Stoichiometry of Root and Leaf Nitrogen and Phosphorus in a Dry Alpine Steppe on the Northern Tibetan Plateau

Leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) have been used widely in the ecological stoichiometry to understand nutrient limitation in plant. However,few studies have focused on the relationship between root nutrients and environmental factors. The main objective of this study was to clarify the pattern of root and leaf N and P concentrations and the relationships between plant nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations with climatic factors under low temperature conditions in the northern Tibetan Plateau of China. We conducted a systematic census of N and P concentrations, and the N∶P ratio in leaf and root for 139 plant samples, from 14 species and 7 families in a dry Stipa purpurea alpine steppe on the northern Tibetan Plateau of China. The results showed that the mean root N and P concentrations and the N∶P ratios across all species were 13.05 mg g⁻¹, 0.60 mg g⁻¹ and 23.40, respectively. The mean leaf N and P concentrations and the N∶P ratio were 23.20 mg g⁻¹, 1.38 mg g⁻¹, and 17.87, respectively. Compared to global plant nutrients concentrations, plants distributing in high altitude area have higher N concentrations and N∶P, but lower P concentrations, which could be used to explain normally-observed low growth rate of plant in the cold region. Plant N concentrations were unrelated to the mean annual temperature (MAT). The root and leaf P concentrations were negatively correlated with the MAT, but the N∶P ratios were positively correlated with the MAT. It is highly possible this region is not N limited, it is P limited, thus the temperature-biogeochemical hypothesis (TBH) can not be used to explain the relationship between plant N concentrations and MAT in alpine steppe. The results were valuable to understand the bio-geographic patterns of root and leaf nutrients traits and modeling ecosystem nutrient cycling in cold and dry environments.     

Close linkages between leaf functional traits and soil and leaf C:N:P stoichiometry under altered precipitation in a desert steppe in northwestern China

Leaf functional traits are important for characterizing plant nutrient strategies. The C:N:P stoichiometric balance in soils and plants, which could indicate types of nutrient limitation, is altered under changing precipitation patterns. However, whether such alterations affect leaf functional traits remains unclear. We conducted a three-year simulated precipitation experiment in a desert steppe in northwestern China to determine changes in leaf photosynthetic traits and nutrient conservation traits in five plant species and tested the relationships of these traits with soil and leaf C:N:P stoichiometry. The five species showed few changes in their leaf traits under drought conditions, but they adjusted these traits (especially P traits) under extremely wet conditions (50% increase in precipitation). Improved leaf photosynthetic N and P use, lowered leaf P uptake, and enhanced leaf N resorption might help Lespedeza potaninii to rely less on soil nutrients in extremely wet environments than other species do. Leaf photosynthetic traits were regulated primarily by soil and leaf C:N:P stoichiometry. Leaf nutrient conservation traits were controlled by both leaf C:N:P stoichiometry and soil properties (i.e., enzyme activity and microbial biomass), a condition especially true for P traits. The results suggest that precipitation-induced alteration in the C:N:P stoichiometric balance might have important influences on plant nutrient use strategies and even on the nutrient cycling of desert steppes.

     

Leaf-root-soil N:P stoichiometry of ephemeral plants in a temperate desert in Central Asia

Ephemeral plants are a crucial vegetation component in temperate deserts of Central Asia, and play an important role in biogeochemical cycle and biodiversity maintenance in desert ecosystems. However, the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) status and interrelations of leaf-root-soil of ephemeral plants remain unclear. A total of 194 leaf-root-soil samples of eight ephemeral species at 37 sites in the Gurbantunggut Desert, China were collected, and then the corresponding N and P concentrations, and the N:P ratio were measured. Results showed that soil parameters presented no significant difference among the eight species. The total soil N:P was only 0.116 (geomean), indicating limited soil N, while the available soil N:P (4.896, geomean) was significantly larger than the total N:P. The leaf N (averagely 30.995 mg g^?1) and P (averagely 1.523 mg g^?1) concentrations were 2.64–8.46 and 0.93–3.99 times higher than the root N (averagely 8.014 mg g^?1) and P (averagely 0.802 mg g^?1) concentrations, respectively. Thus, leaf N:P (averagely 21.499) was 1.410–2.957 times higher than root N:P (averagely 11.803). Meanwhile, significant interspecific differences existed in plant stoichiometric traits. At the across-species level, N content scaled as the 3/4-power of P content in both leaves and roots. Leaf and root N:P ratios were mainly influenced by P; however, the leaf-to-root N or P ratio was dominated by roots. Leaf and root N, P contents and N:P were generally unrelated to soil nutrients, and the former presented lower variation than the latter, indicating a strong stoichiometric homeostasis for ephemerals. These results demonstrate that regardless of soil nutrient supply capacity in this region, the fast-growing ephemeral plants have formed a specific leaf-root-soil stoichiometric relation and nutrient use strategy adapting to the extreme desert environment.

     

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.     

The Altitudinal Patterns of Leaf C∶N∶P Stoichiometry Are Regulated by Plant Growth Form,Climate and Soil on Changbai Mountain,China

Understanding the geographic patterns and potential drivers of leaf stoichiometry is critical for modelling the nutrient fluxes of ecosystems and to predict the responses of ecosystems to global changes. This study aimed to explore the altitudinal patterns and potential drivers of leaf C∶N∶P stoichiometry. We measured the concentrations of leaf C, N and P in 175 plant species as well as soil nutrient concentrations along an altitudinal transect (500–2300 m) on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, China to explore the response of leaf C∶N∶P stoichiometry to plant growth form (PGF), climate and soil. Leaf C, N, P and C∶N∶P ratios showed significant altitudinal trends. In general, leaf C and C∶N∶P ratios increased while leaf N and P decreased with elevation. Woody and herbaceous species showed different responses to altitudinal gradients. Trees had the largest variation in leaf C, C∶N and C∶P ratios, while herbs showed the largest variation in leaf N, P and N∶P ratio. PGF, climate and soil jointly regulated leaf stoichiometry, explaining 17.6% to 52.1% of the variation in the six leaf stoichiometric traits. PGF was more important in explaining leaf stoichiometry variation than soil and climate. Our findings will help to elucidate the altitudinal patterns of leaf stoichiometry and to model ecosystem nutrient cycling.     

Carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry in leaves and fine roots of dominant plants in Horqin Sandy Land

Aims The stoichiometric characteristics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in plant organism is vital to understand plant adaptation to environment. In particular, the correlations of elemental stoichiometric characteristics between leaf and fine root could provide insights into the interaction and balance among the plant elements, nutrient use strategies and plant response to global change.Methods We measured C, N, P contents and C:N, C:P, N:P in leaves and fine roots of 60 dominant plants in Horqin sandy land. The 60 plant species were classified into five life forms and two categories such as perennial forb, annual forb, perennial grass, annual grass, shrub, legume, and non-legume. We statistically analyzed the differences and correlations of C, N and P stoichiometry either between fine root and leaf or among five life forms.Important findings The average C, N and P concentrations in leaves of 60 plant species in Horqin sandy land are 424.20 mg·g^-1, 25.60 mg·g^-1 and 2.10 mg·g^-1, respectively. In fine roots, the corresponding element concentrations are 434.03 mg·g^-1, 13.54 mg·g^-1, 1.13 mg·g^-1. N and P concentrations in leaf are approximately twice as high as averages in fine root. Furthermore, similar N:P between leaf and fine root indicates conservative characteristic of elemental stoichiometry in plant organism, suggesting that nutrients distribution is proportional between aboveground and underground of plants. There are significant difference of C, N, P, C:N, C:P and N:P in leaf and root among five life forms. N and P in forb and C:N and C:P in grass are averagely higher than those in other life forms. N:P in annual forb and grass, however, are lower than those in other life forms. C, N in legume are higher than those in non-legume, while C:N in legume is lower than in non-legume. These results imply that nutrient use strategies are significantly different among plant life forms. Correlations analysis showed that N and P in leaf or fine root positively correlated, but C and N, C and P in fine root negatively correlated, suggesting coupling relationship among C, N and P in leaf and fine root. Subsequently, we detected positively significant correlations in C, N, P and their ratios between leaf and fine root, suggesting proportional distribution of photosynthate and nutrient between aboveground and underground during plant growth. Generally, these results supplied fundamental data to understand mass turnover and nutrients cycling of leaves and roots in sand land.     

Environmental heterogeneity and mechanism of stoichiometry properties of vegetative organs in dominant shrub communities across the Loess Plateau

 为了探究黄土高原灌丛群落中优势物种的根、茎和叶等营养器官之间碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)及其比值等化学计量特征的环境分异性及其与土壤养分的耦合性, 在甘肃省和宁夏回族自治区境内的3个灌丛集中分布区(甘肃南部、宁夏北部和甘肃西部)沿水热梯度选取41个样点进行样地调查。结果显示: 1)甘肃、宁夏灌丛群落的有机物质含量及P资源相对匮乏, 而N资源相对丰富。2)从甘肃南部、宁夏北部到甘肃西部, 生长季温度递增、年降水量递减, 与此耦合, 土壤养分也逐级递减, 沿着土壤养分梯度, 黄土高原优势灌丛根、茎和叶的C、N、P储量减少, 根和茎的C:N下降, 根、茎和叶的N:P上升, 但在宁夏北部和甘肃西部间差异不显著。同时, 3个优势灌丛分布区的优势灌丛各器官间营养元素的分配格局不同。3)土壤养分相对较高的区域优势灌丛间各器官营养元素储量无差异, 而土壤养分较低区域亲缘关系较远的优势灌丛间各器官的营养元素储量差异显著, 而亲缘关系较近的优势灌丛各器官营养元素储量差异不显著。黄土高原优势灌丛各器官C、N、P化学计量特征是植物体与土壤中化学元素耦合的结果, 当土壤养分逐渐升高时, 植物体内的化学元素储量也逐渐增多。该研究不仅有助于认识黄土高原优势灌丛化学计量环境分异规律, 而且有助于洞察不同土壤条件下C、N、P在优势灌丛营养器官间的分配格局和植物资源分配策略, 并为黄土高原植被的管理和恢复提供一定的理论基础。     

新疆67种荒漠植物叶碳氮磷计量特征及其与气候的关系

荒漠生态系统具有独特的耐旱植物种类和植物化学计量特征.本研究通过系统采集全疆63个荒漠地点的67种植物,探索荒漠植物叶碳、氮、磷(C、N、P)的计量特征及其与气候因子的关系.结果表明:荒漠植物叶C、N和P的平均含量分别为394、18.4和1.14 mg·g-1,C∶N、C∶P和N∶P平均值分别为28、419和18.灌木的N含量高于乔木和草本,灌木P含量比草本(乔木)低(高);C3植物叶的C、N、C∶P、N∶P高于C4植物.随年均降水量增加,叶C有先降低后升高的趋势,叶N、P先升高、后降低,叶C∶N、C∶P与叶N、P变化趋势相反,N∶P变化不显著;随年均温升高,叶C先降低后升高,叶N、P降低,C∶N变化不显著,C∶P、N∶P升高.年均降水量对叶片化学计量特征的影响大于年均温度和植物类型.本研究结果将有助于预测全球气候变化背景下的C、N、P元素循环规律的变化,并为干旱区生物地球化学建模提供参考和基础数据.     

Biogeographic Patterns of Structural Traits and C:N:P Stoichiometry of Tree Twigs in China’s Forests

There have been a number of studies on biogeographic patterns of plant leaf functional traits; however, the variations in traits of other plant organs such as twigs are rarely investigated. In this study, we sampled current-year twigs of 335 tree species from 12 forest sites across a latitudinal span of 32 degrees in China, and measured twig specific density (TSD), twig dry matter content (TDMC), and carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) contents, to explore the latitudinal and environmental patterns of these twig traits. The overall mean of TSD and TDMC was 0.37 g cm⁻³ and 41%, respectively; mean twig C, N and P was 472 mg g⁻¹, 9.8 mg g⁻¹ and 1.15 mg g⁻¹, respectively, and mean N:P mass ratio was 10.6. TSD was positively correlated with TDMC which was positively associated with twig C but negatively with twig N and P. There were no significant differences in TSD between conifer, deciduous-broadleaf and evergreen-broadleaf plants, but evergreen-broadleaf plants had the lowest and conifers the highest TDMC. Conifer twigs were lowest in C, N, P and N:P, whereas deciduous-plant twigs were highest in N and P and evergreen-plant twigs were highest in C and N:P. As latitude increased or temperature/precipitation dropped, TDMC and P increased, but N:P ratio decreased. Our results also showed that the patterns of twig P and N:P stoichiometry were consistent with those reported for leaves, but no significant trends in twig N were observed along the gradient of latitude, climate and soils. This study provides the first large-scale patterns of the twig traits and will improve our understanding of the biogeochemistry of carbon and other key nutrients in forest ecosystems.     

Important foliar traits depend on species-grouping: analysis of a remnant temperate forest at the Keerqin Sandy Lands, China

Foliar traits are often interpreted to reflect strategies for coping with water and nutrient supply limitations. In this study, we measured several important leaf traits for 147 species sampled from a remnant, temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest in Keerqin Sandy Lands, Northeast China to test whether these traits are ‘invariant’ or dependent on water supply limitations. Our data show that average specific leaf area (SLA), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, leaf C/N, C/P and N/P were 273 cm²?g^?1, 18.1 mg?g^?1, 1.60 mg?g^?1, 28.2, 343 and 12.4, respectively. However, most of these traits were significantly different (P?<?0.05) for different species groupings based on growth forms, phylogenetic history, photosynthetic pathways, or habitats. SLA was positively correlated with leaf P concentration across the broad spectrum of 118 species and most species functional groupings. However, SLA was not correlated with N concentration across all species or within each species functional group. SLA and N and P concentrations in dry habitats were lower than those in wet habitats, whereas leaf C/N, C/P, and N/P had the opposite trend both across all species and within major species functional groupings (herb, monocots and C3 species). Our data indicate that SLA vs. leaf N and SLA vs. P relationships may be regulated differentially for different species functional groupings and that water limitation may have a greater influence than nutrient limitation for plant growth.     

不同林龄杉木人工林植物-凋落叶-土壤C、N、P化学计量特征及互作关系

以贵州8年、16年、28年生杉木人工林为研究对象,分析植物-凋落叶-土壤的C、N、P化学计量特征及其内在联系,探讨林龄对杉木人工林生态化学计量的影响,为杉木人工林可持续经营提供参考。结果表明:(1)杉木人工林植物-凋落叶-土壤均呈高C低N、P元素格局,两两组分间差异显著(P0.05);成熟叶C/N(38.58)、C/P(376.67)偏低,其养分利用效率较低;与成熟叶相比,凋落叶N、P偏低,C/N、C/P偏高;土壤C/P、N/P偏低,C/N较高,说明土壤P素分解较快而N保存较好,反映了凋落叶分解不利。(2)成熟叶C、P以及根、凋落叶、土壤的C、N、P、C/N、C/P、N/P均受林龄的显著影响;从8年到28年,C、N、P含量在植物体呈先增后减趋势,而在土壤中相反,呈先减后增趋势,但在凋落物中C、P显著减小,且C/P,N/P显著增加,反映杉木林早期对养分需求旺盛,随年龄增大需求减小,凋落物分解受制于P素,加剧中幼期杉木生态系统养分供需矛盾。(3)成熟叶与凋落叶N、C/N、N/P之间显著正相关,凋落叶养分源自成熟叶;成熟叶重吸收率P(0.518—0.645)N(0.292—0.488),即对P的利用效率高于N。凋落叶与土壤C、C/N之间显著负相关,表明土壤C、N来源于凋落叶分解,但凋落叶分解缓慢,导致大量元素滞留于凋落叶,土壤损耗元素得不到补给,两者间养分循环缓慢。土壤与根C、P、C/N、C/P、N/P之间均显著正相关,土壤与成熟叶的C、N、P均不相关,表明土壤养分是杉木生长养分的主要来源,但土壤C、N、P含量对成熟叶C、N、P含量影响不大。     

呼伦贝尔盐生藜科植物不同器官C、N、P生态化学计量特征及其与土壤因子的关系

盐碱土区植物可利用营养匮乏是植物生物量限制的主要因素之一,藜科（Chenopodiaceae）植物是盐碱环境中的最大类群,其整体营养策略对盐碱地育种和农业开发具有重要意义。本研究以呼伦贝尔4种典型盐碱地藜科植物碱蓬（Suaeda glauca）、尖头叶藜（Chenopodium acuminatum）、刺沙蓬（Salsola tragus）、雾冰藜（Bassia dasyphylla）为研究对象,通过分析不同器官C、N、P生态化学计量特征,试图揭示藜科植物C、N、P计量特征共性及其与土壤因子之间的耦合关系。结果显示：(1)藜科植物茎、叶N/P>16,根N/P<14;各器官C、N含量显著相关,且根C含量>茎C含量>叶C含量,N含量表现为叶N含量>茎N含量>根N含量,表明N元素从根、茎到叶之间具有良好的转移效率。(2)相对于C元素和N元素,各器官内P元素含量具有最大变异系数,叶P、茎P含量与叶N、根N含量显著正相关,根P含量与叶N、根N含量显著负相关,表明N、P元素在叶和根中具有较强的协调关系。(3)RDA排序表明土壤P是影响植物叶片化学计量的主要因素,...     

中亚热带植被恢复阶段植物叶片、凋落物、土壤碳氮磷化学计量特征

为揭示植被恢复过程中生态系统的养分循环机制及植物的生存策略, 根据亚热带森林群落演替过程, 采用空间代替时间方法, 以湘中丘陵区地域相邻、环境条件基本一致的檵木(Loropetalum chinensis) +南烛(Vaccinium bracteatu) +杜鹃(Rhododendron mariesii)灌草丛(LVR)、檵木+杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata) +白栎(Quercus fabri)灌木林(LCQ)、马尾松(Pinus massoniana) +柯(Lithocarpus glaber) +檵木针阔混交林(PLL)、柯+红淡比(Cleyera japonica) +青冈(Cyclobalanopsis Glauca)常绿阔叶林(LCC)作为一个恢复系列, 设置固定样地, 采集植物叶片、未分解层凋落物和0-30 cm土壤样品, 测定有机碳(C)、全氮(N)、全磷(P)含量及其化学计量比, 运用异速生长关系、养分利用效率和再吸收效率分析植物对环境变化的响应和养分利用策略。结果表明: (1)随着植被恢复, 叶片C:N、C:P、N:P显著下降, 而叶片C、N、P含量和土壤C、N含量、C:P、N:P显著增加, 其中LCC植物叶片C、N含量, 土壤C、N含量及其N:P, PLL植物叶片P含量, 土壤C:P显著高于其他3个恢复阶段, 各恢复阶段植物叶片N:P > 20, 植物生长受P限制; 凋落物C、N、P含量及其化学计量比波动较大。(2)凋落物与叶片、土壤的化学计量特征之间的相关关系较弱, 叶片与土壤的化学计量特征之间具有显著相关关系, 其中叶片C、N、P含量与土壤C、N含量、C:N (除叶片C、N含量外)、C:P、N:P呈显著正相关关系; 叶片C:N与土壤C、N含量、C:P、N:P, 叶片C:P与土壤C含量、C:N、C:P, 叶片N:P与土壤C:N呈显著负相关关系。(3)植被恢复过程中, 叶片N、P之间具有显著异速生长关系, 异速生长指数为1.45, 叶片N、P的利用效率下降, 对N、P的再吸收效率增加, LCC叶片N利用效率最低, PLL叶片P利用效率最低而N、P再吸收效率最高。(4)叶片N含量内稳态弱, 而P含量具有较高的内稳态, 在土壤低P限制下植物能保持P平衡。植被恢复显著影响叶片、凋落物、土壤C、N、P含量及其化学计量比, 叶片与土壤之间C、N、P含量及化学计量比呈显著相关关系, 植物通过降低养分利用效率和提高养分再吸收效率适应土壤养分的变化, 叶片-凋落物-土壤系统的N、P循环随着植被恢复逐渐达到“化学计量平衡”。     

塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地人工植被及土壤CNP的化学计量特征

生态化学计量学是研究生态过程和生态作用中化学元素平衡的科学。极端环境中进行植物叶片与土壤中营养元素含量及变化研究,对于揭示植物对营养元素的需要和当地土壤的养分供给能力,以及植物对环境的适应与反馈能力具有十分重要的意义。以塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地塔中植物园生长良好的25种人工植被及其生境为研究对象,运用方差分析、相关分析综合研究植物叶片及土壤的化学计量特征及其相互关系。结果显示:塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地25种人工植被叶片C、N、P的平均含量分别为(386.7±46.6)、(24.7±8.1)和(1.8±0.78) mg/g;叶片C:N、C:P及 N:P分别为(17.5±6.7)、(249.2±102.8)、(15.0±5.6)。其中豆科植物N含量极显著高于非豆科植物(P<0.001)。不同生活型植物的C、N、P含量均存在显著差异,C、N、P含量在3种生活型的大小顺序为草本>灌木>乔木。C:N和N:P在不同生活型植物间不存在显著差异(P>0.05),而乔木和灌木的C:P显著高于草本植物(P< 0.05)。相关分析表明植物的叶片C:N、C:P都与相应的N、P含量呈现极显著负相关性(P<0.001),而叶片N含量与P含量的变化并不相关(P> 0.05)。土壤C、N、P养分元素含量远低于全国的平均水平,尤其是N含量(<0.2 mg/g);土壤C与N存在着极显著的正相关关系(P<0.01),而C与P、N与P间的相关性并不显著(P>0.05)。以上研究结果表明,受极端环境的限制,塔克拉玛干沙漠人工植被植物对养分元素的利用效率显著低于全国陆地植物的平均水平,不同科和不同生活型功能群植物对环境的适应能力显著不同,表现出显著的养分适应策略差异性。     

Spatial variation in leaf nutrient traits of dominant desert riparian plant species in an arid inland river basin of China

Understanding how patterns of leaf nutrient traits respond to groundwater depth is crucial for modeling the nutrient cycling of desert riparian ecosystems and forecasting the responses of ecosystems to global changes. In this study, we measured leaf nutrients along a transect across a groundwater depth gradient in the downstream Heihe River to explore the response of leaf nutrient traits to groundwater depth and soil properties. We found that leaf nutrient traits of dominant species showed different responses to groundwater depth gradient. Leaf C, leaf N, leaf P, and leaf K decreased significantly with groundwater depth, whereas patterns of leaf C/N and leaf N/P followed quadratic relationships with groundwater depth. Meanwhile, leaf C/P did not vary significantly along the groundwater depth gradient. Variations in leaf nutrient traits were associated with soil properties (e.g., soil bulk density, soil pH). Groundwater depth and soil pH jointly regulated the variation of leaf nutrient traits; however, groundwater depth explained the variation of leaf nutrient traits better than did soil pH. At the local scale in the typical desert riparian ecosystem, the dominant species was characterized by low leaf C, leaf N, and leaf P, but high leaf N/P and leaf C/P, indicating that desert riparian plants might be more limited by P than N in the growing season. Our observations will help to reveal specific adaptation patterns in relation to the groundwater depth gradient for dominant desert riparian species, provide insights into adaptive trends of leaf nutrient traits, and add information relevant to understanding the adaptive strategies of desert riparian forest vegetation to moisture gradients.     

植物生态化学计量特征及其主要假说

植物生态化学计量学是生态化学计量学的重要分支, 主要研究植物器官元素含量的计量特征, 以及它们与环境因子、生态系统功能之间的关系。19世纪, 化学家们通过室内实验, 分析了植物器官的元素含量, 开始了对植物化学元素之间关系的探索。如今, 生态学家通过野外采样和控制实验, 探索植物化学元素计量特征的变化规律、对全球变化的响应以及与植物功能属性之间的关系, 促进了植物生态化学计量学的快速发展。该文在概述植物生态化学计量学发展简史的基础上, 综述了19世纪以来该领域的研究进展。首先, 该文将植物生态化学计量学的发展历程概括为思想萌芽期、假说奠基期和理论构建期3个时期, 对各个时期的主要研究进行了简要回顾和梳理。第二, 概述了植物主要器官的化学计量特征, 尤其是陆生植物叶片氮(N)和磷(P)的计量特征。总体上, 全球陆生植物叶片N、P含量和N:P (质量比)的几何平均值分别为18.74 mg∙g^-1、1.21 mg∙g^-1和15.55 (与16:1的Redfield比一致); 在物种或群落水平上, 叶片N和P含量一般呈现随温度升高、降水增加而降低的趋势。不同生活型植物叶片N和P计量特征差异明显, 尤其是草本植物叶片N和P含量高于木本植物, 落叶阔叶木本植物叶片N和P含量高于常绿木本植物。与叶片相比, 细根和其他器官化学计量特征研究较少。第三, 总结了养分添加实验对植物化学元素计量特征的影响。总体上, N添加一般会提高土壤N的可利用性, 使植物器官中N含量和N:P升高, 在一定程度上提高植物生产力; P添加可能会缓解过量N输入导致的N-P失衡问题, 提高植物器官P含量。但是, 长期过量施肥会打破植物器官原有的元素间计量关系, 导致元素计量关系失衡和生产力下降。第四, 梳理总结了植物生态化学计量学的重要理论、观点和假说, 主要包括刻画化学计量特征与植物生长功能关系的功能关联假说、刻画化学计量特征与环境因子关系的环境关联假说或理论以及刻画化学计量特征与植物进化历史关系的进化关联假说。最后, 指出了植物生态化学计量学研究中存在的问题, 展望了10个未来需要重点关注的研究方向。     

塔里木盆地北缘典型荒漠植物根系化学计量特征及其与土壤理化因子的关系

荒漠植物根系直接与高度盐渍化、严重缺水的土壤环境接触,是执行物质吸h收的重要营养器官,对其化学计量的研究有助于深入了解旱生植物功能特征和生存策略。以塔里木盆地北缘6种典型荒漠植物:甘草、芦苇、花花柴、骆驼刺、柽柳、盐爪爪为研究对象,分析植物根系化学计量特征,结合冗余分析探索其与土壤理化因子的相关关系。结果表明,研究区植物根系C、N、P含量分别为(443.62±70.84)mg/g,(7.44±3.59)mg/g,(0.46±1.92)mg/g;其中P的变异系数最大,C的最小;C/N、C/P、N/P的值分别为63.37、964.39、15.22,C、N、P含量及N/P值低于全球平均水平,C/N高于全球平均水平。通过冗余分析得出土壤理化因子对植物根系化学计量特征影响的重要性排序为:土壤含水量土壤电导率土壤P含量土壤C含量土壤N含量,即研究区土壤含水量与电导率是影响植物根系化学计量的重要因子。     

神农架常绿落叶阔叶混交林碳氮磷化学计量比

生态化学计量学是研究生态过程中化学元素平衡的科学, 碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量比是生态系统过程及其功能的重要特征。该研究测定了神农架常绿落叶阔叶混交林植物器官、凋落物及土壤的C、N、P含量, 利用生物量加权法计算其化学计量比, 并分析该生态系统不同组分间及不同器官间化学计量比的差异。研究结果发现: 在不同组分之间, C含量、C:N及C:P表现为植物>凋落物>土壤; N、P含量及N:P表现为凋落物>植物>土壤。在不同植物器官间, C含量的差异较小, 其变异系数相对N、P含量较低且保持稳定; N、P含量为叶片最高且变异系数最低; N:P为树皮最高, 而枝的变异系数最低。常绿与落叶树种的叶片N、P含量差异显著。与不同森林类型的化学计量比相比, 该常绿落叶阔叶混交林植物群落的C:P及N:P较低, 凋落物的C:P及N:P较高, 土壤的C、N、P化学计量比与亚热带常绿阔叶林基本一致, 生态系统的C:N相对较低。利用生物量加权法计算得到的该森林生态系统不同组分的C、N、P化学计量比的大小关系与前人利用枝叶取样算术平均的结果存在较大差异。C、N、P含量及其化学计量比在不同器官的分配及内稳性与器官的生理功能关系密切。     

Stoichiometry of leaf nitrogen and phosphorus of grasslands of the Inner Mongolian and Qinghai-Tibet Plateaus in relation to climatic variables and vegetation organization levels

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are most commonly the limiting essential elements that affect the functioning of plants and ecosystems. However, their stoichiometry in relation to climatic variables and vegetation organization levels has not been comprehensively characterized. N and P concentrations were measured for 329 leaf samples collected at 132 sites along the 5000 km long China Grassland Transect that traverses the Inner Mongolian and Qinghai-Tibet Plateaus. The patterns of these measurements were analyzed with reference to climate factors, plant species, plant functional groups, grassland communities and grassland ecosystems. The aim was to explore whether geographical patterns of plant leaf elements are related to zonal climatic variables, and at which vegetation organization levels changes of plant leaf N and P stoichiometric characteristics and pattern occur. Results showed that interspecific differences of N and P concentrations were most significant for the three vegetation organization levels of species, community and ecosystem. Plant leaf N and P concentrations were higher, coefficients of variation of N and P lower, and N/P, C/N and C/P ratios were also lower for leaf samples from the cold high altitude Qinghai-Tibet Plateau than for those from the relatively lower altitude and warmer Inner Mongolian Plateau. Correlation of N and P for Inner Mongolian grassland was higher than that for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The study indicates plant species are the most basic unit influencing plant stoichiometric geographic patterns, and that climatic variables affect leaf element concentrations mainly through their effect on changes of plant species composition of vegetation.     

青藏高原东缘主要针叶树种叶片碳氮磷化学计量分布格局及其驱动因素

理解植物叶片化学计量特征及其驱动因素对认识植物种群分布规律及预测植物对环境变化响应具有重要意义。该研究采集了青藏高原东缘针叶林84个样点共29种主要针叶树种叶片, 探讨该区域常绿针叶树种叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量特征和分布格局及其驱动因素。结果表明: (1)在科和属水平上, 不同针叶树种叶片C、N含量和C:N差异显著; 叶片N:P < 14, 表明该区域针叶树种主要受N限制。(2)叶片N、P含量在环境梯度上表现出一致的分布规律: 均呈现出随纬度和海拔增加而显著降低, 随年平均气温(MAT)和年降水量(MAP)增加而显著增加的趋势; 而叶片C含量与纬度、海拔、MAT和MAP均未表现出显著相关性。(3)叶片C:N、C:P呈现出与N、P含量变化相反的分布格局: 均随纬度和海拔增加而显著增加, 随MAT和MAP增加而显著降低; 而叶片N:P与海拔、MAT和MAP均无显著相关性。(4)进一步分析表明, 叶片C、N、P含量及其化学计量比的主要驱动因素不尽相同。具体而言: 土壤特性是叶片C含量和N:P变异的主要驱动因子, 而叶片N、P含量和C:N、C:P的变异主要由气候因素决定。总之, 该区域针叶树种叶片化学计量沿环境梯度的变异规律有力地支持了温度生物地球化学假说, 在一定程度上丰富了对环境变化下植物叶片化学计量分布格局及其驱动机制的认识。