原生态系统的放牧响应机制具有代表意义。该文以内蒙古呼伦贝尔草甸草原为例, 通过设置不同放牧压力与围封的长期试验, 研究了羊草茎叶功能性状对放牧的可塑性响应模式。结果表明: 1)与长期围封相比, 长期放牧导致羊草茎叶性状显著小型化, 其中, 株高和个体地上生物量分别降低76.82%和89.88%, 但3年短期围封对茎性状影响不显著, 说明羊草表型矮小化现象具有一定的保守性; 2)通过排序构建羊草性状可塑性变化谱, 发现茎质量、总质量、茎高、株高、叶面积等为对放牧响应的敏感性状, 而叶片数、茎粗、叶宽等较为稳定, 为惰性性状; 3)放牧干扰下, 羊草性状可塑性程度与其变异性之间符合y = y₀ + ae^bx拟合关系, 随着植物性状的响应强度增大, 其变异性增强; 4)偏最小二乘法分析发现茎长、株高、叶面积、叶长等性状的投影重要性指标大于1, 对地上生物量变化的解释率为68.6%, 是导致长期放牧下羊草个体生物量降低的主要因子。研究认为, 矮化型变是羊草的避牧适应对策, 在亚稳态下, 通过不同性状的权衡, 充分利用环境资源完成其生活史。     

Distribution,community characteristics and classification of Stipa tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe in China

Stipa tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe is the most typical formation of desert steppe in China. Based on the primary plots data obtained from fieldworks during the growing seasons from 2010 to 2016 as well as some earlier records, we studied the Stipa tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe across China systematically, including the eco-geographical distributions, community characteristics and classifications. The results showed that S. tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe distributed mainly on the Ulan Qab Plateau and western Xilin Gol Plateau. Due to the arid biotope of S. tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe, quantitative characteristics of the assemblage including height, coverage, biomass and species richness were normally lower than that of most Stipa formations in Eurasian steppe region. Moreover, 165 seed plants belonging to 85 genera and 29 families were recorded in the 80 study sites, in which rare species (occurrence frequency <20%) made up 87% of the total plants while common species and constant species could only be found occasionally. Species with the occurrence frequency exceeding 50% included S. tianschanica var. klemenzii, Convolvulus ammannii, Cleistogenes songorica, Allium tenuissimum. In addition, Hemicryptophyte and therophyte were the two dominant life forms, covering 55% and 20% of the species, respectively. As for the ecological type of water, typical xerophytes accounted for 47% of all species which is followed by super-xerophytes and meso-xerophytes. Middle Asian areal-type and east Palaeo-North areal-type were the two major floristic elements, containing 37% and 26% of the species, respectively. Based on the life forms and dominances of the species within the community, S. tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe in China could be classified into 6 association groups, 29 associations.     

Plant nutrient dynamics and stoichiometric homeostasis of invasive species Spartina alterniflora and native Cyperus malaccensis var. brevifolius in the Minjiang River estuarine wetlands

Aims Stoichiometric homeostasis is an important mechanism in maintaining ecosystem structure, function, and stability. The invasion of exotic species, Spartina alterniflora, has largely threatened the structure and function of native ecosystems in the Minjiang River estuarine wetland. However, how S. alterniflora invasion affect plant stoichiometric homeostasis is largely unknown. This could enhance our understanding on wetland ecosystem stability and expand the applications of ecological stoichiometry theory.
Methods Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents of plant organs and soils in the S. alterniflora, Cyperus malaccensis var. brevifolius, and S. alterniflora-C. malaccensis var. brevifolius mixture were measured, and the homeostatic index (H) was calculated according to the stoichiometric homeostasis theory.
Important findings Our results showed that the invasion of S. alterniflora significantly increased soil N:P ratio (p < 0.05), but did not affect soil N or P contents. The N and P contents of leaf and stem were the highest for S. alterniflora, and those of the stem were the highest for C. malaccensis var. brevifolius. At the ecosystem level, the average of homeostatic index (H) of N (H_N, 25.31) was larger than those of P (H_P, 10.33) and N:P (H_N:P, 2.50). At the organ level, root H_N was significantly larger than stem H_N (p < 0.05) and sheath H_N:P was greater than root H_N:P (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference for H_P among root, stem, leaf, and sheath (p > 0.05). As for species, root H_N of S. alterniflora was significantly larger than that of C. malaccensis var. brevifolius in the mixture community (p < 0.05). In the monoculture, stem H_N:P of S. alterniflora was significantly higher than that of C. malaccensis var. brevifolius (p < 0.05). Furthermore, root H_N, leaf H_N and sheath H_N of S. alterniflora in the mixed community was significantly larger than that of S. alterniflora in the monoculture (p < 0.05), suggesting that S. alterniflora invasions increased their stoichiometric homeostasis. Meanwhile, the stoichiometric homeostasis of invasive and native plants were influenced by multiple factors, such as nutrients, organs, vegetation, and invasion. However, larger homeostasis was found in S. alterniflora than in C. malaccensis var. brevifolius in some particular organs either in mixture or monoculture communities. Therefore, the successful invasion of S. alterniflora may result from higher homeostatic index than the native species, C. malaccensis var. brevifolius.