芦芽山荷叶坪亚高山草甸生物多样性

以芦芽山荷叶坪亚高山草甸为研究对象,共设置150个5 m×5 m草本样方,进行群落生物学调查,对研究区36种草本植物重要值、α多样性指数、谱系多样性指数及其相关性进行研究.结果表明: 荷叶坪亚高山草甸物种多样性总体分布较均匀,边缘地区物种更丰富,呈现“边缘效应”;4个样地的群落谱系结构呈聚集模式,12个样地的群落谱系结构呈分散模式;谱系多样性指数(PD)与Petrick指数、Simpson指数和Shannon指数呈正相关,净亲缘关系指数(NRI)和最近种间亲缘关系指数(NTI)与α物种多样性指数无明显相关性.     

吕梁山森林群落草本层植物物种多样性的空间格局及其对模拟增温的响应

为研究气候变暖背景下森林群落草本层植物物种多样性对温度升高的响应及其随海拔、纬度的空间分布格局,按照纬度梯度选择吕梁山系北段的管涔山和南段的五鹿山为研究区,并在每个山地的不同海拔梯度(高、中、低)分别设置对照(CK)、低度增温(OTC1)和高度增温(OTC2) 3种试验样地。于2017年植被生长季对植物多度、频度、盖度、高度进行调查,计算物种多样性指数(Simpson指数、Shannon指数、Pielou指数、Patrick指数)。结果表明:(1)吕梁山森林群落草本层植物物种多样性随海拔呈"v型"变化格局,即在中间海拔梯度处最低,且海拔梯度对各多样性指数的影响均达到极显著水平(P0.01)。(2)物种多样性随纬度升高呈递增趋势(P0.05),即较高纬度山地具有较高的物种多样性。(3)物种多样性随温度升高整体呈递减趋势(P0.05),即温度升高可抑制林下草本层植物物种多样性。(4)在增温处理下,五鹿山草本植物的Simpson指数、Shannon指数和Patrick指数呈递减趋势,Pielou指数先降低后升高;管涔山草本植物的Simpson指数、Shannon指数和Pielou指数先增加后减小,Patrick指数呈递增趋势。整体来说,在吕梁山较低海拔,持续增温会使物种多样性降低;在中等海拔,物种多样性随温度升高呈现先下降后上升的变化趋势;在较高海拔,适度增温可提高物种多样性,持续增温则抑制多样性。因此,增温对吕梁山森林群落草本植物物种多样性的影响随海拔升高整体呈下降趋势。     

甘南亚高寒草甸坡向梯度上矮嵩草与珠芽蓼种群点格局及其关联性

种群的空间分布格局及关联性可以反映种群演替方式和环境因子改变的适应策略。矮嵩草(Kobresia humilis)与珠芽蓼(Polygonum vivipurum)是甘南亚高寒草甸的主要物种,通过野外群落调查,运用Ripley K函数,分析了不同坡向的矮嵩草与珠芽蓼种群的空间分布格局及种间关联性。结果表明:矮嵩草和珠芽蓼在3个坡向上的分布具有明显差异,随着坡向由北坡向南坡的转变,矮嵩草种群的株数、盖度及生物量不断增加,而珠芽蓼种群则不断减少;在北坡,矮嵩草种群在0~2.2 m呈现出聚集分布,随着尺度的增加聚集强度减弱并趋向于随机分布,珠芽蓼种群均以聚集分布为主;在西坡,矮嵩草与珠芽蓼种群在0~0.8 m范围呈聚集分布,在2.3 m以上范围内趋向于随机分布;在南坡,矮嵩草与珠芽蓼分布格局在研究尺度内均表现出随机分布;在北坡,这两种物种在0~1 m范围内表现为正相关,西坡为种间在0~1.3 m范围内负关联;随着尺度的增加种间关联度在这两个坡向上均趋向于不相关,而这两个物种在南坡也表现出不相关;矮嵩草和珠芽蓼种群空间格局及关联性有助于我们认识亚高寒草甸种群的种内与种间竞争过程、多样的生态策略及群落演替趋势。     

云顶山亚高山草甸植被分布、物种多样性与土壤化学因子的相关性

根据36个样地27个种的野外调查数据,运用双向指示种分析(TWINSPAN)将云顶山亚高山草甸植被分为蒲公英+钝裂银莲花+车前群丛、委陵菜+鳞叶龙胆+蒲公英+车前群丛、蒲公英+委陵菜+百里香群丛、车前+委陵菜+百里香+白莲蒿群丛、车前+白莲蒿+委陵菜群丛和蒲公英+羊茅+车前群丛。运用典范对应分析法(CCA)分析了p H、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、K~+、Cl~-、Ca~(~(2+))、Mg~(2+)、Zn~(2+)、Fe、有机质(OM)10个土壤化学因子和云顶山亚高山草甸植被分布的相关关系。CCA结果表明,TN、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、Fe是影响云顶山亚高山草甸植被分布的主要土壤化学因子,6个群丛分别对应不同的土壤生境。土壤化学因子与物种多样性指数的相关分析表明,TN、Ca~(2+)与Shannon-Weiner指数H呈正相关;TN、Mg~(2+)与丰富度指数R分别呈正相关、负相关;K~+与R、H、均匀度指数E均呈正相关。因此,物种多样性的保护应结合当地的土壤特点。     

"三江并流"自然遗产地澜沧江流域居民区蚊类多样性的空间分布格局

为探索我国西南山地居民区蚊类多样性空间分布规律与区系分异,作者于2005年7-9月应用紫外灯诱捕法对滇西北"三江并流"自然遗产地中的澜沧江流域6个纬度梯度带(24°-30°N)和5个海拔梯度带(1,000-3,500 m)山地居民区的蚊类进行了调查取样.共捕获蚊类76,458只,分属于2亚科5属36种.统计分析结果显示:(1)物种丰富度随纬度的升高呈下降趋势,随海拔的升高呈先增高后降低的单峰型分布格局;(2)α多样性随纬度的升高呈先降低而后略有升高的分布格局,最高峰位于Ⅰ带(24°-25°N),而随海拔的升高呈波浪状变化,峰值分别出现在C(2,000-2,500 m)和E(3,000-3,500 m)带;(3)β多样性(Cody指数)随纬度和海拔的升高先减少后增加,基本形成两端高中间低的格局.两端高峰的具体地理位置分别处于南亚热带向中亚热带气候和暖温带向寒温带气候的过渡地带.说明蚊类β多样性空间分布格局、区系及物种的组成与地理环境和气候条件的变化有关;(4)从种群组成相似性聚类分析的结果来看,不同纬度、海拔梯度带问蚊类都被分为3个地域区系类型,即东洋区系、东洋与古北区系的过渡区和古北区系;(5)典范对应分析(CCA)的排序结果显示:气温和降水均影响当地蚊类多样性的空间分布格局,降水起主导作用.     

新疆吉木萨尔县蝴蝶群落多样性

蝴蝶作为指示生物, 被广泛地应用于生物多样性监测及环境质量评估。探究新疆吉木萨尔县蝴蝶群落多样性, 可为当地蝴蝶多样性的保护及环境监测提供基础数据。本研究采用样线法在新疆吉木萨尔县选取山前荒漠、农田、山地草原、山地森林、亚高山草甸5种不同的生境类型, 对蝴蝶种类和群落多样性进行调查。共记录蝴蝶4,401号, 隶属于7科26属38种。其中蛱蝶科有9属12种, 为优势科; 粉蝶科的个体数最多, 占比55.01%; 绢蝶科、凤蝶科和弄蝶科的种类数和个体数最少, 均为单科种, 是该地区的稀有类群。对不同生境蝴蝶群落多样性和相似度分析比较的结果显示: 5种生境中多样性指数从高到低依次为亚高山草甸、山地森林、山地草原、农田及山前荒漠, 其中山地森林和亚高山草甸的相似性系数较高, 达到0.77, 山前荒漠和山地草原的相似性系数最低, 为0.37。蝴蝶物种数及多样性指数随海拔的增加呈上升趋势。蝴蝶群落随月份发生变化, 蝴蝶种类和数量在5月发生、7月达到峰值。蝶类个体数在3年内呈下降趋势。研究结果表明, 蝴蝶物种的组成和多样性与生境类型具有密切联系, 保护生态环境, 维持该地区植物群落的多样性、降低人为干扰程度是保护蝶类多样性的关键。     

不同草原类型针茅根部内生真菌群落结构

为了解我国北方不同草原类型中针茅根部内生真菌的群落结构及多样性变化,从新疆、甘肃、内蒙古3省(区)选择了6种不同草原类型(亚高山草甸、高山草甸、戈壁、荒漠草原、典型草原和草甸草原),进行针茅根部组织内生真菌的研究.共分离得到针茅根部内生真菌213株,根据序列的相似性(以97%为阈值),共获得51个真菌分类操作单元(OTUs),覆盖了4门7纲23科27属.在门的水平上子囊菌门真菌为绝对优势菌群,占分离真菌总数的93.4%,在各草原类型中均有分布;6种草原类型中针茅根部内生真菌的优势属差别较大,仅子囊菌门的镰孢菌属为各草原类型共有优势属,占分离真菌总数的41.3%,亚高山草甸的微结节霉属、高山草甸的Saccharicola和短梗霉属、戈壁的弯孢属和根霉属以及草甸草原的木霉属,为各草原类型中针茅根部内生真菌的优势属.高山草甸针茅根部内生真菌群落覆盖的门和属最多,Margalef丰富度指数和香农多样性指数最高,均匀度指数仅次于荒漠草原;而荒漠草原的Margalef丰富度指数最低,典型草原的多样性指数和均匀度指数最低.高山草甸和荒漠草原的内生真菌群落结构与其他草原类型之间的相似性系数都较低,分别为0.12～0.25和0.13～0.22,其他几种草原类型之间相似性相对较高,尤其是典型草原和草甸草原之间相似性系数为0.60.冗余分析(RDA)表明,海拔和纬度是影响6种草原类型中针茅根部内生真菌群落结构变化的主要环境因子.     

新疆东部天山蝶类多样性及其垂直分布

2006-2008年研究了新疆东部天山蝶类多样性和垂直分布.结果表明:研究区域内共记录蝴蝶7科43属63种,占新疆已记录蝶类种数的24.80％,区系组成主要是古北种,占73％;其次是广布种,占27％,没有发现东洋种.其中蛱蝶科的物种数最多,为11属19种,蚬蝶科的物种数最少,只有1属1种.按海拔将生境分为5个垂直自然带,包括低山灌木草原带、山地森林草原带、亚高山草甸带、高山草甸带、垫状植被带.蝶类物种数和个体数排序为亚高山草甸带＞山地森林草原带＞低山灌木草原带＞高山草甸带＞垫状植被带.采用Shannon-Wiener指数和G-F指数对蝶类物种和科、属的多样性进行了分析评价,结果显示亚高山草甸带的蝶类多样性最为丰富,其次是山地森林草原带和低山灌木草原带,而高山草甸带和垫状植被带的蝶类多样性相对较低,物种和科、属多样性分析结果均一致.蝶类垂直分布明显,物种数和个体数随海拔变化的趋势类似,均为先增加后下降.蝶类区系成分随着海拔升高发生改变,广布种的比例逐渐降低,高山草甸带和垫状植被带只有古北种分布.研究结果显示,生境改变对蝴蝶群落影响明显,保护生境是保护蝴蝶生存的最主要措施.     

贺兰山不同海拔典型植被带土壤微生物多样性

土壤微生物多样性在海拔梯度的分布格局研究近年来受到和植物动物一样的重视程度,但是干旱风沙区微生物多样性在海拔梯度上的多样性分布规律尚未揭示。本研究以处于干旱风沙区的贺兰山不同海拔的六个典型植被带（荒漠草原带、山地旱生灌丛带、温性针叶林带、针阔混交林带、寒温性针叶林带和亚高山草甸带）土壤为研究对象,利用Biolog微平板法和磷脂脂肪酸甲酯法(FAMEs)系统研究微生物多样性群落特征以及在不同植被带分布规律。结果表明：土壤微生物功能多样性随海拔增加发生变化,且微生物群落结构存在显著差异。Biolog分析显示土壤微生物群落代谢活性依次是：亚高山草甸>寒温性针叶林>针阔混交林>温性针叶林>山地旱生灌丛>荒漠草原,随海拔的升高土壤微生物群落物种丰富度指数（H）和均匀度指数（E）总体上均表现出增大的趋势,差异显著（P＜0.05）;FAMEs分析表明不同海拔的微生物区系发生了一定程度的变化,寒温性针叶林土壤微生物磷酸脂肪酸生物标记的数量和种类均最高,且细菌、真菌特征脂肪酸相对含量也最高;土壤微生物群落结构多样性次序是：寒温性针叶林带>针阔混交林带>温性针叶林带>亚高山草甸>山地旱生灌丛>荒漠草原。本研究结果表明贺兰山海拔梯度的微生物多样性分布规律不同于已有的植物多样性“中部膨胀”研究结果,这说明在高海拔地区有更多的适合该生境的微生物存在,这对维持干旱风沙区的生态系统功能稳定性具有重要意义。     

山西吕梁山草本群落物种多样性的海拔梯度格局及与环境因子的关系

山地草本群落物种多样性的海拔梯度格局及其与环境因子的关系一直是生态学和地理学研究的热点问题。为探究吕梁山草本群落不同尺度物种多样性(α、β、γ多样性)的海拔梯度格局及其与环境因子的关系,该研究采用样方法在吕梁山从北向南选取管涔山、关帝山、五鹿山,并对每个山地划分出高、中、低3个海拔梯度,对草本群落物种多样性和环境因子进行调查分析。结果表明:(1)α多样性随海拔升高呈先升后减的单峰变化格局,峰值出现在中海拔; β多样性中Cody指数在1 900～2 000 m间出现峰值,而Bray-Curtis 指数出现最小值,表明1 900～2 000 m海拔带是草本群落物种更新速率和组成变化较快的过渡地带; γ多样性随海拔升高也呈先升后减的单峰变化格局(R²=0.406,P<0.01)。(2)海拔对温度、湿度变化的影响极其显著(P<0.01); 海拔、温度、湿度等环境因子共同影响物种的α多样性,其中海拔是主要影响因素(P<0.05),温度、湿度影响不显著(P>0.05)。综上所述,吕梁山草本群落多样性在海拔梯度上多表现为 “中间膨胀”变化格局,海拔变化是影响多样性变化的主要因素。     

Anatomical aspects of field ectomycorrhizas on Polygonum viviparum (Polygonaceae) and Kobresia bellardii (Cyperaceae)

 Root systems of the herbaceous species Polygonum viviparum and Kobresia bellardii were excavated from an alpine site in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, and processed for microscopic examination. Several ectomycorrhizal morphotypes were present on root systems of both species;K. bellardii often had complex clusters of mycorrhizal roots present. A mantle and Hartig net were present on all mycorrhizal root tips processed. The Hartig net was confined to the epidermis, and the parenchyma cells of this layer were radially elongated, vacuolated and contained densely staining inclusions. Intracellular hyphae and structures typical for vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas were never observed. Both herbaceous species, therefore, had ectomycorrhizal associations comparable to those described for woody angiosperm species. Accepted: 14 February 1998     

The ecology of mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) in the subalpine zone of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains,California, U.S.A.

Mosquito larvae were collected from the subalpine region of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains from 2011 to 2014. Two watersheds were sampled and sites selected were mainly vernal snow‐melt pools and wet meadows. Seven Aedes species, Culiseta incidens (Thomson), and Culex tarsalis Coquillett were collected. The most abundant and widely distributed species were Ae. hexodontus Dyar and Ae. tahoensis Dyar. Aedes tahoensis was the predominate species in woodland snow‐melt habitats. Some species were found at most elevations while others were found more often at specific elevations. The most restrictive species was Ae. ventrovittis Dyar which occurred almost exclusively between 3,219 m a.s.l. and 3,390 m a.s.l. Shannon and Simpson species diversity indices demonstrated that species diversity was greater in meadow habitats compared to woodland habitats. Mixed woodland/meadows, rock pools, and shallow grass pools were intermediate in species diversity. Abiotic factors such as snowpack and water temperature impacted species development times and when habitats dried. It was concluded that spatial and temporal patterns of habitats, along with elevation, influenced species presence and larval development. The results of the present study and previous work in the eastern Sierras will help guide future research that focuses on the potential change in the distribution and seasonality of subalpine mosquitoes and disease potential in the eastern Sierras as climatic conditions change.     

放牧对五台山高山、亚高山草甸牧草品质的影响

通过野外样地调查和室内分析,从牧草的适口性和营养成分两方面,研究了放牧对五台山高山、亚高山草甸牧草品质的影响。结果表明：放牧干扰草甸中适口性为喜食及以上的优质牧草种类为20种,喜食牧草在群落中的相对盖度最大,为45.40%;与之相比,极度退化草甸中优质牧草种类为13种,乐食牧草的相对盖度最大,为62.24%;喜食以上优质牧草的相对盖度最大值,出现在轻度退化草甸中,达到65.95%。同一适口性等级牧草,在不同退化等级草甸中,种类发生变化。从放牧干扰草甸到极度退化草甸,牧草中的粗蛋白和灰分含量呈增加趋势,而中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维含量呈下降趋势。放牧压力下,五台山高山、亚高山草甸的牧草品质并未下降,但放牧造成的草甸生产力降低,制约了资源的可持续利用和保护。     

短期氮添加对祁连山亚高山草地生产力及植物多样性的影响

全球氮沉降速率的急剧增加已显著地改变了生态系统的生产力及稳定性,特别是在受N限制较严重的亚高山草地生态系统。虽然氮沉降增加对草地生产力和植物多样性影响的研究报道已经很多,但是氮素沉降的生态系效应因气候区、草地系统类型、加氮水平、氮肥类型和试验时间长短等不同而差别很大。为了评估氮沉降增加对亚高山草地植物物种多样性和生产力的影响,通过在祁连山中部亚高山草地设置不同氮添加水平（0、2、5、10、15、25 g N m^-2 a^-1和50 g N m^-2 a^-1）的短期氮沉降增加模拟试验,探讨了生产力和物种多样性对不同水平氮添加的响应。结果显示：氮添加增加了禾本科（垂穗披碱草、赖草和草地早熟禾）和莎草科（矮嵩草）的地上生产力及其在群落生产力中所占的比例,主要表现在氮添加增加了禾本科和莎草科的株高和株数,降低了其他科（鹅绒委陵菜和葛缕子）的株高和株数;与生产力相比,植物多样性对氮添加的响应较慢,总体随着氮添加量的增加呈下降趋势但未达到显著水平;植物多样性与生产力呈显著的负相关关系。研究结果表明氮添加有助于提高禾本科和莎草科的生产力,进而提高群落生产力,但其他科的植物会被逐渐替代,导致群落植物物种多样性降低。研究结果可为我国亚高山草地的持续性管理提供一定的理论基础。     

Distribution and Species Diversity of Plant Communities along Transect on the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau

The distribution and species diversity of plant communities along a 600 km transect through the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (32°42′–35°07′ N, 101°02′–97°38′ E) with altitudes from 3255 to 4460 m are described. The transect started from the Youyi Bridge of Banma through Dari, Maqin and Maduo to Zaling Lake. The data from 47 plots along the transect are summarized and analyzed. The mean annual temperature, the mean annual rainfall and the length of growing season decreases from 2.6 to −4.5 °C, from 767.2 to 240.1 mm, from 210 to 140 days, respectively, along the transect from the southeastern Banma to northwestern Zaling Lake. The number of vascular plant species recorded in 47 plots is 242 including 2 tree, 34 shrub, 206 herb species. Main vegetation types on the transect from southeast to northwest are: Sabina convallium forest, Picea likiangensis forest, Pyracantha fortuneana + Spiraea alpina shrub, Hippophae neurocarpu shrub, Sibiraea angustata + Polygonum viviparum shrub, Stellera chamaejasme herb meadow, Potentilla fruticosa + Salix obscura + Carex sp. Shrub, Kobresia capillifolia meadow, P. froticosa + Kobresia humilis shrub, Caragana jubata + S. obscura shrub, Kobresia tibetica meadow, Kobresia pygmaea meadow, K. pygmaea + Stipa purpurea steppe meadow, Stipa purpurea steppe. Plant richness and diversity index all showed a decreasing trend with increasing of elevation along transect from southeast to northwest. Detailed information on altitudinal ranges and distribution of the alpine vegetation, vascular flora and environments over the alpine zone at northeastern Tibetan Plateau provides baseline records relevant to future assessment of probable effects of global climate changes.     

Distribution,species diversity and life-form spectra of plant communities along an altitudinal gradient in the northern slopes of Qilianshan Mountains,Gansu, China

We studied the distribution pattern, species diversity and life-formspectra of plant communities along an altitudinal gradient in the mid-sectionofthe northern slopes of Qilianshan Mountains by means of multivariate analyses.Two data sets (167 species × 75 plots, 10 environmental variables ×75 plots), originated from the fieldworks in 1998–1999, were subjected toTWINSPAN and DCCA, resulting in 8 major plant communities: 1)Asterothamnus centraliasiaticus–Halogetonarachnoideus desert grassland on azonal substrates from 1450 to 1600m and 2) zonal Reaumuria soogorica desertgrassland on gravels from 1470 to 1900 m; 3) Stipaprzewalskii–Stipa purpurea montane grassland from 2200 to 2900m; 4) Polygonum viviparum alpine grasslandfrom 2900 to 3700 m; 5) Caraganastenophylla–Ajaniafruticulosa dry-warm shrubland from 2350 to 2800 m; 6)Sabina przewalskii mid-wet warm forest from 2700 to 3300m; 7) Picea crassifolia cold coniferousforestfrom 2450 to 3200 m; 8) Caragana jubatawet-cold alpine shrubland from 3100 to 3700 m. Species diversityand species richness of both grasslands and forests peaked at the intermediateportion of the elevational gradient. Evenness might be strongly influenced byeither biotic or abiotic factors at a local scale, while seems quiteindependentof an elevational gradient at landscape scales. Beta-diversity decreased from1500 to 3700 m, indicating that species turnover declined withincreased elevation. Both richness of life-form and total species richness in agiven altitudinal belt (gamma-diversity) peaked at intermediate elevations,while relative species richness of different life-form varied differently alongthe altitudinal gradient.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygonum viviparum</Emphasis> mycobionts on an alpine primary successional glacier forefront

Polygonum viviparum is one of the first ectomycorrhizal (EM) plant species colonising primary successional sites at the Rotmoos glacier forefront (Tyrolean Alps, Austria). On a site with soil development of about 150 years (2,400 m above sea level), mycobionts of P. viviparum were identified by morphotyping and fungal ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid internal transcribed spacer sequencing. For studying seasonal dynamics and spatial heterogeneity, ectomycorrhizae were sampled on five plots during all seasons. P. viviparum root tips were always EM. In total, 18 mycobiont taxa of the following genera were identified: Cenococcum (1), Cortinarius (2), Helvella (1), Inocybe (3), Russula (1), Sebacina (2), Thelephora (2) and Tomentella (6). All were non-specific EM partners of EM plants. As early as 2 weeks after spring snow melt, EM were well developed, vital and showed high mycobiont diversity. The relative abundance of senescent root tips was lowest in spring and increased throughout the year, with a maximum in winter (frozen soil). Thus, mycobiont growth and physiological activity obviously start when soil is still under snow cover: We speculate that water availability is one important initiation factor for mycorrhizal development under snow cover, when temperatures still range around the freezing point. Irrespectively of the season, most abundant mycobionts at this primary successional site belonged to the genera Tomentella, Sebacina and Cenococcum, also in frozen soil. Spatial heterogeneity was high when considering species composition and diversity indices. Overall mycobionts species richness was restricted at this site, probably because of the limited availability of fungal partners. We regard the presence/absence of fungal partner and limiting abiotic impacts of the environment as key factors for the symbiotic status of P. viviparum. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Antioxidative responses to different altitudes in leaves of alpine plant Polygonum viviparum in summer

Mountain environmental stresses result in increased formation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in leaves of Polygonum viviparum. The activities of several antioxidative system enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7), glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) and the contents of several non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced form of ascorbate (ASC), dehydroascorbate (DHA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were investigated in leaves of P. viviparum, which were collected from three altitudes (2,200, 3,200, and 3,900 m) of Tianshan Mountain in China. The activities of these four antioxidative enzymes were accompanied by increases of H₂O₂ levels from 2,200 to 3,200 m. However, the activities of CAT and POD were decreased, whereas the activities of SOD and GR continually increased at 3,900 m. Analyses of isoforms of SOD, CAT, POD, and GR showed that the leaves of P. viviparum exposed different altitude conditions are capable of differentially altering the intensity. Additionally, two new isoforms of SOD were detected at 3900 m. A continual increase in the ASC, ASC to DHA ratio, GSH and GSH/[GSH + GSSG] ratio, and the activity of DHAR were observed in leaves of P. viviparum with the elevation of altitude. These results suggest that the higher contents of ASC, GSH as well as an increase in reduced redox state may be essential to antioxidation processes in the leaves of P. viviparum, whereas antioxidant enzymes system is a cofactor in the processes.