Seed weight increases with altitude in the Swiss Alps between related species but not among populations of individual species

Seed weight is a crucial plant life history trait, determining establishment success and dispersal ability. Especially in stressful environments, larger seeds may be selected at the expense of seed number, because larger seeds have a better chance of giving rise to an established offspring. We tested the hypotheses that between related species-pairs and among populations of single species a similar trend for increasing seed weight with increasing altitude should be present. Firstly, we measured seed weights from 29 species-pairs, with one species occurring in lowland areas and a congeneric species from high altitudes. Seeds of the alpine species were 28±8% larger than seeds from lowland species (P<0.01). Compared to the related lowland species, 55% of the alpine species had heavier seeds, 3% (one species) had lighter, and 41% had seeds of approximately equal weight. Secondly, we compared seed weights among populations of four species from different habitats and with different life histories. Seeds from between 11 and 34 populations per species were sampled along altitudinal gradients of 800–1,500 m (ca. 800 m in Scabiosa lucida, ca. 1,000 m in Saxifraga oppositifolia, ca. 1,000 m in Epilobium fleischeri, and ca. 1,500 m in Carex flacca). In all the four species, we found no indication for heavier seeds at higher altitudes. Our results indicate a selection pressure for species with heavier seeds at higher altitude, but the trend does not seem to operate across all cases. Phylogenetic constraints may limit the correlation among altitude and seed weight, operating particularly against selection for larger seed size, the closer populations and species are related to each other.     

Group composition in wild and commensal hamadryas baboons: A comparative study in Saudi Arabia

Papio hamadryas was surveyed throughout its range in Saudi Arabia and was observed at altitudes ranging from 0 to 2300 m. Wild populations occur along the whole range of altitude, while commensal populations are only found above 850 m altitude. No variation in group size was found with altitude. Comparison of wild and commensal populations showed the following. (1) Their composition in terms of age and sex classes, overall adult sex ratios, and group size does not significantly differ. (2) Groups of both populations include, in similar proportions, three types of parties: one-male units (>70%), two-male units (>13%), and a few other units of variable composition. (3) The mean size of commensal parties is significantly larger than in the wild population; specifically one-male units are larger in the commensal population due to a larger number of females per male. Thus, female distribution in commensal groups is more inequitable than that in wild groups. (4) Finally, the number of females included in two-male units increases with altitude. These differences are discussed in terms of food availability and predator pressure and are compared with results obtained on other Arabian and Ethiopian populations.     

芦芽山华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)树轮宽度年表对气候因子的响应

在芦芽山地区采集3个不同海拔的华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii),在传统去趋势的基础上,采用"signal-free"方法对拟合曲线进行修正,避免了中等频率的气候信息引起的拟合偏差,最终建立3个不同海拔树轮宽度标准年表(STD)。同时以10a为界对上述年表进行滤波处理,得到3个低频年表。年表特征值表明,随着海拔升高,年轮平均轮宽变窄,敏感性和高频信息增强,低频信息减弱,这可能与逐渐恶劣的生境有关。中、低海拔年表的低频信息更一致,中、高海拔的高频信息更接近,而高、低海拔无论是标准年表还是高频、低频年表相似性均较差。树轮气候响应分析显示,低海拔STD年表与5月最低温负相关最为显著,STD和低频年表均与5、6月份土壤温度显著负相关,说明生境暖干,树木主要受生长季的干旱胁迫;中海拔STD年表与当年5月最高温正相关最为显著,STD和低频年表与土壤温度相关均不显著,说明生境逐渐变得冷湿,生长季的低温成为树木生长的限制因子;高海拔STD年表与气象要素相关不显著,低频年表与当年4月土壤温度正相关,说明高海拔最为冷湿,并有季节性冻土分布,生长季的土壤低温成为树木生长的限制因子。因此,全球变暖的趋势将更有利于高海拔树木的生长,而低海拔树木的干旱胁迫进一步加剧。     

Altitudinal variation of UV-absorbing compounds in Plantago asiatica

UV-absorbing compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids are important for plants to protect their vegetative organs from harmful UV radiation at higher altitude. Two chemotypes, i.e., acteoside mainly-containing (AM) type and plantamajoside mainly-containing (PM) type were found by qualitative HPLC analysis of the phenolics in the leaves of Plantago asiatica in Mt. Norikura, Japan. Though AM type was not detected in low altitude populations, it occurred in high altitude populations. Acteoside has been reported to be more effective antioxidant than plantamajoside. On the other hand, higher accumulations of UV-absorbing substances were seen in higher altitude populations by quantitative analyses. Besides, B-ring ortho-dihydroxylated flavonoids notably increased than mono-hydroxylated flavonoids with increasing altitude. These results demonstrate that P. asiatica has chemically acclimated to high altitudes, in which severe environmental conditions such as higher UV radiation exist.     

Effect of altitude on male parental expenditure in Mountain Bluebirds ( Sialia currucoides ): are higher-altitude males more attentive fathers?

Male investment of time and energy in caring for offspring varies substantially both between and within bird species. Explaining this variation is of long-standing interest to ornithologists. One factor that may affect male care is breeding site altitude, through its effects on climate. The harsher, less predictable abiotic conditions at higher altitudes are hypothesized to favour increased male investment of time and energy in offspring care. We tested this hypothesis by comparing male parental behaviour in Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) nesting at 1500 and 2500 m a.s.l. in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, USA. We compared rates of prey delivery to nestlings at these two altitudes at two times: 1–2 days after hatching, when females spend much of their time brooding young, and 12–13 days later, when brooding has ended and nestling energy demands are peaking. High-altitude males fed nestlings 18 and 28% more often than low-altitude males early and later in the nestling stage, respectively, but only the difference in late-stage feeding rates were significant. Like males, females at the high site also fed nestlings significantly more often than females at the low site later in the nestling stage (45% difference in feeding rates). Consequently, the proportion of all feeding trips made by males at the high site (40%) did not differ significantly from that at the low site (44%). Parents at the high altitude may feed nestlings more often to compensate for their greater thermoregulatory costs. Parents may also be attempting to assist nestlings in storing fat and/or attaining a large size and effective homeothermy as quickly as possible to enhance nestling ability to survive bouts of severe weather which are common at high altitudes.     

The response of maize (Zea mays) to Azospirillum inoculation in various types of soils in the field

Application of a peat-based powder inoculant of Azospirillum brasilense, as well as a granular inoculant (each containing 0.5–1.0×10⁷ Azospirillum/g moist peat), in the seed furrows of Zea mays resulted in significantly increased yields (11 to 14%) in light soils at low rates of N fertilization. In general, there was no effect of inoculation on plant yields in heavier soils nor when N fertilization was high. Pre-emergence application of granular inoculant and inoculation associated with irrigation were more efficient in increasing yield than inoculation post-emergence or seed coating.E. Fallik is with ARO-The Volcani Centre, Department of Postharvest Science of Fresh Produce, Bet-Dagan 50250, Israel. Y. Okon is with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Rehovot 76100, Israel     

Compositae Plants Differed in Leaf Cuticular Waxes between High and Low Altitudes

We sampled eight Compositae species at high altitude (3482 m) and seven species at low altitude (220 m), analyzed the chemical compositions and contents of leaf cuticular wax, and calculated the values of average chain length (ACL), carbon preference index (CPI), dispersion (d), dispersion/weighted mean chain length (d/N), and C₃₁/(C₃₁ + C₂₉) (Norm31). The amounts of total wax and compositions were significantly higher at high altitude than at low altitude, except for primary alcohol, secondary alcohol, and ketone. The main n‐alkanes in most samples were C₃₁, C₂₉, and C₃₃. Low altitude had more C₃₁ and C₃₃, whereas more C₂₉ occurred at high altitude. The ACL, CPI, d, d/N, and Norma 31 were higher at low altitude than at high altitude. The fatty acid and primary alcohol at low altitude contained more C₂₆ homologous than at high altitude. More short‐chain primary alcohols were observed at high altitude. At low altitude, the primary alcohol gave on average the largest amount, while it was n‐alkane at high altitude. These results indicated that the variations of leaf cuticular waxes benefited Compositae plants to adapt to various environmental stresses and enlarge their distribution.     

东天山北坡雪岭云杉种群结构动态的海拔格局

雪岭云杉(Picea schrenkiana)是天山特有树种,也是天山森林优势种;研究其种群结构动态的海拔梯度变化有助于保护、管理这一重要的森林资源。本研究以东天山北坡江布拉克景区的雪岭云杉种群为研究对象,利用便携式背包雷达(LiBackpack)扫描与手测验证相结合的方法,在1800-2600 m的海拔梯度上设置了27个30 m×30 m(共24300 m²)的样方进行调查测量,基于树木胸径数据,制作了雪岭云杉的静态生命表和存活曲线,计算其种群数量动态变化指数和时间序列预测模型,分析不同海拔高度雪岭云杉种群结构动态特征。结果表明:1)整体来看,江布拉克景区雪岭云杉种群结构现状良好,但幼苗(DBH<5 cm)储备明显不足。低、高海拔雪岭云杉种群径级结构表现为"倒J型",中海拔段为"稳定型"。雪岭云杉种群在不同海拔高度存在幼龄树死亡率高的共性。2)中海拔雪岭云杉种群动态变化指数最低;低海拔种群危险率最低;表明中海拔树木存活能力最强,雪岭云杉种群在中海拔生长状况最好。3)时间序列预测模型表明,研究区雪岭云杉种群未来动态更新趋势良好,未来2、4、6、8径级时,低海拔段Ⅱ-Ⅶ径级、高海拔段Ⅱ、Ⅳ-Ⅷ径级个体数量呈现增加的趋势;中海拔不同径级个体数量变化较小。建议对低、高海拔雪岭云杉种群个体采取抚育、间伐措施,中海拔砍伐过多的区域应移栽原生苗而促进雪岭云杉种群发育更新;同时加大管理力度,减少人为干扰。     

Experimentally induced clutch size enlargements affect reproductive success in the Pied Flycatcher

We performed a food provisioning experiment in a population of Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca breeding at high altitude in central Spain to test if food availability before and during laying determines clutch size. Food was provided to one of two pairs with the same date of initiation of nest-building (15 dyads of subsequently reproducing pairs were thus created). Food provisioning began on the day of initiation of nest-building and ended on the day after the last egg was laid. Although laying date was unaffected by the experiment, clutch size in the experimental treatment was significantly larger. This result could indicate that food availability at laying (1) proximately constrained clutch size or (2) that females evaluated future conditions for incubating eggs and feeding nestlings based on food availability at laying. Reproductive success (proportion of eggs that resulted in fledged young) was significantly reduced in the experimental treatment. This effect suggest that supplemented females were tricked by the experiment into laying more eggs than the number of eggs they were able to incubate with success and the number of nestlings they were able to feed, a source of error in clutch size adjustment which could be common in non-experimental situations.     

A stereological analysis of the ultrastructure of the lungs of wild mice living at low and high altitude

Stereological analysis of the ultrastructural composition of the pulmonary alveolo-capillary region of mice living at sea level compared with that of the same species (Phyllotis darwini) genetically adapted to life at 4,660 m reveals a trend at high altitude towards a greater volume percentage of tissue components. On a weight-specific basis, non-circulating tissue occupies a significantly greater volume in high-altitude mice, but air space and capillary contents are not correspondingly greater. Since the arithmetic mean thickness of the tissue layers and of the air-blood barrier are the same in the two altitudinal groups, the average alveolus must have a smaller volume in the high-altitude mice. Epithelial, endothelial, and erythrocyte surface areas per gram body weight are significantly greater in the high-altitude mice. Nuclear counts indicate that the larger lungs of mice adapted to high altitude are due to larger Pneumocyte I and II and endothelial cells rather than to an increase in the number of these cells. Hematocrits measured within the pulmonary capillaries in the two altitudinal groups were equal. An heretofore unrecognized feature of possible adaptive value is the surface/volume ratio of erythrocytes, which is similar for erythrocytes in alveolar space of mice at low and high altitudes but within lung capillaries is 14.7% greater at high altitude.     

海拔高度对中国沙棘水碳代谢和生长的影响——以关帝山区为例

海拔是影响中国沙棘自然分布和生长的的重要环境因子,水分代谢和碳代谢的平衡是植物存活和生长的基础,研究海拔对中国沙棘的水碳代谢和生长的影响有利于全面了解中国沙棘对海拔高度的适应性及其生理机制。以山西西部关帝山地区野生中国沙棘为研究对象,测定了海拔1100—2100 m的中国沙棘雌株在6月和8月的小枝正午水势、枝条导水损失率、枝条导管直径和导管密度、光合作用、不同部位非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)浓度,同时测定了不同海拔沙棘的株高和冠幅。结果表明：随着海拔的升高,6月和8月的土壤含水量均呈增加趋势;小枝正午水势先升高后降低;枝条导水损失率在6月先降低后升高;随着海拔的升高沙棘的导管直径没有显著性变化,但导管密度、枝条最大比导水率、叶面积呈现先升高后降低的趋势。随着海拔的升高6月和8月光合速率均呈增加趋势;根和叶NSC含量没有较大幅度变化;随着海拔高度的增加中国沙棘树高和冠幅均呈现先增加后降低的趋势。以上结果表明：低海拔(1100—1300 m)和高海拔(1900—2100 m)中国沙棘生长均受到一定程度的抑制,在低海拔主要受干旱胁迫的影响,高海拔对中国沙棘的生长的抑制作用体现在低温引起的水分...     

苦竹叶片碳氮磷化学计量特征的海拔梯度效应

为揭示海拔梯度对苦竹林立竹叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量特征的影响,该文以3个海拔梯度[低海拔,(200±10) m;中海拔,(400±10) m;高海拔,(800±10) m]苦竹林为研究对象,测定1至3年生立竹叶片C、N、P含量,分析其化学计量特征和异速增长关系。结果表明:(1)立竹年龄对苦竹叶片C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征影响明显,随立竹年龄的增大,苦竹叶片C、N、P含量和N∶P总体上均呈降低趋势,而C∶N、C∶P总体上呈升高趋势。(2)海拔对苦竹叶片C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征有重要影响,随海拔梯度升高,不同年龄立竹叶片C含量呈先升高后下降变化趋势,N、P含量总体上呈降低趋势,而C∶N、C∶P和N∶P均呈升高趋势。(3)不同海拔梯度苦竹林立竹叶片C、N、P含量和C∶N、C∶P差异显著,中、高海拔苦竹林立竹叶片N∶P无显著差异,均显著高于低海拔苦竹林;不同海拔梯度苦竹林立竹叶片C、N、P间呈显著的正异速增长关系,随海拔梯度的升高,C-N、C-P异速增长指数显著升高,而N-P异速增长指数显著下降。综上结果表明,高海拔苦竹林虽然N、P利用效率提高,但立竹叶片C含量较低,P限制性作用增强;中海拔苦竹林不但具有较高的N、P利用效率,而且立竹叶片C含量高,说明中海拔是苦竹林丰产培育的适宜海拔。     

Differences in the Activation State of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase in Barley,Pea, and Wheat at Two Altitudes

Activation state of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) is an important parameter determining the rate of net photosynthesis (P _N) in situ for which no information is available with reference to altitude. We analyzed activation state along with P _N in three plant species and their cultivars grown at low (LA, 1 300 m) and high (HA, 4 200 m) altitudes. No significant change in P _N and the initial activity of RuBPCO was obtained with reference to altitude. However, activation state of RuBPCO was reduced significantly in the HA plants as compared to the LA ones. Hence low partial pressure of CO₂ prevailing at HA might be responsible for the lower activation state of RuBPCO.     

Altitudinal variations in germination and growth responses ofReynoutria japonica populations on Mt Fuji to a controlled thermal environment

The authors examined altitudinal variations in the thermal responses of seed germination and seedling growth inReynoutria japonica (=Polygonum cuspidatum) under controlled environmental conditions. Seed populations were collected from different altitudes on Mt Fuji in Japan. The mean seed weight of the upland populations (above 1500 m) was significantly (1.5-fold) heavier than that of the lowland populations (below 1400 m). Under the lowest temperature regime of 15/10°C (day/night) the upland populations showed a significantly higher percentage and speed of germination than the lowland populations; this was not significant under higher temperature regimes. These results indicate that the germination traits of the upland populations on Mt Fuji are favorable for colonization in their cold habitats (low temperature and short growing season). Growth and shoot development were compared between the seedlings grown from seeds collected at altitudes of 700 and 2420 m. The upland seedlings showed a significantly larger biomass and leaf area than the lowland seedlings at 15°C, but there was no difference at 25°C. The difference in biomass at 15°C was attributed to the difference in seed weight. The upland seedlings produced a significantly larger number of branches with smaller and more numerous leaves at both 15°C and 25°C. these developmental traits of the upland seedlings were considered to represent the adaptation of the life form to upland environments. It was concluded that theR. japonica populations along an altitudinal gradient on Mt Fuji can be classified into two ecotypes, whose distribution border lies at an altitude of about 1400–1500m. In this study, the seed weight and germination traits of twoR. japonica seed populations collected in Chiba Prefecture were briefly compared with those of the lowland populations on Mt Fuji.     

不同海拔温度和降水对新疆阿尔泰山西伯利亚落叶松径向生长的影响

为定量并分离关键气候因子对新疆阿尔泰山不同海拔树木径向生长的影响,通过对高、中和低海拔的西伯利亚落叶松(Larixsibirica)树轮宽度标准年表与气候因子分别进行相关、多元线性回归等统计分析,并进一步计算了线性模型中不同气候因素的绝对和相对贡献率。结果表明,高海拔地区,当年6月温度和上年7月降水分别与径向生长呈显著正相关和负相关,两者共同解释西伯利亚落叶松径向生长变异的33.1%,相对贡献率分别为66.2%和33.8%;中海拔地区,当年6月温度和上年6月降水分别与径向生长呈显著正相关和负相关,两者共同解释径向生长变异的26.8%,相对贡献率分别为40.1%和59.9%;低海拔地区,上年6月温度和7月降水分别与径向生长呈显著负相关和正相关,两者共同解释径向生长变异的29.4%,相对贡献率分别为31.9%和68.1%。这表明限制树木径向生长的主要影响因子随海拔的不同而异,在高海拔地区,温度是主要限制因子;而在低海拔地区,降雨是主要限制因子。     

紫翅猪毛菜、钠猪毛菜不同个体大小繁殖分配差异及随海拔的变化

以新疆准噶尔盆地藜科猪毛菜属植物紫翅猪毛菜(Salsola affinis C.A.Mey)、钠猪毛菜(Salsola nitraria Pall)为研究对象,用繁殖分配比例的方法对比分析了两种猪毛菜不同海拔同一种群内不同个体大小繁殖分配的特点,并用异速生长模型分析了不同海拔繁殖生物量与营养生物量之间分配与个体大小的依赖关系。结果发现:1)不同海拔繁殖生物量(R)与营养生物量(V)呈不同程度的异速生长。紫翅猪毛菜随海拔的升高R-V的异速生长斜率显著升高,截距随海拔的升高没有显著增加;而钠猪毛菜的斜率随海拔升高显著降低,截距则显著升高。2)紫翅猪毛菜在较低海拔个体大小与繁殖分配呈负相关,在较高海拔呈正相关;钠猪毛菜在较低海拔个体大小与繁殖分配呈正相关,在较高海拔呈负相关;两种猪毛菜繁殖分配的适应对策相反。3)将同一种群个体大小分成大、中、小3种类型,多重比较发现紫翅猪毛菜在较低海拔,中小个体的繁殖分配显著高于大个体的繁殖分配;在较高海拔,大个体的繁殖分配显著高于中小个体的繁殖分配。钠猪毛菜在较低海拔,大个体的繁殖分配显著高于中、小个体的繁殖分配;在较高海拔,小个体的繁殖分配显著高于大、中个体的繁殖分配。综合分析认为:两个物种随海拔变化产生不同的繁殖分配策略,除遗传效应外,环境和个体大小对钠猪毛菜繁殖分配的变化均产生重要影响,而紫翅猪毛菜繁殖分配的变化主要由海拔差异导致。由于微生境对同一种群的个体大小产生影响,进而产生不同的繁殖分配模式,所以在干旱区更应重视个体大小对繁殖分配的影响。     

优于单一最大熵生态位模型的混合烟粉虱生境风险评估模型

预测入侵生物的潜在地理分布、快速评估其高脆弱性区域是实现入侵生物前瞻性风险预警的重要手段。MaxEnt生态位模型是目前应用最广泛的生境风险评估方法,操作简单,预测精度较高,但模型对数据的质量和数量过分依赖。以烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci为对象,引入地理探测器显式描述评价因子的空间关联规律和贡献度,结合MaxEnt生态位模型,提出一种混合生境风险评估模型(Geo-MaxEnt),并与单一MaxEnt生态位模型进行对比。结果表明：(1)地理探测器模型显示,海拔(0.56)、土地利用(0.43)、最热月最高温度(0.36)和年平均温度(0.30),对烟粉虱的空间分布具有显著影响,各因子对烟粉虱生境的影响存在显著的差异。海拔和土地利用PD值最高,是影响烟粉虱生境的主要驱动因子。环境因子的交互作用强化了各个因子的影响力。(2)单一MaxEnt生态位和所构建的模型总体精度分别是94.86%(AUC 0.91)和98.13%(AUC 0.94),相较之下,所构建的模型精度略高,表明所构建的模型是合理的,具有高度的可靠性;(3)对于高风险区,混合模型优于MaxEnt模型,但两者在空间分布方面高度...     

Habitat‐Dependent Variations in Berberine Content of Berberis asiatica Roxb. ex. DC. in Kumaon,Western Himalaya

The variation of the berberine content in roots and stem bark of Berberis asiatica with altitude and edaphic conditions in the western Himalaya was estimated by HPLC. The comparative assessment revealed a significantly higher berberine content in roots than in stem barks. Moreover, the berberine content varied significantly with altitude and edaphic conditions both in root and stem bark samples. The populations growing at low altitude contained significantly more berberine than the ones growing at high altitude. Also the moisture and potassium (K) percentage of the soil significantly influenced the berberine content.     

Respiration Rate of Stream Insects Measured <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> Along a Large Altitude Range

Field studies of respiration in stream insects are few in comparison with laboratory studies. To evaluate the influence of temperature and oxygen along altitudinal gradients we measured the respiration rate of fully acclimatized larval Trichoptera, Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera under similar field conditions in streams from 400 to 3800 m above sea level in tropical Ecuador. Mean active respiration rates of the animals at 3800 m were approximately half of those at 400 m. Trichoptera showed a slightly larger difference in respiration with altitude than Ephemeroptera. Comparative respiration measurements at 100 and 50% oxygen saturation indicated that highland animals reduced their oxygen uptake more than their counterparts in the lowland when oxygen availability decreased. The temperature response of respiration calculated between the insect assemblages at different altitudes showed a mean assemblage Q₁₀−value of 1.50. Trichopteran larvae had a slightly stronger temperature response (Q₁₀ of 1.68) than ephemeropterans (Q₁₀ of 1.30). These community Q₁₀-values are considerably lower than the mean value of 2.36 found in single species in the laboratory. The weak community-wide response of respiration to temperature in tropical streams is probably due to full acclimatization of the component species to stable and narrow temperature ranges. Adaptations to the low oxygen availability at high altitude probably consist of a suite of genetic physiological and behavioural features.     

Differential effects of clonal integration on performance in the stoloniferous herb Duchesnea indica, as growing at two sites with different altitude

Clonal integration may be adaptive and enhance the genet performance of clonal plants. Degree of clonal integration may differ between different environments . Here, a container experiment was used to determine how clonal integration affected the performance of the stoloniferous herb Duchesnea indica at two sites with different altitude along the transitional zone between the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and the Sichuan basin of Southwest China. In the experiment, the stolon between partially shaded two ramets experienced severing and intact treatments.We predicted that clonal integration would increase performance of whole clonal fragments and their shaded clonal parts at both sites. In both arctic and alpine environments, clonal plants may form highly integrated plant units (group of ramets).We predicted again that the reduction due to stolon severing in performance of whole clonal fragments and their shaded clonal parts would be greater at the site with high altitude than one with low altitude. The results indicated that the benefit for the shaded clonal parts and whole clonal fragments due to clonal integration was only observed at the site with high altitude. The results suggest that the performance of Duchesnea indica tends to be more responsive to the stolon severing at the site with high altitude than one with low altitude and support the second prediction. In addition, the effects of conditions of the sites and clonal integration on local morphological traits of ramets may be adaptive, five morphological traits of ramet-level (length of petiole, mean stolon internode length, specific petiole weight, specific stolon internode weight and specific leaf area) were investigated. Altogether, the results suggest that clonal integration might help D. indica plants to successfully inhabit the high-altitude habitat of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau of Southwest China, providing new evidences for the notion that clonal integration is an adaptive trait in stressful environments.