中国百里香草原的分布、群落特征和分类

百里香(Thymus mongolicus)草原是以唇形科小半灌木百里香为建群种的草原类型。该文以编写《中国植被志》为契机, 结合2015-2017年生长季野外调查数据和文献资料, 对中国百里香草原的分布、生态特征、群落特征和分类等进行了总结。结果表明: (1)百里香草原主要分布于辽河上游西拉木伦河流域的黄土丘陵、河北西北部坝上高原、阴山山脉两翼低山丘陵、鄂尔多斯高原东部和黄土高原北部, 常分布在水蚀风蚀强烈的黄土丘陵和砾石质化基质的坡地。(2)根据91个样地记录统计, 百里香草原组成物种较丰富, 有种子植物167种, 隶属于34科101属, 以菊科、豆科和禾本科为主; 其中有8种半灌木和小半灌木, 112种多年生杂类草; 水分生态类型以典型旱生植物(58种)和中旱生植物(45种)为主; 区系地理成分以东古北极成分(70种)和东亚成分(46种)为主。(3)根据生活型和优势度, 百里香草原可以划分为百里香、半灌木/小半灌木群丛组, 百里香群丛组, 百里香、丛生禾草群丛组, 百里香、根茎禾草群丛组, 百里香、薹草群丛组, 百里香、杂类草群丛组, 共计6个群丛组28个群丛。     

Distribution,community characteristics and classification of Thymus mongolicus steppe in China北大核心CSCD

Thymus mongolicus steppe was a vegetation formation dominated by typical dwarf semi-shrub of Lamiaceae. Based on the previous literatures and primary plot data sampled during the growing seasons from 2015 to 2017, the distribution, ecological features, community characteristics and classification of Thymus mongolicus steppe were summarized. (1) Thymus mongolicus steppe is mainly distributed on the loess hills of Xar Moron River Watershed, Bashang region in the northwest of Hebei Province, the hills surrounding the Yinshan Mountains, the east part of Erdos Plateau and the northern Loess Plateau. This formation occurrs mainly on the stony slopes or loess hills with severe soil erosion. (2) In total, 167 seed plant species belonging to 101 genera of 34 families were recorded in the 91 sample sites, and families of Compositae, Leguminosae and Gramineae played crucial roles in the species composition. Eight of these families were semi-shrub and dwarf semi-shrub species, and 112 were perennial forb species. Typical xerophytes (58 species) and Meso-xerophytes (45 species) account for more than half part of all species. Eight geographic elements were involved. East Palaearctic (70 species) and East Asia (46 species) were the two major floristic elements. (3) Based on life form and dominance of species in the community, the formation was classified into 6 association groups (Thymus mongolicus, dwarf shrubs/dwarf semi-shurbs association group; Thymus mongolicus association group; Thymus mongolicus, bunchgrasses association group; Thymus mongolicus, rhizomatous grasses association group; Thymus mongolicus, Carex association group; Thymus mongolicus, forbs association group), consisting of 28 associations. © Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology.     

Diversity of dark septate endophyte in the roots of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and its companion plants

Aims Dark septate endophytes (DSE) extensively colonize in plant root tissues in different ecosystems. However, our understanding of the ecological significance of DSE in semiarid and arid lands is limited. The main objective of this study was to compare the community composition and species diversity of DSE in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and its companion plants in desert habitats. Methods Healthy root samples of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus’s companion plants, Artemisia desertorum, Caragana rosea, Nitraria tangutorum and Caragana korshinskii, were collected separately from four main locations of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus plantation in Dengkou of Nei Mongol, Minqin of Gansu, Yinchuan and Shapotou of Ningxia in July 2013. Important findings A total of 103 strains belonging to seven species (i.e Alternaria, Curvularia, Embellisia, Phialocephala, Phoma, Podospora and Pleosporales) of DSE were isolated from the four types of companion plants by means of morphological identification and molecular identification. Among the seven genera, Alternaria, Embellisia, Curvularia and Podospora are found for the first time in desert ecosystems. Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and its companion plants at the same site had significantly different community composition of DSE. Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and its companion plants at different sites had significantly different DSE diversity index. The colonization and species richness of DSE, especially the species and the quantity of spores were higher in roots of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus than in its companion plants. This study supports the results that DSE can form a better symbiotic relationship with the roots of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus than with its companion plants, and can enhance the ecological adaptability of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus to the extreme desert environment.     

Distribution,community characteristics and classification of Stipa tianschanica var. gobica steppe in China

戈壁针茅(Stipa tianschanica var. gobica)草原主要分布于荒漠草原区的石质丘陵或石质山坡, 向东可以分布在典型草原区的石质丘陵或山地, 向西也可以分布在荒漠区的石质山坡上。该研究调查了中国戈壁针茅草原的主要植被类型, 通过对115个样地的样方数据分析, 量化描述了这一草原类型的主要植物群落特征。结果表明, 中国戈壁针茅草原共有维管植物272种, 隶属于38科127属; 其中裸子植物3种, 隶属于1科1属; 被子植物269种, 隶属于37科126属, 物种数大于等于10种的科为: 菊科、禾本科、豆科、蔷薇科、百合科、藜科、石竹科; 戈壁针茅草原植物区系的生活型谱以地面芽植物为主, 共178种植物, 占总种数的65.44%; 水分生态类型以旱生植物为主, 共120种, 占总种数的44.12%; 植物区系地理成分上以东古北极分布种和亚洲中部分布种(含其变型)最多, 分别为82种和80种, 占总种数的30.14%和29.41%; 盖度等级划分上以0.1%-1.0%的盖度最多, 共174种, 占总种数的63.97%; 恒有度等级划分上以I级(0-20%)的物种数最多, 共258种植物, 占所有植物种数的94.85%。基于群落调查数据, 按照群落-外貌分类原则, 将戈壁针茅群系划分为8个群丛组106个群丛。     

Distribution,community characteristics and classification of Stipa tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe in China

Stipa tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe is the most typical formation of desert steppe in China. Based on the primary plots data obtained from fieldworks during the growing seasons from 2010 to 2016 as well as some earlier records, we studied the Stipa tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe across China systematically, including the eco-geographical distributions, community characteristics and classifications. The results showed that S. tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe distributed mainly on the Ulan Qab Plateau and western Xilin Gol Plateau. Due to the arid biotope of S. tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe, quantitative characteristics of the assemblage including height, coverage, biomass and species richness were normally lower than that of most Stipa formations in Eurasian steppe region. Moreover, 165 seed plants belonging to 85 genera and 29 families were recorded in the 80 study sites, in which rare species (occurrence frequency <20%) made up 87% of the total plants while common species and constant species could only be found occasionally. Species with the occurrence frequency exceeding 50% included S. tianschanica var. klemenzii, Convolvulus ammannii, Cleistogenes songorica, Allium tenuissimum. In addition, Hemicryptophyte and therophyte were the two dominant life forms, covering 55% and 20% of the species, respectively. As for the ecological type of water, typical xerophytes accounted for 47% of all species which is followed by super-xerophytes and meso-xerophytes. Middle Asian areal-type and east Palaeo-North areal-type were the two major floristic elements, containing 37% and 26% of the species, respectively. Based on the life forms and dominances of the species within the community, S. tianschanica var. klemenzii steppe in China could be classified into 6 association groups, 29 associations.     

戈壁灌丛堆周边地表土壤颗粒的空间异质特征

研究戈壁地区单个灌丛及其下沙堆这一有机整体对周边土壤风蚀的抑制能力, 对加强相关地区的植被类型及其空间配置格局的防沙效应研究十分重要, 可为荒漠化监测的评价和制定科学的防治措施提供参考。该文利用数字图像处理技术, 获取吉兰泰盐湖北部戈壁上单个白刺(Nitraria tangutorum)灌丛沙堆和沙冬青(Ammopiptanthus mongolicus)灌丛沙堆周边地表不同土壤风蚀颗粒的百分含量; 并采用经典描述性统计及地统计学方法, 对各类土壤风蚀颗粒百分含量的水平空间异质性进行分析。结果表明: (1)灌丛基部和下风向是细物质积累区, 以灌丛堆为中心向外, <0.42 mm的细颗粒含量呈减少趋势; 而且细物质积累的最大值出现在白刺灌丛的迎风侧附近, 沙冬青样地则相反, 出现在灌丛的背风侧附近。在沙源物质有限的戈壁中, 白刺的防风固沙作用集中体现在灌丛附近, 其水平空间尺度范围不及沙冬青, 这亦是白刺样地粗粒化程度高于沙冬青样地的原因。(2)白刺和沙冬青灌丛附近地表中粒径>0.84 mm (不可蚀)、0.84-0.42 mm (半可蚀)及<0.42 mm (高度可蚀)颗粒的空间异质性尺度分别为17.80 m、66.63 m、8.41 m和9.82 m、15.33 m、14.91 m, 均超出了灌丛冠幅覆盖范围, 空间自相关部分比例C/(C₀ + C)在63.40%-99.96%之间, 由此推断灌丛沙堆附近的风沙流特征是造成相应尺度内土壤颗粒空间异质性的主要因子。(3)高度可蚀颗粒的空间异质性尺度略大于灌丛平均间距(8.77 m包括灌丛半径), 从防止土壤风蚀来看, 这说明研究区内的建群种灌丛间存在一定程度的相互促进关系, 有利于该区植被的稳定与发展。     

内蒙古和青藏高原草原植物叶片与根系氮利用效率空间格局及影响因素

氮利用效率是植物的关键功能性状, 同时紧密关联生态系统功能, 但是目前对氮利用效率的区域格局及影响因素仍然不清楚。该研究分析了内蒙古和青藏高原草原82个调查地点、139种植物叶片和根系的氮利用效率及其与环境因素、植物功能群之间的关系, 实验结果显示: 1)草甸草原植物叶片的氮利用效率为53 g·g ^-1, 显著大于高寒草甸(46 g·g ^-1)、荒漠草原(41 g·g ^-1)和典型草原(39 g·g ^-1)。高寒草甸根系氮利用效率为108 g·g ^-1, 显著高于其他生态系统。2)叶片氮利用效率比根系对温度更加敏感, 但随着干旱指数的增加, 两者均表现出显著的降低趋势。3)杂类草叶片和根系氮利用效率低于莎草科和禾本科植物, 豆科植物叶片和根系氮利用效率分别比非豆科植物低48%和60%。4)植物氮利用效率与土壤氮含量之间没有显著关系。总体上, 内蒙古和青藏高原草原植物叶片和根系氮利用效率的空间格局存在差异, 主要影响因素为植物功能群和干旱指数。本研究系统揭示内蒙古和青藏高原草原植物氮利用效率的空间格局及关键驱动因子, 有助于在全球变化背景下了解我国草地生产力维持机制, 同时为草原生态系统管理提供科学依据。     

中国戈壁针茅草原的分布、群落特征和分类

戈壁针茅(Stipa tianschanica var. gobica)草原主要分布于荒漠草原区的石质丘陵或石质山坡, 向东可以分布在典型草原区的石质丘陵或山地, 向西也可以分布在荒漠区的石质山坡上。该研究调查了中国戈壁针茅草原的主要植被类型, 通过对115个样地的样方数据分析, 量化描述了这一草原类型的主要植物群落特征。结果表明, 中国戈壁针茅草原共有维管植物272种, 隶属于38科127属; 其中裸子植物3种, 隶属于1科1属; 被子植物269种, 隶属于37科126属, 物种数大于等于10种的科为: 菊科、禾本科、豆科、蔷薇科、百合科、藜科、石竹科; 戈壁针茅草原植物区系的生活型谱以地面芽植物为主, 共178种植物, 占总种数的65.44%; 水分生态类型以旱生植物为主, 共120种, 占总种数的44.12%; 植物区系地理成分上以东古北极分布种和亚洲中部分布种(含其变型)最多, 分别为82种和80种, 占总种数的30.14%和29.41%; 盖度等级划分上以0.1%-1.0%的盖度最多, 共174种, 占总种数的63.97%; 恒有度等级划分上以I级(0-20%)的物种数最多, 共258种植物, 占所有植物种数的94.85%。基于群落调查数据, 按照群落-外貌分类原则, 将戈壁针茅群系划分为8个群丛组106个群丛。     

宁南山区典型草本植物茎叶分解对土壤酶活性及微生物多样性的影响

采用凋落物分解袋法,以宁南山区典型草本植物长芒草、铁杆蒿、百里香为研究对象,分析了3种植物茎叶分解过程中土壤酶活性变化特征和分解后期微生物多样性特征,以及土壤酶活性与初始土壤化学性质的关系.结果表明: 植物茎叶分解480 d后,各处理土壤酶活性均有不同程度的增加,且长芒草处理土壤蔗糖酶活性和碱性磷酸酶活性最高,分别为32.40和1.99 mg·g^-1·24 h^-1,百里香处理土壤脲酶活性最高(2.66 mg·g^-1·24 h^-1),铁杆蒿处理土壤纤维素酶活性最高(1.42 mg·g^-1·72 h^-1).分解末期土壤纤维素酶活性与土壤初始微生物生物量碳呈显著正相关;分解末期土壤纤维素酶活性与土壤初始硝态氮含量呈显著负相关.添加植物茎叶处理土壤细菌和真菌的Ace指数、Chao指数和Shannon指数均显著大于对照,Simpson指数显著小于对照.植物茎叶的分解显著提高了土壤细菌和真菌的丰度及多样性,进而提高了植物茎叶的分解速率,促进了生态系统营养物质的循环与转化.     

内蒙古西鄂尔多斯地区半日花荒漠群落特征及其分类

半日花(Helianthemum songaricum)为亚洲中部特有种和古地中海残遗植物, 其群落为内蒙古西鄂尔多斯地区的特有荒漠植物群落。该文以2016-2017年野外调查数据为基础, 结合相关文献资料, 对半日花荒漠群落的分布、群落特征及其分类进行了总结。结果表明: (1)半日花荒漠群落集中分布于黄河以东内蒙古西鄂尔多斯的阿尔巴斯山麓南北部、千里沟; 少量分布于黄河以西贺兰山北端内蒙古乌海市与阿拉善盟交界处及贺兰山最南端的内蒙古阿拉善盟与宁夏交界处明长城沿线的石质残丘。(2)根据样地调查, 半日花荒漠群落记录到种子植物58种, 隶属于17科39属, 其中灌木、半灌木18种, 多年生草本27种, 一年生草本植物13种; 水分生态类型中强旱生植物(15种)和旱生植物(29种)占绝对优势; 区系地理成分以中亚东部成分为主, 其次为古地中海成分和戈壁成分。(3)根据生活型和优势度, 半日花荒漠群落可分为半日花-草本荒漠群丛组、半日花-灌木-草本荒漠群丛组和半日花-半灌木荒漠群丛组, 进一步分为10个群丛。     

中国长芒草群系的群落特征

长芒草(Stipa bungeana)群系是欧亚大陆草原区东南部的主要针茅草原类型之一, 中国特有群系类型, 以黄土高原及其周边为集中分布区。由于农业开垦等人为活动, 其天然植被保存不多, 现有分布破碎化严重或处于不稳定的演替阶段。该文利用2013-2019年在全国范围内调查的108个样地的数据, 对长芒草群系的地理分布、物种组成、生态特征和群落分类做了详细的描述和研究。结果表明: 长芒草群系在陕北、宁南、陇东、陇中、晋北、阴山南部黄土丘陵和鄂尔多斯高原的分布较为集中, 通常发育在黄绵土或栗钙土上, 海拔高度在(1) 631-3 174 (4 098) m之间。108个样地内共记录到种子植物37科109属214种, 大多为偶见种或稀有种, 生活型组成以地面芽植物或多年生杂类草居多, 水分生态类型以旱生, 尤其是中旱生和典型旱生植物居多, 区系地理成分以东亚成分、东古北极成分和亚洲中部成分较多。群落的高度、盖度、生物量及物种丰富度变化幅度均较大, 这些与生境的湿润程度和干扰状况密切关联。长芒草群系划分为7个群丛组, 37个群丛。     

Sap flow characteristics and its responses to precipitation in Robinia pseudoacacia and Platycladus orientalis plantations

Aim In the loess hilly region, drought stress frequently occurs during the late spring and early summer as a result of insufficient water supply and asynchronous changes between temperature and precipitation. Our objective was to quantify the characteristics of water-consumption through transpirations and their responses to precipitation in the dominant plantations in this region. Methods Thermal dissipation probe (TDP) was used to measure the sap flow density (F_d) of Robinia pseudoacacia and Platycladus orientalis from April through October in 2009 in Ansai National Ecological Experimental Station. Environmental variables, including meteorological factors and soil water content, were simultaneously measured. Important findings The diurnal variation of F_d exhibited a single-peak curve during the growing season of R. pseudoacacia and P. orientalis. The maximum F_d was three times greater in R. pseudoacacia (0.12068 m³·m^-2·h^-1) than that in P. orientalis (0.03737 m³·m^-2·h^-1). Except in the rapid-growth season (July to August), the F_d of these two species during the post-precipitation period were significantly higher than that during the pre-precipitation period. The F_d of P. orientalis and R. pseudoacacia was well fitted with transpiration (VT), an integrated index calculated from both vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and solar radiation (R_s), using an exponential saturation function. Generally, F_d increased in response to rising VT, while these values tended to be stable when VT reached about 50 kPa (W·m^-2)^1/2. Furthermore, R. pseudoacacia showed more sensitive to precipitation (p < 0.001) than P. orientalis, according to different hydraulic conductance model coefficients (fitting parameter b) between pre- and post-precipitation periods. Therefore, R. pseudoacacia could be considered as a precipitation-sensitive species, while P. orientalisasa precipitation-insensitive species. Through analyzing the different responses of plantation species to precipitation in the loess hilly region, this study provides a scientific basis for the local plantation management from the aspect of tree water use during ecological restoration.     

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。     

Predictions of potential geographical distribution of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum under climate change

桃儿七(Sinopodophyllum hexandrum)为小檗科多年生草本植物, 是我国濒危传统藏药, 预测气候变化对该物种分布范围的影响对于其保护和资源可持续利用具有重要意义。该文利用获得的桃儿七136个地理分布记录和21个气候环境图层, 通过MaxEnt模型分析桃儿七在我国西部七省的潜在地理分布, 并基于该模型预测政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)发布的SRES-A1B、SRES-A2和SRES-B1气候情景下21世纪20、50和80年代桃儿七分布范围。结果表明: 最热季平均温度、年降水量、温度季节性变动系数和等温性是影响桃儿七分布的主要气候因子; 在当前气候条件下, 桃儿七适宜的生境面积占研究区总面积的11.71%, 主要集中在青藏高原东缘的四川、甘肃、青海境内次生植被丰富、地形复杂的高海拔地区, 低适宜生境与不适宜生境分别占研究区总面积的15.86%与72.43%。由模型预测可知, 在SRES-A1B、SRES-A2和SRES-B1三种情景下, 桃儿七在研究区低适宜生境的数量相对变化较小, 在适宜生境先大幅减少后又缓慢增加。研究结果同时表明, 在未来气候变化条件下, 桃儿七的适宜生境平均海拔将逐渐升高, 范围以及几何重心极有可能先向北移, 然后再向西延伸至青藏高原内部较高海拔的山区。     

Association of cone and seed traits of Pinus yunnanensis var. tenuifolia with geo-meteorological factors

细叶云南松(Pinus yunnanensis var. tenuifolia)是分布于滇、黔、桂交界处的一个云南松变种, 其自然生境独特, 属典型的干热河谷气候, 具有重要的生态、经济价值。该研究以分布于南盘江-红水河流域沿线的8个细叶云南松天然种群为材料, 采用描述性统计及巢式方差分析比较种群间及种群内种实性状差异, 运用Pearson相关及典型相关分析探究种实性状与地理气象因子间的相关性, 最后对种群进行主成分聚类和Mantel检验, 揭示其种实性状地理变异模式。结果显示: 细叶云南松11个种实性状在种群间和种群内都存在极显著差异(p < 0.001), 变异丰富。种实性状以种群内变异为主(平均表型分化系数V_ST = 18.65%), 球果性状种群间分化(24.22%-39.88%)高于种子及种翅性状(4.14%-13.80%), 表明球果性状受到更强的环境选择。尽管部分相关系数未达显著水平, 但整体上种实性状与经纬度、年平均气温呈正相关关系, 与相对湿度、年降水量呈负相关关系, 表明细叶云南松种实性状受到地理隔离、湿度和温度的协同选择作用, 使其能较好适应干热环境。主成分聚类将参试种群划分为3类, 位于东部的罗甸伍家坟(WJ)、罗甸大亭(DT)种群聚为一类, 其种实形态较大, 位于西南部的兴义坝汪(BW)种群单独一类, 其种实形态较小, 其他种群聚为一类, 种实形态介于前两类之间。总体上, 种实性状值有自西向东递增的趋势。Mantel检验表明, 参试种群存在明显的空间结构, 主要体现为渐变群模式。     

Association classification of a 30 hm2 dynamics plot in the monsoon broad-leaved evergreen forest in Pu’er,Yunnan, China

季风常绿阔叶林是我国南亚热带典型的地带性植被, 建立森林动态监测样地是研究生物多样性维持和群落构建机制的重要平台。该文以普洱30 hm ²森林动态监测样地为研究对象, 采用多元回归树、重要值、主成分分析与指示种相结合的方法对样地内750个样方进行群丛数量分类, 以获取季风常绿阔叶林森林植被群丛类型。结果表明: 森林动态监测样地共发现木本植物271种, 隶属于78科178属, 群落类型为短刺锥(Castanopsis echidnocarpa)群系, 可划分4个群丛类型, 分别是珍珠花+毛银柴-短刺锥+泥柯群丛(Lyonia ovalifolia + Aporosa villosa - Castanopsis echidnocarpa + Lithocarpus fenestratus Association)、云南瘿椒树+耳叶柯-短刺锥+西南木荷群丛(Tapiscia yunnanensis + Lithocarpus grandifolius - Castanopsis echidnocarpa + Schima wallichii Association)、大果杜英+黄药大头茶-短刺锥+西南木荷群丛(Elaeocarpus sikkimensis + Polyspora chrysandra - Castanopsis echidnocarpa + Schima wallichii Association)、西桦+尼泊尔桤木-短刺锥+枹丝锥群丛(Betula alnoides + Alnus nepalensis - Castanopsis echidnocarpa + Castanopsis calathiformis Association)。群丛间物种分布存在较多过渡重叠, 指示物种是区分群丛类型的主要依据, 海拔与坡向对群丛分类有较大的影响, 坡度对群丛分类影响较小。     

Soil water use strategy of dominant species in typical natural and planted shrubs in loess hilly region

Aims Artemisia gmelinii is a dominant specie naturally established after abandonment of cultivated lands in the Loess Plateau, and Caragana korshinskii is one of the main planted shrub species to control soil erosion. Improved understanding of water use strategies of these two species is of great significance to evaluate the sustainable development of the Loess Plateau under the trend of climate warming and increasing drought events.
Methods Stable oxygen-18 isotope was used to determine seasonal variations in the water sources of native A. gmelinii communities established after abandonment of cultivated lands for 7 and 30 years and planted C. korshinskii after 30 years. The contributions of soil water from different depths to water uptake were estimated by the MixSIR Bayesian mixing model. The geometric mean regression method was used to fit the line of precipitation to get the local meteoric water line (LWML).
Important findings The stable hydrogen isotope rate (δD) and stable oxygen isotope rate (δ¹⁸O) of soil water and xylem water plotted to the right side of the LWML, indicating that the isotopic compositions of soil water were enriched due to evaporation. The native A. gmelinii communities established after abandonment of cultivated lands for 7 years and planted C. korshinskii after 30 years showed plasticity in switching water sources from different soil layers, extracting water from shallow soil (0-40 cm) when soil water was available, but deeper soil (40-80 cm) when shallow soil water was dry. In contrast, A. gmelinii growing in site after cultivation abandonment for 30 years mainly relied on water from the surface soil (0-10 cm) throughout the growing season. Our results suggest that the ability of A. gmelinii to compete for soil water reduces with aging of the community while the planted C. korshinskii will have competitive advantage under the condition of increasing frequency of drought events in the future.     

Predicting phenology shifts of herbaceous plants on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau under climate warming with the space-for-time method

气候变暖背景下的植物物候变化广受关注, 然而常用的植物物候变化预测模型未充分考虑植物对环境的适应性, 给预测结果带来了较大的不确定性。该文基于2002-2011年青藏高原10个站点的地面物候观测资料以及年平均气温数据, 对空间换时间模型预测车前(Plantago asiatica)和蒲公英(Taraxacum mongolicum)各主要物候事件(展叶始期、开花始期和黄枯普遍期)变化的可行性及其在升温背景下的变化规律进行了分析。首先利用不同海拔高度的气温和物候事件分别与地理因子(经度、纬度和海拔)建立多元线性回归模型, 然后在此基础上剔除经度和纬度的影响, 单独考察海拔变化所引起的气温与植物物候变化, 最后以海拔高度作为桥梁来考察物候变化与温度变化的关系。结果表明, 采用各站点对应的海拔高度来模拟年平均气温空间差异的R²均大于0.89, 表明海拔梯度可以用来反映时间尺度下的年际温度变化; 车前和蒲公英各物候事件发生日期拟合值均与海拔高度变化关系显著, R²均大于0.70, 表明海拔变化是影响它们各物候事件变化的主要地理因子; 在物候事件发生日期拟合值和年平均气温拟合值的回归方程中, R²均大于0.93, 说明基于不同海拔高度模拟得到的年平均气温变化可以对时间尺度上车前和蒲公英的物候事件变化进行预测。空间换时间预测表明, 温度每升高1 ℃, 车前展叶始期和开花始期分别提前5.1和5.4 d, 而黄枯普遍期推迟4.8 d; 蒲公英展叶始期和开花始期分别提前6.5和7.8 d, 而黄枯普遍期推迟6.7 d。     

Stoichiometric characteristics of carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus of Sibiraea angustata shrub on the eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

Aims Little is known about the stoichiometric characteristics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in plateau shrubs across China. Sibiraea angustata is a typical and representative shrub species on the eastern Qinghai- Xizang Plateau, and exploring its C, N and P distribution patterns and stoichiometric properties in different organs (including root, shoot, leaf, twig and fruit) would help us better understand the mechanisms of C, N and P cycling and balance in the S. angustata dominated shrub ecosystem.
Methods Sixteen sampling sites were selected on the eastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau by the stratified sampling method. The height and coverage of the dominant shrubs, latitude, longitude and altitude of the sites were recorded. Three 5 m × 5 m plots were selected at each site. At least 128 biological samples of plant organs of S. angustata were collected and measured, respectively. The C and N concentrations of plant samples were analyzed using an elemental analyzer (2400 II CHNS). The P concentration was analyzed using the molydate/ascorbic acid method after H₂SO₄-H₂O₂ digestion.
Important findings The C, N and P concentrations of different organs followed the order of: shoot (495.07 g·kg^-1) > twig (483.37 g·kg^-1) > fruit (480.35 g·kg^-1) > root (468.47 g·kg^-1) > leaf (466.33 g·kg^-1); leaf (22.27 g·kg^-1) > fruit (19.74 g·kg^-1) > twig (7.98 g·kg^-1) > shoot (4.54 g·kg^-1) > root (4.00 g·kg^-1) and fruit (2.85 g·kg^-1) > leaf (1.92 g·kg^-1) > twig (0.96 g·kg^-1) > root (0.52 g·kg^-1) > shoot (0.45 g·kg^-1), respectively. The ranges of the coefficient of variation (CV) for C, N and P concentrations were 1.71%-4.44%, 14.49%-25.50% and 11.46%-46.15%, respectively. Specifically, the C concentration was relatively high and stable, and the maximum CV values for N and P were found in roots. The N:P value of different organs varied from 7.12-12.41 and the minimum CV for N:P was found in twig, which indicated that N:P in twig had higher internal stability. In addition, correlation analysis indicated that the C concentration was significantly negatively correlated with N and P concentrations and correlation coefficients were -0.407 and -0.342, respectively. However, N concentration had dramatically positive correlation with P concentration and the correlation coefficient was 0.814. These results also could indicate that the C, N and P stoichiometric characteristics in the S. angustata shrub accorded with the homeostatic mechanism and growth rate hypothesis to some extent, the distributions of C, N and P concentrations were closely related to the function of the organs and it should be prudent to use ecological stoichiometric ratios to judge the condition of nutrient limitation at the species level.     

Effect of different species of endophytes on fungal disease resistance of Achnatherum sibiricum

AimsAchnatherum sibiricum, a native grass species, is widely distributed in the steppe of Nei Mongol, China. In this study, three endophytic fungi, i.e., Neotyphodium sibiricum, N. gansuensis and Epichloë gansuensis, were isolated from A. sibiricum and examined the effect of the endophytes on the resistance of A. sibiricum to fungal disease.
Methods Three fungi: Curvularia lunata, Bipolaris sorokiniana and Cladosporium sp. were chosen as the target pathogens. Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of endophytic inoculation of A. sibiricum on its pathogen resistance: 1) endophye in vitro, 2) inoculated detached leaves and 3) intact plants. They were infected with the three pathogens above mentioned, separately. Seven days later, inhibition rates, the number of lesions, lesion length and concentration of spores were measured.
Important findings The results showed that all endophytes significantly reduced the growth of pathogens fungi in vitro, and N. sibiricums had the strongest effect: its bacteriostasis rate to Curvularia lunata, B. sorokiniana and Cladosporium sp. were 47.8%, 40.1% and 39.4%, respectively. Culture filtration of three endophytes also effectively reduced pathogen spore germination, in which N. gansuensis showed the strongest impact. The germination rates of Curvularia lunata, B. sorokiniana and Cladosporium sp. were only 9.8%, 8.7% and 8.5%, respectively. Neotyphodium sibiricum and N. gansuensis could reduce lesion number and spore concentration of detached host leaves after the pathogens inoculation. Epichloë gansuensis reduced lesion number of detached leaves after inoculation with Curvularia lunata and Cladosporium sp., and decreased spore concentration of the pathogens fungi of Cladosporium sp. In the intact leaves, three endophytes reduced lesion number, lesion length and spore concentration as well after inoculation of the pathogens with those infected with N. sibiricum showing the strongest resistance, while with Epichloë gansuensis, the weakest resistance.