冠层垂直高度对植物叶片功能性状的影响: 以鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林为例

植物功能性状能够反映植物对环境变化的响应, 从而影响生态系统功能。叶片是植物功能性状的重要研究对象, 但随着树冠垂直高度的增加, 植物叶片功能性状的变化规律仍不清楚。为了更好地解释植物对所处环境的响应机制, 本研究以鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林6个优势树种为研究对象, 对这些树种不同冠层高度的叶片比叶面积(SLA)、叶绿素相对含量(SPAD)、叶干物质含量(LDMC)、叶片碳含量(LCC)、叶片氮含量(LNC)、叶片磷含量(LPC)、叶片氮磷比(N : P)、等效水厚度(EWT)、氮平衡指数(NBI)、类黄酮含量(FLAV)共10个功能性状指标进行比较分析。结果表明: (1)随树冠垂直高度的增加, 叶干物质含量、类黄酮含量、等效水厚度和叶片磷含量呈增加趋势, 比叶面积和氮平衡指数呈减小趋势; 在冠层垂直方向上, 类黄酮含量与氮平衡指数、比叶面积与等效水厚度呈极显著负相关, 叶片氮含量与叶片磷含量呈极显著正相关。(2)不同树种叶片功能性状差异显著, 可能受植物自身特性和群落树种演替进程的影响。(3)叶片功能性状的种内差异沿垂直层次呈现不同的变化趋势。其中, 67%的树种的类黄酮含量随树冠垂直高度增加而显著增加, 67%的树种的氮平衡指数随树冠垂直高度增加而显著减小。南亚热带常绿阔叶林不同树种叶片功能性状随树冠垂直高度增加产生的变化, 反映了植物对光环境的适应以及对水资源和能量利用的不同策略。     

不同水热梯度下冠层优势树种叶片热力性状及适应策略的变化趋势

叶片温度是植物能量交换和生理过程发生的重要微环境参数。叶片热力性状能够在一定程度上调控叶片温度,避免极端温度对叶片的伤害。但目前针对叶片热力性状的研究还很少。该研究选择云南省从热带到温带具有明显水热梯度的4种典型植被类型:干热河谷植被、热带雨林、亚热带常绿阔叶林、温带针阔混交林,对其冠层优势树种的叶片热力性状进行了系统地研究。这些性状包括了可能影响叶片温度的形态、光学、材料特性、解剖和生理的23个性状。研究结果表明:干热河谷植被的植物主要依靠蒸腾降温,叶片薄,叶寿命短,主要为“快速投资-收益”型植物;热带雨林植物叶片大,蒸腾速率不高,不利于降温,较厚的叶片、较高的含水量能在一定程度上缓解高温,采取“慢速投资-收益”策略;亚热带常绿阔叶林很少发生极端温度,叶片没有明显的热适应性状,叶片厚,叶寿命长,采取“慢速投资-收益”策略;温带针阔混交林植被的叶片小而厚,多成簇状生长,有一定保温作用。温带针阔混交林的冠层常绿植物光合速率较低,偏“慢速投资-收益”型;而落叶植物的光合速率较高,偏“快速投资-收益”型。该研究系统地研究了热力性状与植物适应策略沿水热梯度的变化,为深入认识植物对环境适应策略提...     

猫儿山三种森林类型林下植物叶片与土壤化学计量特征

为探究猫儿山不同森林类型林下植物叶片与土壤化学计量特征,揭示其林下植物适应策略。该文对猫儿山针阔混交林(ZK)、常绿阔叶次生林(CLC)和常绿阔叶林(CL)林下草本层和灌木层主要植物叶片与土壤的化学元素含量进行测定,分析其化学计量特征及其相互之间的内在联系。结果表明:(1)从总体上看,草本层和灌木层植物叶片的C、N含量差异不显著,草本层植物叶片P、K含量极显著高于灌木层,N:P显著低于灌木层; 草本层植物更易受N限制,灌木层植物更易受P限制且其N和P利用效率更高; 不同森林类型之间的灌木层植物叶片化学计量差异不显著,草本层植物叶片N含量、C:N和C:P差异显著,针阔混交林草本层植物的养分利用效率较高。(2)3种森林类型的土壤C、N含量显示,CL>CLC>ZK且彼此之间差异极显著,针阔混交林土壤的P含量最高而C:P、N:P最低。(3)针阔混交林的土壤显著影响林下植物部分叶片化学计量,另外2种森林类型的土壤影响不显著。综上认为,猫儿山不同森林类型的土壤化学计量存在显著或极显著差异,林下不同层次的植物对营养元素的需求以及环境适应策略不同; 针阔混交林土壤对林下植物叶片化学计量影响较强,由于有机质分解效率较低导致土壤受N限制,因此应加强针阔混交林的N素管理。该研究结果为森林管理提供了数据支持。     

云丘山不同海拔梯度橿子栎叶性特征研究

在吕梁山南段云丘山,以橿子栎为主要研究对象,采用野外调查和室内实验相结合的方法,对比叶面积(SLA)、叶面积(LA)、叶干物质含量(LDMC)、叶长宽比(L/W)、叶绿素含量(Chl)以及叶氮含量等有代表性的指标进行分析.结果表明：(1)随着海拔梯度的增加,橿子栎 L/W、Chl、SLA、LA、单位面积的叶氮含量(N area )、单位重量的叶氮含量(N mass )、叶饱和鲜重和叶干重均呈先上升后下降的趋势,在海拔1180 m 处有最大值;LDMC 与海拔呈显著负相关(P ＜0．05);(2)橿子栎 LA 与 SLA 和 N mass 呈极显著正相关关系(P ＜0．01),与 LDMC 呈显著负相关关系(P ＜0．05),与 N area呈极显著负相关关系(P ＜0．01);(3)橿子栎叶片 SLA与 L/W 呈显著正相关(P ＜0．05),与 N mass 呈极显著正相关关系(P ＜0．01),橿子栎叶片 SLA 与 LDMC 和N area呈显著负相关关系(P ＜0．05);(4)橿子栎 LDMC 与 N area 呈显著正相关(P ＜0．05).通过对云丘山景区橿子栎叶片性状随海拔变化规律的研究,可以探索橿子栎叶片性状与海拔梯度变化的关系以及最适生长环境,从而为景区橿子栎林的保护和抚育提供理论依据,为合理开发橿子栎林资源提供基础资料.     

中国四种森林类型主要优势植物的C∶N∶P化学计量学特征

为了评价不同森林类型的生态化学计量特征的差异,以吉林长白山温带针阔混交林、广东鼎湖山亚热带常绿阔叶林、云南西双版纳热带季雨林和江西千烟洲亚热带人工针叶林为研究对象,通过对2007年4月-2008年5月4种典型区域森林植物叶片和凋落物的碳(C)氮(N)磷(P)元素质量比与N、P再吸收率的分析,探讨了4种森林类型N、P养分限制和N、P养分再吸收的内在联系.结果表明:1)从森林类型上看,温带针阔混交林叶片的C∶N∶P为321∶13∶1,亚热带常绿阔叶林叶片的C∶N∶P为561∶22∶1,热带季雨林叶片的C∶N∶P为442∶19∶1,亚热带人工针叶林叶片的C∶N∶P为728∶18∶1;凋落物的C∶N∶P也是亚热带人工林最高,达1950∶27∶1,温带针阔混交林的最低,为552∶14∶1,热带季雨林的为723∶24∶1,亚热带常绿阔叶林的为1305∶35∶1,不同森林类型凋落物的C∶N∶P的计量大小关系与叶片的结果一致;2)从植物生活型上看,常绿针叶林叶片的C∶N均显著高于常绿阔叶林及落叶阔叶林;叶片C∶P与森林类型的关系并不十分密切;常绿阔叶林叶片的N∶P最高,常绿针叶林次之,落叶阔叶林最低;3)植物叶片的N∶P与月平均气温有显著的负相关关系,但叶片的C∶P基本不受月平均气温影响,叶片的C、N、P计量比与降水的线性关系不显著;4)高纬度地区的植物更易受N元素限制,而低纬度地区植物更易受P元素的限制;但受N或P限制的植物并不一定具有高的N或P再吸收率.研究结果表明,不同类型森林的叶片与凋落物的化学计量特征具有一致性,但是环境因子对不同类型植物化学计量比的影响并不相同.     

海岛植物不同演替阶段植物功能性状与环境因子的变化规律

植物功能性状与环境之间的关系是功能性状研究的重点,环境因子驱使植物功能性状发生变化,进而推动群落发生演替。以平潭岛4个不同演替阶段的森林植被(灌草丛、针叶林、针阔混交林、常绿阔叶林)为研究对象,结合不同群落演替阶段的物种特征和群落结构,分析海岛不同演替阶段茎、叶功能性状的变化规律,以及功能性状与环境因子的关系。结果表明:(1)随着演替的进行,土壤养分和水分逐渐增加,土壤pH逐渐下降。比叶面积(SLA)、叶片氮含量(LNC)、叶片磷含量(LPC)、茎氮含量(SNC)、茎磷含量(SPC)下降后上升,叶厚度(LT)、叶片碳含量(LCC)、茎碳含量(SCC)与之相反,叶干物质含量(LDMC)、茎组织密度(STD)逐渐上升。(2)冗余分析表明,演替早期植物主要分布在土壤pH、容重高的贫瘠环境,拥有较高SLA、SNC、SPC、LPC的性状组合;演替后期植物主要分布在土壤养分和水分高的肥沃环境,拥有较高的STD、LDMC、LCC、LNC的性状组合。其中,土壤有机质和全氮含量是影响海岛植物演替过程中功能性状变化的关键环境因子。研究海岛植物功能性状与环境之间的关系随演替的变化规律,探讨各演替阶段功能性状和环境特征,以及功能性状如何响应环境变化。旨在为今后选择合适的树种进行海岛植被修复和重建提供依据。     

贡嘎山常绿落叶阔叶混交林主要树种叶功能性状

以贡嘎山常绿落叶阔叶混交林5种主要树种为研究对象,分析其叶片比叶面积(SLA)、叶干重(LDW)、碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量、同位素丰度(δ13C、δ15N)等叶属性特征,阐明常绿落叶阔叶混交林主要物种叶片性状的差异以及各种性状之间的相关关系,揭示主要树种叶片的水分和养分利用效率之间的关系以及这种关系对该群落中主要树种共存的影响机制。结果表明:贡嘎山常绿落叶阔叶混交林常绿树种与落叶树种比叶面积存在显著差异,叶片C含量与N、P含量呈显著负相关,N含量和P含量呈显著正相关;SLA与N含量、N∶P呈显著正相关关系,与δ13C、C含量、C∶N呈显著负相关关系,而与P相关性不显著;叶片δ13C与C∶N相关性不显著;SLA较高的叶片具有较高的叶片N含量,较低的叶C含量、氮素利用效率(NUE)和水分利用效率(WUE);叶片的WUE和NUE之间不存在权衡关系,未采用水氮耦合的权衡机制以适应潮湿多雨的环境;孑遗植物康定木兰(Indigofera souliei)和连香树(Cercidiphyllum japonicum)均采用异于非孑遗物种的养分利用策略,形成生态位的分化而共存于群落。     

桂林岩溶石山檵木群落老龄林植物叶性状

该研究以桂林岩溶石山檵木群落老龄林的25种主要植物为对象,通过测定其叶干质量(DW)、叶干物质含量(LDMC)、叶面积(LA)、叶厚度(LT)、比叶面积(SLA)和叶组织密度(LTD)等叶性状指标,探讨不同物种叶性状的差异以及性状之间的内在联系。结果表明:DW、LDMC、LA、LT、SLA和LTD在乔木层8种植物之间以及灌木层17种植物之间均呈极显著差异(P0.01)。乔木层植物叶片具有相对较大的DW、LDMC和LT,灌木层植物叶片具有相对较大的SLA,乔木层和灌木层植物叶片LA和LTD的差异不显著。Pearson相关性分析表明,乔木层与灌木层植物叶性状相关性除LTD与LDMC和LA,SLA与LA不一致外,其他性状两两之间相关性均表现为一致性。主成分分析表明,在6个叶性状指标中,DW、LDMC和LTD可以作为反映岩溶石山檵木群落老龄林乔木层植物适应生境的重要叶性状指标,主要表征植物抵御外界干扰及不利环境的能力和对生长环境干湿程度适应的能力,具有"缓慢投资-收益"叶经济谱的特点。SLA和LTD可以作为反映岩溶石山檵木群落老龄林灌木层植物适应生境的重要叶性状指标,主要表征植物获取资源的能力,具有"快速投资-收益"叶经济谱的特点。     

中国4种典型森林中常见乔木叶片的非结构性碳水化合物研究

植物叶片的非结构性碳水化合物(non-structural carbohydrates,NSC)不仅为植物的代谢过程提供重要能量,还能一定程度上反映植物对外界环境的适应策略。以温带针阔混交林(长白山)、温带阔叶林(东灵山)、亚热带常绿阔叶林(神农架)和热带雨林(尖峰岭)4种森林类型的树种为研究对象,利用蒽酮比色法测定了163种常见乔木叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC(可溶性糖+淀粉)含量,探讨了不同森林类型植物叶片NSC的差异及其地带性变化规律。结果显示：（1）从森林类型上看,植物叶片NSC含量从北到南递减,即温带针阔混交林(170.79 mg/g)>温带阔叶林(100.27 mg/g)>亚热带常绿阔叶林(91.24 mg/g)>热带雨林(80.13 mg/g)。（2）从生活型上看,无论是落叶树还是阔叶树,其叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均表现为：温带针阔混交林>温带阔叶林>亚热带常绿阔叶林>热带雨林;北方森林叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均表现为落叶树种>常绿树种,或阔叶树种>针叶树种。（3）森林植物叶片NSC含量、可溶性糖与淀粉含量比值与年均温和年均降水量均呈显著负相关。研究表明,森林植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量以及可溶性糖与淀粉含量比值均具有明显的从北到南递减的地带性规律;其NSC含量以及可溶性糖与淀粉含量比值与温度和水分均呈显著负相关的变化规律可能是植物对外界环境适应的重要机制之一。该研究结果不仅为阐明中国主要森林树种碳代谢和生长适应对策提供了数据基础,而且为理解区域尺度森林植被对未来气候变化的响应机理提供新的视角。     

井冈山鹿角杜鹃群落灌木层植物叶功能性状对海拔梯度的响应

为揭示鹿角杜鹃(Rhododendron latoucheae)群落灌木层植物叶功能性状及其对环境变化的响应趋势,对分布于井冈山不同海拔梯度鹿角杜鹃群落灌木层植物的叶功能性状进行了研究。结果表明,海拔梯度对灌木植物的叶功能性状有显著影响。随海拔的升高,叶片的干物质含量(LDMC)、厚度(LT)、氮含量(LNC)、磷含量(LPC)呈显著上升趋势,比叶面积(SLA)和N/P呈显著下降趋势,而叶大小(LS)呈先上升后下降的变化趋势;灌木植物叶片的LDMC与SLA、LS呈负相关,与LT、LNC、LPC呈正相关;SLA与LT、LNC呈负相关;LS与LT呈负相关;LNC与LPC呈正相关;N/P与LPC呈负相关;环境因子对灌木植物叶功能性状有重要影响,除受海拔的影响外,LPC、N/P还受坡位的影响,LS、LNC则分别还受到坡向和坡度的影响。因此,井冈山地区鹿角杜鹃群落灌木层植物通过改变叶功能性状来适应海拔和其它环境因子的变化。     

松嫩草地66种草本植物叶片性状特征

植物叶片功能性状及其相互关系越来越受到关注.以松嫩草地66种草本植物为研究对象,测量叶片干物质含量、比叶面积、叶片厚度、叶片氮含量、叶片磷含量、叶绿素含量和类胡萝卜素含量,检验性状间的相互关系,比较不同功能群(多年生根茎禾草,多年生丛生禾草,多年生杂类草,1年生或2年生草本)间性状的差异性.结果表明,叶片厚度变异系数最大,比叶面积、叶片氮含量、叶片磷含量、叶绿素含量和类胡萝卜素含量之间存在显著的正相关关系;叶片于物质含量与叶片磷含量没有显著的相关关系,与其它叶片性状呈显著的负相关关系;叶片厚度只与叶片干物质含量和比叶面积呈显著的负相关关系,与其它叶片性状不相关.叶片干物质含量、比叶面积、叶片厚度、叶片氮、磷含量在4个功能群间差异显著,叶绿素含量和类胡萝卜素含量在各个功能群间差异不显著;多年生根茎禾草和多年生丛生禾草叶片的7个性状差异不显著;多年生根茎禾草和多年生丛生禾草的叶片干物质含量高于多年生杂类草和1年生或2年生草本,其它性状小于这两个功能群.     

柯-青冈常绿阔叶林优势树种叶片性状变异及适应策略

厘清叶片功能性状的变异及性状间的权衡关系,对揭示植物对环境变化的响应及适应策略具有重要意义。以中亚热带柯(Lithocarpus glaber)-青冈(Cyclobalanopsis glauca)常绿阔叶林为对象,测量了1 hm²固定监测样地内6个优势树种的叶面积(LA)、比叶面积(SLA)、干物质含量(LDMC)、叶片厚度(LT)、叶片碳(LC)、叶片氮(LN)、叶片磷(LP)含量和叶片碳氮比(LC ∶ LN)8个功能性状,采用多重比较、主成分分析(PCA)法分析了群落叶片功能性状的生活型、种内和种间变异及性状间关系。结果表明：(1)群落内叶片功能性状种内、种间差异显著,变异中等(CV： 0.02-0.59),其结构性状的可塑性较化学性状保守,变异格局符合"性状空间变异分割假说";针叶树种的LA、SLA显著低于阔叶树种,常绿树种的LC和LDMC最小,而落叶树种的SLA、LN和LP最大以及LT和LC ∶ LN最小。(2)群落叶片功能性状变异主要来源于生活型和种间变异,种内变异亦有显著贡献;生活型对多数性状的贡献率较大,其对LDMC、LC ∶ LN的贡献分别高达93.11%和91.76%;种间变异(LDMC除外)对结构性状的贡献率均高于化学性状;种内变异对LP的贡献率(23.66%)较种间变异高。(3)叶片性状之间多表现出显著相关关系,针叶树和阔叶树在PCA排序图中聚集于不同区域,叶经济型谱在柯-青冈群落中具有适用性。不同树种通过叶片结构、化学性状之间的权衡策略来适应环境变化,从而实现群落物种共存。结果可为理解森林群落物种的环境适应策略、预测群落动态变化和制定植被恢复措施提供科学依据。     

Functional coordination between branch hydraulic properties and leaf functional traits in miombo woodlands: implications for water stress management and species habitat preference

We investigated functional coordination between branch hydraulic properties and leaf functional traits among nine miombo woodlands canopy tree species differing in habitat preference and phenology. Specifically, we were seeking to answer the question: are branch hydraulic properties coordinated with leaf functional traits linked to plant drought tolerance in seasonally dry tropical forests and what are the implications for species habitat preference? The hydraulic properties investigated in this study were stem area specific hydraulic conductivity (K _S), Huber value (H _v), and xylem cavitation vulnerability (??₅₀). The leaf functional traits measured were specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and mean leaf area (MLA). Generalists displayed significantly (P?<?0.05) higher cavitation resistance (??₅₀) and SLA, but lower sapwood specific hydraulic conductivity (K _S), leaf specific conductivity (K _L), MLA, and LDMC than mesic specialists. Although MLA was uncorrelated with ??₅₀, we found significant (P?<?0.05) positive and negative correlations between plant hydraulic properties and leaf functional traits linked to plant drought tolerance ability, indicating that the interactions between branch hydraulics and leaf functional traits related to plant drought tolerance ability may influence tree species habitat preference in water-limited ecosystems.     

Taller and larger: shifts in Arctic tundra leaf traits after 16 years of experimental warming

Understanding plant trait responses to elevated temperatures in the Arctic is critical in light of recent and continuing climate change, especially because these traits act as key mechanisms in climate‐vegetation feedbacks. Since 1992, we have artificially warmed three plant communities at Alexandra Fiord, Nunavut, Canada (79°N). In each of the communities, we used open‐top chambers (OTCs) to passively warm vegetation by 1–2 °C. In the summer of 2008, we investigated the intraspecific trait responses of five key species to 16 years of continuous warming. We examined eight traits that quantify different aspects of plant performance: leaf size, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), plant height, leaf carbon concentration, leaf nitrogen concentration, leaf carbon isotope discrimination (LCID), and leaf δ¹⁵N. Long‐term artificial warming affected five traits, including at least one trait in every species studied. The evergreen shrub Cassiope tetragona responded most frequently (increased leaf size and plant height/decreased SLA, leaf carbon concentration, and LCID), followed by the deciduous shrub Salix arctica (increased leaf size and plant height/decreased SLA) and the evergreen shrub Dryas integrifolia (increased leaf size and plant height/decreased LCID), the forb Oxyria digyna (increased leaf size and plant height), and the sedge Eriophorum angustifolium spp. triste (decreased leaf carbon concentration). Warming did not affect δ¹⁵N, leaf nitrogen concentration, or LDMC. Overall, growth traits were more sensitive to warming than leaf chemistry traits. Notably, we found that responses to warming were sustained, even after many years of treatment. Our work suggests that tundra plants in the High Arctic will show a multifaceted response to warming, often including taller shoots with larger leaves.     

Trait‐abundance relation in response to nutrient addition in a Tibetan alpine meadow: The importance of species trade‐off in resource conservation and acquisition

In competition‐dominated communities, traits promoting resource conservation and competitive ability are expected to have an important influence on species relative abundance (SRA). Yet, few studies have tested the trait‐abundance relations in the line of species trade‐off in resource conservation versus acquisition, indicating by multiple traits coordination. We measured SRA and key functional traits involving leaf economic spectrum (SLA, specific leaf area; LDMC, leaf dry matter content; LCC, leaf carbon concentration; LNC, leaf nitrogen concentration; LPC, leaf phosphorus concentration; Hs, mature height) for ten common species in all plots subjected to addition of nitrogen fertilizer (N), phosphorus fertilizer (P), or both of them (NP) in a Tibetan alpine meadow. We test whether SRA is positively related with traits promoting plant resource conservation, while negatively correlated with traits promoting plant growth and resource acquisition. We found that species were primarily differentiated along a trade‐off axis involving traits promoting nutrient acquisition and fast growth (e.g., LPC and SLA) versus traits promoting resource conservation and competition ability (e.g., large LDMC). We further found that SRA was positively correlated with plant height, LDMC, and LCC, but negatively associated with SLA and leaf nutrient concentration irrespective of fertilization. A stronger positive height‐SRA was found in NP‐fertilized plots than in other plots, while negative correlations between SRA and SLA and LPC were found in N or P fertilized plots. The results indicate that species trade‐off in nutrient acquisition and resource conservation was a key driver of SRA in competition‐dominated communities following fertilization, with the linkage between SRA and traits depending on plant competition for specific soil nutrient and/or light availability. The results highlight the importance of competitive exclusion in plant community assembly following fertilization and suggest that abundant species in local communities become dominated at expense of growth while infrequent species hold an advantage in fast growth and dispersals to neighbor meta‐communities.     

Differential impact of liana colonization on the leaf functional traits of co-occurring deciduous and evergreen trees in a tropical dry scrub forest

The present study was carried out to analyze the leaf functional traits of co-occurring evergreen and deciduous tree species in a tropical dry scrub forest. This study also intended to check whether the species with contrasting leaf habits differ in their leaf trait plasticity, responding to the canopy infestation by lianas. A total of 11 leaf functional traits were studied for eight tree species with contrasting leaf habits (evergreen and deciduous) and liana-colonization status (with or without liana). In the liana-free environment (L^–), evergreen trees had significantly higher leaf tissue density (LTD) and total chlorophyll (CHL_t) than the deciduous species. Whereas the deciduous trees had higher specific leaf area (SLA) and mass-based leaf nitrogen concentration (N_mass). The leaf trait-pair relationship in the present study agreed with the well-established global trait-pair relationships (leaf thickness (LT) vs. SLA, N_mass vs. LT, SLA vs. N_mass, and LDMC vs. SLA). There was a significant difference between L⁺ and L^– individuals in leaf area (LA), petiole length (PL), SLA, LDMC, and CHL_t in the deciduous species. On the other hand, evergreen species showed marked differences across LT, SLA, LTD, N_mass, and chlorophyll components between L⁺ and L^– individuals of the same species. The results revealed the differential impact of liana colonization on the host trees with contrasting leaf habits. The deciduous species with the acquisitive strategy can have a competitive advantage over evergreen species in the exposed environments (L^–), whereas evergreen species with shade-tolerant properties were better acclimated to the shaded environments (L⁺). Therefore, liana colonization can significantly impact the C-fixation strategies of the host trees by altering their light environment and further, the magnitude of such impact may vary among species of different leaf habits. The result also indicated the patterns of convergence and divergence in some of the leaf functional traits between evergreen and deciduous species explaining the patterns of species co-existence.

     

Relative effects of different leaf attributes on sapling growth in tropical dry forest

Aims Soil moisture content (SMC) influences establishment, survival and development of plant species and is considered as the most important limiting factor in tropical dry forest (TDF). In this study we attempt to establish the relationship between leaf attributes and of tree saplings in TDF and address the following questions: (i) how are the functional attributes of dominant tree saplings of TDF affected by seasonal changes in SMC at different habitats?, (ii) what is the relationship of functional attributes with each other?, (iii) how are the functional attributes and their plasticity affected by habitat conditions? and (iv) can the functional attributes in single or in combination predict the growth rate of tree saplings of TDF? The study was conducted on four sites (Hathinala, Gaighat, Harnakachar and Ranitali, listed in order of decreasing SMC) within the tropical dry deciduous forest in northern India.Methods We analysed eight leaf attributes, specific leaf area (SLA); leaf dry matter content (LDMC); leaf nitrogen concentration (leaf N); leaf phosphorus concentration (leaf P); chlorophyll concentration (Chl); mass-based photosynthetic rate (A mass); mass-based stomatal conductance (Gs mass); intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) and three growth attributes, relative diameter increment (RDI); relative height increment (RHI); relative growth rate (RGR) of the 10 dominant tree saplings (viz., Acacia catechu, Anogeissus latifolia, Boswellia serrata, Buchanania lanzan, Diospyros melanoxylon, Hardwickia binata, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Lannea coromandelica, Shorea robusta and Terminalia tomentosa) of a TDF and observed the effects of site, season and species for a period of 2 years. Saplings were selected in gradients of deciduousness. Step-wise multiple regression was performed to predict RDI, RHI and RGR from mean values of SMC and leaf attributes.Important findings All the 11 attributes were interrelated and differed significantly among the 10 saplings. Species response varied across sites and seasons. Across the SMC gradient, the attributes showed variable plasticity that differed across species. Among the 10 saplings, the highly deciduous Boswellia serrata showed the maximum plasticity in seven functional attributes. According to the step-wise multiple regressions, 65% variability in RDI and 67% variability in RGR were due to Gs mass, and for RHI, 61% variability was due to A mass. SMC and the other attributes, viz ., SLA, Chl, WUEi and LDMC in combination could contribute only for ~2–6% of the variability in RDI, RHI and RGR, which indicates that other traits/factors, not accounted in this study are also important in modulating the growth of tree saplings in TDFs. In conclusion, growth of the tree saplings in the tropical dry environment is determined by soil moisture, whereas the response of saplings of different tree species is modulated by alterations in key functional attributes such as SLA, Chl, WUEi and LDMC.     

胡杨叶功能性状特征及其对地下水埋深的响应

叶片性状反映了植物对环境的适应能力及其自我调控能力。以塔里木干旱荒漠区建群种胡杨（Populus euphratica）为研究对象,通过分析自然生长状况下胡杨叶功能性状对地下水埋深（GWD）的响应及功能性状间的权衡关系,揭示胡杨对极端干旱荒漠环境的生态适应策略。结果表明：胡杨7个叶功能性状种内变异程度不同（9.20%-40.02%）,叶面积（LA）变异程度最大,叶干物质含量（LDMC）与叶片含水量（LWC）变异程度较低,GWD梯度上表现出较大的分化变异特征。叶性状在不同GWD之间差异显著（P<0.05）,与GWD呈极显著相关（P<0.01）。比叶面积（SLA）、LA、LWC与叶干重（LDM）呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,与叶厚度（LT）、叶组织密度（LTD）、LDMC呈极显著的负相关（P<0.01）;LDMC与LT、LTD,LWC与LA、SLA呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,反映胡杨通过叶性状间的相互调节与权衡来适应干旱荒漠环境。逐步回归分析表明LA、LT对GWD变化最敏感,可间接借助这2个性状来预测干旱荒漠区地下水埋深变化。随GWD降低,胡杨SLA、LA、LDM、LWC减小,而LT、LTD、LDMC增大,其由高生长速率、资源利用能力的开拓型策略转变为以增强自身养分储存、防御能力的保守型策略,拓宽了生态幅和增强其在干旱逆境的适合度。可见,极端干旱荒漠区胡杨形成了小的LA、SLA、LDM,大的LT、LDMC、LTD等一系列有利于减少水分散失、储存养分和增强耐旱能力的干旱性状组合,这可能是其适应干旱贫瘠环境的生态策略。     

引种期同质园翅荚木主要叶功能性状与种源地环境关系

从比叶面积(SLA)、叶片相对含水量(LRWC)、叶组织密度(LTD)、叶片干物质含量(LDMC)、叶片碳(C)氮(N)磷(P)含量及其化学计量比等方面对在引种期同质园的广西桂林市(GGL)、广西靖西市(GJX)、湖南江华县(HJH)、湖南通道市县(HTD)、广东英德市(GYD)等5翅荚木种源叶片主要功能性状进行差异分析及相关性分析,并研究翅荚木叶功能性状与种源地环境因子的关系。结果显示,(1)不同种源间叶片C、N含量及C/N差异显著,5种源间叶片C含量GYD最高、GGL最低,N含量GJX最高、GYD最低,C/N为GYD最高、GJX最低。(2)比叶面积与叶组织密度呈显著负相关;叶片N含量与C/N和C/P呈显著负相关,与N/P呈显著正相关;C/P与P含量呈显著负相关,与C/N呈显著正相关;C/N与N/P呈显著负相关。(3)翅荚木叶功能性状主要受七月均温、年均温和相对湿度等地理环境因子影响。七月均温与C/P、比叶面积呈正相关,与叶片N含量、叶片干物质含量、叶组织密度呈负相关;年均温与C/N呈正相关,与N/P呈负相关;相对湿度与叶片P含量、叶组织密度呈正相关,与C/P、比叶面积呈负相关。研究结果有助于理解翅荚木对引种区的环境适应特征及其在引种期的生长与生存策略,对探究翅荚木的养分利用策略、揭示其对环境变化的响应机制等具有重要意义,并为相关部门选择适宜的翅荚木引种栽培种源及开展其优良种源的遗传改良等提供理论指导与决策参考。