Community level effects of Nereocystis luetkeana in southeastern Alaska

A multispecies approach was used to examine the role of the canopy forming kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana, in structuring kelp communities near Juneau, Alaska (58°22′53 N, 134°38′45 W). Large-scale (1500 m²) manipulations were used to test direct and indirect effects of Nereocystis on faunal assemblages. Fish and invertebrate abundances were quantified in relation to canopy (canopy, no canopy), depth (bottom, surface), and season (summer, winter) using Standard Monitoring Units for Recruitment of Fish (SMURFs), light traps, and visual surveys. Lacuna vincta directly utilized the canopy of Nereocystis with greatest abundances at canopy sites during the summer. In contrast, a direct negative effect of Nereocystis was observed for schooling Gadidae fishes; six times more fish were observed at sites without canopy kelp. The abundance of juvenile benthic fishes was twice as high at the bottom of sites containing Nereocystis as compared to no canopy sites, providing strong evidence for an indirect effect of canopy presence on community structure. Other invertebrate abundances (i.e., amphipods, copepods) were greater within the bottom strata (sub-canopy) of all sites, regardless of canopy or season. Our results illustrate the importance of a multispecies approach and present novel information for a little-studied, high-latitude kelp system.     

Interactions of Patella and macroalgae with settling Semibalanus balanoides (L.)

Biological interactions affecting densities of settling and newly-settled Semibalanus balanoides (L.) have been investigated by manipulative field experiments on the Isle of Man.The effects of sweeping by fucoid clumps of different species and Patella browsing have been compared on moderately-exposed shores. Patella allowed barnacle settlement by preventing growth of competing green algae, but reduced post-settlement densities. Small clumps of Fucus spiralis L., F. vesiculosus L, and F. serratus L. all reduced settlement considerably more so than limpets. F. serratus had the greatest sweeping effect.Interactions between macroalgae and Semibalanus balanoides have been investigated at all levels on sheltered shores and low down on more exposed shores. In the Fucus spiralis and F. vesiculosus zones, post-settlement numbers were higher than in adjacent areas where the canopy was removed. Barnacles did not settle readily in the Ascophyllum zone in either experimental or control areas. Settlement occurred in the upper part of the Fucus serratus zone in experimental areas where the canopy was removed but not in control areas. No settlement occurred in either treatment or control areas lower in the F. serratus zone. At all levels on the shore fucoid canopies seemed to reduce cyprid settlement, but the effect was greatest amongst F. serratus where there was total prevention. High on the shore the effect of enhanced post-settlement survival under the canopy outweighs reduction of cyprid settlement thus there are greater numbers in the controls. Competition with red algal turfs was shown to set the lower limit of the barnacle zone on a vertical pier face.     

In situ measurements of hydrodynamic forces imposed on Chondrus crispus Stackhouse

Among the hydrodynamic forces experienced by intertidal organisms, drag and the impingement force are thought to have the greatest effect on macroalgae. These forces are modified by biotic factors such as algal morphology, reconfiguration, and the presence of a canopy. However, much of what is known about the hydrodynamics of macroalgae has been garnered from low-velocity laboratory flume studies. Few field studies have measured drag and none have directly measured the effects of the canopy on force. To examine in situ hydrodynamic forces imposed on the turf forming macroalga Chondrus crispus, compact digital force sensors were developed that measure and record the 3-dimensional force imposed on a macroalga without disturbing the surrounding canopy. Sensors were positioned within natural Chondrus beds and the effects of the canopy, algal morphology, and sea state on in situ hydrodynamic force were examined. Additionally, the predictions of a new model for drag on flexible macroalgae were tested by simultaneously measuring force and water velocity. Digital force recordings indicated that Chondrus only experience drag; lift and impingement force were negligible in all combinations of factors. Canopies significantly reduced drag by 15-65%. Morphology and size also influenced drag, such that lower forces were imposed on small planar algae than large arborescent individuals. Further, planar algae experienced low drag in all combinations of sea and canopy state, indicating that these individuals may not be as susceptible to wave disturbance as arborescent individuals. Overall, these data indicate that the ability for Chondrus to grow large, arborescent individuals is dependent on the drag reducing properties of the canopy, while more hydrodynamically harsh habitats may be accessible to planar morphologies. Additionally, these data suggest that drag models for canopy forming macroalgae must incorporate the effects of the canopy to predict drag accurately in situ.     

Structural complexity facilitates accumulation and retention of fragments of the invasive alga, Caulerpa taxifolia

Free-drifting fragments represent an abundant potential source of recruits to the invasive alga, Caulerpa taxifolia. Here we examine how this fragment pool interacts with real and artificial habitat structure in estuarine environments. Specifically, we tested two hypotheses; (i) the fragment pool was unrelated to the structural complexity of Caulerpa beds and, (ii) fragment accumulation and retention was unrelated to canopy height of seagrass meadows. We examined fragment accumulation and retention using artificial seagrass units (ASUs) mimicking seagrasses with long (20 cm) leaves (Posidonia/Zostera) and short (5 cm) leaves (Halophila spp.). Both hypotheses were rejected. Fragment biomass was a positive function of the blade height and cover of Caulerpa taxifolia. ASUs with structure had greater fragment accumulation than controls, but we did not detect differences between ASUs of different canopy heights. However, fragment accumulation within ASUs was strongly affected by site, with the site experiencing the strongest tidal flows accumulating the most fragments. Structurally complex ASUs also retained more fragments relative to the bare control, but the degree of complexity did not affect retention and we could not distinguish between ASUs of different canopy height and the procedural control (metal frame lacking ‘leaves’). Overall, we conclude that the entanglement of C. taxifolia fragments is facilitated by structurally complex habitat and likely contributes to the successful establishment of this invader.     

Establishment of the introduced kelp Undaria pinnatifida in Tasmania depends on disturbance to native algal assemblages

Despite recent rapid increases in the occurrence of nonindigenous marine organisms in the marine environment, few studies have critically examined the invasion process for a marine species. Here we use manipulative experiments to examine processes of invasion for the Asian kelp Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar at two sites on the east coast of Tasmania. Disturbance to reduce cover of the native algal canopy was found to be critical in the establishment of U. pinnatifida, while the presence of a stable native algal canopy inhibited invasion. In the first sporophyte growth season following disturbance of the canopy, U. pinnatifida recruited in high densities (up to 19 plants m⁻²) while remaining rare or absent in un-manipulated plots. The timing of disturbance was also important. U. pinnatifida recruited in higher densities in plots where the native canopy was removed immediately prior to the sporophyte growth season (winter 2000), compared with plots where the canopy was removed 6 months earlier during the period of spore release (spring 1999). Removal of the native canopy also resulted in a significant increase in cover of sediment on the substratum. In the second year following canopy removal, U. pinnatifida abundance declined significantly, associated with a substantial recovery of native canopy-forming species. A feature of the recovery of the native algal canopy was a significant shift in species composition. Species dominant prior to canopy removal showed little if any signs of recovery. The recovery was instead dominated by canopy-forming species that were either rare or absent in the study areas prior to manipulation of the canopy.     

夏蜡梅种群结构与分布格局研究

在夏蜡梅(Sinocalycanthus chinensis)主要分布地设置11个代表性样地,研究了种群结构与空间分布格局,并对种群密度与主要环境因子进行相关性分析。结果表明,大多数夏蜡梅种群幼年阶段的个体较丰富,种群自然更新良好;样地群落夏蜡梅以集群分布为主;在透光率低、林分郁闭的群落中夏蜡梅聚集强度高,但种群更新不良、幼苗缺乏。因此,夏蜡梅适合在相对开敞的遮阴环境下生长,过于郁闭林地应采取适度间伐上层乔木、疏除过密灌木的抚育保护措施。     

Survival of juvenile Ecklonia radiata sporophytes after canopy loss

The understorey beneath a canopy of the kelp Ecklonia radiata often contains juvenile sporophytes of the same species. When canopy disturbance occurs, these juvenile sporophytes are exposed to new environmental conditions. If these juvenile sporophytes survive these new conditions, then they become a ready source of kelps to rapidly form a new canopy. This study investigated the potential of pre-existing juvenile sporophytes of E. radiata to survive post-disturbance conditions and contribute to the rapid formation of a new canopy. The potential of canopy recovery by recruitment of kelp from zoospores was also investigated. These processes were studied at different times during the summer and on reefs ranging in topographic complexity from simple, flat reefs to highly complex, rugose reefs. By tagging juvenile sporophytes after the adult kelp canopy was removed and monitoring them through time, it was demonstrated that most juveniles (> 50%) survived the change in conditions after canopy loss, with some juveniles going on to become members of a new canopy. Approximately 6-47% of tagged sporophytes died within 3-4 days after canopy removal possibly due to excessive photoinhibition and photostress as demonstrated by changes in photosynthetic performance (decreased alpha values) of juveniles. The potential contribution of juvenile sporophytes to the rapid formation of a new canopy appears to be dependent on the timing of canopy removal with late summer-autumn canopy loss favouring faster recovery. Topographically complex reefs had less short-term (7 days) survival of juvenile sporophytes than topographically simple reefs; however this difference was not carried through to the long-term (6 months) abundance of adult kelp in experimental clearings, which was greater on topographically complex reefs. Clearly, juvenile sporophytes in arrested development under existing canopies of the small kelp E. radiata are important for the rapid recovery of the kelp canopy once adults are lost through physical disturbance.     

秦岭大熊猫栖息地巴山木竹生物量

巴山木竹是秦岭大熊猫冬、春季食物的主要来源,其生长状况、数量和空间分布格局与大熊猫的生存与活动有着密切的关系。为了探讨不同立地因子对巴山木竹生物量的影响,确定巴山木竹生长的主导因子和适宜立地条件,在秦岭大熊猫栖息地内选取54块样地,对不同立地条件下巴山木竹生物量进行了测定。通过统计分析,结果表明:由于不同地区气候和土壤条件的差异,导致了巴山木竹生物量亦存在较大差别;巴山木竹生物量在其分布区内随海拔的升高而呈规律性变化,1500—1700 m为最适分布区域,其生物量最大;坡度越大生物量越小,陡坡不适宜竹林的生长;上坡位不利于竹林生长,而中、下坡位生物量没有显著差异;坡向对生物量的影响不明显,均适宜巴山木竹生长;在落叶阔叶和针阔混交林中,当林冠郁闭度>0.6时,竹林生长减弱。在这些立地因子中,影响巴山木竹生物量积累的主导因子是坡位和林冠郁闭度。     

Life history and growth of Asellus aquaticus (L.) in relation to environment in a eutrophic lake in Norway

Eichhornia crassipes and Salvinia molesta, both notorious weeds, are present in the catchment of Cabora Bassa, a new man-made lake on the Zambezi River, Moçambique. Weed dispersal, controlled by wind and current (and indirectly by rate of lake filling and lake morphology) culminated in the distribution of mats in the eastern and western extremities with very small cover in central lake areas. Eichhornia offset production was initially very rapid later diminishing markedly with many plants showing symptoms o: nutrient deficiency. Eichhornia completely dominated mat composition at the end of the year whilst Salvinia cover was negligible. Heavy drawdown in the middle of the year lead to destruction of nearly 50% of the weed mats. Whilst pre-drawdown levels were attained by the end of the year, there was no evidence for expected explosive population growth and extensive weed colonization in the filling phase.     

盖度与冠层水深对沉水植物水盾草光谱特性的影响

遥感技术可应用于大尺度实时监测沉水植物的分布与生长状况。然而沉水植物的光谱特征受其冠层在水下深度的影响,从而影响湖泊和河流中沉水植物的遥感影像解译与信息提取。应用地物光谱仪,通过野外原位测定和室外控制试验,实测了沉水植物水盾草(Cabomba caroliniana)群落冠层在水下不同深度的反射光谱,分析了冠层水深对水盾草反射光谱的影响,并建立了基于光谱反射率和冠层水深的水盾草群落盖度反演模型。研究结果表明(1)不同盖度的水盾草群落光谱反射率的基本特征主要体现在绿光和近红外波段;(2)水盾草群落的光谱反射率与冠层水深基本呈负相关,相同盖度水盾草群落的光谱反射率随冠层水深的增加而减小,在近红外波段尤其明显;(3)水盾草群落冠层水深越小,其盖度与光谱反射率的相关性越强,且水盾草群落盖度越大,其光谱反射率与冠层水深的相关性越显著;(4)水盾草光谱反射率与盖度相关的最佳波段在692—898 nm,与冠层水深相关最佳的波段在710 nm和806 nm附近;(5)在710 nm和806 nm处建立的结合冠层水深的修正模型,无论是回归方程决定系数(R2),还是水盾草群落盖度的反演精度都明显高于仅用光谱反射率反演盖度的简单模型,因此可有效减除冠层水深对反演精度的影响。本研究的结果可为遥感监测沉水植物的分布和动态变化,以及沉水植物生物物理参量反演提供科学依据。     

Using plant functional types to compare vegetation structure of alien-invaded and uninvaded Acacia nilotica savannas

Four plant functional types (PFTs) were used to compare the vegetation structure of an alien-invaded Acacia nilotica savanna with one of negligible invasions. Heights, canopy covers and species richness of three native PFTs (woody plants, grasses and herbs) and one alien PFT (woody plants) were measured in 14, 1-m² quadrats sampled in a stratified-random pattern in a 400-m² plot demarcated in each savanna. In the uninvaded plot, mean heights of native PFTs were stratified. In the invaded plot, the mean height of aliens extended into the native woody stratum with the lower range of native woody PFT heights reduced to the grass stratum. Discriminant analysis of canopy covers and species richness of the four PFTs revealed significant differences in composition between plots with the alien PFT being the most important variable correlated with these differences. Univariate analysis confirmed the dominance of alien woody plants in the invaded plot but also showed significant reductions in the canopy covers and species richness of native herbs and grasses compared to those in the uninvaded plot. These results suggest that PFTs can rapidly measure small-scale, spatial differences in the physiognomy, composition and species richness of A. nilotica savannas when invaded by alien woody plants.     

Body temperature and desiccation constrain the activity of Littoraria irrorata within the Spartina alterniflora canopy

Behavioral patterns of motile ectotherms are often constrained by their microclimate conditions. For intertidal ectotherms, thermal and desiccation stresses are primary limiting factors. In this study, we developed and tested a steady-state heat budget model to calculate the duration of time that the salt marsh snail, Littoraria irrorata (Say), would maintain active behaviors (crawling or attached on stalks of marsh grass Spartina alterniflora) before switching to an inactive state (retracted and glued with a mucus holdfast on the stalks) due to desiccation. The snails' water loss tolerance limit was found to be 43.6±16.0 mg in a laboratory experiment using 5 temperature treatments (25-45 °C in 5 °C increments) with a vapor density (VD) deficit of ∼15 g/m³ (saturated VD-air VD). We found that snails attached to S. alterniflora at lower heights in the canopy had higher body temperatures during daytime hours but lower water loss rates. Furthermore, we found that calculated activity times generally matched daily and seasonal patterns of life history behaviors reported in the literature. If tidal emersion began at night (∼20:00-4:00 h), calculated activity times were much higher than if emersion began in the daytime. The total monthly activity times for 2005-2010 were the highest in May, the lowest in July, and increased from July to September. Therefore, L. irrorata's behaviors appear to be constrained by microclimate conditions within the S. alterniflora canopy as predicted by the heat budget model. The extent to which the snails' life history traits are controlled by environmental conditions will have important implications for their population dynamics as climate change progresses, and heat budget models can help to predict future changes in behavioral responses.     

残存银杏群落的结构及种群更新特征

银杏是现存裸子植物中最古老的孑遗植物,也是银杏纲植物现存的唯一种,但其自然群落和种群生态学特征至今尚未明晰。对分布于贵州省和重庆市交界的大娄山区7个地点的残存银杏群落的物种组成、垂直结构、主要组成种的种群大小级结构等群落结构特征以及银杏种群更新特征进行了研究。林木层共记录到82个种,其中常绿针叶树3种,常绿阔叶树和落叶阔叶树分别为37种和42种;各群落中相对优势度均以落叶阔叶树为高,银杏在7个样方中为顶极优势种,其中在6个样方中为单优势种。银杏群落林木层在垂直结构上一般可分为3层,银杏为乔木层的主要成分。各个群落中银杏种群的大小级结构均为逆-J型或多峰型,更新连续,而其余种类多为单峰型。不同微地形单元上银杏具有不同的萌枝特性,沟谷生境中银杏的萌枝率显著高于下部边坡和崖锥,有萌个体率的差异是主要的贡献因子,而银杏的萌枝能力与主干的胸径无显著关联。残存银杏群落为典型的发育在不稳定立地上的落叶阔叶林地形顶级群落,银杏通过萌枝维系种群的长期存留和群落的相对稳定。群落中银杏、红豆杉(Taxus chinensis)、红椿(Toona ciliata)和川黄檗(Phellodendron chinense)等多种珍稀濒危植物共存,有必要从群落层次上加强对残存银杏群落的保护。     

太岳山不同郁闭度油松人工林降水分配特征

利用2011年5-9月生长季观测的30场降雨数据,分析了山西太岳山不同郁闭度下油松人工林林冠截留、穿透雨以及树干茎流与降雨量的关系,以及林冠截留过程的特点.结果表明:(1)实验观测期间,该地区降雨总量为634.79mm,单次平均降雨量为21.16mm,单次最大降雨量为58.15mm,单次最小降雨量为0.54mm.其中,8月份的降雨总量最大,为190.77mm,6月份的降雨总量最小,为41.81mm.(2)郁闭度为0.8的油松人工林林冠截留量与降雨量呈一元线性关系,郁闭度为0.7、0.6和0.5均呈幂函数关系;对于各郁闭度的油松人工林,其林冠截留率与降雨量均呈对数函数关系;穿透雨量、树干茎流量与降雨量均呈明显的一元线性关系,穿透雨量和树干茎流量都随着降雨量的增加而增加.(3)不同郁闭度油松人工林之间林冠截留、穿透雨和树干茎流不同,总的趋势为随着郁闭度的减小,林冠截留量减小,穿透雨量增大,树干茎流量增大.林冠截留量与郁闭度表现出正相关关系,而穿透雨量、树干茎流量都与郁闭度表现出负相关关系.(4)各郁闭度林冠截留量、穿透雨量和树干茎流量的月动态变化与总降水量的月变化基本一致.     

Spatial variation in juvenile and adult Ecklonia radiata (Laminariales) sporophytes

Juvenile and adult sporophytes of Ecklonia radiata were counted on in-shore and off-shore reefs at Marmion (Perth, Western Australia), across spatial scales of kilometres, 10s of metres and metres. The position on in-shore reefs vs. off-shore reefs did not influence recruit and adult kelp density. There was considerable site-to-site (kilometres) variation in densities of recruits but not adults. The majority of variation in both recruit and adult densities was found between quadrats separated by a few metres. There was no relationship between abundance of recruits and abundance of adult sporophytes at any of the spatial levels of investigation, suggesting a decoupling of recruitment and canopy processes. The results emphasise the patchy nature of kelp canopy distribution and suggest that relatively small-scale processes, acting on scales of a few metres, are of primary importance in generating heterogeneity in the canopy of these kelps.     

长白落叶松林龄序列上的生物量及碳储量分配规律

由于多年来的过量采伐和重采轻育,伊春东折棱河林场人工长白落叶松林分质量普遍下降,森林生态功能严重衰退。结合对该研究地同一立地类型的人工长白落叶松林(Larix ologensis)林木各组分生物量垂直分配规律的分析,研究了其生物量在年龄序列上的分布及分配规律,为提高其林分生物量及碳储量采取相应的抚育管理措施提供一定的理论基础。结果表明,处于中龄、近熟及成熟林中的林木树干、树皮及活枝生物量所占比例受年龄影响较小,而叶生物量随林龄增大呈现明显递减变化;不同年龄长白落叶松的垂直分布规律基本一致:其树皮及树干生物量随树高增大呈现递减规律,其活枝及叶生物量主要集中分布于树冠中部,而其死枝生物量未呈现明显分布规律;长白落叶松根系生物量随着林分年龄的增大,其粗根、中根及细根所占比例呈现递减规律,而其大根所占比例随年龄的增大基本呈增大趋势。通过统计分析得出,长白落叶松生物量与林分蓄积的最优模型为:W=0.4909M+9.6624(R²=0.8893),进而估算得出:研究区域幼龄长白落叶松林分生物量为1273.72 t/hm²,碳储量为656.98 t/hm²;中龄长白落叶松林分生物量为15480.13 t/hm²,碳储量为7984.65 t/hm²;近熟、成熟龄长白落叶松林分生物量为7684.41 t/hm²,碳储量为3963.62 t/hm²。随林分结构的改善以及中龄、近熟及成熟林分的不断增加,生物量及碳储量会相应增加。     

Allelopathic effects of fruits of the Brazilian pepper Schinus terebinthifolius on growth, leaf production and biomass of seedlings of the red mangrove Rhizophora mangle and the black mangrove Avicennia germinans

Exotic plant species can negatively affect native flora and fauna by changing the diversity and productivity of the system and altering successional processes. The novel weapons hypothesis has been suggested as one mechanism for invasion and spread of exotic plant species. It states that exotic species with “new weapons”, such as allelopathic chemicals, may have greater impacts on species in the invaded range without co-evolved defense strategies against the exotic chemicals. In Florida, one successful exotic species, Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper), has invaded nearly every habitat throughout the state. Past studies have documented allelopathic properties of S. terebinthifolius negatively impacting the growth of native terrestrial flora. Here we document the effect of S. terebinthifolius for the first time on mangrove systems. We examined growth and survival of Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove) and Avicennia germinans (black mangrove) seedlings when exposed to a range of densities of intact and crushed S. terebinthifolius fruits (0, 25, 50) at two different salinities (15, 30 ppt). We also documented the natural density of S. terebinthifolius fruits beneath the tree canopy after fruit production in mangrove habitat. Growth and biomass were significantly reduced in A. germinans when exposed to the highest density of intact S. terebinthifolius fruits growing in 30 ppt saltwater. Trials with intact fruits had no significant effects on R. mangle; however, crushed fruits significantly decreased growth, and leaf production. The ecological importance of the different effects of crushed and intact fruits is supported by field observations which found equal or greater numbers of crushed fruits compared to intact fruits beneath the tree canopy of female S. terebinthifolius. In addition, abiotic factors, such as salinity, may interact with allelopathic chemicals in natural systems and needs to be addressed when planning future allelopathic studies.     

Dinuclear ruthenium sawhorse-type complexes containing bridging ligands with ferrocenyl substituents in endo/endo, endo/exo and exo/exo orientations

The dinuclear ruthenium complexes Ru₂(CO)₄(OOCC₅H₄FeC₅H₅)₂L₂ (L = NC₅H₅: 1, L = PPh₃: 2) have been synthesized from Ru₃(CO)₁₂, ferrocene carboxylic acid and pyridine or triphenylphosphine, respectively. The single-crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals for 1 and 2 a Ru₂(CO)₄ sawhorse backbone with the two ferrocenyl substituents of the two carboxylato bridges being endo/exo with respect to each other in the solid state. With the new pyridine derivative NC₅H₄OOCC₅H₄FeC₅H₅ (4-ferrocenoyl pyridine) (3) as axial ligand, the complex Ru₂(CO)₄(OOCC₅H₄FeC₅H₅)₂(NC₅H₄OOCC₅H₄FeC₅H₅)₂ (4) was obtained, the single crystal X-ray structure analysis showing an exo/exo orientation of the two carboxylato bridges in the solid state. The endo/endo orientation is found in the solid-state structure of Ru₂(CO)₄(HNOCC₅H₄FeC₅H₅)₂(PPh₃)₂ (5), the two OCNH bridges being transoïd with respect to each other; this complex is accessible from Ru₃(CO)₁₂, ferrocenamide and triphenylphosphine.     

Artemisone inhibits in vitro and in vivo propagation of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina parasites

Artemisone was evaluated, in in vitro and in vivo, for control of bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bigemina and Babesiabovis parasites. In vitro, artemisone reduced parasitemia in a dose-dependent manner: the inhibitory effects increased gradually, reaching a maximum inhibition of 99.6% and 86.4% for B. bigemina and B. bovis, respectively 72 h after initiation of treatment with initial parasitemia of 0.5%. In calves infected with either B. bigemina or B. bovis artemisone treatment was well tolerated and prevented development of acute babesiosis in all animals except for one B. bovis-infected calf. The treatment did not eliminate all blood parasites, and recovered animals carried a persistent low-level infection. Treatment with artemisone may be useful as an alternative drug for preventing the pathology that results from babesiosis, without interfering with acquired immune protection following recovery from an acute babesiosis infection or vaccination.     

霸王和木本猪毛菜在遮风和不遮风环境下的表型特征差异

植物的表型特征是对环境适应的结果。霸王(Zygophyllum xanthoxylum)和木本猪毛菜(Salsola arbuscula)是新疆达坂城大风区的主要植物,也是该区植被恢复潜在的先锋植物。在达坂城柴窝堡,通过野外盆栽实验,对霸王和木本猪毛菜持续吹风和遮风处理90 d,定量分析这两种植物在遮风和不遮风环境下其地上部分的生长和空间构型差异。结果表明:(1)与遮风下的相比,自然大风中的霸王和木本猪毛菜其株高、叶长度、单叶面积、单株叶面积均减小,顺风向基径均增大,尤其是霸王,其株高减小了一半多。木本猪毛菜的叶片数量增多,叶宽增大,霸王的叶片数量减少、叶宽度、叶柄长度、叶柄直径均减小;(2)遮风下的木本猪毛菜其植冠在四个方向均匀生长,而自然大风中的植冠空间构型在迎风面和背风面出现明显的不对称,一级分枝数增多,主茎弯曲角度、枝倾角、叶倾角均减小。霸王没有出现一级分枝,主茎弯曲角度减小,叶倾角增大。可见,霸王主要通过减小地上部分各器官来响应大风环境,而木本猪毛菜除减小各器官之外,还减小各器官之间的角度,形成更紧凑的构型,以此适应大风环境。