Accumulation of humic acid and fulvic acid during root humification of three diameters of two dominant subalpine trees in western Sichuan,China

Aims Plant roots store large amount of terrestrial carbon, but little is known about humus formation processes during the decomposing root litter. Compared with coarse roots, fine roots have greater nutrients, which may be favorable to humus formation. The objective of the study was to examine how root diameters affect their humus formation processes. Methods In this study, in order to examine the accumulation of humic acid and fulvic acid of three root diameter classes (0-2, 2-5 and 5-10 mm) of two subalpine tree species (Abies faxoniana and Picea asperata) on the eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau of China, a two-year field experiment was conducted using a litter-bag method. Air-dried roots of A. faxoniana and P. asperata were placed in litterbags and incubated at 10 cm of soil depth in October 11th, 2013. Duplicate litter bags were collected in May (late winter) and October (late in the growing season) of 2014 and 2015, respectively. Concentrations of humic acid and fulvic acid were measured, and net accumulations were calculated for different periods. Important findings The concentrations of humic acid and fulvic acid were significantly influenced by root diameter that humic acid and fulvic acid decreased with increase in root diameter. Root diameter had significant effects on the net accumulation of humic acid, but not for the accumulation of fulvic acid. However, there were no significant differences in both humic acid and fulvic acid between A. faxoniana and P. asperata roots. Regardless of tree species, humic acid degraded during the winter but accumulated during the growing season. After two years of decomposition, the net accumulations of humic acid in 0-2, 2-5 and 5-10 mm roots were 8.0, 10.8 and 7.6 g·kg^-1 for P. asperata and 15.2, 8.0 and 7.8 g·kg^-1 for A. faxoniana, respectively. Conversely, the degradation of fulvic acid in 0-2, 2-5 and 5-10 mm roots were 178.0, 166.0 and 118.0 g·kg^-1 for P. asperata and 170.0, 160.0 and 128.0 g·kg^-1 for A. faxoniana, respectively. Our results suggest that diameter-associated variations in substrate quality could be an important driver for root litter humification in this subalpine forest. Moreover, diameter effect is dependent on decomposition period in this specific area.     

Differential uptakes of different forms of soil nitrogen among major tree species in subalpine coniferous forests of western Sichuan,China

Aims Although acquisition of soil organic nitrogen (N)(mainly amino acids) by plants is a widespread ecological phenomenon in many terrestrial ecosystems, the rate of organic N uptake and their contributions to plant nutrient supply are poorly understood. Our objective was to determine the relative contributions of inorganic N (NO₃^–-N and NH₄⁺-N) and organic N (amino acids) to plant N uptake in a high-frigid forest ecosystem.Methods The differences in the uptake rate of three different forms of N (NO₃^–-N, NH₄⁺-N and glycine) were quantified by exposing seedlings of two dominant tree species (Picea asperata and Betula albo-sinensis) in subalpine coniferous forests of western Sichuan, China, to trace quantities of K¹⁵NO₃,¹⁵NH₄Cl and (U-¹³C₂/¹⁵N) glycine.Important findings Both ¹³C and ¹⁵N were significantly enriched in fine roots 2 h after tracer application, indicating the occurrence of glycine uptake in P. asperata and B. albo-sinensis seedlings. The seedlings of two tree species had a significant preference for NO₃^–-N compared with glycine and NH₄⁺-N, and the uptake rate of NO₃^–-N was 5 to 10 times greater than that of glycine and NH₄⁺-N. The roots of seedlings in the two species took up glycine more rapidly than NH₄⁺-N, implying that soil organic N (i.e., amino acids) could be an important N source for the two species in subalpine coniferous forests. The results of this study are of great theoretical significance for understanding N utilization strategies and nutrient regulation processes in plants of the high-frigid forest ecosystems.     

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。     

Evidence for the presence of ATP-dependent calcium pump and ATPase activities in bull sperm head membranes

Biochemical studies were carried out to demonstrate for the first time direct evidence for the presence of ATP-dependent calcium uptake activity in plasma membrane isolated from the head of bull spermatozoa. The purified plasma membrane vesicles contain also Na+-K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activities. All the activities mentioned were followed in parallel in isolated plasma membranes from the sperm tail. These results together with others, suggest the involvement of the ATP-dependent calcium pump in regulation of intracellular calcium in the process of capacitation and acrosome reaction.     

Responses of phenolic acid and defensive enzyme activities to mechanical damage in Artemisia frigida

Aims The study aims at understanding the effects of feed intake and trample damage on the phenolic acid formation and antioxidant enzyme activities in Artemisia frigida, and elucidating the adaptive mechanisms in A. frigida to grazing in secondary metabolites and their related enzyme activities.
Methods We analyzed the phenolic acid content and the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and protective enzymes in leaves and roots in A. frigida under three levels (light, moderate, and heavy) of manipulative grazing condition. The measurements of the 9 phenolic acid contents started after 6 h of the mechanical damage of the plants by using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the enzyme activities in leaves and roots were measured by a spectrophotometry method.
Important findings The light damage treatment induced productions of PPO, PAL and significantly (p < 0.05) increased antioxidant enzyme activities in the leaves and roots of A. frigida. The contents of PPO, PAL and antioxidant enzymes increased with increasing intensity of mechanical damage. Compared to the control, the content of free caffeic, syringic, ferulic and cinnamic acid in the leaves A. frigida were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) by 150.4%, 93.5%, 154.4% and 121.7%, respectively. They were significantly (p < 0.05) positively correlated with PAL activity in the moderate damage treatment. The content of free chlorogenic acid and catechol decreased by 91.1%, and 69.3%, respectively, compared with the control they had a negative correlation with PPO activity in the heavy damage treatment. The contents of gallic and protocatechuic acids increased (p < 0.05) by 280.6% and 215.7%, respectively, in the heavy damage treatment. With increasing intensity of mechanical damage, the content of 9 free phenolic acids significantly increased in roots but the increasing range was less than the one in leaves. Mechanical damage induced an increasing trend in the total amount of free and bounded phenolic acids in the leaves but a decreasing trend in the total amount of bounded phenolic acids in the roots of A. frigida. The results indicated that mechanical damage could firstly induce an increase of antioxidant enzymes and key enzymes in phenolic metabolism in A. frigida, leading to the accumulation of antioxidant substances of phenolic acids, further regulate the biosynthesis of lignins, quinones and tannins, and then enhance the resistance to mechanical damage and improved the tolerance of A. frigida to grazing.     

Effects of simulated acid rain on the activity of antioxidant enzyme and the emission of induced green leaf volatiles in Phyllostachys pubescens

为了探讨酸雨胁迫与毛竹(Phyllostachys pubescens)绿叶挥发物(green leaf volatiles, GLVs)释放规律以及抗氧化酶活性的关系, 通过盆栽试验, 采用不同pH值(5.6、4.0、2.5)的模拟酸雨对毛竹三年生实生苗进行处理, 研究酸雨对毛竹叶片可溶性蛋白质含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量和抗氧化酶活性的影响, 并采用热脱附/气相色谱/质谱联用技术对毛竹释放的GLVs成分和含量进行分析。结果表明: 酸雨胁迫下毛竹叶片MDA含量明显增加, pH 2.5模拟酸雨胁迫处理45天毛竹叶片MDA含量与对照相比增加了43.0% (p < 0.01); pH 4.0处理MDA含量增加缓慢, 处理75天时MDA含量比对照增加了0.36倍(p < 0.01)。pH 4.0和pH 2.5模拟酸雨胁迫处理45天时, 毛竹叶片可溶性蛋白质含量极显著增加, 与对照相比分别增加了32.0%和65.0% (p < 0.01)。在酸雨胁迫下, 毛竹叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)的响应时间存在一定差异, 表现为互相协调, pH 2.5模拟酸雨胁迫处理SOD活性和POD活性分别在45天和60天时达到最大值, 分别为对照的1.67倍和1.31倍(p < 0.01), 随后降低。pH 4.0和pH 2.5模拟酸雨胁迫处理, 毛竹叶片GLVs含量比对照分别增加26.4%和132.9% (p < 0.01), 新增GLVs为 (E)-2-辛烯醛、2-乙基己醛、(E)-2-己烯醛和(E)-2-壬烯醛。研究表明: 酸雨胁迫条件下, 毛竹可以通过调节保护酶活性、可溶性蛋白质含量和释放GLVs来提高适应环境的能力。     

内蒙古典型草原优势种冷蒿和克氏针茅对土壤低磷环境适应策略的比较

为探究典型草原植物长期共存的生理生态机制, 以典型草原的优势物种克氏针茅(Stipa krylovii)和冷蒿(Artemisia frigida)为材料, 采用基质培养方法, 通过比较不同供磷浓度对二者生物量、根系形态、质子分泌、酸性磷酸酶和有机酸分泌以及磷吸收利用效率的影响, 探讨克氏针茅和冷蒿对土壤磷缺乏的适应策略。研究结果表明: 冷蒿主要通过根系分泌酸性磷酸酶和酸化根际来适应低磷环境; 而克氏针茅主要是通过根系分泌有机酸(主要是苹果酸)来适应土壤磷缺乏。在低磷条件下, 克氏针茅和冷蒿的磷吸收效率没有显著差异, 但克氏针茅的磷利用效率显著高于冷蒿。随着供磷浓度增加, 二者的磷吸收速率增加, 磷利用效率降低。在生物量、地上部分性状以及根系生长方面, 克氏针茅和冷蒿对磷供给的响应都表现先增长后降低的趋势; 克氏针茅的生物量在外源供0.25 mmol·L^-1磷时达到最大, 而冷蒿的生物量在外源供0.50 mmol·L^-1磷时达到最大, 表明冷蒿对磷的生理需求高于克氏针茅。因此, 克氏针茅和冷蒿具备各自不同的适应土壤有效磷缺乏的生理策略, 这可能是它们在土壤贫瘠的温带典型草原长期共存的重要机制。     

Effects of understory removal on soil respiration and microbial community composition structure in a Chinese fir plantation

Aims Soil respiration (R_s) is the largest fraction of carbon flux in forest ecosystems, but the effects of forest understory removal on R_s in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolate) plantations is poorly understood. In order to quantify the effects of forest understory removal on R_s and microbial community composition, a field experiment was conducted in a subtropical Chinese fir plantation. Methods Forest understory was removed manually in June 2012. R_s was measured monthly using a LI-COR 8100 infrared gas analyzer from July 2012 through July 2014. Soil temperature and moisture were also measured at 5 cm depth at the time of R_s measurements. Surface soil (0-10 cm) samples were collected in July 2013 and 2014, respectively, and the soil microbial community structures were determined by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) analysis. Important findings R_s decreased by 32.8% over a two-year period following understory removal (UR), with a greater rate of decrease in the first year (42.9%) than in the second year (22.2%). The temperature sensitivity of R_s was affected by UR, and was 2.10 and 1.87 in the control and UR plots, respectively. UR significantly reduced the concentration of fungal PLFAs by 18.3%, but did not affect the concentration of bacterial PLFAs, resulting in an increase in the fungal:bacterial ratio; it significantly increased the concentration of gram-positive bacterial PLFAs by 24.5%, and the ratio of gram-positive to gram-negative bacterial PLFAs after one year of treatment, but decreased the concentration of gram-positive bacterial PLFAs by 9.4% and the ratio of gram-positive to gram-negative bacterial PLFAs after two years of treatment. The results suggested that R_s and microbial community composition were both affected by UR in Chinese fir plantation, and the effects were dependent of the duration following the UR treatment.     

Photoaffinity labelling of methyltransferase enzymes with S-adenosylmethionine: effects of methyl acceptor substrates

Radioactivity from 3H-[methyl]-S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) was covalently bound to protein-O-carboxylmethyltransferase and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase following 10-15 min irradiation by short-wave ultraviolet light. This photoaffinity binding of 3H-[methyl]-AdoMet was blocked by S-adenosylhomocysteine and sinefungin, but was not affected by 5 mM dithiothreitol. The binding was also inhibited by including methyl acceptors such as calmodulin (protein-O-carboxylmethyltransferase) or phenylethanolamine (phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase) in the photoaffinity incubation. Staphlococcus V8 protease digests of 3H-[methyl]-AdoMet/enzyme complexes revealed that the primary structure around the AdoMet binding site is different in these two enzymes. Thus, protein-O-carboxylmethyltransferase, a large molecule methyltransferase, can covalently bind 3H-[methyl]-AdoMet in a manner similar to that of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase.     

Enzyme-activated inhibition of bacterial D-amino acid transaminase by beta-cyano-D-alanine

beta-Cyano-D-alanine is an efficient suicide substrate (Ki = 10 microM) of D-amino acid transaminase. This apparent inactivation is temperature dependent: it is irreversible at 10 degrees C or below and becomes progressively reversible at higher temperatures. Since at higher temperatures the apparent reactivation process predominates over the inactivation reaction, the reactivation process is considered to be endothermic. The nature of this reversibility suggests the formation of a heat labile bond between the inhibitor molecule and a nucleophilic group on the enzyme.     

苔藓植物岩溶作用研究进展

苔藓植物参与岩溶作用的过程是生物岩溶的重要内容。开展苔藓植物岩溶作用研究可为石漠化裸岩的生态恢复及其综合治理提供理论依据和技术支撑。该文系统论述了苔藓植物岩溶作用的过程(溶蚀与沉积)、机理及其与生境互作机制的最新研究进展。苔藓植物及其生物结皮在干湿交替下发生膨胀、卷缩、冻融等物理机械力, 以及其代谢分泌物和因呼吸作用而产生的H₂CO₃与岩石中矿物反应, 破坏矿物晶体结构, 导致矿物裂解、使岩面崩解脱落而改变岩面形态, 塑造岩溶地貌, 形成原始土壤。苔藓植物岩溶作用驱动力的大小与植物功能性状、基岩性质与生存环境密切相关。此外, 生物岩溶作用需要长时间尺度的监测, 研究周期长, 建议建立野外长期监测基地, 加强对其内在机制与过程以及与生境间互作机制, 苔藓植物的生理代谢过程及其生物酶等与岩溶作用的相互关系, 岩溶地区苔藓植物环境适应性特征及其生物多样性维持机制等方面的研究。     

《中国植被志》研编内容与规范

植被志是基于植被(或植物群落)调查资料, 全面记叙植被的外貌、物种组成、结构和功能, 以及地理分布和生境条件等特征, 并对同类植被进行归纳和总结的志书。《中国植被志》是第一部对中国植被进行全面记述的志书, 预计完成约48卷110册。在借鉴《中国植被》(1980)(简称“80方案”)植被分类基本原则的基础上,《中国植被志》将对中国植被分类系统的高级分类单位(植被型组、植被型和植被亚型)进行归纳和总结, 对中级和低级分类单位(群系组、群系、亚群系, 群丛组、群丛)进行详细描述。植被高级分类单位的描述具有概括性质, 是在中国植被分类系统中级和低级分类单位描述的基础上, 对其在全球和中国境内的地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型及多样性、优势种或共优势种、生物多样性保育价值以及资源现状等进行概述, 并对“80方案”相关内容进行修订和拓展, 将提供对中国植被基本特征客观、准确的记述。在植被中级和低级分类单位中, 群系组描述的内容包括地理分布、自然环境、群落外貌、植被类型以及价值与保育等内容; 群系描述的主要内容包括地理分布、自然环境、生态特征、物种组成、群落结构、群丛组和群丛的分类与描述、优势种的生物学特性、生物量与生产力、植被动态与演替以及价值与保育等方面。作为植被志研编的核心内容, 群丛组和群丛的分类与描述主要基于植被调查资料, 采用数量分类方法, 根据群落结构和物种组成的差异划分出不同的植被类型, 并对其基本特征进行定量描述和归纳。其中, 群落的层片结构、特定植被分类单元的特征种或特征种组的筛选与甄别是植被类型划分的关键环节; 而群落外貌, 群落结构, 物种组成, 各类物种的生长习性、生境的偏适性等是群丛组和群丛描述与归纳的重点内容。该文提出了中国植被中级和低级分类单位的命名方案, 其特点在于植被类型的科学名称中同时体现了植被分类单元特征种或优势种的名称及其所属的高级植被分类单位(植被型组或植被型)的名称, 兼顾了植被名称的规范性与实用性。《中国植被志》的研编工作由文献整编、群落调查、数据分析与整理、文本撰写等环节组成。该文对植被样方的调查与收集, 文献收集与整编, 气候、土壤、地形等相关数据的来源及其整理方法, 植被分类方法, 植被命名, 植被分类单元描述的内容, 植被志章节编写大纲、体裁及撰写等多个规范进行了详细的阐述或示例。     

Storage of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in temperate shrubland ecosystems across Northern China

Aims Studying storage of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in ecosystems is of significance in understanding carbon and nutrient cycling. Previous researches in ecosystem C, N and P storage have biased towards forests and grasslands. Shrubland ecosystems encompass a wide gradient in precipitation and soil conditions, providing a unique opportunity to explore the patterns of ecosystem C, N and P storage in relation to climate and soil properties.
Methods We estimated densities and storage of organic C, N and P of shrubland ecosystems in Northern China based on data from 433 shrubland sites.
Important findings The main results are summarized as follows: the average organic C, N and P densities in temperate shrubland ecosystems across Northern China were 69.8 Mg·hm^-2, 7.3 Mg·hm^-2 and 4.2 Mg·hm^-2, respectively. The average plant C, N and P densities were 5.1 Mg·hm^-2, 11.5 × 10^-2 Mg·hm^-2 and 8.6 × 10^-3 Mg·hm^-2, respectively, and were significantly correlated with precipitation and soil nutrient concentrations. The average litter C, N and P densities were 1.4 Mg·hm^-2, 3.8 ×10^-2 Mg·hm^-2, 2.5 ×10^-3 Mg·hm^-2 and were significantly correlated with temperature and precipitation. The average soil organic C, N and P densities in the top 1 m were 64.0 Mg·hm^-2, 7.1 Mg·hm^-2 and 4.2 Mg·hm^-2, respectively and the former two were significantly correlated with temperature and precipitation. The total organic C, N and P storage of shrublands in Northern China were 1.7 Pg, 164.9 Tg and 124.8 Tg, respectively. The plant C, N and P storage were 128.4 Tg, 3.1 Tg and 0.2 Tg, respectively. The litter C, N and P storage were 8.4 Tg, 0.45 Tg, 0.027 Tg, respectively. Soil is the largest C, N and P pool in the studied area. The soil organic C, N and P storage in the top 1 meter were 1.6 Pg, 161.3 Tg and 124.6 Tg, respectively.     

Stoichiometric characteristics of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus in Phyllostachys edulis forests of China

Aims Stoichiometric ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are important characteristics of the ecological processes and functions. Studies on population ecological stoichiometry can refine the content of flora chemometrics, determine the limited nutrient, and provide data for process-based modeling over large scale. Phyllostachys edulis is an important forest type, whose area accounts for 74% of total bamboo forest area in Southern China. However, little is known about the ecological stoichiometric in P. edulis. This study aimed to reveal C:N, C:P and N:P stoichiometry characteristics of the “plant-soil-litter” continuum and to provide a better understanding nutrient cycling and stability mechanisms in P. edulis forest in China. Methods The data were collected from the published literature containing C、N、P content in leaf or surface soil (0-20 cm) or littefall in P. edulis forests. Important findings 1) The leaf C, N, P content were estimated at 478.30 mg·g^-1, 22.20 mg·g^-1, 1.90 mg·g^-1 in P. edulis, and the corresponding C: N, C: P and N: P were 26.80, 299.60 and 14.40, respectively. Soil C, N, and P content in 0-20 cm were 21.53 mg·g^-1, 1.66 mg·g^-1, 0.41 mg·g^-1, with ratios of 14.20 for C:N, 66.74 for C:P and 4.28 for N:P. The C, N and P contents were 438.49 mg·g^-1, 13.39 mg·g^-1, 0.86 mg·g^-1 for litterfall, with the litter C:N, C:P and N:P being 25.53, 665.67, 22.55, respectively. 2) In the plant-soil-litter system in P. edulis forest, leaf had higher C:N, litter had higher C:P and N:P, while soil were the lowest. The N, P resorption rate was 39.68% and 54.74%, indicating that P. edulis forest growth and development was constrained by P or by both of N and P in China. 3) N content and N:P in leaf showed a tendency to increase with latitude, while the C:N of leaf declined with latitude. N:P of leaf increased with longitude, but the P content and the C:N of leaf showed a opposite trend. C: N of soil increased with longitude, whereas the N content of soil declined longitude. The N content of litter declined with longitude. 4) The leaf N content was negatively correlated with mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, but being more sensitive to temperature than precipitation. The positive correlations between N content and latitude support “Temperature-Plant Physiological” hypothesis, reflecting an adaptive strategy to environmental conditions.     

The relationship between the reduction of nonstructural carbohydrate induced by defoliator and the growth and mortality of trees

Large scale herbivorous insect outbreaks can cause death of regional forests, and the events are expected to be exacerbated with climate change. Mortality of forest and woodland plants would cause a series of serious consequences, such as decrease in vegetation production, shifts in ecosystem structure and function, and transformation of forest function from a net carbon sink into a net carbon source. There is thus a need to better understand the impact of insects on trees. Defoliation by insect pests mainly reduces photosynthesis (source decrease) and increases carbon consumption (sink increase), and hence causes reduction of nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC). When the reduction in NSC reaches to a certain level, trees would die of carbon starvation. External environment and internal compensatory mechanisms can also positively or negatively influence the process of tree death. At present, the research of carbon starvation is a hotspot because the increase of tree mortality globally with climate change, and carbon starvation is considered as one of the dominating physiological mechanisms for explaining tree death. In this study, we reviewed the definition of carbon starvation, and the relationships between the reduction of NSC induced by defoliation and the growth and death of trees, and the relationships among insect outbreaks, leaf loss and climate change. We also presented the potential directions of future studies on insect-caused defoliation and tree mortality.     

增温对苔原土壤和典型植物叶片碳、氮、磷化学计量学特征的影响

为探讨苔原植被对气候变暖的响应模式, 采用开顶箱增温法, 研究了3个生长季增温对长白山苔原3种代表植物——牛皮杜鹃(Rhododendron aureum)、笃斯越桔(Vaccinium uliginosum)和东亚仙女木(Dryas octopetala var. asiatica)的叶片及土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其比值的影响。结果表明: 增温使土壤N和P的含量分别增加5.88%和4.83%, C含量降低13.19%; 增温和对照(不增温)条件下, 植物叶片的C、N、P含量及其比值在生长季有明显的变化。增温使笃斯越桔和东亚仙女木叶片的P含量分别增加10.34%和12.87%, 牛皮杜鹃则降低了16.26%, 增温并没有明显改变3种植物叶片的C、N含量, 但牛皮杜鹃和东亚仙女木叶片的C:N值在增温条件下呈现增加趋势。增温使土壤可利用的N、P含量增加。增温对3种植物的C:N值, 牛皮杜鹃、笃斯越桔的P含量, 以及东亚仙女木的C:P值都产生了显著的影响。结果表明增温增加了长白山苔原P元素对植物生长的限制, 且3种植物叶片的C、N、P化学计量学特性对增温的响应模式和尺度没有表现出一致性。     

丛枝菌根真菌对杨树生长、气孔和木质部微观结构的影响

植物气孔与木质部导管及纤维的功能直接关系着植物的水分利用, 进而影响植物的生长。为研究丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)对杨树抗旱性的影响, 采用温室盆栽的方法, 研究两种水分条件下, 接种根内球囊霉(Rhizophagus irregularis)对速生杨107 Populus × canadensis (P. nigra × P. deltoides) ‘Neva’气孔及木质部微观结构的影响。结果表明: AMF的侵染显著提高了杨树幼苗地上和地下部分生物量, 对叶片气孔长度、茎部导管细胞直径和纤维细胞长度也有促进作用。AMF对生物量和导管细胞直径的增加幅度表现出干旱条件下>正常水分条件下, 而对气孔长度的提高幅度表现出干旱条件下<正常水分条件下。正常水分条件下, AMF增加了杨树叶片的气孔密度, 减小了纤维细胞直径, 对相对水分饱和亏缺无影响; 干旱条件下, AMF增加了纤维细胞直径, 降低了相对水分饱和亏缺, 对气孔密度无影响。综上所述, 干旱条件下, AMF对导管水分传输能力的促进作用明显增加, 而对气孔蒸腾能力的促进作用有所减少, 从而更利于杨树在遭遇干旱时保持水分, 减少干旱对菌根杨树造成的水分亏缺, 提高菌根杨树对干旱的耐受性。     

Changes of the relationships between soil and microbes in carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry during ecosystem succession

AimsThe carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry (C:N:P) of soil profoundly influences the growth, community structure, biomass C:N:P stoichiometry, and metabolism in microbes. However, the relationships between soil and microbes in the C:N:P stoichiometry and their temporal dynamics during ecosystem succession are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the temporal patterns of soil and microbial C:N:P stoichiometry and their relationships during ecosystem succession.MethodsAn extensive literature search was conducted and data were compiled for 19 age sequences of successional ecosystems, including 13 forest ecosystems and 6 grassland ecosystems, from 18 studies published up to May 2016. Meta-analyses were performed to examine the sequential changes in 18 variables that were associated with soil and microbial C, N and P contents and the stoichiometry. Important findings (1) There was no consistent temporal pattern in soil C:N along the successional stages, whereas the soil C:P and N:P increased with succession; the slopes of the linear relationships between soil C:N:P stoichiometry and successional age were negatively correlated with the initial content of the soil organic C within given chronosequence. (2) There was no consistent temporal pattern in microbial C:N:P stoichiometry along the successional stages. (3) The fraction of microbial biomass C in soil organic C (qMBC), the fraction of microbial biomass N in soil total N, and the fraction of microbial biomass P in soil total P all increased significantly with succession, in consistency with the theory of succession that ecosystem biomass per unit resource increases with succession. (4) The qMBC decreased with increases in the values of soil C:N, C:P, or N:P, as well as the stoichiometric imbalances in C:N, C:P, and N:P between soil and microbes (i.e., ratios of soil C:N, C:P, and N:P to microbial biomass C:N, C:P, and N:P, respectively). The C:N, C:P, and N:P stoichiometric imbalances explained 37%-57% variations in the qMBC, about 7-17 times more than that explainable by the successional age, illustrating the importance of soil-microbial C:N:P stoichiometry in shaping the successional dynamics in qMBC. In summary, our study highlights the importance of the theories of ecosystem succession and stoichiometry in soil microbial studies, and suggests that appropriately applying macro-ecological theories in microbial studies may improve our understanding on microbial ecological processes.