Physiological response of riparian plants to watering in hyper-arid areas of Tarim River, China

The physiological responses and adaptive strategies of Populus euphratica Oliv. (arbor species), Tamarix ramosissima Ldb. (bush species), and Apocynum venetum L. (herb species) to variations in water and salinity stress were studied in the hyper-arid environment of the Tarim River in China. The groundwater table, the saline content of the groundwater, as well as the content of free proline, soluble sugars, plant endogenous hormones (abscisic acid (ABA), and cytokinins (CTK)) of the leaves of the three species were monitored and analyzed at the lower reaches of the Tarim River in the study area where five transects were fixed at 100 m intervals along a vertical sampling line before and after water release. Saline stress dramatically increased soluble sugar concentration of the three species. Differences in sugar accumulation were determined among the species at different transects. The free proline concentration of the leaves of T. ramosissima and P. euphratica showed a proportional decrease with various degrees of elevation of the groundwater table after water release. There was a least correlation between the soluble sugars and proline stimulation in T. ramosissima. It was strongly suggested that T. ramosissima developed a different strategy to accumulate organic solutes to adapt to the stress environment. The soluble sugars and proline accumulation responded to the changes of groundwater table independently: the former occurred under salt stress, whereas the latter was more significant under drought stress. The concentration and the increase in concentration of ABA and CTK involved in stress resistance of the three species were also determined. This increase in the hormone concentration in P. euphratica was different from that of the other two species. Expressed as a function of increase of ABA concentration in leaves, A. venetum and T. ramosissima showed a different solute accumulation in response to groundwater table. There was a significant correlation between ABA accumulation and Δ [proline] in A. venetum as well as between ABA accumulation and Δ [sugar] in T. ramosissima. Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(8): 1966–1973 [译自: 生态学报]     

Growth and water relations of Tamarix ramosissima and Populus euphratica on Taklamakan desert dunes in relation to depth to a permanent water table

The hypothesis that water relations and growth of phreatophytic Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. and Populus euphratica Oliv. on dunes of varying height in an extremely arid Chinese desert depend on vertical distance to a permanent water table was tested. Shoot diameter growth of P. euphratica was inversely correlated with groundwater depth (GD) of 7 to 23 m (adj. R² = 0.69, P = 0.025); growth of T. ramosissima varied independent of GD between 5 and 24 m (P = 0.385). Pre‐dawn (pd) and midday (md) water potentials were lower in T. ramosissima (minimum pd ?1.25 MPa, md ?3.6 MPa at 24 m GD) than in P. euphratica (minimum pd ?0.9 MPa, md ?3.05 MPa at 23 m GD) and did not indicate physiologically significant drought stress for either species. Midday water potentials of P. euphratica closely corresponded to GD throughout the growing season, but those of T. ramosissima did not. In both species, stomatal conductance was significantly correlated with leaf water potential (P. euphratica: adj. R² = 0.84, P < 0.0001; T. ramosissima: adj. R² = 0.64, P = 0.011) and with leaf‐specific hydraulic conductance (P. euphratica: adj. R² = 0.79, P = 0.001; T. ramosissima: adj. R² = 0.56, P = 0.019); the three variables decreased with increasing GD in P. euphratica. Stomatal conductance of P. euphratica was more strongly reduced (> 50% between ?2 and ?3 MPa) in response to decreasing leaf water potential than that of T. ramosissima (30% between ?2 and ?3 MPa). Tolerance of lower leaf water potentials due to higher concentrations of leaf osmotically active substances partially explains why leaf conductance, and probably leaf carbon gain and growth, of T. ramosissima was less severely affected by GD. Additionally, the complex below‐ground structure of large clonal T. ramosissima shrub systems probably introduces variability into the assumed relationship of xylem path length with GD.     

Nutrients limit photosynthesis in seedlings of a lowland tropical forest tree species

We investigated how photosynthesis by understory seedlings of the lowland tropical tree species Alseis blackiana responded to 10 years of soil nutrient fertilization with N, P and K. We ask whether nutrients are limiting to light and CO₂ acquisition in a low light understory environment. We measured foliar nutrient concentrations of N, P and K, isotopic composition of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N), and light response curves of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence. Canopy openness was measured above each study seedling and included in statistical analyses to account for variation in light availability. Foliar N concentration increased by 20% with N addition. Foliar P concentration increased by 78% with P addition and decreased by 14% with N addition. Foliar K increased by 8% with K addition. Foliar δ¹³C showed no significant responses, and foliar δ¹⁵N decreased strongly with N addition, matching the low δ¹⁵N values of applied fertilizer. Canopy openness ranged from 0.01 to 6.71% with a mean of 1.76 ± 0.14 (±1SE). Maximum photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation rate increased by 9% with N addition. Stomatal conductance increased with P addition and with P and K in combination. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements revealed that quantum yield of photosystem II increased with K addition, maximum electron transport rate trended 9% greater with N addition (p = 0.07), and saturating photosynthetically active radiation increased with N addition. The results demonstrate that nutrient addition can enhance photosynthetic processes, even under low light availability.     

不同土壤水盐条件下多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima)对胡杨(Populus euphratica)幼苗的影响

目前胡杨更新困难,种群处于退化阶段,而与其生态位高度重叠的多枝柽柳却在扩张。为探讨多枝柽柳对胡杨生长的影响,本研究设置了3个水平的水分、盐分梯度,对胡杨进行了单种和混种的盆栽控制实验,通过测定胡杨幼苗的生长和存活状况,分析不同水、盐梯度下多枝柽柳如何影响胡杨生长。结果表明：（1）多枝柽柳伴生降低当年生胡杨幼苗的存活率,随着水分条件改善,胡杨存活率提高,而盐分对存活率没有显著的影响。（2）水分、盐分和伴生模式几个因子对胡杨的生长特征的影响存在显著的交互作用（P<0.05）。各水盐条件下,多枝柽柳会不同程度降低胡杨幼苗的株高、主根长和地上地下生物量,而根冠比增大。混种条件下,胡杨幼苗对水盐的响应更为敏感。（3）相对竞争强度对水盐环境有明显的响应（P<0.05）,随水分条件改善,地上、地下相对竞争强度降低。多枝柽柳对胡杨的生长产生不良影响的机制是通过快速消耗土壤的水分,从而导致胡杨幼苗水分亏缺。土壤水分条件是胡杨和多枝柽柳幼苗共存的关键因素,在水分供给不足的情况下,对水分偏好的差异导致胡杨无法通过实生苗进行有效的更新从而加剧胡杨种群的衰退,而多枝柽柳更为耐旱的特性使其逐步占据河岸的生境。我们的研究结果强调了两个树种对环境因子的适应性差异决定了河岸带植被发育过程中植物-土壤的相互作用导致胡杨在演替过程中表现出的衰退现象。     

Spatial patterns of foliar stable carbon isotope compositions of C<Subscript>3</Subscript> plant species in the Loess Plateau of China

The spatial pattern of foliar stable carbon isotope compositions (δ¹³C) of dominant species and their relationships with environmental factors in seven sites, Yangling, Yongshou, Tongchuan, Fuxian, Ansai, Mizhi and Shenmu, standing from south to north in the Loess Plateau of China, was studied. The results showed that in the 121 C₃ plant samples collected from the Loess Plateau, the foliar δ¹³C value ranged from −22.66‰ to −30.70‰, averaging −27.04‰. The foliar δ¹³C value varied significantly (P<0.01) among the seven sites, and the average δ¹³C value increased by about 1.69‰ from Yangling in the south to Shenmu in the north as climatic drought increased. There was a significant difference in foliar δ¹³C value among three life-forms categorized from all the plant samples in the Loess Plateau (P<0.001). The trees (−26.74‰) and shrubs (−26.68‰) had similar mean δ¹³C values, both significantly (P<0.05) higher than the mean δ¹³C value of herbages (−27.69‰). It was shown that the trees and shrubs had higher WUEs and employed more conservative water-use patterns to survive drier habitats in the Loess Plateau. Of all the C₃ species in the Loess Plateau, the foliar δ¹³C values were significantly and negatively correlated with the mean annual rainfall (P<0.001) and mean annual temperature (P<0.05), while being significantly and positively correlated with the latitude (P<0.001) and the annual solar radiation (P<0.01). In general, the foliar δ¹³C values increased as the latitude and solar radiation increased and the rainfall and temperature decreased. The annual rainfall as the main influencing factor could explain 13.3% of the spatial variations in foliar δ¹³C value. A 100 mm increment in annual rainfall would result in a decrease by 0.88‰ in foliar δ¹³C values.     

Nitrogen availability patterns in white-sand vegetations of Central Brazilian Amazon

Addressing spatial variability in nitrogen (N) availability in the Central Brazilian Amazon, we hypothesized that N availability varies among white-sand vegetation types (campina and campinarana) and lowland tropical forests (dense terra-firme forests) in the Central Brazilian Amazon, under the same climate conditions. Accordingly, we measured soil and foliar N concentration and N isotope ratios (δ¹⁵N) throughout the campina-campinarana transect and compared to published dense terra-firme forest results. There were no differences between white-sand vegetation types in regard to soil N concentration, C:N ratio and δ¹⁵N across the transect. Both white-sand vegetation types showed very low foliar N concentrations and elevated foliar C:N ratios, and no significant difference between site types was observed. Foliar δ¹⁵N was depleted, varying from −9.6 to 1.6‰ in the white-sand vegetations. The legume Aldina heterophylla had the highest average δ¹⁵N values (−1.5‰) as well as the highest foliar N concentration (2.1%) while the non-legume species had more depleted δ¹⁵N values and the average foliar N concentrations varied from 0.9 to 1.5% among them. Despite the high variation in foliar δ¹⁵N among plants, a significant and gradual ¹⁵N-enrichment in foliar isotopic signatures throughout the campina–campinarana transect was observed. Individual plants growing in the campinarana were significantly enriched in ¹⁵N compared to those in campina. In the white-sand N-limited ecosystems, the differentiation of N use seems to be a major cause of variations observed in foliar δ¹⁵N values throughout the campina–campinarana transect.     

塔里木河上游荒漠区4种灌木植物叶片与土壤生态化学计量特征

分析了塔里木河上游荒漠区灌木植物叶片和土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其化学计量特征以及二者之间的相关性,旨在阐明荒漠植被在极端环境下养分循环及限制状况,为塔里木河上游荒漠生态系统的恢复与保护提供理论依据。以塔里木河上游多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissma)、盐穗木(Halostachys caspica)、黑果枸杞(Lycium ruthenicum)、铃铛刺(Halimodendron halodendron)4种荒漠灌木植物叶片和土壤为研究对象,分析植物叶片和土壤C、N、P生态化学计量特征及其相关性。结果表明:在4种不同荒漠灌木植物叶片中柽柳叶片的C含量为(484.77±59.74)mg/g,显著高于其他灌木植物(P0.05);铃铛刺的N含量是(14.20±1.58)mg/g,显著高于其他灌木植物(P0.05);柽柳叶片的P含量为(0.54±0.16)mg/g,显著低于其他灌木植物(P0.05)。4种灌木植物叶片C/N比值大小为黑果枸杞柽柳铃铛刺盐穗木,且黑果枸杞的C/N比值显著最高为(37.83±7.74)(P0.05);C/P为柽柳铃铛刺盐穗木黑果枸杞,盐穗木和黑果枸杞的C/P显著低于其他灌木(P0.05),其比值分别为(379.76±158.63)和(383.47±128.95);N/P为柽柳铃铛刺盐穗木黑果枸杞,柽柳的N/P比值显著最高为(22.34±4.60)(P0.05)。4种不同荒漠灌木土壤的有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)含量及其化学计量比特征均未表现出显著的差异。由相关性分析可知柽柳叶片仅P含量与土壤TP含量呈现出显著正相关(P0.05);铃铛刺叶片C含量与土壤TN、叶片P含量与土壤TN/TP均呈显著负相关(P0.05),而叶片C含量与土壤TN/TP呈极显著负相关(P0.01);盐穗木和黑果枸杞叶片化学计量特征与土壤的化学计量特征均未表现出显著相关性(P0.05)。说明植物叶片化学计量特征并非是由土壤养分含量特征直接决定的,更多受植物自身遗传特性的影响,体现了荒漠灌木植物对极端生境的适应性。     

黄河三角洲贝壳堤湿地优势灌木碳、氮、磷化学计量特征

为探讨黄河三角洲海岸带湿地不同水盐条件下植物叶片化学计量特征的季节动态及植物生长的限制性营养元素,以滨州贝壳堤岛与湿地国家级自然保护区内的柽柳、杠柳、酸枣3种优势灌木为研究对象,于2017-2018年的生长季（5-10月）每月定期采集叶片样品,测定叶片C、N、P含量。结果表明,生长季内3种灌木叶片C含量呈逐渐上升趋势;叶片N、P含量呈先下降后上升趋势,说明3种灌木采用防御性生活史策略适应盐生和干旱生境。3种灌木叶片C平均含量分别为（399.65±2.66）mg/g、（424.32±1.59）mg/g、（437.47±1.08）mg/g,低于全国（455.1 mg/g）及全球（461.6 mg/g）水平,呈现盐生生境下较低的植物碳储存能力。3种灌木叶片N和P平均含量分别为（30.14±0.26）mg/g和（1.81±0.03）mg/g、（23.18±0.38）mg/g和（2.06±0.04）mg/g、（27.36±0.49）mg/g和（2.01±0.03）mg/g,显著高于全国（N∶20.2 mg/g,P：1.46 mg/g）及全球（N∶19.3-20.1 mg/g,P：1.11-1.42 mg/g）水平。叶片C∶N∶P比呈先上升后下降的趋势,叶片P含量对C∶N∶P比变化具有主导作用。3种灌木叶片C∶N∶P质量比分别为246∶17∶1、224∶12∶1、237∶14∶1,说明柽柳的水盐胁迫适应能力高于杠柳和酸枣。从叶片N、P化学计量特征看,生长季内,柽柳生长一定程度上受土壤P限制,杠柳生长受到土壤N限制,酸枣生长则受土壤N、P共同限制,说明3种灌木的生物地球化学生态位发生了分化,避免了对同种资源的竞争,利于物种共生。     

Foliar δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C values of nine dominant species in the Loess Plateau of China

The foliar stable carbon isotope compositions (δ¹³C) of nine dominant species in seven sites, Yangling, Yongshou, Tongchuan, Fuxian, Ansai, Mizhi, and Shenmu, standing from the south to the north in the Loess Plateau of China were studied. The results showed that foliar δ¹³C values ranged from −22.61 to −30.73 ‰ with an average of −27.23 ‰ in 141 C₃ plant samples collected from the Loess Plateau. Foliar δ¹³C values varied significantly (p<0.001) among the nine C₃ species, which were Pinus tabulaeformis Carr., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Zizyphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosus Hu., Rubus parvifolius L., Hippophae rhamnoides L., Caragana korshinskii Kom., Lespedeza davurica (Laxm.) Schindl., Artemisia sacrorum Ledeb. var. incana Mattf., and Agropyron cristatum Gaertn. Comparatively, R. pseudoacacia, H. rhamnoides, and C. korshinskii had much higher δ¹³C values than the other six species, while A. sacrorum had the lowest δ¹³C value. There was no significant difference in foliar δ¹³C value among five species, P. tabulaeformis, Z. jujuba, R. parvifolius, L. davurica, and A. cristatum. Considering the life forms categorized from nine C₃ species, trees and shrubs had significantly higher δ¹³C values than herbs (p<0.001). The deciduous tree R. pseudoacacia had much higher δ¹³C value than the evergreen tree P. tabulaeformis (p<0.01). Among the four shrubs, foliar δ¹³C values in H. rhamnoides and C. korshinskii were markedly higher (p<0.01) than those in Z. jujuba and R. parvifolius. Among the three herbs, L. davurica and A. cristatum had significantly higher δ¹³C values than A. sacrorum (p<0.01). Leguminous species such as R. pseudoacacia, C. korshinskii, and L. davurica as well as a non-leguminous species with nitrogen-fixation capacity, H. rhamnoides, had higher δ¹³C values than other non-leguminous species with same life-form. The mean δ¹³C value increased by about 7 % from Yangling in the south to Shenmu in the north as climatic drought increased, and foliar δ¹³C values differed much (p<0.001) among the seven sites. For nine species in the Loess Plateau, foliar δ¹³C values were significantly and negatively (p<0.001) correlated with the mean annual precipitation, moreover, an increase of 100 mm in annual precipitation would result in a decrease of 1.2 ‰ in δ¹³C value.     

Responses of two dominant desert plant species to the changes in groundwater depth in hinterland natural oasis,Tarim Basin

Groundwater is increasingly becoming a permanent and steady water source for the growth and reproduction of desert plant species due to the frequent channel cutoff events in arid inland river basins. Although it is widely acknowledged that the accessibility of groundwater has a significant impact on plant species maintaining their ecological function, little is known about the water use strategies of desert plant species to the groundwater availability in Daryaboyi Oasis, Central Tarim Basin. This study initially determined the desirable and stressing groundwater depths based on ecological and morphological parameters including UAV‐based fractional vegetation cover (FVC) images and plant growth status. Then, leaf δ¹³C values of small‐ and big‐sized plants were analyzed to reveal the water use strategies of two dominant woody species (Populus euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima) in response to the groundwater depth gradient. The changes in FVC and growth status of plants suggested that the actual groundwater depth should be kept at an appropriate range of about 2.1–4.3 m, and the minimum groundwater depth should be less than 7 m. This will ensure the protection of riparian woody plants at a normal growth state and guarantee the coexistence of both plant types. Under a desirable groundwater condition, water alternation (i.e., flooding and rising groundwater depth) was the main factor influencing the variation of plant water use efficiency. The obtained results indicated that big‐sized plants are more salt‐tolerant than small ones, and T. ramosissima has strong salt palatability than P. euphratica. With increasing groundwater depth, P. euphratica continuously decreases its growth status to maintain hydraulic efficiency in drought condition, while T. ramosissima mainly increases its water use efficiency first and decreases its growth status after then. Besides, in a drought condition, T. ramosissima has strong adaptability than P. euphratica. This study will be informative for ecological restoration and sustainable management of Daryaboyi Oasis and provides reference materials for future research programs.     

Foliar <Superscript>15</Superscript>N natural abundance indicates phosphorus limitation of bog species

Foliar δ¹⁵N, %N and %P in the dominant woody and herbaceous species across nutrient gradients in New Zealand restiad (family Restionaceae) raised bogs revealed marked differences in plant δ¹⁵N correlations with P. The two heath shrubs, Leptospermum scoparium (Myrtaceae) and Dracophyllum scoparium (Epacridaceae), showed considerable isotopic variation (−2.03 to −15.55‰, and −0.39 to −12.06‰, respectively) across the bogs, with foliar δ¹⁵N strongly and positively correlated with P concentrations in foliage and peat, and negatively correlated with foliar N:P ratios. For L. scoparium, the isotopic gradient was not linked to ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fractionation as ECMs occurred only on higher nutrient marginal peats where ¹⁵N depletion was least. In strong contrast, restiad species (Empodisma minus Sporadanthus ferrugineus, S. traversii) showed little isotopic variation across the same nutrient gradients. Empodisma minus and S. traversii had δ¹⁵N levels consistently around 0‰ (means of −0.12‰ and +0.15‰ respectively), and S. ferrugineus, which co-habited with E. minus, was more depleted (mean −4.97‰). The isotopic differences between heath shrubs and restiads were similar in floristically dissimilar bogs and may be linked to contrasting nutrient demands, acquisition mechanisms, and root morphology. Leptospermum scoparium shrubs on low nutrient peats were stunted, with low tissue P concentrations, and high N:P ratios, suggesting they were P-limited, which was probably exacerbated by markedly reduced mycorrhizal colonisations. The coupling of δ¹⁵N depletion and %P in heath shrubs suggests that N fractionation is promoted by P limitation. In contrast, the constancy in δ¹⁵N of the restiad species through the N and P gradients suggests that these are not suffering from P limitation.     

Variations in leaf β13C along a vertical profile of irradiance in a temperate Japanese forest

The vertical profile of stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) of leaves was analyzed for 13 tree species in a cool-temperate deciduous forest in Japan. The vertical distribution of long-term averaged δ¹³C in atmospheric CO₂ (δ_a) was estimated from δ¹³C of dry matter from NADP-malic enzyme type C₄ plant (Zea mays L. var. saccharata Sturt.) grown at a tower in the forest for 32␣days, assuming constant Δ value (3.3‰) in Z. mays against height. The δ_a value obtained from δ¹³C in Z.␣mays was lowest at the forest floor (−9.30 ± 0.03‰), increased with height, and was almost constant above 10␣m (−7.14 ± 0.14‰). Then leaf Δ values for the tree species were calculated from tree leaf δ¹³ C andδ_a. Mean leaf Δ values for the three tall deciduous species (Fraxinus mandshurica, Ulmus davidiana, and Alnus hirsuta) were significantly different among three height levels in the forest: 23.1 ± 0.7‰ at the forest floor (understory), 21.4 ± 0.5‰ in lower canopy, and 20.5 ± 0.3‰ in upper canopy. The true difference in tree leaf Δ among the forest height levels might be even greater, because Δ in Z. mays probably increased with shading by up to ∼‰. The difference in tree leaf Δ among the forest height levels would be mainly due to decreasing intercellular CO₂ (C _i) with the increase in irradiance. Potential assimilation rate for the three tree species probably increased with height, since leaf nitrogen content on an area basis for these species also increased with height. However, the increase in stomatal conductance for these tree species would fail to meet the increase in potential assimilation rate, which might lead to increasing the degree of stomatal limitation in photosynthesis with height. Received: 30 September 1995 / Accepted: 25 October 1996     

Water use by perennial plants in the transition zone between river oasis and desert in NW China

The study aimed at establishing the role of two possible water sources (inundation, ground water) for the water supply to the perennial plant species Alhagi sparsifolia, Calligonum caput-medusae, Populus euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima growing in the transition zone between a river oasis and the open desert at the southern fringe of the Taklamakan desert (Xinjiang province, NW China). The basic hypothesis was that inundations, which normally occur in summer when rivers from a nearby mountain range carry high water, contribute significantly to the plants’ water supply. When, in the first summer, inundations did not occur, four sites, each of which covered by a relatively dense stand of one species, were artificially flooded. Soil and plant water relations as well as meteorological variables were measured during two growing seasons. Water use efficiency of production (WUE_P) was calculated by relating biomass production, which was determined using allometric regressions, to water use.The effects of artificial flooding on the plant water relations were negligible. Water use was relatively high, especially in the A. sparsifolia and the P. euphratica stands and in a dense stand of T. ramosissima (up to approx. 500 kgH₂O m⁻² year⁻¹). Using the total above-ground biomass in the calculation, WUE_P was highest in C. caput-medusae and P. euphratica, and lowest, in A. sparsifolia. From soil and plant water relations, and against the background of the climate and the productivity of the vegetation, it is concluded that all perennial plants in the transition zone between oases and desert in that region must have sufficient access to ground water to ensure long-term survival. Management of ground water such that it remains continuously accessible to the perennial plants is a prerequisite for the conservation and sustainable use of the vegetation in the transition zone.     

Influence of monovalent cations on magnesium binding to poly-RNA by solution titration calorimetry: an analysis of the salt dependence of binding enthalpies and entropies

 The salt dependence of the binding constant (K) and enthalpic (ΔH) and entropic (ΔS) components for magnesium binding to poly-RNA was determined as a function of the concentration and identity of monovalent counter ions (M⁺). Both ΔH and ΔS were found to vary linearly with ln [M⁺]. A theoretical analysis of the experimental data revealed that the temperature dependence of the product of the density of bound counter ions and the electrostatic interaction parameter, δ(m′ψ)/δT, is non-negligible, although it has previously been ignored. The sign of δ(m′ψ)/δT was negative for poly(A) and positive for poly(U), indicating that the charge density of poly(A) decreased with temperature, while that of poly(U) increased. These results are related to the distinct solution structures of the RNA homopolymers. Considerable support was lent to this calorimetric approach by the excellent agreement obtained in a test comparison between experimental and calculated parameters. From the intercept of energy term versus ln [M⁺] plots, the non-electrostatic contributions, ΔH° and ΔS°, were determined. For each polynucleotide, the similarity in ΔG° over the series of monovalent ions used in each study suggests a compensatory relationship between ΔH° and ΔS°, each of which shows significant variation. The non-electrostatic contribution to binding of divalent magnesium is generally entropically favorable and enthalpically unfavorable for both poly(A) and poly(U). Received: 2 August 1995 / Accepted: 12 October 1995     

Contrasts Among Mycorrhizal Plant Guilds in Foliar Nitrogen Concentration and δ15N Along Productivity Gradients of a Boreal Forest

The distribution of plant species in boreal forest understories is hypothesized to reflect mycorrhizal guilds and associated adaptations for organic nitrogen (N) acquisition. In this study of a natural edaphic gradient, where supply rates of inorganic N increase with site productivity, we noted a decline in understory ectomycorrhizal, ericoid, and arbutoid plant communities on productive sites, in contrast to a positive response by most arbuscular species. We then assessed the rate of change in foliar N concentration (N_conc) and abundance of ¹⁵N (δ¹⁵N) of select plants from these mycorrhizal guilds. Two arbuscular plant species (Rubus parviflorus and Viburnum edule) had the sharpest increases in foliar N_conc with enhanced supplies of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻, but with no differences in foliar δ¹⁵N. An ectomycorrhizal species, Abies lasiocarpa, and ericoid species, Vaccinium membranaceum, had parallel increases in both N_conc and δ¹⁵N with soil N supply. The foliar δ¹⁵N of two arbutoid plants (Orthilia secunda and Pyrola asarifolia) were as enriched as ectomycorrhizal sporocarps, likely indicating N transfer from mycorrhizal networks. The depletion of foliar δ¹⁵N by ectomycorrhizal and ericoid plants on poorer sites likely reflected a high degree of N retention and photosynthate demand by fungi, whereas arbuscular plants may have had a less significant δ¹⁵N response because of a more passive role by fungi in scavenging organic N. The results suggest differences in how mycorrhiza exploit diverse soil N supplies (recalcitrant and labile organic N, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ⁻, and parasitized N) could be an important factor in boreal plant community composition.     

Induction by drought of crassulacean acid metabolism in the terrestrial bromeliad, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puya floccosa</Emphasis>

In the terrestrial bromeliad, Puya floccosa, a value of carbon isotopic composition (δ¹³C) of −22‰ has been previously reported, suggesting the operation of weak and/or intermediate (C₃-CAM) crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). In order to characterize the operation of CAM in P. floccosa and its possible induction by drought, plants were grown in Caracas and subjected to four independent drought cycles. Additionally, since plants of this species grow in Venezuela in a large range of elevations, leaf samples were collected at elevations ranging from 725 to 2,100 m a.s.l. in the Venezuelan Andes and the Coastal Range, in order to evaluate the effect of elevation on CAM performance. Even though nocturnal acid accumulation occurred in both watered and droughted plants, mean ΔH⁺ was higher in droughted than watered plants [ΔH⁺ = 60.17.5 and 22.9 ± 5.2 μmol g⁻¹(FM), respectively]. The majority of plants from all the natural populations sampled had low values of δ¹³C not differing significantly from those of C₃ plants collected as standards and δ¹³C did not change with elevation. We conclude that P. floccosa is capable of a weak CAM activity, with a large variability among populations and drought experiments probably due to local and temporal differences in microclimatic variables and drought stress; elevation bears no influence on values of δ¹³C in this species.     

孔雀河下游断流河道的环境特征及物种间关系

基于孔雀河下游断流河道的环境因子和植被样地数据,采用聚类与CCA排序法,分析了生境的退化特征以及物种间的相互关系,结果表明:1)断流河道退化生境分为绿洲-荒漠过渡类型、轻度荒漠化类型和盐土荒漠化类型。绿洲-荒漠过渡类型地下水位低、盐分含量相对较低,植被盖度相对较高,土壤维持着原砂质壤土,为潜在退化型;轻度荒漠化类型地下水位、土壤质地与含盐量与前者基本相同,土壤未明显退化,但植被盖度低于10%,植物种类与个体数目都较低,属于轻度退化型;盐土荒漠化类型地下水位高、盐分含量高,土壤机械组成中砂粒比重较大、无建群种幸存,属于重度退化型。2)绿洲-荒漠过渡类型总体联结性为显著正联结,正负联结比小于1,生态系统表现为建群种维系物种关系的不稳定状态;轻度荒漠化类型总体联结性为不显著负联结,正负联结比小于1,表现出生态系统进入退化演替的阶段;盐土荒漠化类型总体联结性为显著正联结,正负联结比大于1,表现出重度退化群落的种间平衡状态,物种间以达到稳定共存,其中,真盐生植物对这种平衡的维持起着重要的作用。3)CCA排序表明,绿洲-荒漠过渡类型形成以胡杨为中心的种间正联结,幸存于盐分适中、水分养分相对较高的生境;轻度荒漠化类型,形成以多枝柽柳与刚毛柽柳相互依存的不显著负联结,幸存于土壤养分、水分相对较低的生境;盐土荒漠化类型形成以盐爪爪、盐节木、盐穗木等真盐生植物维系的显著正联结,幸存于土壤贫瘠、地下水位浅、盐分含量高、沙化严重的生境。     

克里雅河流域荒漠-绿洲交错带3种不同生活型植物的光合特性

利用LI-6400光合仪测定新疆克里雅河流域荒漠-绿洲交错带自然生长的芦苇、柽柳、胡杨叶片的气体交换参数及环境影响因子,通过对比3种植物光合特性的差异及其与环境因子间的关系,探讨3种植物对荒漠环境的适应特性和机制。结果表明:(1)3种植物叶片Pn日变化均呈不对称的双峰曲线,"午休"现象明显,Pn日均值的大小依次为胡杨芦苇柽柳,种间差异不显著。(2)Tr、PAR和Gs与3种植物Pn的日变化存在极显著或显著的相关关系,其中影响芦苇Pn的主要因子是Tr、PAR和Gs,作用效应为TrGsPAR;影响柽柳Pn的主要因子是Tr、Gs,作用效应为TrGs;影响胡杨Pn的主要因子是Tr。(3)3种植物的光合作用对光强和CO2的响应特征可用二次方程描述;光补偿点和饱和点均为柽柳胡杨芦苇;CO2补偿点为胡杨柽柳芦苇,饱和点为胡杨芦苇柽柳。(4)3种植物的表观量子效率在0.0341—0.0411 mol/mol之间,羧化效率在0.0480—0.0546 mol m-2s-1之间。综合比较表明,3种干旱区植物在自然条件下日均净光合速率、光能利用率和CO2同化能力差异不显著,气孔限制是光合"午休"现象产生的主要原因;影响3种植物光合作用的主导因子各不相同,但Tr与Pn间的关系较其它因子更为密切。     

Water sources and water-use efficiency of desert plants in different habitats in Dunhuang,NW China

To understand habitat associated differences in desert plant water-use patterns, water stable oxygen isotope composition was used to determine water source and leaf carbon isotope composition (δ ¹³C) was used to estimate long-term water-use efficiency in three typical habitats (saline land, sandy land and Gobi) in Dunhuang. The primary findings are: (1) in the three habitats, plant species used mainly deep soil water (>120 cm), except for Kalidium foliatum in the saline land, which relied primarily on 0–40 cm soil water; (2) in the saline land and Gobi habitat, Alhagi sparsifolia had the most negative foliar δ ¹³C; in the sandy land, Elaeagnus angustifolia leaf was enriched in ¹³C than the other three species in 2011, but no species differences in foliar δ ¹³C was observed among the four species in 2012; (3) common species (Tamarix ramosissima and A. sparsifolia) may alter their water sources to cope with habitat differences associated changes in soil water availability with deeper water sources were used in the Gobi habitat with lower soil water content (SWC) compared to in the saline land and sandy land; (4) we detected significant habitat differences in foliar δ ¹³C in A. sparsifolia which may have resulted from differences in SWC and soil electrical conductivity. However, no habitat differences in foliar δ ¹³C were observed in T. ramosissima, which may attribute to the strong genetic control in T. ramosissima or the ability to access stable deep soil water. Overall, the results suggest that extremely arid climate, root distribution and soil properties worked together to determine plant water uptake in Dunhuang area.     

Photosynthetic pathway of dominant plant species in the Qaidam Basin: evidence from foliar stable carbon isotope measurement

Foliar δ¹³C values of Calligogum kozlovi and Haloxylon ammodendron ranged from −13.13 to −15.11 ‰, while those of the rest 11 species were in the range of −22.22 to −27.73 ‰. This indicates that two of 13 dominant plant species in the Qaidam Basin possess a C₄ photosynthetic pathway. Significant differences were observed for the average foliar δ¹³C values between C₃ or C₄ plant communities, between grass and shrub communities, even between the same species derived from different sites. Precipitation accounted for the major part of the differences.