Annual plants in arid and semi-arid desert regions

Annual plants are the main vegetation in arid and semi-arid desert regions.Because of their unique traits,they are the optimal experimental subjects for eco-logical studies.In this article,we summarize annual plants' seed germination strategies,seedling adaptability mechanism to environments,seed dispersal,and soil seed banks.We also discuss the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the composition and dynamics of annual plant populations and communities.Because annual plants have important ecological functions in desert vegetation systems,this study on annual plants will be of great bene-fit to the conservation and restoration of desert ecosys-tems,the rational utilization of resources,and the sustainable development of desert regions.     

干旱半干旱荒漠地区一年生植物研究综述

1年生植物是干旱半干旱地区植被的重要组成部分,并以其独有的植物特性成为许多植物生态学关键问题研究的最佳试验材料。本文综述了干旱半干旱地区1年生植物的种子萌发对策、幼苗对环境的适应机制、种子传播和种子库等方面的研究成果,并探讨了影响1年生植物种群、群落组成和动态的生物与非生物因素。基于1年生植物类群在荒漠植被系统中重要的生态功能,有关1年生植物的研究成果将有利于荒漠生态系统的保护和恢复、资源的合理利用以及区域的可持续发展。     

Bet hedging in desert winter annual plants: optimal germination strategies in a variable environment

In bet hedging, organisms sacrifice short‐term success to reduce the long‐term variance in success. Delayed germination is the classic example of bet hedging, in which a fraction of seeds remain dormant as a hedge against the risk of complete reproductive failure. Here, we investigate the adaptive nature of delayed germination as a bet hedging strategy using long‐term demographic data on Sonoran Desert winter annual plants. Using stochastic population models, we estimate fitness as a function of delayed germination and identify evolutionarily stable strategies for 12 abundant species in the community. Results indicate that delayed germination meets the criteria as a bet hedging strategy for all species. Density‐dependent models, but not density‐independent ones, predicted optimal germination strategies that correspond remarkably well with observed patterns. By incorporating naturally occurring variation in seed and seedling dynamics, our results present a rigorous test of bet hedging theory within the relevant environmental context.     

荒漠木本植物种子萌发研究进展

总结了荒漠木本植物种子萌发研究方法、影响种子萌发的自身因素和外部生态因子.荒漠木本植物种子萌发研究方法大多局限于室内培养箱和气候室模拟发芽法.种子休眠是影响种子萌发的重要生理因素;荒漠木本植物种子大小、质量和色泽与种子成熟度及活力密切相关;种皮通透性差是种子萌发的重要障碍,一般通过磨砺、削切、预冷、化学试剂处理等降低或消除其影响;种子含水量与贮藏寿命和吸胀力密切相关.适宜温度是荒漠木本植物种子萌发的先决条件,变温促进萌发;水分是种子萌发的制约条件;光照并非是大多数荒漠木本植物种子萌发的必要条件;沙埋通过综合调控光、温和水而影响种子萌发;盐分胁迫显著抑制种子萌发.随着研究不断深入,应加强多因素影响及机理方面的研究.     

西北干旱区荒漠植物叶片和细根碳、氮、磷化学计量特征

植物的叶片和细根是植物地上部分和地下部分最重要的营养器官,其碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量特征反映了植物的养分限制状况及叶片与细根间的协同作用,开展叶片与细根化学计量关系的研究,对认识植物养分利用策略及元素间平衡关系有重要意义。对西北干旱区21种荒漠植物叶片与细根C、N、P含量进行了测定,分析了C、N、P含量及其计量比在不同生活型及不同器官间的关系。结果表明:1)西北干旱区荒漠植物叶片与细根C含量相对稳定,叶N、P含量高于细根,说明在干旱生境中,植物对养分的分配侧重于地上部分,以完成其正常的生命活动;叶片与细根的N ∶ P无显著差异,有明显的保守性,表明植物地上与地下部分养分吸收策略与分配规律具有一致性;2)不同生活型植物叶片和细根的C、N、P含量及C ∶ N、C ∶ P存在显著差异,灌木与禾草具有较高的C ∶ N和C ∶ P,杂类草具有较高的N、P含量,说明灌木与禾草倾向于保守型养分适应策略,杂类草倾向于快速生长的资源竞争策略;3)21种荒漠植物叶片与细根N、P含量间均存在显著的正相关关系,表明西北干旱区荒漠植物体内N、P元素间存在相互作用;4)植物叶片与细根间C、N、P含量及C ∶ N、C ∶ P存在等速生长关系,表明植物光合产物和养分在地上与地下部分间的分配具有平行的比例关系,但这种关系受生活型影响。上述结果表明西北干旱区不同生活型植物在恶劣生境中存在不同的养分适应策略,且地上与地下部分的养分利用策略及分配规律存在协同作用,这为进一步认识西北干旱区荒漠植物的养分利用策略提供了试验基础。     

几种沙漠地区野生药用植物资源及其引种栽培

几种沙漠地区野生药用植物资源及其引种栽培尹林克（中国科学院吐鲁番沙漠植物园,新疆吐鲁番８３８００８）Ｒｅｓｏｕｒｃｅｓｏｆｓｅｖｅｒａｌｓｐｅｃｉｅｓｏｆｗｉｌｄｍｅｄｉｃｉｎａｌｐｌａｎｔｓｉｎｄｅｓｅｒｔｒｅｇｉｏｎａｎｄｔｈｅｉｒｉｎｔｒｏｄｕ...     

埋藏条件下3种干旱荒漠植物的种子休眠释放和土壤种子库

对种子休眠的自然释放及其作用因素的研究, 是了解种子休眠生态学、种群适应机制的重要途径。以内蒙古阿拉善干旱荒漠区的3种主要植物牛枝子(Lespedeza potaninii)、唐古特白刺(Nitraria tangutorum)和骆驼蒿(Peganum nigellastrum)为材料, 研究了种子在野外埋藏18个月期间和4个埋深条件下的休眠释放特性和土壤种子库。3种植物种子在野外埋藏时(采收后5 ℃冷藏6个月)的休眠率分别为98%、95%和3%。结果显示, 埋藏过程中, 3种植物种子的休眠释放表现出不同的变化特性。对牛枝子而言, 置于地表(0 cm)的种子比埋藏于土中的种子的休眠释放快, 埋藏期末, 埋深0、2、5和10 cm的种子的休眠率分别为64%、87%、86%和82%。唐古特白刺种子埋藏6个月后, 各埋深的休眠已完全释放, 释放速率随埋深增加而加快。骆驼蒿种子具有典型的季节性休眠循环特性, 休眠率各年度最高点出现在10月份, 释放速率随埋深增加呈减慢趋势。埋藏期末不同埋深条件下, 牛枝子、唐古特白刺和骆驼蒿种子的平均田间萌发率分别为11%、12%和8%; 平均室内萌发率分别为3%、74%和42%; 而平均死种子率分别为3%、15%和10%。根据Thompson和Grime (1979)的土壤种子库分类体系, 供试的3种植物都属于持久土壤种子库类型。     

生物土壤结皮对荒漠土壤种子库和种子萌发的影响

研究了腾格里沙漠东南缘在不同自然条件（风、温度、水分）下,人工固沙植被区（24龄、41龄、50龄）和相邻天然植被区的两种生物土壤结皮对荒漠土壤种子库和种子萌发的影响。结果表明,荒漠土壤种子库在苔藓结皮上的储量显著高于藻类结皮。随着生物土壤结皮的发育,种子萌发量在苔藓结皮上增加,在藻类结皮上减少。生物土壤结皮层的含水量对种子萌发有显著的影响（p〈0.05）,植物种子在湿润处理的生物土壤结皮上的萌发量高于干燥处理的生物土壤结皮上的种子萌发量。生物土壤结皮表层温度和亚表层温度对荒漠植物种子萌发无显著影响（p〉0.05）,但总体而言,对于苔藓结皮,植物种子在较高温度下的萌发量略高于在较低温度下的萌发量,而对于藻类结皮,植物种子在较低温度下的萌发量略高。     

Dormancy cycling and persistence of seeds in soil of a cold desert halophyte shrub

Background and Aims

Formation of seed banks and dormancy cycling are well known in annual species, but not in woody species. In this study it was hypothesized that the long-lived halophytic cold desert shrub Kalidium gracile has a seed bank and dormancy cycling, which help restrict germination to a favourable time for seedling survival.

Methods

Fresh seeds were buried in November 2009 and exhumed and tested for germination monthly from May 2010 to December 2011 over a range of temperatures and salinities. Germination recovery and viability were determined after exposure to salinity and water stress. Seedling emergence and dynamics of the soil seed bank were investigated in the field.

Key Results

Seeds of K. gracile had a soil seed bank of 7030 seeds m⁻² at the beginning of the growing season. About 72 % of the seeds were depleted from the soil seed bank during a growing season, and only 1·4 % of them gave rise to seedlings that germinated early enough to reach a stage of growth at which they could survive to overwinter. About 28 % of the seeds became part of a persistent soil seed bank. Buried seeds exhibited an annual non-dormancy/conditional dormancy (ND/CD) cycle, and germination varied in sensitivity to salinity during the cycle. Dormancy cycling is coordinated with seasonal environmental conditions in such a way that the seeds germinate in summer, when there is sufficient precipitation for seedling establishment.

Conclusions

Kalidium gracile has three life history traits that help ensure persistence at a site: a polycarpic perennial life cycle, a persistent seed bank and dormancy cycling. The annual ND/CD cycle in seeds of K. gracile contributes to seedling establishment of this species in the unpredictable desert environment and to maintenance of a persistent soil seed bank. This is the first report of a seed dormancy cycle in a cold desert shrub.     

Deer grazing changes seed traits and functions of grazing-intolerant plants

Grazing by ungulates can affect seed production in plants, and consequently seed recruitment into seed banks, which is a plant strategy to increase their resilience. The impact of grazing on seed quantity has been well studied; however, the impact of grazing on seed quality has received less attention, despite its role in determining the longevity of a seed bank. Here, we examined the impact of ungulate grazing on seed quality in plants, using two grazing-intolerant grassland species (Hemerocallis dumortieri var. esculenta and Geranium yesoense var. nipponicum). We found that grazing reduced seed length and weight, while increasing the germination rate. These changes in seed quality induced by grazing could reduce the persistence of seed banks and would thus seem to be an important mechanism involved in the impact of ungulate grazing on plant population dynamics.     

Effect of the filling season on aquatic plants in Mediterranean temporary ponds

Aims Pond environmental conditions may differ among years with regards to the season in which ponds begin to fill. We experimentally evaluated how seedling emergence, plant growth and phenology differed among years in which filling occurred in winter, autumn or spring.Methods We collected sediments from a natural temporary pond and located them in aquariums. They were placed in a climatic chamber that simulated annual variation in field environmental temperatures and light conditions. Aquariums were assigned to one of three treatments, which differed in the date on which they were filled with water (autumn, winter and spring). We counted the number of seedlings of different species emerged and recorded data about the presence of flowers, seeds or spores every week. The experiment was finished in June, when we harvested the plants and estimated their biomass.Important findings In most species, seedling emergences were primarily related to time after filling, and thus synchronized their life cycles with the unpredictably timed wet phase of the ponds. Autumn filling resulted in the highest numbers of seeds/spores. However, winter filling promoted plant growth the most. In the spring filling treatment, more terrestrial plant seedlings emerged and fewer seeds/spores were produced. When ponds are flooded earlier, plants may produce a higher number of propagules. However, in years when inundation is delayed to spring and hydroperiods are short, seedling emergence deplete the seed bank and there is little to no seed production, while terrestrial monocots are able to colonize pond basin.     

四种荒漠植物的光合响应

研究了胡杨（Populus euphratica Oliv）、疏叶骆驼刺（Alhagi sparsifolia B.Keller et Shap)、多枝柽柳（Tamarix ramosissima Lbd)和头状沙拐枣（Calligonum caput-medusae Schrenk)等四种塔克拉玛干荒漠植物的光合响应曲线,结果表明：（1）四种植物中,疏叶骆驼刺光呼吸（Rp)和CO2补偿点（Г）最高,净光合速率（An）以及水分利用效率（WUE）最低;而C4植物头状沙拐枣无论Rp还是Г都最低,它的An、光补偿点（LCP）及光饱和点（LSP）都显著高于其它3种植物（P≤0．05）,而且因为非常低的蒸腾速率（E）,沙拐枣的WUE也较高。（2）4种植物都为喜光植物,但仍然表现出一定的差异。根据它们光曲线中LCP以及暗呼吸速率（Rd),4种喜光植物的喜光顺序为：头状沙拐枣,疏叶骆驼枣刺,多枝柽柳,胡杨。（3）柽柳光合响应曲线与日变化中的An,gs等值差异较大,可能是该植物的温度生态位较其它三种植物范围较窄,设置的25℃不在其最适温度范围内,或者是在这个温度下气孔对光强变化的不敏感。（4）综合前人的结果表明,在特定的环境条件,发育阶段以及经过一定的诱导处理,胡杨可以因诱导而表现出一些C4植物特征。     

植物对荒漠生境的趋同适应

植物体的表型特征是其基因与生态因子二者共同作用的结果,生活在荒漠生境中的植物由于遭受相同的自然选择压力,在外部形态、内部结构、生活史特征、生理特性、次生代谢产物的合成以及大分子物质的诱导产生等诸多表型方面均表现出高度趋同的现象。随着研究手段的改善,对植物趋同适应的研究已逐渐深入到了分子水平。研究荒漠生境中植物的趋同适应对于人们深刻地认识和理解植物与环境间的相互关系及其分子基础,以及利用功能基因改良重要作物的抗逆性等将会产生深远的影响;对极端干旱环境下特殊次生代谢产物的定向发现及重要先导化合物的筛选等有着重大的指导意义;同时对我国的西部开发及干旱区的生态恢复亦有重要的参考价值。     

Diversity and Coexistence of Sonoran Desert Winter Annuals

Abstract Annual plants make up ca. 50% of local floras in the Sonoran Desert. As with most plant communities, there is no shortage of potential coexistence generating mechanisms, and several mechanisms are likely contributors to coexistence at different spatial scales in the Sonoran Desert, e.g. spatial heterogeneity and the behaviors of predators and grazers. We explore one mechanism of likely importance for desert annuals: temporal environmental variation. It is widely recognized that coexistence is promoted by temporal variation if species such as desert annuals have "temporal niches" in the sense that each has years in which it out-performs the others. It is usually suggested that some resistent life-history stage, such as a seed bank, is also necessary to buffer each species from the negative population dynamic impact of unfavorable years. Using ten years of demographic data, we document the large year-to-year variation in population dynamics of desert annuals and show that ten species respond differently to temporal variation. Competition experiments document reversals in competitive superiority. Also, all species have a between-year seed bank, such that only a proportion of the seed bank germinates in any given year. Thus this system meets our intuitive requirements for variance-based coexistence. Dynamic models of this system demonstrate that subtle aspects of the species biology determine whether coexistence criteria are actually met. Specifically, variable germination fractions are required and coexistence is most readily favored with "predictive" germination. Germination fractions in this system do vary among years in a species specific fashion. Also, for the three years of available data, germination was predictive, in that each species had greater germination fractions in year of greater demographic success. Thus all of the population dynamic elements necessary for temporal variance mediated coexistence seem to be present in this system.     

Climate warming could increase recruitment success in glacier foreland plants

Background and Aims Glacier foreland plants are highly threatened by global warming. Regeneration from seeds on deglaciated terrain will be crucial for successful migration and survival of these species, and hence a better understanding of the impacts of climate change on seedling recruitment is urgently needed to predict future plant persistence in these environments. This study presents the first field evidence of the impact of climate change on recruitment success of glacier foreland plants.Methods Seeds of eight foreland species were sown on a foreland site at 2500 m a.s.l., and at a site 400 m lower in altitude to simulate a 2·7 °C increase in mean annual temperature. Soil from the site of origin was used to reproduce the natural germination substrate. Recruitment success, temperature and water potential were monitored for 2 years. The response of seed germination to warming was further investigated in the laboratory.Key Results At the glacier foreland site, seedling emergence was low (0 to approx. 40 %) and occurred in summer in all species after seeds had experienced autumn and winter seasons. However, at the warmer site there was a shift from summer to autumn emergence in two species and a significant increase of summer emergence (13–35 % higher) in all species except two. Survival and establishment was possible for 60–75 % of autumn-emerged seedlings and was generally greater under warmer conditions. Early snowmelt in spring caused the main ecological factors enhancing the recruitment success.Conclusions The results suggest that warming will influence the recruitment of glacier foreland species primarily via the extension of the snow-free period in spring, which increases seedling establishment and results in a greater resistance to summer drought and winter extremes. The changes in recruitment success observed here imply that range shifts or changes in abundance are possible in a future warmer climate, but overall success may be dependent on interactions with shifts in other components of the plant community.     

荒漠草原向灌丛地转变过程中两种优势植物种子萌发及阈值特征

选取宁夏荒漠草原人为灌丛地转变过程中的两种优势种沙芦草（Agropyron mongolicum）和柠条锦鸡儿（Caragana korshinskii）为对象,利用不同浓度PEG条件下的种子萌发特性来探究其在干旱胁迫下植被更新萌发特征,结果表明：柠条锦鸡儿平均初始萌发时间早于沙芦草14 h,且柠条锦鸡儿吸水率低于沙芦草,分别为201.21%、293.43%;柠条锦鸡儿和沙芦草种子萌发率和萌发速率均随渗透势的升高呈先上升后下降趋势,且均在-0.02 MPa时萌发率最高,分别为28.67%、44.67%,在-1.2 MPa时最低,分别为6.67%、1.33%;两者萌发速率均在-0.02 MPa时达到最大,分别为12.84%、9.52%,且柠条锦鸡儿起始萌发天数少于沙芦草1-4 d;通过S型生长曲线和线性模型模拟种子萌发水势和萌发率关系,分析得出柠条锦鸡儿萌发水势阈值范围为-0.3--0.86 MPa、沙芦草为-0.3--0.65 MPa,灌木柠条锦鸡儿种子萌发水势阈值范围低于多年生禾草沙芦草。以上结果表明灌丛引入下的荒漠草原在未来干旱条件下,其灌丛柠条锦鸡儿种子在植被更新中较沙芦草更具萌发优势。     

Comparison of germination and seed bank dynamics of dimorphic seeds of the cold desert halophyte Suaeda corniculata subsp. mongolica

Background and Aims

Differences in dormancy and germination requirements have been documented in heteromorphic seeds of many species, but it is unknown how this difference contributes to maintenance and regeneration of populations. The primary aim of this study was to compare the seed bank dynamics, including dormancy cycling, of the two seed morphs (black and brown) of the cold desert halophyte Suaeda corniculata and, if differences were found, to determine their influence on regeneration of the species.

Method

Seeds of the two seed morphs were buried, exhumed and tested monthly for 24 months over a range of temperatures and salinities, and germination recovery and viability were determined after exposure to salinity and water stress. Seedling emergence and dynamics of the soil seed bank were also investigated for the two morphs.

Key Results

Black seeds had an annual dormancy/non-dormancy cycle, while brown seeds, which were non-dormant at maturity, remained non-dormant. Black seeds also exhibited an annual cycle in sensitivity of germination to salinity. Seedlings derived from black seeds emerged in July and August and those from brown seeds in May. Seedlings were recruited from 2·6 % of the black seeds and from 2·8 % of the brown seeds in the soil, and only 0·5 % and 0·4 % of the total number of black and brown seeds in the soil, respectively, gave rise to seedlings that survived to produce seeds. Salinity and water stress induced dormancy in black seeds and decreased viability of brown seeds. Brown seeds formed only a transient soil seed bank and black seeds a persistent seed bank.

Conclusions

The presence of a dormancy cycle in black but not in brown seeds of S. corniculata and differences in germination requirements of the two morphs cause them to differ in their germination dynamics. The study contributes to our limited knowledge of dormancy cycling and seed bank formation in species producing heteromorphic seeds.     

我国以梭梭属植物为优势的潜在荒漠植被分布

以我国最新出版的《中国植被图集》为基础,应用地理信息系统GIS软件ARC/ INFO(NT版)和数字化仪,提取以梭梭属植物为优势的现存荒漠植被地理分布信息,制作地理分布专题图;在生态信息系统(GREEN)软件支持下,定义地理气候适应参数区间,生成以梭梭属植物为优势的潜在荒漠植被分布图;将现存和潜在的分布图叠加并对照比较,揭示以梭梭属植物为优势的潜在荒漠植被分布特征,预测适宜以梭梭属植物为优势的荒漠植被发展的地理空间。结果表明:以梭梭柴为优势的潜在荒漠植被分布的行政区域包括新疆维吾尔自治区、内蒙古自治区、甘肃省、青海省等省(区) ,以白梭梭为优势的潜在荒漠植被分布的行政区域仅限于新疆维吾尔自治区;以梭梭柴为优势和以白梭梭为优势的潜在荒漠植被分布与现存的以梭梭柴为优势和以白梭梭为优势的荒漠植被分布的行政区域一致,分布的地貌也基本相同,但两者之间在地理分布边界和面积上存在较大差异。以梭梭柴为优势的潜在荒漠植被分布的北界超出现存的以梭梭柴为优势的荒漠植被的分布北界约0 .9个纬度,南界超出约0 .4个纬度;东界超出约5 .9个经度,西界超出约3.5个经度;以白梭梭为优势的潜在荒漠植被分布的北界超出现存的以白梭梭为优势的荒漠植被分布的北界约1个纬度;南界超出约0 .9个纬度;东界超