关键生育阶段持续干旱对东北春玉米光合特性的影响

采用持续无补水方式对东北春玉米"丹玉39"拔节至成熟阶段进行干旱胁迫处理,对干旱及复水过程中玉米光合特性进行动态观测,研究净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)等光合作用中主要变量以及表观量子效率(AQY)、最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、光补偿点(LCP)和光饱和点(LSP)等光合参数对干旱过程的响应特征。结果表明:P_n、T_r、G_s和C_i随干旱持续均呈减小趋势,对干旱的响应在抽雄期比拔节期更为明显,T_r比P_n更快,C_i在弱光条件下比强光更敏感;各变量对干旱后复水的响应差异较大,恢复能力随干旱时间的延长而下降,在抽雄期弱于拔节期;经历短期干旱复水后P_n会超过正常植株;T_r对复水的响应滞后于P_n,恢复能力弱于P_n;C_i对干旱后复水的恢复在强光下更为敏感;各光合参数中,随干旱加重,AQY先增大后减小;P_(nmax)不断减小且响应速度加快,对复水的恢复能力逐渐下降;LCP和LSP分别呈增大和减小趋势;除LCP与土壤湿度呈显著负相关关系外,AQY、LSP、P_(nmax)以及光合作用可利用光强范围均随土壤湿度增大而显著增大。     

土壤水分胁迫对玉米形态发育及产量的影响

未来气候变化可能加剧的干旱化将对我国主要粮食和最重要的饲料作物玉米产生严重影响。为增进玉米对干旱化响应与适应的理解及制定应对策略 ,利用大型活动遮雨棚及池栽对玉米进行了全程水分控制试验研究。对不同土壤水分胁迫下的玉米形态表征、生长发育及产量的分析表明 ,玉米受干旱胁迫的影响程度因受旱轻重、持续时间以及生育进程的不同而不同 ,受旱越重 ,持续时间越长 ,影响越甚。大喇叭口期前 ,玉米株高和生物产量受有限供水或轻度干旱影响不算很大 ,但从大喇叭口期后直至抽雄和灌浆期 ,轻度干旱胁迫持续久了也会对株高和生物产量产生较大不良影响。严重干旱胁迫则从拔节始至灌浆期均对株高和生物产量影响更为不利。进而引起果穗性状恶化 ,穗粒数和百粒重减小 ,最终导致经济产量大幅下降。说明玉米生育前期(大喇叭口期前 )进行有限的控水可行。而玉米生育前期干旱胁迫将使生育进程明显延缓 ,严重干旱胁迫可使抽雄、吐丝期较水分充足滞后 4 d左右 ,并引起成熟期推迟     

旱生芦苇对地下水位变化的生态响应及适应机制

地下水作为干旱半干旱地区可利用水的主要存在形式,是影响植被生存的主要生态因子。通过人工模拟地下水位,探讨了旱生芦苇对不同地下水位的生态响应及适应机制。结果表明:(1)随地下水位的降低,旱生芦苇净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)和胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)均呈先增后减的变化趋势,其生长季均呈单峰曲线,以7—8月为峰值;(2)旱生芦苇叶绿素(Chl)含量随地下水位的降低呈先增后减的动态变化;(3)旱生芦苇脯氨酸(Pro)、可溶性糖(SS)和可溶性蛋白质(SP)含量随地下水位及其生长季的变化规律不一致,但三者在抑制干旱胁迫过程中存在相互补偿的关系;(4)随地下水位的降低,丙二醛(MDA)含量呈先增后减的变化趋势,且随生长季变化增加显著;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性增加显著,且SOD比CAT对干旱胁迫反应更敏感,是适应干旱胁迫的主要抗氧化酶;(5)旱生芦苇生理因子对P_n的重要性大小顺序为G_sSPChlT_rC_iSS。     

不同程度干旱对春玉米生物量和产量影响的模拟

为了探究不同强度干旱对春玉米生长过程和产量形成的影响,本文基于WOFOST作物生长模型,分析了内蒙古地区春玉米在拔节-抽雄期和抽雄-乳熟期分别发生不同程度干旱对生物量和产量的影响。结果表明:随着干旱程度的加重,春玉米的灌浆强度、产量、生物量增长量和生物量的降幅均随之加大;复水后,灌浆强度和生物量增长量迅速恢复至无旱水平;相比无旱处理,在轻旱、中旱和重旱处理下,灌浆强度分别下降14.8%~15.4%、40.9%~42.9%和52.4%~60.8%,产量分别下降1.9%~6.1%、9.5%~15.4%和18.6%~25.8%,生物量增长量分别下降12.6%~12.8%,31.0%~35.5%和50.4%~50.8%,生物量分别下降2.9%~6.1%、6.9%~19.4%和12.0%~32.1%;拔节-抽雄期和抽雄-乳熟期两个生育阶段干旱影响的灌浆时段不同,抽雄-乳熟期干旱同时影响灌浆高峰期和衰减期的灌浆强度,故其导致的产量损失更为严重;这2个生育阶段干旱分别影响同化物积累的高峰期和衰减期,拔节-抽雄期干旱影响时间更长,生物量的降幅更为明显。     

华北夏玉米干物质分配系数对干旱胁迫的响应

干物质分配系数反映作物各器官干物质的分配与积累,研究干物质分配系数对干旱胁迫的响应,是研究干旱胁迫对作物生长发育影响的基础.本文基于华北夏玉米主产省山东、河北和山西3个试验点2013—2015年田间水分控制试验资料,建立了夏玉米苗期、抽雄期、灌浆期3个主要发育阶段叶、茎、穗的干物质分配系数与土壤相对湿度的定量关系模型,分析了叶、茎、穗干物质分配系数对不同程度干旱胁迫的响应.结果表明: 3个阶段叶、茎、穗的干物质分配系数与土壤相对湿度均呈显著的一元二次关系.干旱胁迫下,叶片向外转运的干物质相对减少,叶干物质分配比例增加,并且在轻、中度干旱胁迫时的灌浆期(叶干物质分配系数增加0.04~0.09)以及重度干旱胁迫时的抽雄期(叶干物质分配系数增加0.17)响应最敏感.穗干物质分配系数对干旱胁迫表现为负响应,干旱胁迫越严重,分配系数越小,轻-重度干旱胁迫使穗干物质分配系数减小0.08~0.34.茎干物质分配系数对干旱胁迫的响应总体表现为灌浆期(正响应)＞抽雄期(负响应)＞苗期(负响应).     

干旱胁迫对群众杨光合特性与器官干物质分配的影响

土壤干旱是北方地区杨树人工林生长和生态效益的重要限制因子。以群众杨(Populus×popularis‘35-44’)扦插苗为研究材料,采用盆栽称重法控制土壤水分,设置正常供水、中度干旱、重度干旱3种水分梯度。分别于2016年9月与2017年9月测定叶片气体交换参数、各器官干重、根冠比、叶经济性状等指标,研究了持续2年干旱胁迫下群众杨扦插苗光合特性与器官干物质分配的变化规律,分析了土壤干旱程度、树龄在"小老树"形成中的作用过程。2016年与2017年中度、重度干旱胁迫下功能叶净光合速率(P_n)受到非气孔限制,与正常供水相比分别降低了36.08%、56.42%;18.47%、5.13%。第一年干旱胁迫下群众杨气孔导度(G_s)和蒸腾速率(T_r)显著降低;第二年干旱胁迫下G_s与正常供水无显著差异,而T_r显著提高,有利于叶片C、N元素的运输分配进而维持较高的P_n。第一年随干旱胁迫程度加剧,群众杨叶片C/N显著提高,光合产物分配趋向于叶器官。第二年中度干旱胁迫下叶片C/N与正常供水相比无显著差异,各器官干重下降幅度均低于2016年,而根冠比显著增加,表明其光合产物主要用于地下部构建以适应中度干旱环境;持续重度干旱则光合产物向茎中的分配比例提高。干旱胁迫导致群众杨功能叶水分利用效率(WUE,Water use efficiency)与光合氮利用效率(PNUE,Photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency)显著降低,整株氮利用效率(NUE,Whole plant nitrogen use efficiency)显著提高。严重土壤干旱下叶片耗水增强、PNUE下降以及茎木质部碳投资增加可能是群众杨小老树形成的重要原因。     

三种苹果砧木应对干旱胁迫的超微及解剖结构响应特性

采用盆栽控水法模拟干旱胁迫,以垂丝海棠(Malus halliana)、新疆野苹果(M.sieversii)、山定子(M.baccata)3种苹果砧木为试验材料,测定了叶片相对含水量(RWC)、水分利用效率(WUE)、光合参数,观察了叶绿体超微结构及根、茎、叶解剖结构,并采用相关性及主成分分析对砧木抗旱能力进行了综合评价。结果表明,与对照相比,干旱胁迫下,3种苹果砧木的RWC、净光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(G_s)均下降,而WUE增加;3种砧木的叶绿体超微结构及解剖结构均受到不同程度的干旱伤害,但垂丝海棠的损伤最小,较好地保持细胞结构的完整性;植株的抗旱性与G_s、T_r、栅栏组织厚度、叶片厚度、下表皮厚度、根直径、韧皮部厚度均呈显著正相关,与C_i呈显著负相关;主成分分析提取的2个主成分反映了原变量100%的信息。综合评价3种苹果砧木的抗旱能力依次为:垂丝海棠新疆野苹果山定子;同时,RWC、G_s、T_r、栅栏组织厚度、叶片厚度、下表皮厚度、根直径、韧皮部厚度、C_i可作为评价抗旱性的有效指标。     

干旱胁迫对两种油桐幼苗生长、气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

为了探究干旱胁迫对两种油桐(三年桐和千年桐)幼苗光合生理特性的变化及响应,采用盆栽试验,研究不同水分处理(正常供水、轻度干旱、中度干旱、重度干旱)对油桐幼苗生长、叶片气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,轻度干旱胁迫对两种油桐生长、气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数无明显影响(P0.05);中度干旱及重度干旱使两种油桐的叶绿素SPAD值、生长量、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔限制值(L_s)、最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))、光饱和点(LSP)、表观量子效率(AQY)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学量子效率(Φ_(PSⅡ))、电子传递速率(ETR)及光化学猝灭系数(q_P)显著下降(P0.05),且在重度干旱胁迫下迅速下降,胞间CO_2浓度(C_i)、水分利用效率(WUE)、光补偿点(LCP)、初始荧光(F_o)、非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)显著升高(P0.05);中度干旱胁迫下油桐幼苗P_n的降低是由气孔因素及光合机构活性降低的非气孔因素共同引起的,而重度干旱胁迫下光合作用的下降主要是由光合机构活性降低的非气孔因素引起的。三年桐的光合机构活性及光合效率高于千年桐,对干旱胁迫的适应性较千年桐强。     

水分胁迫与复水对地枫皮生理生态特性的影响

以岩溶特有药用植物地枫皮为材料,研究土壤水分胁迫及复水条件下,其叶片光合参数、叶绿素荧光参数及光合色素含量的变化特性,进而探讨其对水分胁迫的生理生态适应性。结果表明:停止供水10 d,水分胁迫地枫皮叶片的P_n(净光合速率)、C_i(胞间CO_2浓度)、G_s(气孔导度)和L_s(气孔限制值)均下降,气孔限制是P_n降低的主要原因;停止供水15 d,水分胁迫地枫皮叶片的P_n日变化呈逐渐下降趋势,上午9:30以后全天的P_n值均接近零,非气孔限制成为P_n下降的主要因素;而对照地枫皮叶片的P_n日变化呈"双峰型",中午P_n下降的主要原因依然是气孔限制。水分胁迫下,地枫皮叶片叶绿素含量降低和Chl_(a/b)升高,减少了叶片对光能的捕获,减轻了光合机构遭受光氧化的破坏,而Car/Chl_(a+b)升高增强了光保护能力。水分胁迫下,地枫皮叶片的初始荧光(F_o)显著增大,最大荧光(F_m)、光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)潜在活性(F_v/F_o)和最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)均显著降低,表明水分胁迫对地枫皮叶片的PSⅡ反应中心和电子传递造成了一定的破坏,从而使其PSⅡ的潜在活性和最大光化学效率降低。复水5 d后,地枫皮的上述生理生态参数均能恢复到对照水平,表明其复水后的生理修复能力很强。     

干旱对东北春玉米生长发育和产量的影响

选取玉米品种丹玉39为供试材料,利用大型农田水分控制试验场,采用大田池栽方式,在玉米三叶-拔节期、拔节-吐丝期、吐丝-乳熟期分别开展中度干旱胁迫及复水控制对比试验,分析3个关键生育时期干旱胁迫对春玉米生长发育和产量的影响.结果表明:与水分适宜对照(CK)相比,三叶-拔节期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期推迟13 d,至拔节普遍期,株高偏低29.8％,叶面积偏小41.2％,复水后,株高和产量得到较大程度恢复,果穗性状和最终产量差异不大;拔节-吐丝期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期缩短7d,至吐丝普遍期,株高偏低18.6％,叶面积偏小14.1％,果穗长、穗粒数、果穗干质量、穗粒质量分别下降6.9％、19.1％、28.1％和29.4％,空秆率增加13.3％;吐丝-乳熟期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期缩短15 d,生长至乳熟普遍期,株高偏低2.3％,叶面积偏小37.3％,果穗长、穗粒数、果穗干质量、穗粒质量分别下降9.2％、24.1％、30.8％和27.9％,空秆率增加24.5％.拔节-吐丝期、吐丝-乳熟期干旱胁迫处理并复水后,玉米株高恢复不明显,产量降幅显著.     

克氏针茅物候对气候变暖和水分变化的响应及其光合生理生态机制

物候对气候变化具有重要指示作用,然而现有研究主要关注植物物候变化与环境因子的关系,对于物候变化的生理生态机制研究较为缺乏。基于内蒙古自治区克氏针茅草原红外线辐射增温与控水相结合的原位模拟试验资料,探究了克氏针茅物候变化的光合生理生态机制及其对水热环境因子的响应。研究结果表明：(1)增温使克氏针茅返青期和抽穗期提前2.8 d和7.8 d、枯黄期推迟6.8 d;水热协同作用主要影响抽穗期,增温增水(气候暖湿化)较增温减水(气候暖干化)提前7.4 d。(2)增温增水使得克氏针茅返青期和抽穗期的净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率显著高于增温减水,而对水分利用效率的影响则相反(P<0.05),增温增水与增温减水对克氏针茅枯黄期的光合生理生态特征影响无显著差异。(3)净光合速率是影响克氏针茅物候变化的决策因子,温度是影响克氏针茅植物返青期和枯黄期的限制因子,水分则是影响克氏针茅植物抽穗期的限制因子。研究发现克氏针茅物候与其光合生理生态特征和环境因子密切相关,研究结果可为植物物候模型发展和物候机理研究提供理论支撑。     

不同水肥条件下分根区交替灌溉对玉米生理特性和水分利用的影响

为探讨分根区交替灌溉(AI)条件下作物生理响应和水分利用情况,在不同水肥条件下,以常规灌溉为对照,研究了分根区交替灌溉(AI)对玉米总干物质量、水分利用和生理指标的影响以及这些指标在恢复正常灌水后的恢复补偿能力,以期为玉米实施分根区交替灌溉提供科学依据。盆栽试验包括2种氮磷(NP)肥水平,2种灌溉方式和不同亏水水平,即拔节前期至中期(18d)进行正常灌水(70%—80%θf,θf是田间持水量)、轻度亏水(60%—70%θf)和中度亏水(50%—60%θf),拔节前期至中期处理后拔节中期至抽雄期(18d)进行正常灌水(70%—80%θf)和轻度亏水(60%—70%θf)。结果表明:与常规灌溉相比,拔节前期至抽雄期AI不显著影响玉米叶片叶绿素、类胡萝卜素、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量,总干物质量和水分利用效率;与正常灌水相比,拔节前期至抽雄期轻度亏水也不显著影响上述指标;拔节前期至中期中度亏水降低玉米叶绿素含量和总干物质量,提高可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量,但是该处理在拔节中期至抽雄期恢复正常灌水后这些指标均恢复到一直正常灌水的水平。此外,施肥水平对各项指标的影响也不显著。因此,轻度亏水、低肥和拔节前期至抽雄期分根区交替灌溉结合可以节约灌水量和施肥量。     

干旱对东北春玉米生长发育和产量的影响

选取玉米品种丹玉39为供试材料,利用大型农田水分控制试验场,采用大田池栽方式,在玉米三叶-拔节期、拔节-吐丝期、吐丝-乳熟期分别开展中度干旱胁迫及复水控制对比试验,分析3个关键生育时期干旱胁迫对春玉米生长发育和产量的影响.结果表明：与水分适宜对照（CK）相比,三叶-拔节期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期推迟13 d,至拔节普遍期,株高偏低29.8%,叶面积偏小41.2%,复水后,株高和产量得到较大程度恢复,果穗性状和最终产量差异不大;拔节-吐丝期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期缩短7 d,至吐丝普遍期,株高偏低18.6%,叶面积偏小14.1%,果穗长、穗粒数、果穗干质量、穗粒质量分别下降6.9%、19.1%、28.1%和29.4%,空秆率增加13.3%;吐丝-乳熟期遭受干旱胁迫后,全生育期缩短15 d,生长至乳熟普遍期,株高偏低2.3%,叶面积偏小37.3%,果穗长、穗粒数、果穗干质量、穗粒质量分别下降9.2%、24.1%、30.8%和27.9%,空秆率增加24.5%.拔节-吐丝期、吐丝-乳熟期干旱胁迫处理并复水后,玉米株高恢复不明显,产量降幅显著.     

Three‐dimensional change in temperature sensitivity of northern vegetation phenology

Understanding how the temperature sensitivity of phenology changes with three spatial dimensions (altitude, latitude, and longitude) is critical for the prediction of future phenological synchronization. Here we investigate the spatial pattern of temperature sensitivity of spring and autumn phenology with altitude, latitude, and longitude during 1982–2016 across mid‐ and high‐latitude Northern Hemisphere (north of 30°N). We find distinct spatial patterns of temperature sensitivity of spring phenology (hereafter “spring S_T”) among altitudinal, latitudinal, and longitudinal gradient. Spring S_T decreased with altitude mostly over eastern Europe, whereas the opposite occurs in eastern North America and the north China plain. Spring S_T decreased with latitude mainly in the boreal regions of North America, temperate Eurasia, and the arid/semi‐arid regions of Central Asia. This distribution may be related to the increased temperature variance, decreased precipitation, and radiation with latitude. Compared to spring S_T, the spatial pattern of temperature sensitivity of autumn phenology (hereafter “autumn S_T”) is more heterogeneous, only showing a clear spatial pattern of autumn S_T along the latitudinal gradient. Our results highlight the three‐dimensional view to understand the phenological response to climate change and provide new metrics for evaluating phenological models. Accordingly, establishing a dense, high‐quality three‐dimensional observation system of phenology data is necessary for enhancing our ability to both predict phenological changes under changing climatic conditions and to facilitate sustainable management of ecosystems.     

Alpine grassland plants grow earlier and faster but biomass remains unchanged over 35 years of climate change

Satellite data indicate significant advancement in alpine spring phenology over decades of climate warming, but corresponding field evidence is scarce. It is also unknown whether this advancement results from an earlier shift of phenological events, or enhancement of plant growth under unchanged phenological pattern. By analyzing a 35‐year dataset of seasonal biomass dynamics of a Tibetan alpine grassland, we show that climate change promoted both earlier phenology and faster growth, without changing annual biomass production. Biomass production increased in spring due to a warming‐induced earlier onset of plant growth, but decreased in autumn due mainly to increased water stress. Plants grew faster but the fast‐growing period shortened during the mid‐growing season. These findings provide the first in situ evidence of long‐term changes in growth patterns in alpine grassland plant communities, and suggest that earlier phenology and faster growth will jointly contribute to plant growth in a warming climate.     

夏玉米水分利用效率的时空变化规律研究

通过小区试验,本实验在不同生育阶段控水条件下,对玉米不分利用效率（ＷＵＥ）的时空变化规律进行研究。同雄期是玉米的需水关键期,该时期控制供水较充分,供水减产１８．２％,ＷＵＥ减小１６．８％灌浆期适度控水有利于节水增产。拔节期供水对作物株高和干物质积累影响明显,拔节期耗水量对玉米产量形成重要。     

Effects of enhanced atmospheric ammonia on photosynthetic characteristics of two maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) cultivars with various nitrogen supply across long-term growth period and their diurnal change patterns

We investigated the effect of enhanced atmospheric ammonia (NH₃) in combination with low and high nitrogen (LN and HN, respectively) growth medium on photosynthetic characteristics of two maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars (NE5 with high- and SD19 with low N-use efficiency) across long-term growth period and their diurnal change patterns exposed to 10 nl l⁻¹ and 1,000 nl l⁻¹ NH₃ fumigation in open-top chambers (OTCs). Regardless of the level of N in medium, increased NH₃ concentration promoted maximum net photosynthetic rate (P _max) and apparent quantum yield (AQY) of both cultivars at earlier growth stages, but inhibited P _max of NE5 from silking to maturity stage and that of SD19 at maturity stage only above the ambient concentration. Greater positive/less negative responses were predominant in the LN than in the HN treatment, especially for SD19. Dark respiration rate (R _D) remained more enhanced in the LN than in the HN treatment for SD19 as well as increased in the LN while decreased in the HN treatment for NE5 at their silking stage, following exposure to elevated NH₃ concentration. Additionally, enhanced atmospheric NH₃ increased net photosynthetic rate (P _N) and stomatal conductance (g _s) but reduced intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) of both cultivars with either the LN or HN treatment during the diurnal period at tasseling stage. The diurnal change patterns of P _N and g _s showed bimodal curve type and those of C _i presented single W-curve type for NE5, when NH₃ concentration was enhanced. As for SD19, single-peak curve type was showed for both P _N and g _s while single V-curve type for C _i. All results supported the hypothesis that appropriately enhanced atmospheric NH₃ can increase assimilation of CO₂ by improving photosynthesis of maize plant, especially at earlier growth stages and after photosynthetic “noon-break” point. These impacts of elevated NH₃ concentration were more beneficial for SD19 as compared to those for NE5, especially in the LN supply environment.     

西北黑河中游荒漠绿洲农田作物蒸腾与土壤蒸发区分及作物耗水规律

利用中国生态系统研究网络临泽内陆河流域研究站绿洲农田2009年小气候、湍流交换、土壤蒸发和叶片气孔导度等综合观测试验数据,应用Shuttleworth-Wallace(S-W)双源模型以半小时为步长估算了绿洲农田玉米生长季实际蒸散量,并利用涡动相关与微型蒸渗仪实测数据对田间蒸散发量和棵间土壤蒸发量计算结果进行了检验。结果表明:S-W模型较好地估算研究区的蒸散量,并能有效区分农田作物蒸腾和土壤蒸发;全生育期玉米共耗水640 mm,其中作物蒸腾累积量为467 mm,土壤蒸发累积量为173 mm,分别占总量的72.9%和27.1%;日时间尺度上,作物蒸腾和土壤蒸发分别在0—6.3 mm/d和0—4.3 mm/d之间变化,其日平均分别为2.9和1.0 mm/d;田间供水充足,作物蒸腾与土壤蒸发比值明显受作物生长过程影响,播种—出苗期、出苗—拔节期、拔节—抽雄期、抽雄—灌浆期、灌浆—成熟期,其比值分别为0.04、0.8、7.0、5.2和1.4,不同阶段的比值差异主要受叶面积指数影响。     

Phenological responses of plants to climate change in an urban environment

Global climate change is likely to alter the phenological patterns of plants due to the controlling effects of climate on plant ontogeny, especially in an urbanized environment. We studied relationships between various phenophases (i.e., seasonal biological events) and interannual variations of air temperature in three woody plant species (Prunus davidiana, Hibiscus syriacus, and Cercis chinensis) in the Beijing Metropolis, China, based on phenological data for the period 1962–2004 and meteorological data for the period 1951–2004. Analysis of phenology and climate data indicated significant changes in spring and autumn phenophases and temperatures. Changes in phenophases were observed for all the three species, consistent with patterns of rising air temperatures in the Beijing Metropolis. The changing phenology in the three plant species was reflected mainly as advances of the spring phenophases and delays in the autumn phenophases, but with strong variations among species and phenophases in response to different temperature indices. Most phenophases (both spring and autumn phenophases) had significant relationships with temperatures of the preceding months. There existed large inter- and intra-specific variations, however, in the responses of phenology to climate change. It is clear that the urban heat island effect from 1978 onwards is a dominant cause of the observed phenological changes. Differences in phenological responses to climate change may cause uncertain ecological consequences, with implications for ecosystem stability and function in urban environments.     

SEASONAL PATTERN OF NET PHOTOSYNTHESIS OF ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA

Gas exchange studies were carried out on Artemisia tridentata during the course of a growing season using microclimatically controlled cuvettes and infrared gas analysis. A definite seasonal pattern of net photosynthesis emerged. This pattern was influenced by the interaction of four major factors: plant water potential, leaf temperature, irradiation, and stage of phenological development. In spring and early summer, when plant water stress was minimal, photosynthesis rate was mainly correlated with leaf temperature and irradiation. During mid and late summer, increased plant water stress and phenological changes assumed at least equal importance with temperature and irradiation in limiting net photosynthesis. Indeed, plant water potential, mainly through its influence on stomatal aperture, r_s‘, was probably the single most important factor influencing assimilation rate of this species on a seasonal basis. However, variations in mesophyll resistance to CO₂ flux, r_m‘, in response to temperature, water stress, or phenological changes also were involved. Sagebrush photosynthesis under field conditions was highest in late May and early June, and declined thereafter, minimum rates occurring in August during the driest period. Optimal temperatures for net photosynthesis were higher later in the season, indicating a change in gas exchange capacity more suitable to the warmer temperatures later in the season.