生态化学计量学研究进展

生态化学计量学结合生物学、化学和物理学等基本原理,研究能量和碳、氮、磷等化学元素在生态系统中,特别是各种生态系统过程(如竞争、捕食、寄生、共生等)参与者中的变化,以及它们之间的动态平衡,并分析这种平衡对生态系统的影响。目前,C∶N∶P化学计量学研究已深入到生态学的各个层次(细胞、个体、种群、群落、生态系统)及区域等不同尺度。近年来,由于认识到化学计量学研究可以把生态实体的各个层次在元素水平上统一起来,因此生态化学计量学已成为许多生态系统的新兴研究工具。其中,C∶N∶P化学计量学是各种生态过程研究中的核心内容。论述了生态化学计量学在物种、群落、生态系统等各层次的应用现状,并指出了C∶N∶P化学计量学研究的应用前景和发展趋势,以期引起同行的重视并推动该领域的进一步发展。     

生态化学计量学理论的应用、完善与扩展

生态化学计量学结合生物学、化学和物理学等基本原理, 研究碳、氮、磷等化学元素在各种生态过程中的平衡。由于生态化学计量学研究可以把生态实体的各个层次在元素水平上统一起来, 因此生态化学计量学已成为许多生态系统的新兴研究工具。目前, 生态化学计量学研究已深入到生态学的各个层次(分子、细胞、个体、种群、群落、生态系统)及区域等不同尺度。由于C、N、P 对有机体和生态系统的结构和功能的重要作用, C∶N∶P 化学计量学成为各种生态过程研究中的核心内容, 其基本理论(动态平衡理论、生长速率理论)围绕C∶N∶P 化学计量比而展开阐述。将生态化学计量学理论应用于全球格局下的生态系统研究时, 产生了许多崭新的成果(如植物营养全球格局等)。希望对生态化学计量学的概念、核心理论和全球格局下的应用以及该学说的完善与发展状况的简单介绍, 能有助于推动我国在此领域的相关研究。     

N:P化学计量学在生态学研究中的应用

化学计量学很早就被应用于生态学研究中,但长期以来几乎被生态学家所忽视.近年来,由于认识到化学计量学研究可以把生态实体的各个层次在元素水平上统一起来,因此元素化学计量学成为近年来新兴的一个生态学研究领域.氮磷作为植物生长的必需矿质营养元素和生态系统常见的限制性元素,在植物体内存在功能上的联系,二者之间具有重要的相互作用.近年来由于人类活动的强烈影响,这两种元素的循环在速度和规模上都发生了前所未有的改变,导致一系列环境问题的出现,因此N:P化学计量学研究就显得极为重要.本文论述了N:P化学计量学在物种、群落、生态系统等各层次的应用现状,同时从分子生物学角度分析了应用N:P化学计量学的可行性,并指出了N:P化学计量学研究的应用前景和存在的缺陷.     

N：P化学计量学在生态学研究中的应用

化学计量学很早就被应用于生态学研究中,但长期以来几乎被生态学家所忽视。近年来,由于认识到化学计量学研究可以把生态实体的各个层次在元素水平上统一起来,因此元素化学计量学成为近年来新兴的一个生态学研究领域。氮磷作为植物生长的必需矿质营养元素和生态系统常见的限制性元素,在植物体内存在功能上的联系,二者之间具有重要的相互作用。近年来由于人类活动的强烈影响,这两种元素的循环在速度和规模上都发生了前所未有的改变,导致一系列环境问题的出现,因此N：P化学计量学研究就显得极为重要。本文论述了N：P化学计量学在物种、群落、生态系统等各层次的应用现状,同时从分子生物学角度分析了应用N：P化学计量学的可行性,并指出了N：P化学计量学研究的应用前景和存在的缺陷。     

生态系统碳氮磷元素的生态化学计量学特征

生态系统元素平衡是当前全球变化生态学和生物地球化学循环的研究热点和焦点.在系统介绍生态化学计量学与碳氮磷元素循环研究进展的基础上,重点从土壤C:N:P化学计量比的分布特征、指示作用、对碳固定的影响,以及人类活动对C:N:P比的影响等方面探讨了C:N:P比在养分限制、生物地球化学循环、森林演替与退化等领域中的应用等问题,并展望了生态系统碳氮磷平衡的元素化学计量学未来研究的发展方向.通过对生态化学计量学理论和方法的研究,可以深入认识植物-凋落物-土壤相互作用的养分调控因素,对于揭示碳氮磷元素之间的相互作用及平衡制约关系,为减缓温室效应提供新思路和理论依据,具有重要的现实意义.     

海洋浮游生物的生态化学计量学研究进展

生态化学计量学可以简单定义为从分子到生物圈的元素生物学,其跨越了环境和生命的各个层次,是构建从分子到生态系统统一化理论的新思路,是生态科学发展的必然趋势.海洋生物占地球生物圈总生物量的50%,是全球生物地球化学循环的重要组成部分,而浮游生物作为海洋生态系统物质循环和能量流动的重要环节,在海洋生态系统元素循环过程中起着关键作用.但是目前关于海洋浮游生物生态化学计量学的研究较零散和缺乏.因此,本文从限制元素影响海洋浮游生物的生态现象和机理、生化物质对营养限制的响应、营养限制的食物链传递与反馈4方面,对海洋浮游生物化学计量学研究进行综述,分析了该领域当前存在的问题,并对我国海洋浮游生物生态化学计量学研究的发展重点提出了展望.
     

生态化学计量学特征及其应用研究进展

生态化学计量学已成为生态学研究的热点问题。作为一门新兴学科,综观国内外最新研究进展,相关研究目前尚存在着许多不足。基于此,从全球与区域尺度、功能群尺度及个体水平3个方面阐述生态化学计量学特征,从空间、时间、生境和植物类型等生物与非生物因素综述生态化学计量学特征的驱动因素。并讨论生态化学计量学特征在限制性养分判断、生态系统稳定性、生长率与C:N:P关系中的应用。     

生态化学计量学：复杂生命系统奥秘的探索

 20世纪以来,生物科学的发展异军突起,成为发展最快的学科,不仅学科分类逐渐细化,而且研究领域也逐渐深入,然而,这种分化和深入也可能会掩盖生物的一些最普遍特征。地球上的生物是否具有统一的、更本质的特征？能否把不同生物学领域和不同层次的知识联系起来？随着对这些问题的不断探索,一门新兴的学科——生态化学计量学,在最近20年悄然兴起。生态化学计量学结合了生物学、化学和物理学等基本原理,是研究生物系统能量平衡和多重化学元素（主要是C、N、P）平衡的科学。这一研究领域使得生物学科不同层次（分子、细胞、有机体、种群、生态系统和全球尺度）的研究理论能够有机地统一起来。目前,生态化学计量学已经广泛应用于种群动态、生物体营养动态、微生物营养、寄主_病原关系、生物共生关系、消费者驱动的养分循环、限制性元素的判断、生态系统比较分析和森林演替与衰退及全球C、N、P生物地球化学循环等研究中,并取得了许多研究成果。该文概述了生态化学计量的概念、历史起源和基本理论,重点介绍了生态化学计量学理论在消费者驱动的养分循环、限制性养分元素判别以及全球C、N、P循环等方面的应用进展,并对生态化学计量学未来的研究方向进行了展望,期望引起国内同行的重视并有助于推动我国在此领域开展相关研究。     

海洋微藻的生态化学计量学与微藻增养殖氮磷化学计量条件的应用与研究进展

总结关于元素化学计量的文献基础上, 回顾了化学计量的起源和发展, 从不同层面介绍了海洋浮游植物的生态化学计量学, 阐述了几种应用较为广泛的生态化学计量模型, 同时介绍了氮磷化学计量学在海洋微藻增养殖中的应用, 分析了常用培养基配方中氮和磷的组成特征。该领域的研究已证明, 浮游植物的生长率控制与环境因子、细胞元素组成及其培养基的组成有着密切的关系。重要的是氮磷比不是决定浮游植物增殖的唯一因素, 而应该同时考虑氮和磷绝对浓度的影响, 特别是在解决营养限制问题时尤其需要综合考量。     

青藏高原区域不同功能群植物氮磷生态化学计量学特征

生态化学计量学为揭示植物养分利用状况及植物对环境的适应策略提供了重要手段,研究不同功能群植物在区域尺度生态化学计量学特征中所产生的贡献,有助于揭示区域尺度植物元素特征的形成机制。已有研究多是从不同功能群植物元素生态化学计量学特征的比较上进行分析,未能对每种功能群植物元素含量随地理因子和气候因子的变化规律展开探讨。基于生态化学计量学理论,对青藏高原区域不同功能群植物(豆科、禾本科、莎草科、杂类草)叶片水平N、P元素含量随纬度、海拔、年降水量、年均温度的变化规律展开研究,探讨不同植物功能群在区域尺度植物生态化学计量学特征中所产生的贡献,尝试从植物功能群角度揭示青藏高原高寒区域N、P元素含量特征的形成机制。结果显示,1)不同功能群植物叶片元素含量差异显著,豆科植物N、P元素含量最高,禾本科植物N、P含量最低,N/P比值在不同功能群间差异不显著;2)随纬度变化,莎草科植物P元素及杂类草N元素含量变化显著;随海拔变化,豆科、禾本科植物及杂类草叶片N元素含量变化较为显著;随年降水量和年均温度的变化,杂类草和莎草科植物叶片N、P含量变化显著;3)莎草科植物N、P含量对纬度和降水的响应趋势与区域内所有植物叶片N、P含量对纬度和降水的响应趋势一致,豆科、禾本科及杂类草植物叶片元素含量对海拔和温度的响应趋势与区域内所有植物叶片元素平均含量对海拔和温度的响应趋势一致。研究表明,不同功能群植物元素特征对环境因子的响应不同,植物功能群组成对区域尺度植物生态化学计量学特征有重要作用,但在较大的植物结构层次上(如植物群落、生态系统、区域或全球尺度等),不同功能群植物之间的相互组合会抵消或掩盖掉某一类群的特性,从而对区域尺度植物元素特征的变化规律产生影响。     

全球变化背景下陆地植物N/P生态化学计量学研究进展

生态化学计量学理论最早应用在水生生态系统的研究中,但最近20年来在陆地生态系统中也开展了大量的相关研究,特别是关于全球变化背景下陆地植物N/P生态化学计量学方面的研究得到很大的发展,极大地丰富和提升了我们对陆地植物包括生态系统生态过程的认识。就全球变化背景下陆地植物生态化学计量学的研究现状进行了综述,同时以中国科学院华南植物园90周庆为契机,总结我们关于南亚热带森林植物生态化学计量学的研究工作,进而分析当前存在的一些问题并提出今后研究的发展重点,以期促进和推动我园和我国生态化学计量学相关领域的研究。     

Can ecological stoichiometry help explain patterns of biological invasions?

Several mechanisms for biological invasions have been proposed, yet to date there is no common framework that can broadly explain patterns of invasion success among ecosystems with different resource availabilities. Ecological stoichiometry (ES) is the study of the balance of energy and elements in ecological interactions. This framework uses a multi‐nutrient approach to mass‐balance models, linking the biochemical composition of organisms to their growth and reproduction, which consequently influences ecosystem structure and functioning. We proposed a conceptual model that integrates hypotheses of biological invasions within a framework structured by fundamental principles of ES. We then performed meta‐analyses to compare the growth and production performances of native and invasive organisms under low‐ and high‐nutrient conditions in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Growth and production rates of invasive organisms (plants and invertebrates) under both low‐ and high‐nutrient availability were generally larger than those of natives. Nevertheless, native plants outperformed invasives in aquatic ecosystems under low‐nutrient conditions. We suggest several distinct stoichiometry‐based mechanisms to explain invasion success in low‐ versus high‐nutrient conditions; low‐nutrient conditions: higher resource‐use efficiency (RUE; C:nutrient ratios), threshold elemental ratios (TERs), and trait plasticity (e.g. ability of an organism to change its nutrient requirements in response to varying nutrient environmental supply); high‐nutrient conditions: higher growth rates and reproductive output related to lower tissue C:nutrient ratios, and increased trait plasticity. Interactions of mechanisms may also yield synergistic effects, whereby nutrient enrichment and enemy release have a disproportionate effect on invasion success. To that end, ES provides a framework that can help explain how chemical elements and energy constrain key physiological and ecological processes, which can ultimately determine the success of invasive organisms.     

Foliar C,N, and P stoichiometry characterize successful plant ecological strategies in the Sonoran Desert

Ecological processes are centered to water availability in drylands; however, less known nutrient stoichiometry can help explain much of their structure and ecological interactions. Here we look to the foliar stoichiometry of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) of 38 dominant plant species from the Sonoran Desert, grouped in four different functional types to describe ecological characteristics and processes. We found that foliar N, C:N, C:P, and N:P stoichiometric ratios, but not P, were higher than those known to most other ecosystems and indicate P but not N limitations in leaves. Biological N fixers (BNF) had even higher leaf N concentrations, but bio-elemental concentrations and stoichiometry ratios were not different to other non-N-fixing legume species which underscores the need to understand the physiological mechanisms for high N, and to how costly BNF can succeed in P-limiting drylands environments. Stoichiometry ratios, and to lesser extent elemental concentrations, were able to characterize BNF and colonizing strategies in the Sonoran Desert, as well as explain leaf attribute differences, ecological processes, and biogeochemical niches in this dryland ecosystem, even when no direct reference is made to other water-limitation strategies.     

Invasive aquarium fish transform ecosystem nutrient dynamics

Trade of ornamental aquatic species is a multi-billion dollar industry responsible for the introduction of myriad fishes into novel ecosystems. Although aquarium invaders have the potential to alter ecosystem function, regulation of the trade is minimal and little is known about the ecosystem-level consequences of invasion for all but a small number of aquarium species. Here, we demonstrate how ecological stoichiometry can be used as a framework to identify aquarium invaders with the potential to modify ecosystem processes. We show that explosive growth of an introduced population of stoichiometrically unique, phosphorus (P)-rich catfish in a river in southern Mexico significantly transformed stream nutrient dynamics by altering nutrient storage and remineralization rates. Notably, changes varied between elements; the P-rich fish acted as net sinks of P and net remineralizers of nitrogen. Results from this study suggest species-specific stoichiometry may be insightful for understanding how invasive species modify nutrient dynamics when their population densities and elemental composition differ substantially from native organisms. Risk analysis for potential aquarium imports should consider species traits such as body stoichiometry, which may increase the likelihood that an invasion will alter the structure and function of ecosystems.     

SEED: A framework for integrating ecological stoichiometry and eco-evolutionary dynamics

Characterising the extent and sources of intraspecific variation and their ecological consequences is a central challenge in the study of eco-evolutionary dynamics. Ecological stoichiometry, which uses elemental variation of organisms and their environment to understand ecosystem patterns and processes, can be a powerful framework for characterising eco-evolutionary dynamics. However, the current emphasis on the relative content of elements in the body (i.e. organismal stoichiometry) has constrained its application. Intraspecific variation in the rates at which elements are acquired, assimilated, allocated or lost is often greater than the variation in organismal stoichiometry. There is much to gain from studying these traits together as components of an ‘elemental phenotype’. Furthermore, each of these traits can have distinct ecological effects that are underappreciated in the current literature. We propose a conceptual framework that explores how microevolutionary change in the elemental phenotype occurs, how its components interact with each other and with other traits, and how its changes can affect a wide range of ecological processes. We demonstrate how the framework can be used to generate novel hypotheses and outline pathways for future research that enhance our ability to explain, analyse and predict eco-evolutionary dynamics.