Plant sizes mediate mowing‐induced changes in nutrient stoichiometry and allocation of a perennial grass in semi‐arid grassland

While mowing‐induced changes in plant traits and their effects on ecosystem functioning in semi‐arid grassland are well studied, the relations between plant size and nutrient strategies are largely unknown. Mowing may drive the shifts of plant nutrient limitation and allocation. Here, we evaluated the changes in nutrient stoichiometry and allocation with variations in sizes of Leymus chinensis, the dominant plant species in Inner Mongolia grassland, to various mowing frequencies in a 17‐yr controlled experiment. Affected by mowing, the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) in leaves and stems were significantly increased, negatively correlating with plant sizes. Moreover, we found significant trade‐offs between the concentrations and accumulation of N, P, and C in plant tissues. The N:P ratios of L. chinensis aboveground biomass, linearly correlating with plant size, significantly decreased with increased mowing frequencies. The ratios of C:N and C:P of L. chinensis individuals were positively correlated with plant size, showing an exponential pattern. With increased mowing frequencies, L. chinensis size was correlated with the allocation ratios of leaves to stems of N, P, and C by the tendencies of negative parabola, positive, and negative linear. The results of structure equation modeling showed that the N, P, and C allocations were co‐regulated by biomass allocation and nutrient concentration ratios of leaves to stems. In summary, we found a significant decoupling effect between plant traits and nutrient strategies along mowing frequencies. Our results reveal a mechanism for how long‐term mowing‐induced changes in concentrations, accumulations, ecological stoichiometry, and allocations of key elements are mediated by the variations in plant sizes of perennial rhizome grass.     

不同管理模式对茶树碳氮磷含量及其生态化学计量比的影响

植物不同器官的碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其生态化学计量特征能够反映植物内部的养分分配与平衡关系。该研究以福建安溪3种不同管理模式的铁观音茶园为研究对象, 设置了常规管理模式下的茶园(M1)、间作套种模式下的茶园(M2)和现代技术管理模式下的茶园(M3) 3种样地, 分析茶树根、茎、叶器官的C、N、P含量及其化学计量学特征, 养分的变异特征与异速生长关系。结果表明: M2和M3管理模式下茶树根、茎、叶N、P含量均显著高于M1管理模式, C含量差异不明显; 茶树根、茎、叶C:N、C:P、N:P均表现为M1 > M2 > M3。茶树不同器官C、N、P含量差异较大, 根据变异来源分析, 管理模式因素对C、N、P含量变异的影响均达到显著水平。根茎叶N-P的异速生长关系表明茶树不同器官的养分需求存在相似性; 土壤pH和容重是影响C:N、C:P、N:P的重要因素, 而土壤含水量和盐度对茶树根和叶C含量的影响较大。总体来讲, 间作套种以及现代化滴灌、水肥等管理模式可以改善茶树对养分的吸收效率, 对解决土壤养分不均衡问题具有正面效应。     

克里雅绿洲旱生芦苇根茎叶C、N、P化学计量特征的季节变化

旱生芦苇在水分限制、元素匮乏的环境条件下,经长期进化适应形成了自身独特的生理生态特征,研究其C、N、P化学计量特征随生长季节的变化规律有助于深入了解该植物生存和适应策略。系统分析了克里雅绿洲旱生芦苇根、茎、叶的C、N、P化学计量特征及其季节动态,深入探讨了不同生长季、不同器官以及两因素的交互作用对以上特征的影响。结果表明:旱生芦苇C、N、P含量均值分别为393.36、12.43、1.25 mg/g,C∶N、N∶P、C∶P均值分别为54.55、9.96、441.27。整个生长季内芦苇各器官间C、N、P平均含量的变化规律一致,为叶茎根,C、N、P化学计量比的变化规律不一致;芦苇C含量随生长季节的变化不断增加,N、P随季节的变化逐渐减少,C、N、P化学计量比随季节的变化规律也不尽相同。对芦苇C、N、P含量及其化学计量比整体变异来源分析显示,生长季节的变化对芦苇C、P、C∶N、C∶P变化的贡献大于器官间差异,器官间差异对芦苇N、N∶P变化的贡献大于生长季节的变化;说明芦苇生长发育过程中各生长季各器官对元素的吸收利用具有特异性。结合N、P元素含量及N∶P值的大小可知,研究区芦苇生长受到N、P共同限制,且更易受N元素的限制。     

Stoichiometric homeostasis of vascular plants in the Inner Mongolia grassland

Stoichiometric homeostasis, the degree to which an organism maintains its C:N:P ratios around a given species- or stage-specific value despite variation in the relative availabilities of elements in its resource supplies, is a key parameter in ecological stoichiometry. However, its regulation and role in affecting organismal and ecosystem processes is still poorly understood in vascular plants. We performed a sand culture experiment and a field nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition experiment to evaluate the strength of N, P and N:P homeostasis in higher plants in the Inner Mongolia grassland. Our results showed that homeostatic regulation coefficients (H) of vascular plants ranged from 1.93 to 14.5. H varied according to plant species, aboveground and belowground compartments, plant developmental stage, and overall plant nutrient content and N:P ratio. H for belowground and for foliage were inversely related, while H increased with plant developmental stage. H for N (H(N)) was consistently greater than H for P (H(P)) while H for N:P (H(N:P)) was consistently greater than H(N) and H(P). Furthermore, species with greater N and P contents and lower N:P were less homeostatic, suggesting that more homeostatic plants are more conservative nutrient users. The results demonstrate that H of plants encompasses a considerable range but is stronger than that of algae and fungi and weaker than that of animals. This is the first comprehensive evaluation of factors influencing stoichiometric homeostasis in vascular plants.     

阔叶红松林不同演替阶段灌木器官的N、P分配特征

氮（N）、磷（P）是植物生长发育重要的限制元素,N、P以及N、P间的关系是化学计量学研究的重要内容。植物不同器官对N、P的需求存在差异,因此N、P的分配与权衡对植物的生长发育起到重要的调节作用。为了探究阔叶红松（Pinus koraiensis）林不同演替阶段主要灌木器官的N、P化学计量特征及其分配格局,了解灌木的养分限制因子及其分配策略,在黑龙江凉水国家级自然保护区的阔叶红松林四个演替阶段——白桦（Betula platyphylla）次生林、阔叶混交林、针阔混交林和阔叶红松林内,选取主要灌木种,分析了叶片、枝条、茎干和根的N、P化学计量特征以及异速生长关系。结果发现：灌木不同器官之间的N、P含量差异显著,其中叶的N、P含量均为最高,茎干的N、P含量均为最低。所有器官中,叶的N ： P最高,为7.59;根的N ： P最低,为5.47。灌木叶、茎干、根之间的N ： P存在显著差异,而茎干、根与枝条之间的N ： P没有显著差异。阔叶红松林不同演替阶段对灌木同一器官N、P化学计量的影响不同,灌木叶片的N含量在不同演替中具有显著差异,其他器官的差异不显著;不同演替阶段灌木器官的P含量均无显著差异。在不同演替阶段中各器官的N ： P均小于14,说明N元素是阔叶红松林各演替阶段灌木生长的限制因子,而P对灌木的生长没有起到限制作用。研究表明在不同演替阶段中,N、P的异速生长关系普遍存在于灌木器官中,呈现显著的正相关关系;整体上各器官之间的斜率没有显著差异,说明灌木采取保守分配策略,以此来适应环境和满足自身生长发育的需要。     

干旱胁迫对科尔沁沙地榆树幼苗C、N、P化学计量特征的影响

设置适宜水分、轻度、中度和重度干旱胁迫处理(即80%、65%、50%和35%田间持水量),研究干旱胁迫对榆树幼苗不同器官C、N、P化学计量的影响.结果表明:与适宜水分处理相比,干旱胁迫导致C含量在叶、茎、粗根和细根中增加,N含量在叶、茎和粗根中增加,P含量在叶、茎和粗根中下降,在细根中增加,C:N在叶和茎中下降,C:P及N:P在叶、茎和粗根中增加,在细根中下降.各器官间C含量呈显著正相关,而各器官间N与P相关性均不显著.土壤含水量与各器官C含量,叶N含量,细根P含量及C:N,叶、茎和粗根C:P及N:P呈显著负相关,而与细根N含量,叶、茎和粗根P含量,细根C:P及N:P呈显著正相关.因此,干旱胁迫影响榆树幼苗对N、P的吸收及向上运输,幼苗生长主要受N限制;随着干旱胁迫的加剧,叶、茎和粗根生长受P限制作用增强.     

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。     

Phenology and autumnal accumulation of N reserves in belowground organs of wetland helophytes Phragmites australis and Glyceria maxima affected by nutrient surplus

Two co-occurring dominant wetland helophytes and potential competitors, Phragmites australis and Glyceria maxima, were cultivated under N, P availabilities simulating the trophic status of wetlands with different fertility (oligo- and eutrophic). The long-term outdoor cultivation was performed with the goal to characterise the extent to which the nutrient enrichment affects plant growth, phenology, and particularly, the accumulation of N storage compounds in belowground organs of wetland rhizomatous plants prior to the onset of winter dormancy. In the present study, both species responded similarly to nutrient surplus. The enhanced growth, delayed shoot senescence, and delayed retranslocation of N into belowground organs were found in both species in eutrophic treatment. Furthermore, N levels remaining in dry leaves were proportionally related to those in living ones, being significantly higher in eutrophic treatment. The efficiency of N retranslocation from senescing leaves varied around 60% in both species and treatments. The formation of N reserves was, however, not disrupted in either species. Although plants in eutrophic treatments accumulated N in their belowground organs significantly later in the season (in the September–December period), the amount of accumulated N was sufficient to reach high belowground N standing stock. Considering formation of N reserves, the differences in species response to treatments were negligible. Phragmites and Glyceria accumulated similar belowground N standing stock prior to the winter. Glyceria may, however, additionally profit from N standing stock of over-wintering green leaves and from the potential of growth and N assimilation during a mild winter period, which is not possible in fully dormant Phragmites.     

Complex trait relationships between leaves and absorptive roots: Coordination in tissue N concentration but divergence in morphology

Leaves and absorptive roots (i.e., first‐order root) are above‐ and belowground plant organs related to resource acquisition; however, it is controversy over whether these two sets of functional traits vary in a coordinated manner. Here, we examined the relationships between analogous above‐ and belowground traits, including chemical (tissue C and N concentrations) and morphological traits (thickness and diameter, specific leaf area and root length, and tissue density) of 154 species sampling from eight subtropical and temperate forests. Our results showed that N concentrations of leaves and absorptive roots were positively correlated independent of phylogeny and plant growth forms, whereas morphological traits between above‐ and belowground organs varied independently. These results indicate that, different from plant economics spectrum theory, there is a complex integration of diverse adaptive strategies of plant species to above‐ and belowground environments, with convergent adaptation in nutrient traits but divergence in morphological traits across plant organs. Our results offer a new perspective for understanding the resource capture strategies of plants in adaptation to heterogeneous environments, and stress the importance of phylogenetic consideration in the discussion of cross‐species trait relationships.     

干旱区不同地理种群骆驼刺元素组成及表面结构特征的对比研究

碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)元素在植物各器官中的组成,及植物表面结构差异是其对外界环境适应性的重要表征。以干旱区3个地理种群骆驼刺(塔里木盆地策勒种群,吐鄯托盆地托克逊种群,准噶尔盆地阜康种群)为研究对象,通过对植株各器官C,N,P元素组成的测定及表面形貌观测,对其在不同环境中的适应特性进行了比较研究。结果表明:(1)同一种群的骆驼刺,C元素在各器官中的分配没有显著规律;N元素在叶片中含量最高,茎中最低;策勒种群和阜康种群的P含量,叶片中最高,茎与刺中差异不显著;但托克逊种群茎中P含量显著高于其他部位。(2)3个地理种群的骆驼刺叶中元素组成相比,策勒种群C,N含量均最高,托克逊种群C,N含量最低;3个种群叶片的P含量,C∶N,C∶P,N∶P值均没有显著差异。刺中元素含量相比,C含量没有显著差异;N含量阜康种群策勒种群托克逊种群。茎中元素含量相比,N含量差异不显著,但托克逊种群茎中P含量为其他两个种群的2倍,可能与托克逊土壤中高浓度的全N,速效N,速效P有关。(3)托克逊种群表皮极厚,蜡质非常致密,各器官气孔密度均高于其他两个种群;策勒种群比阜康种群叶表皮增厚,蜡质致密,但叶片气孔密度却减小;策勒种群和阜康种群茎与刺的气孔密度差异不显著。研究表明,策勒种群骆驼刺最适应当地环境条件:其叶片具有最高的C,N含量,且表面结构没有明显的干旱胁迫特征。托克逊种群表现出明显的干旱适应特征:其表皮增厚,蜡质致密,气孔密度增大,叶片C,N含量最低。虽然托克逊种群茎中P含量显著高于其他地理种群,但3个地理种群骆驼刺叶片中C∶N,C∶P,N∶P比值保持恒定,C∶N=30.6±4.3,C∶P=357.4±49.9,N∶P=12.0±2.4,说明骆驼刺能够保持较高内稳性,这也可能是其在新疆各地广泛生存的重要原因。     

C,N and P stoichiometry in different organs of Vitex rotundifolia in a Poyang Lake desertification hill

Aims The objectives were to clarify the responses of C, N and P stoichiometry of Vitex rotundifolia to desertification, and determine the C, N and P stoichiometric relationships among the organs.
Methods In this study, different organs (e.g. flowers, leaves, twigs, creeping stems, fine roots) of V. rotundifolia were sampled along a desertification gradient in a typical Poyang Lak sandy hill. Subsequently, C, N and P contents of various organs were measured.
Important findings The results showed nutrient contents in different organs ranged from 386.28 to 449.47 mg·g^-1 for carbon, 11.40 to 25.37 mg·g^-1 for nitrogen and 0.89 to 1.54 mg·g^-1 for phosphorus, respectively. C, N and P contents differed significantly among the five organs. The maximum N and P content were found in flowers, whereas the minimums were observed in twigs and creping stems. Moreover, desertification intensity only significantly affected C, N and C:P. C:N and N:P ratios maintained relatively stable. Except N:P, the other nutrient elements and associated stoichiometry significantly differed among the organs. Hence, organs, rather than desertification intensity mainly controlled the C, N and P content and their stoichiometry variability. Although there was a positive correlation between mass-based N content (N_mass) and P content (P_mass) across the three desertification zones, the N_mass-P_mass relationship in V. rotundifolia did not shift. Irrespective desertification intensity and organs, N:P stoichiometry of V. rotundifolia was well constrained. In addition, significant correlations of C, N and P contents among organs were mainly found in the above-ground parts, especially between twigs and creeping stems.     

基于白刺个体大小的生态化学计量模型

生态化学计量的提出为认识C、N、P耦合循环特征、驱动力及机制等提供了新方法,但植物在生长过程中的生态化学计量变化尚缺乏相关报道。本研究以唐古特白刺为对象,通过对白刺分株2017年当年生枝、2年生枝、大于2年生枝、叶、根和压条生物量及营养元素的测定,拟合了基于构件大小的元素总量,并推导了白刺各构件及整株依赖于个体大小的生态化学计量模型。结果表明: 推导模型能够反映植物在生长过程中的生态化学计量动态,老枝和压条均具有较高的N∶P与C∶P,叶、当年生枝和根均具有较低的N∶P与C∶P,白刺整株3种元素含量在生长过程中的累积速率为P>N>C。本研究结果符合现有的生长速率假说和异速生长理论,同时也可从侧面印证养分重吸收现象,该方法可作为分析植物生长过程中元素计量动态特征的一种有效途径。     

Stoichiometric homeostasis in response to variable water and nutrient supply in a Robinia pseudoacacia plant–soil system

刺槐植物-土壤系统生态化学计量内稳性对水分和养分变异的响应特征 所有生物体都需要一定比例的元素来维持正常的生理代谢过程,它们的可塑性取决于它们利用外部资源的效率。阐明不同资源供应水平下植物、土壤和土壤微生物生物量生态化学计量特征之间的相互作用非常重要。本研究以一年生刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)幼苗为研究对象,测定不同水平水分、氮素和磷素处理下刺槐叶片、细根、土壤和微生物生物量C、N、P含量及其化学计量学指标。结果表明,刺槐叶片、细根、土壤和微生物生物量C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征会对其生存环境水分和养分条件的变化表现出一定程度的可塑性;方差分解分析结果表明,细根计量比解释了微生物生物量计量比方差的很大一部分;结构方程模型进一步揭示了细根计量比和叶片计量比是影响土壤微生物生物量C:N和C:P 的两个直接因素,而细根计量比具有较大的直接作用。此外,内稳性特征分析表明土壤微生物生物量C 和C:P对土壤养分变化较为敏感,其他指标均具有内稳性。这些结果明确了土壤微生物生物量化学计量的重要性,提高我们对不同生境水分和养分供应水平下植物-土壤系统养分循环机理的认识。     

Phylogenetic and growth form variation in the scaling of nitrogen and phosphorus in the seed plants

Plant biomass and nutrient allocation explicitly links the evolved strategies of plant species to the material and energy cycles of ecosystems. Allocation of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is of particular interest because N and P play pivotal roles in many aspects of plant biology, and their availability frequently limits plant growth. Here we present a comparative scaling analysis of a global data compilation detailing the N and P contents of leaves, stems, roots, and reproductive structures of 1,287 species in 152 seed plant families. We find that P and N contents (as well as N : P) are generally highly correlated both within and across organs and that differences exist between woody and herbaceous taxa. Between plant organs, the quantitative form of the scaling relationship changes systematically, depending on whether the organs considered are primarily structural (i.e., stems, roots) or metabolically active (i.e., leaves, reproductive structures). While we find significant phylogenetic signals in the data, similar scaling relationships occur in independently evolving plant lineages, which implies that both the contingencies of evolutionary history and some degree of environmental convergence have led to a common set of rules that constrain the partitioning of nutrients among plant organs.     

Response of leaf, sheath and stem nutrient resorption to 7 years of N addition in freshwater wetland of Northeast China

Background and Aims

Increased N availability induced by agricultural fertilization applications and atmospheric N deposition may affect plant nutrient resorption in temperate wetlands. However, the relationship between nutrient resorption and N availability is still unclear, and most studies have focused on leaf nutrient resorption only. The aim of our study was to examine the response of leaf and non-leaf organ nutrient resorption to N enrichment in a temperate freshwater wetland.

Methods

We conducted a 7-year N addition experiment to investigate the effects of increased N loading on leaf, sheath and stem nutrient (N and P) resorption of two dominant species (Deyeuxia angustifolia and Glyceria spiculosa) in a freshwater marsh in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China.

Results

Our results showed that, for both leaf and non-leaf organs (sheath and stem), N addition decreased N resorption proficiency and hence increased litter N concentration. Moreover, the magnitude of N addition effect on N resorption proficiency varied with fertilization rates for D. angustifolia sheaths and stems, and G. spiculosa leaves. However, increased N loading produced inconsistent impacts on N and P resorption efficiencies and P resorption proficiency, and the effects only varied with species and plant organs. In addition, N enrichment increased litter mass and altered litter allocation among leaf, sheath and stem.

Conclusions

Our results highlight that leaf and non-leaf organs respond differentially to N addition regarding N and P resorption efficiencies and P resorption proficiency, and also suggest that N enrichment in temperate freshwater wetlands would alter plant internal nutrient cycles and increase litter quality and quantity, and thus substantially influence ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycles.     

氮磷添加对巨桉幼苗生物量分配和C:N:P化学计量特征的影响

巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)是一种优良的速生用材树种, 了解氮(N)和磷(P)对巨桉生长、养分限制、化学计量特征的影响对于科学合理施肥具有重要意义。该实验以巨桉无性系组培苗为研究对象, 通过在酸性紫色土中设置不同施N或施P梯度, 研究巨桉幼苗各器官(根、茎、叶)生物量及碳(C)、N、P的分配和化学计量特征以及巨桉生长的养分限制状况。结果表明: 施N处理对巨桉根茎叶及总生物量的影响极显著, 增加了地上部分的生物量比例而显著降低了根系的生物量比例; 施P对巨桉幼苗总生物量影响不显著, 但显著提高了根的生物量分配比例, 对茎和叶的生物量分配没有显著影响。施N或施P显著改变了巨桉幼苗的N、P含量和化学计量比, 同时也显著影响了土壤与植物N:P的关系。施N可以促使酸性紫色土条件下巨桉对N的吸收而抑制对P的吸收, 施P则促进巨桉幼苗对P的吸收。施N对巨桉幼苗根茎叶的C、N、P分配特征有极显著影响, 而施P对巨桉幼苗根茎叶的C、N、P分配没有显著影响。施N极显著降低了巨桉幼苗N的利用率, 显著提高了P的利用率, 而施P处理极显著降低了巨桉幼苗P的利用率。从巨桉生物量沿施肥梯度和N:P的变化规律可以判断, 当叶片N:P < 15时, 巨桉的生长主要受到N的限制作用。施N可以显著地提高根茎叶的N:P比值, 缓解巨桉缺N的现象, 施P则进一步加剧了N元素的缺乏。     

Seasonal Variations of C: N: P Stoichiometry and Their Trade-Offs in Different Organs of Suaeda salsa in Coastal Wetland of Yellow River Delta,China

Variations of plant C: N: P stoichiometry could be affected by both some environmental fluctuations and plant physiological processes. However, the trade-off mechanism between them and their influencial factors were not understood completely. In this study, C, N, P contents and their stoichiometry of S. salsa’s plant organs (leaves, stems, and roots), together with their environmental factors including salinity, pH, soil N and soil P, were examined in the intertidal and supratidal habitats of coastal wetlands during the different sampling times (May, July, September, November). The results showed that both plant organ and sampling times affected C, N, and P and stoichiometry of S. salsa in the intertidal and supratidal habitats, however, their influencial conditions and mechanisms were different. In the intertidal habitat, the different slopes of C-P and N-P within interspecific organs suggested that plant P, C:P and N:P of S. salsa were modulated by P concentrations that allocated in the specific organs. However, the slopes of C-N were found to be not significant within interspecific organs, but during the sampling times. These differences of plant N and C:N were related with the physiological demand for N in the specific life history stage. In the supratidal habitat, no significant differences were found in the slopes of C-N, C-P, and N-P within interspecific organs. However, different slopes of C-N among the sampling times also indicated a self-regulation strategy for plant N and C:N of S. salsa in different ontogenetic stages. In contrast to the intertidal habitat, seasonal variations of P, C:P and N:P ratios within interspecific organs reflected the soil P characteristics in the supratidal habitat. Our results showed that the stoichiometric constraint strategy of plant S. salsa in this region was strongly correlated with the local soil nutrient conditions.     

三峡消落带不同坡度狗牙根及实生土壤生态化学计量特征

三峡库区消落带反季节水位波动驱使下植物的养分适应策略和内稳态特征研究对消落带植被恢复及生态功能调控有重要意义。然而,三峡消落带范围广、地形复杂,不同生境下植物适应特征仍存在不确定性。本研究以三峡消落带广泛分布的优势植物狗牙根为研究对象,选取28个地形差异较大的样地进行采样分析,重点探讨不同坡度（0-5°、5-10°、10-15°、15-20°、>20°）狗牙根及其实生土壤生态化学计量特征的变异关系,揭示坡度对狗牙根养分适应及内稳态的影响机制。结果表明：（1）坡度对狗牙根实生土壤的养分及化学计量特征具有显著影响,土壤有机碳（SOC）、全氮（STN）、速效氮（SAN）、全磷（STP）、速效磷（SAP）含量均随坡度增加而降低,<10°的缓坡消落带土壤养分显著高于10°以上的样地;土壤碳氮比（C ∶ N）、碳磷比（C ∶ P）均随坡度增加而降低,而氮磷比（N ∶ P）比相对稳定,表明坡度增大,土壤营养物的流失具有同步性,且流失速度较有机碳慢;（2）随坡度增加,狗牙根各营养器官C含量呈增加趋势,而氮（N）、磷（P）则呈降低趋势,且坡度变化改变了狗牙根各营养器官间的养分分配;植物根、茎C ∶ N、C ∶ P随坡度增加而增加,N ∶ P随坡度增加而降低,而叶片均没有明显变化,表明在坡度改变了土壤养分供应水平的情况下,狗牙根优先稳定其叶片化学计量比以提高适应能力;（3）坡度与土壤中SOC、STN、SAN含量呈现显著负相关,而土壤STN与狗牙根植物养分及化学计量特征均有显著相关关系,由此可见,坡度变化导致土壤氮素流失增加是影响狗牙根生态化学计量特征分异的主要机制;（4）狗牙根与实生土壤的碳氮磷元素内稳性整体表现为C>P>N,化学计量比内稳性表现为C ∶ P>C ∶ N>N ∶ P,随着坡度增加,狗牙根N、P的内稳性呈增强趋势,而C ∶ N、N ∶ P呈显著降低,表明坡度变化导致狗牙根形成了不同的适生策略。研究表明,在三峡库区复杂的地形条件下,狗牙根能有效维持体内化学计量平衡以响应不同的坡度条件,并且内稳性较好,是三峡库区消落带植被恢复与保护的优势植物物种。     

Global trends in senesced-leaf nitrogen and phosphorus

Aim Senesced‐leaf litter plays an important role in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. While green‐leaf nutrients have been reported to be affected by climatic factors at the global scale, the global patterns of senesced‐leaf nutrients are not well understood. Location Global. Methods Here, bringing together a global dataset of senesced‐leaf N and P spanning 1253 observations and 638 plant species at 365 sites and of associated mean climatic indices, we describe the world‐wide trends in senesced‐leaf N and P and their stoichiometric ratios. Results Concentration of senesced‐leaf N was highest in tropical forests, intermediate in boreal, temperate, and mediterranean forests and grasslands, and lowest in tundra, whereas P concentration was highest in grasslands, lowest in tropical forests and intermediate in other ecosystems. Tropical forests had the highest N : P and C : P ratios in senesced leaves. When all data were pooled, N concentration significantly increased, but senesced‐leaf P concentration decreased with increasing mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP). The N : P and C : P ratios also increased with MAT and MAP, but C : N ratios decreased. Plant functional type (PFT), i.e. life‐form (grass, herb, shrub or tree), phylogeny (angiosperm versus gymnosperm) and leaf habit (deciduous versus evergreen), affected senesced‐leaf N, P, N : P, C : N and C : P with a ranking of senesced‐leaf N from high to low: forbs ≈ shrubs ≈ trees > grasses, while the ranking of P was forbs ≈ shrubs ≈ trees < grasses. The climatic trends of senesced‐leaf N and P and their stoichiometric ratios were similar between PFTs. Main conclusions Globally, senesced‐leaf N and P concentrations differed among ecosystem types, from tropical forest to tundra. Differences were significantly related to global climate variables such as MAT and MAP and also related to plant functional types. These results at the global scale suggest that nutrient feedback to soil through leaf senescence depends on both the climatic conditions and the plant composition of an ecosystem.     

New insights into leaf and fine‐root trait relationships: implications of resource acquisition among 23 xerophytic woody species

Functional traits of leaves and fine root vary broadly among different species, but little is known about how these interspecific variations are coordinated between the two organs. This study aims to determine the interspecific relationships between corresponding leaf and fine‐root traits to better understand plant strategies of resource acquisition. SLA (Specific leaf area), SRL (specific root length), mass‐based N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus) concentrations of leaves and fine roots, root system, and plant sizes were measured in 23 woody species grown together in a common garden setting. SLA and SRL exhibited a strong negative relationship. There were no significant relationships between corresponding leaf and fine‐root nutrient concentrations. The interspecific variations in plant height and biomass were tightly correlated with root system size characteristics, including root depth and total root length. These results demonstrate a coordinated plant size‐dependent variation between shoots and roots, but for efficiency, plant resource acquisition appears to be uncoupled between the leaves and fine roots. The different patterns of leaf and fine‐root traits suggest different strategies for resource acquisition between the two organs. This provides insights into the linkage between above‐ and belowground subsystems in carbon and nutrient economy.