Effects of N addition on ecological stoichiometric characteristics in six dominant plant species of alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,China

以青藏高原高寒草甸为研究对象, 通过人工氮肥添加试验, 研究6个群落优势种在不同施氮(N)水平下叶片碳(C)、N、磷(P)元素含量的变化以及生态化学计量学特征。结果表明: 自然条件下, 6个物种叶片N、P质量浓度存在显著的差异, 表现为: 黄花棘豆(Oxytropis ochrocephala)最高, 为24.5和2.51 g·kg^-1, 其叶片N含量低于而P含量高于我国其他草地的豆科植物; 其余5个物种叶片N、P质量浓度分别为11.5-18.1和1.49-1.72 g·kg^-1, 嵩草(Kobresia myosuroides)叶片N含量最低, 垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)叶片P含量最低, 与我国其他区域的研究结果相比, 其叶片N和P含量均低于我国其他草地非豆科植物。随氮素添加量的增大, 6种群落优势种叶片的C和P含量保持不变; 其他5种植物叶片N含量显著增加, 黄花棘豆叶片N含量保持不变。未添加氮肥时, 6种植物叶片N:P为7.3-11.2, 说明该区植物生长更多地受N限制。随N添加量的增加, 除黄花棘豆外, 其他5种植物叶片N:P大于16, 表现为植物生长受P限制。综合研究表明, 青藏草原高寒草甸植物叶片N含量较低, 植物受N影响显著, 但不同物种对N的添加反应不同, 豆科植物黄花棘豆叶片对N添加不敏感, 其他5个物种叶片全N含量随着N添加量的升高而增加, 该研究结果可为高寒草甸科学施肥提供理论依据。     

Changes in soil-microbe-exoenzyme C:N:P stoichiometry along an altitudinal gradient in Mt. Datudingzi,Northeast China

海拔变化导致温度、水分、植被等条件的改变会显著影响土壤碳(C_soil)、氮(N_soil)、磷(P_soil)含量及其化学计量特征, 土壤微生物如何通过调整自身生物量和胞外酶化学计量特征进行适应仍不明确。为了研究海拔梯度变化对土壤微生物生物量和胞外酶活性的影响, 探索土壤-微生物-胞外酶C:N:P化学计量特征间的协变性, 该文以黑龙江省雪乡大秃顶子山800、1 100、1 600和1 700 m分布的典型生态系统(针阔混交林、针叶林、岳桦林和草地)为研究对象, 测定其C_soil、N_soil、P_soil含量, 微生物生物量C (C_mic)、N (N_mic)、P (P_mic)含量, 以及微生物获取C (β-1, 4-葡萄糖苷酶, BG), N (几丁质酶, NAG), P (酸性磷酸酶, AP)资源的相关胞外酶活性。结果表明: (1)海拔梯度变化对C_soil和C_mic含量没有显著影响; 不同海拔间土壤和微生物生物量N、P含量存在显著差异。(2) BG和NAG活性随着海拔的升高呈现显著降低趋势, 表明海拔升高导致的温度降低抑制了微生物的活性。(3)海拔对土壤C:N、微生物C:N:P以及胞外酶C:N:P均具有显著影响。胞外酶C:N:P随着微生物与土壤间C:N:P化学计量不平衡性(土壤C:N:P与微生物C:N:P的比值)的增加而逐渐降低。微生物可以通过调整自身生物量以及胞外酶C:N:P适应土壤化学计量特征的变异, 该结果支持了微生物的资源分配理论。     

Responses of growth of four desert species to different N addition levels

Aims The increase in atmospheric N deposition has accelerated N cycling of ecosystems, thus altering the structure and function of ecosystems, especially in those limited by N availability. Studies on the response of plant growth to artificial N addition could provide basic data for a better understanding of how the structure of grasslands in northern China responds to increasing N deposition. Methods We investigated the seasonal dynamics of plant growth of four species after 2-year multi-level N addition in a field experiment conducted in a desert steppe of Ningxia in 2011. Plant biomass and the relative growth rate (RGR) of the studied species were measured and their relationships with C:N:P ratios of plants (community and leaf levels) and soils were analyzed. Important findings Results in 2012 showed that 2-year N addition promoted the growth of the four species and the effects were different among growth forms and were species-specific. In general, the plant biomass of the studied species was significantly correlated with leaf N concentration, leaf N:P ratio, community N pool, soil total N content and soil N:P ratio, while only weak relationships were observed between plant biomass and C:N and C:P ratios of plants and soils. In contrast, there was a significant linear relationship between RGR and N:P ratios both of plants and soils.Our results suggest that short-term N addition promoted the accumulation of plant biomass, and the species-specific responses to stimulated N addition can directly affect the structure of the desert steppe ecosystem. Plant N:P ratio and soil N:P ratio could indicate nutrient limitation of plant growth to a certain extent: N addition increased soil N content and N:P ratio, and thus relieved N limitation gradually. Once more N is available to plants, the growth of plants and the accumulation of community N was stimulated in turn.     

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。     

Seasonal dynamics of leaf C,N and P stoichiometry in plants of typical steppe in Nei Mongol,China

分析植物叶片(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其比值的季节动态, 不仅有助于认识植物生长发育和养分吸收利用等生理生态过程, 也有利于认识植物化学计量的动态平衡关系。该文选择内蒙古典型温带草原18种常见植物, 在生长季的6-9月, 每半月一次进行连续采样, 在此基础上分析了叶片C、N、P含量及其比值在生长季内的变化。主要结果: 1)植物叶片C、N、P含量及其比值的季节性变化在不同功能类群间不同步, 其中叶片N、P含量的季节变化体现了明显的稀释作用。2)叶片C、N、P含量及其比值在不同功能类群间差异显著, 单子叶、多年生禾草类的叶片N、P含量显著低于双子叶和多年生杂类草植物, 而其叶片C:N、C:P则高于双子叶和多年生杂类草植物。3)叶片N、P含量显著正相关, 叶片C:N和C:P分别与N和P含量显著负相关, 可能体现了植物体内营养元素间的内在耦合机制。4)叶片N含量与C:N, 叶片P含量与C:P以及叶片N含量与P含量均呈现等速生长关系, 且等速生长关系在生长季保持稳定。     

高寒草甸植物化学计量比对磷添加的分层响应

为了探明氮(N)限制的植物群落中物种水平和功能群水平的碳(C)、N、磷(P)含量以及C:N:P对P添加的响应是否一致,明确P添加对群落物种构成改变的内在机制。以青藏高原高寒草甸为研究对象, 通过P添加试验, 研究了功能群水平和物种水平生态化学计量比对P添加的响应, 以及P添加对物种水平的优势度和功能群水平生物量的影响。结果表明: 在青藏高原高寒草甸连续5年添加P显著改变了植物的C、N、P含量以及C:N:P, 且在物种水平和功能群水平(不含典型物种)的响应规律基本一致。在禾本科、莎草科和杂类草功能群(不含典型物种)和相应物种水平上P添加对C含量影响不显著。P添加显著增加了禾本科、莎草科、豆科和杂类草4个功能群(不含典型物种)和相应物种水平的植物P含量, 降低了C:P和N:P。禾本科和莎草科的N含量和C:N对P添加在物种水平和功能群水平上(不含典型物种)的响应规律一致, 表现为N含量显著降低, C:N显著增加; P添加使豆科物种水平上N含量显著增加而C:N显著降低, 但在功能群水平上(不含典型物种)无显著作用; 杂类草的N含量和C:N对P添加在物种水平和功能群水平上(不含典型物种)的响应规律均不一致。在N限制的生境中添加P, 禾本科物种在群落中逐渐占据优势跟其增高的N、P利用效率相关, 而杂类草由于逐渐降低的N和P利用效率使其生物量在群落中所占的比重逐渐下降。     

Salt accumulation in vegetative organs and ecological stoichiometry characteristics in typical halophytes in Xinjiang,China

AimsStudying salt accumulation in vegetative organs and carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) stoichiometry in halophytes contributes to understand the adaptive strategy to saline environment and the distribution mechanism of nutrients and salinity of the halophytes.MethodsFour typical dominant species, including three perennial shrubs (Halocnemum strobilaceum, Suaeda microphylla and Kalidium foliatum) and an annual herb (Salicornia europaea) were selected for analyzing the salt accumulation and C, N, P stoichiometry relationships.Important findings 1) The salt accumulation showed “salt island” effect at peak growing stage; Na⁺, Cl^- and electrical conductivity all showed significant positive trends, when salt ions were transported from the root to the shoot of 4 halophytes. 2) P was the limiting growth element of perennial shrubs, while both N and P were limiting factors for the annual herb. 3) Different organs, species and their interactions affected C, N, P stoichiometry and salt icons except Mg²⁺. 4) C was negatively correlated with N and P, but there was a significant positive correlation between N and P. 5) Electrical conductivity, Na⁺and K⁺ were positively correlated with N, N:P ratio, and negatively correlated with C, C:N and C:P ratios, and yet K⁺, CO₃^2- had significant positive correlation with P. These results implied that there were some kind of mutual promoting relationships between nutrients and salinity in halophytes in the saline environment, and fertilizing with N could promote sodium chloride desalination.     

青藏高原东缘主要针叶树种叶片碳氮磷化学计量分布格局及其驱动因素

理解植物叶片化学计量特征及其驱动因素对认识植物种群分布规律及预测植物对环境变化响应具有重要意义。该研究采集了青藏高原东缘针叶林84个样点共29种主要针叶树种叶片, 探讨该区域常绿针叶树种叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量特征和分布格局及其驱动因素。结果表明: (1)在科和属水平上, 不同针叶树种叶片C、N含量和C:N差异显著; 叶片N:P < 14, 表明该区域针叶树种主要受N限制。(2)叶片N、P含量在环境梯度上表现出一致的分布规律: 均呈现出随纬度和海拔增加而显著降低, 随年平均气温(MAT)和年降水量(MAP)增加而显著增加的趋势; 而叶片C含量与纬度、海拔、MAT和MAP均未表现出显著相关性。(3)叶片C:N、C:P呈现出与N、P含量变化相反的分布格局: 均随纬度和海拔增加而显著增加, 随MAT和MAP增加而显著降低; 而叶片N:P与海拔、MAT和MAP均无显著相关性。(4)进一步分析表明, 叶片C、N、P含量及其化学计量比的主要驱动因素不尽相同。具体而言: 土壤特性是叶片C含量和N:P变异的主要驱动因子, 而叶片N、P含量和C:N、C:P的变异主要由气候因素决定。总之, 该区域针叶树种叶片化学计量沿环境梯度的变异规律有力地支持了温度生物地球化学假说, 在一定程度上丰富了对环境变化下植物叶片化学计量分布格局及其驱动机制的认识。     

Characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry across components of forest ecosystem in Shaanxi Province

Aims Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry between vegetation, litter, and soil were important for understanding biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems, but remain poorly understood. Here, our aims were to study characteristics of N and P stoichiometry for the plant, litter, and soil and the interactions between its components across forest ecosystems in Shaanxi Province.Methods A total of 121 sampling sites, covering the most main forest types in Shaanxi, were established across the whole province in 2012. And N and P concentration of vegetation (tree and understory), litter and soil layers were measured for each site.Important findings 1) There were significant differences in the N and P stoichiometry among the forest ecosystem components (p < 0.05). N and P contents were higher in understory and litter layer, and lower in tree and soil. Whereas the N:P was slightly different, highest in litter and lowest in the soil layer, with little differences among remaining components. The contents of N, P and N:P ranged from 0.72 to11.99 mg·g^-1, 0.47 to 1.07 mg·g^-1, and 1.86 to 14.84, respectively. Within top 1 m soil layer N content and N:P decreased with soil depth (p < 0.05), however the P content did not exhibit significant changes. 2) N and P contents, and N:P of each component were higher in broadleaf forest than in coniferous forest, although the difference is not significant. 3) N was positively correlated with P content except for soil and N:P was negatively correlated with P content, but positively correlated with N content within each component. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation for N and P stoichiometric characteristics between litter layer and tree, herb, soil layer. 4) Although spatial pattern of N and P contents, and N:P differed in relation to longitude, latitude, and elevation for forest ecosystem components, a stable distribution was exhibited in general.     

Carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry in leaves and fine roots of dominant plants in Horqin Sandy Land

Aims The stoichiometric characteristics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in plant organism is vital to understand plant adaptation to environment. In particular, the correlations of elemental stoichiometric characteristics between leaf and fine root could provide insights into the interaction and balance among the plant elements, nutrient use strategies and plant response to global change.Methods We measured C, N, P contents and C:N, C:P, N:P in leaves and fine roots of 60 dominant plants in Horqin sandy land. The 60 plant species were classified into five life forms and two categories such as perennial forb, annual forb, perennial grass, annual grass, shrub, legume, and non-legume. We statistically analyzed the differences and correlations of C, N and P stoichiometry either between fine root and leaf or among five life forms.Important findings The average C, N and P concentrations in leaves of 60 plant species in Horqin sandy land are 424.20 mg·g^-1, 25.60 mg·g^-1 and 2.10 mg·g^-1, respectively. In fine roots, the corresponding element concentrations are 434.03 mg·g^-1, 13.54 mg·g^-1, 1.13 mg·g^-1. N and P concentrations in leaf are approximately twice as high as averages in fine root. Furthermore, similar N:P between leaf and fine root indicates conservative characteristic of elemental stoichiometry in plant organism, suggesting that nutrients distribution is proportional between aboveground and underground of plants. There are significant difference of C, N, P, C:N, C:P and N:P in leaf and root among five life forms. N and P in forb and C:N and C:P in grass are averagely higher than those in other life forms. N:P in annual forb and grass, however, are lower than those in other life forms. C, N in legume are higher than those in non-legume, while C:N in legume is lower than in non-legume. These results imply that nutrient use strategies are significantly different among plant life forms. Correlations analysis showed that N and P in leaf or fine root positively correlated, but C and N, C and P in fine root negatively correlated, suggesting coupling relationship among C, N and P in leaf and fine root. Subsequently, we detected positively significant correlations in C, N, P and their ratios between leaf and fine root, suggesting proportional distribution of photosynthate and nutrient between aboveground and underground during plant growth. Generally, these results supplied fundamental data to understand mass turnover and nutrients cycling of leaves and roots in sand land.     

Hierarchical responses of plant stoichiometry to phosphorus addition in an alpine meadow Community北大核心CSCD

Aims Terrestrial carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) stoichiometry will reflect the effects of adjustment to local growth conditions as well as species' replacements. However, it remains unclear about the hierarchical responses of plant C:N:P to P addition at levels of species and functional groups in the N-limited alpine meadow. Methods A field experiment of P enrichment was conducted in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau during 2009-2013. The stoichiometric patterns of four functional groups (grass, sedge, legume and forb) and five representative species, Elymus nutans (grass), Kobresia humilis (sedge), Oxytropis ochrocephala (legume), Taraxacum lugubre (rosette forb), Geranium pylzowianum (upright forb) were investigated in 2013, and the effects of P addition on species dominance and plant biomass were also analyzed. Important findings Both plant nutrition content and C:N:P varied significantly after five years' P addition, and the responses were consistent at species-And functional group (exemplar species excluded)-levels in the alpine meadow. P addition had neutral effect on C concentrations of grasses, sedges and forbs at both species-And functional group (exemplar species excluded)-levels. P fertilization increased plant P concentrations and thus decreased C:P and N:P of the four functional groups (exemplar species excluded) and the corresponding species. N concentrations significantly decreased and C:N increased in grasses and sedges after P addition, and the species-level responses were consistent with the functional group (exemplar species excluded) level. P addition significantly increased N contents and decreased C:N in Oxytropis ochrocephala, but had neutral effect on N contents and C:N at the functional group (exemplar species excluded) level of the legumes. While N contents and C:N in forbs responded to P addition differently at species and functional group (exemplar species excluded) levels. In the N-limited alpine meadow, species dominance of grasses increased gradually after P addition due to the increased N and P use efficiencies, while the biomass proportion of forbs decreased because of the lowered nutrition use efficiency. © 2018 Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology. All rights reserved.     

氮添加对荒漠草原植物群落组成与微生物生物量生态化学计量特征的影响

大气氮(N)沉降增加加速了土壤N循环, 引起微生物生物量碳(C):N:磷(P)生态化学计量关系失衡、植物种丧失和生态系统服务功能降低等问题。开展N添加下植物群落组成与微生物生物量生态化学计量特征关系的研究, 可为深入了解N沉降增加引起植物多样性降低的机理提供新思路。该文以宁夏荒漠草原为研究对象, 探讨了N添加下植物生物量和群落多样性的变化趋势, 分析了微生物生物量C:N:P生态化学计量特征独立及其与其他土壤因子共同对植物群落组成的影响。结果表明: N添加下猪毛菜(Salsola collina)生物量呈显著增加趋势, 牛枝子(Lespedeza potaninii)生物量呈逐渐降低趋势, 其他植物种生物量亦呈降低趋势但未达到显著水平; 沿N添加梯度, Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson优势度指数和Patrick丰富度指数均呈先略有增加后逐渐降低的趋势; N添加提高了微生物生物量N含量和N:P, 降低了微生物生物量C:N; 植物群落组成与微生物生物量N含量、微生物生物量C:N、微生物生物量N:P、土壤NO₃ ^--N浓度、土壤NH₄ ⁺-N浓度以及土壤全P含量有较强的相关关系; 微生物生物量C:N:P生态化学计量特征对植物种群生物量和群落多样性变化的独立解释力较弱, 但却与其他土壤因子共同解释了较大变差, 意味着N添加下微生物生物量C:N:P生态化学计量特征对植物群落组成的影响与其他土壤因子高度相关。     

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.     

Effects of different nitrogen:phosphorus levels on the growth and ecological stoichiometry of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Aims The increase in atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has accelerated N cycling of ecosystems, probably resulting in increases in phosphorus (P) demand of ecosystems. Studies on the effects of artificial N:P treatment on the growth and carbon (C), N, P ecological stoichiometry of desert steppe species could provide not only a new insight into the forecasting of how the interaction between soils and plants responses to long-term atmospheric N deposition increase, but also a scientific guidance for sustainable management of grassland in northern China under global climate change. Methods Based on a pot-cultured experiment conducted for Glycyrrhiza uralensis (an N-fixing species) during 2013 to 2014, we studied the effects of different N:P supply ratios (all pots were treated with the same amount of N but with different amounts of P) on aboveground biomass, root biomass, root/shoot ratio, and C:N:P ecological stoichiometry both in G. uralensis (leaves and roots) and in soils. Additionally, through the correlation analyses between biomass and C:N:P ecological stoichiometry in leaves, roots, and soils, we compared the differences among the C:N:P ecological stoichiometry of the three pools, and discussed the indication of C:N:P ecological stoichiometry in soils for the growth and nutrient uptake of G. uralensis. Important findings The results showed that, reducing N:P decreased C:P and N:P ratios both in G. uralensis (leaves and roots) and in soils but increased aboveground biomass and root biomass of G. uralensis, indicating that low to moderate P addition increased P availability of soils and P uptake of G. uralensis. However, excessive low N:P (high P addition) led to great decreases in soil C:P and N:P ratios, thus hindering N uptake and the growth of G. uralensis. C:N:P ratios in the two pools of G. uralensis (especially in leaves) had close correlations with soil C:N:P ratio, indicating that the change in soil C:N:P ratio would have a direct influence on plants. Our results suggest that, through regulating C:N:P ratio in leaves and soils, appropriate amounts of P addition could balance soil P supply and plant P demand and compensate the opposite influences of long-term atmospheric N deposition increase on the structure of desert steppe.     

Foliar nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry of alien invasive plants and co-occurring natives in Xishuangbanna

Aims How alien invasive plants and co-occurring native plants utilize nutrients is one of major issues in invasion ecology. Foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents and stoichiometry can elucidate the uptake ability and limitation status of nutrients in plants, which provides basic knowledge for understanding the invading ability and co-occurrence or disappearance of plants.
Methods Based on typical alien invasive plants (Chromolaena odorata, Ageratina adenophora) and native plants in southwestern China, this study focused on strategies of N and P utilization among invasive plants and native plants under different invasion conditions. The species compositions, aboveground biomass, leaf N and P contents and leaf N:P were investigated for plants in plots with no invasion and with different invasion extents (estimated by the plot-based percentage of invaders’ biomass in total community) at Mt. Kongming in Xishuangbanna region, Yunnan Province, China.
Important findings The species number decreased significantly with the invasion extent of both C. odorata and A. adenophora, although the aboveground biomass was greatly enhanced. Leaf N and P contents did not differ between the two studied invaders, but they showed significantly higher N and P levels than both co-occurring and only native species (p < 0.05). Besides, leaf N and P contents of invaders increased with the invasion extent, and leaf N of native plants also showed an increasing trend with the invasion extent. When the influence of invasion was checked for the same species, leaf P contents decreased, whereas leaf N and N:P increased for most native plants under invasion. Based on the absolute foliar N and P contents, N:P values, we inferred that native plants were still limited by N, although N availability might be enhanced by invasion. Both invasive plants had leaf N:P values lower than 10, suggesting a higher P uptake relative to N uptake. All above results highlighted a higher N and P uptake of typical alien invasive plants in southwestern China.     

亚高山草甸植物群落物种多样性与群落C、N、P生态化学计量的关系

通过测定祁连山东部亚高山草甸256个群落样方的群落物种数和地上植物的C、N、P元素含量, 探究了该地区高产草地和低产草地植物群落物种多样性与植物群落C、N、P生态化学计量特征的关系。结果表明: 高产样地植物群落C、N、P含量的平均值分别为53.05%、1.99%、0.22%; 而低产样地植物群落C、N、P含量的平均值分别为52.51%、2.28%、0.19%。高产和低产样地植物群落C、N、P元素含量均呈现显著差异。高产样地上植物群落的物种数与N含量和N:P呈显著正相关关系, 与C:N呈显著负相关关系, 但与C、P含量和C:P无明显相关关系; 低产样地上植物群落的物种数与N、P含量呈极显著负相关关系, 与C:N和C:P呈显著正相关关系, 但与C含量和N:P无明显相关关系。说明高产草地和低产草地植物群落物种多样性与养分元素化学计量特征显示出一定的分异性, 高产样地上植物群落的物种数主要受N含量的限制, 与N含量呈正相关关系; 低产样地上植物群落的物种数则受N、P含量共同限制, 与N、P含量呈负相关关系。     

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。     

Carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry of Myrica nana in Yunnan,China

Aims Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) play important roles in plant growth and physiological functions. We aimed at exploring the intrinsic relationships of C, N and P in Myrica nana—a common shrub in Yunnan Province—as well as their relationships with pant biomass and soil nutrients.
Methods We measured the concentration of C, N and P of M. nana from 29 sites for their magnitudes and correlations with soil nutrients.
Important findings 1) The arithmetic mean value of C, N and P concentration in the roots, stems and leaves of M. nana was 45.94%, 0.54%, 0.03%, and 46.32%, 0.58%, 0.03%, and 49.05%, 1.70%, 0.06%, respectively. C, N and P concentrations in the leaves were significantly higher than those in the roots and the stems. The C:N:P in roots, stems and leaves was 1531:18:1, 1544:19:1, and 818:10:1, respectively. 2) The C concentration and N:P in leaves of M. nana decreased with the increase of biomass of M. nana; the leaf C concentration was significantly correlated with biomass (p < 0.01), while the correlation between N:P and biomass was not significant (p > 0.05). The leaf N increased with the increase of plant biomass, the P was significantly correlated with biomass (p < 0.05), but the correlation between N concentration and biomass was not significant (p > 0.05). N:P in leaves was 34.2, suggesting that plant growth was limited by P. 3) C, N and P concentration in the roots were significantly correlated with soil P (p < 0.05), with N, P concentrations correlated with soil P positively (p < 0.01) and C negatively (p < 0.05). C concentration in the stems was significantly and negatively correlated with soil C, N, with significant correlation with C, N, and P concentration (p < 0.01). P concentration in the stems was significantly and positively correlated with soil P concentration (p < 0.01), while leaf P significantly and positively correlated with soil C, N and P (p < 0.01); leaf C concentration was significantly and negatively correlated with soil P (p < 0.01).     

Effects of light intensity variation on nitrogen and phosphorus contents,allocation and limitation in five shade-enduring plants

Aims To enhance the understanding on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) physiological responses to different light environments in shade-enduring plants and provide references to improve the stand structure and ecosystem functions of plantation forests.Methods We selected seedlings of five shade-enduring species with high ecological and economic value in subtropical area of China to study the effects of light intensity on leaf N and P contents, allocation and nutrient limitation in shade-enduring plants. A light intensity gradient of five different levels was set to simulate the varying understory light environment.Important findings With decreasing light intensity, the total biomass and total N and P accumulation of five shade-enduring plants all showed a decreasing trend, but N, P contents in different organs increased. Among them, Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) had the highest while Illicium henryi (IH) had the lowest N content; The P contents of Quercus phillyraeoides (QP) and GJ were significantly higher than Elaeocarpus sylvestris (ES), Ardisia crenata (AC) and IH. QP and GJ had the highest N, P contents under extremely low light intensity (6% natural light intensity) condition (LIC), while AC and IH had the highest N and P contents in low (15% natural light intensity) and moderate (33% and 52% natural light intensity) LIC. ES demanded differently for LIC on N and P, which were 52% and 6% natural light intensity, respectively. N and P allocation of ES, AC and IH followed leaf > root > stem, but for QP and GJ were root > leaf > stem. Decreasing LIC significantly affected N and P allocation. N content variations shown good consistency among different organs under higher LIC (100% natural light intensity) while distinct variability under lower LIC (15% and 6% natural light intensity) in all five species. Phosphorus contents exhibited good consistency in IH, QP and GJ but varied in ES and AC. Decreasing LIC significantly affected organ N/P ratios of shade-enduring plants, but the fundamental growth restriction patterns remained. Light intensity variation and tree species co-regulated N, P utilization and allocation in shade-enduring plants, and then affected the total biomass and total N, P accumulation, which might result from the change of N and P utilization strategy. Therefore, light intensity preference and N, P nutrient balances in shade-enduring plants should be taken into account when constructing multiple layer and uneven-aged forests.     

Effects of desertification on the C:N:P stoichiometry of soil,microbes, and extracellular enzymes in a desert grassland

为探讨荒漠草地沙漠化对“土壤-微生物-胞外酶”系统生态化学计量的影响机理, 该研究采用空间序列代替时间演替的方法, 研究了宁夏盐池荒漠草地沙漠化过程中土壤、土壤微生物及土壤胞外酶碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态化学计量的变异特征。结果表明: (1)随着荒漠草地沙漠化的不断加剧, 土壤C、N、P含量和土壤C:P、N:P均呈降低趋势, 而土壤C:N逐渐增加。(2)荒漠草地沙漠化过程中, 土壤微生物生物量C (MBC):微生物生物量P (MBP)、微生物生物量N (MBN):MBP和土壤β-葡萄糖苷酶(BG):N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)逐渐降低, 而土壤BG:磷酸酶(AP)和NAG:AP基本表现为增加趋势。(3)随着荒漠草地沙漠化程度的加剧, 土壤微生物C利用效率CUE_C:N和CUE_C:P与土壤微生物N利用效率NUE_N:C和土壤微生物P利用效率PUE_P:C的变化趋势相反。(4)荒漠草地土壤、土壤微生物生物量和土壤胞外酶C:N化学计量(C:N, MBC:MBN, BG:NAG)与土壤、土壤微生物生物量和土壤胞外酶N:P化学计量(N:P, MBN:MBP, NAG:AP)显著负相关, 而土壤和胞外酶C:N化学计量(C:N, BG:NAG)与土壤和胞外酶C:P化学计量(C:P, BG:AP)显著正相关。土壤N:P与土壤MBN:MBP显著正相关, 而与土壤NAG:AP显著负相关。分析表明, 荒漠草地沙漠化过程中土壤微生物生物量及胞外酶活性随着土壤养分的变化而发生变化; 微生物-胞外酶C:N:P生态化学计量与土壤养分存在协变关系, 为理解荒漠草地土壤-微生物系统C、N、P循环机制提供理论依据。