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Meng HH, Yin BF, Li YG, Zhou XB, Zhang YM, Tao Y, Zhou DQ. Differences and allometric relationships among assimilative branch traits of four shrubs in Central Asia. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1064504. [PMID: 36582643 PMCID: PMC9793409 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1064504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Shrubs play a major role in maintaining ecosystem stability in the arid deserts of Central Asia. During the long-term adaptation to extreme arid environments, shrubs have developed special assimilative branches that replace leaves for photosynthesis. In this study, four dominant shrubs with assimilative branches, namely Haloxylon ammodendron, Haloxylon persicum, Calligonum mongolicum, and Ephedra przewalskii, were selected as the research objects, and the dry mass, total length, node number, and basal diameter of their assimilative branches and the average length of the first three nodes were carefully measured, and the allometric relationships among five traits of four species were systematically compared. The results indicated that: (1) Four desert shrubs have different assimilative branches traits. Compared with H. persicum and H. ammodendron, C. mongolicum and E. przewalskii have longer internodes and fewer nodes. The dry mass of H. ammodendron and the basal diameter of H. persicum were the smallest; (2) Significant allometric scaling relationships were found between dry mass, total length, basal diameter, and each trait of assimilative branches, all of which were significantly less than 1; (3) The scaling exponents of the allometric relationship between four traits and the dry mass of assimilative branches of H. persicum were greater or significantly greater than those of H. ammodendron. The scaling exponents of the relationships between the basal diameter, dry mass, and total length of E. przewalskii were higher than those of the other three shrubs. Therefore, although different species have adapted to drought and high temperatures by convergence, there was great variability in morphological characteristics of assimilative branches, as well as in the scaling exponents of relationships among traits. The results of this study will provide valuable insights into the ecological functions of assimilative branches and survival strategies of these shrubs to cope with aridity and drought in desert environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Huan Meng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, Anhui, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ben-Feng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yong-Gang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yuan-Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ye Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Duo-Qi Zhou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of the Biodiversity Study and Ecology Conservation in Southwest Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, Anhui, China
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Li YP, Feng YL, Li WT, Tomlinson K, Liao ZY, Zheng YL, Zhang JL. Leaf trait association in relation to herbivore defense, drought resistance, and economics in a tropical invasive plant. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2022; 109:910-921. [PMID: 35471767 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Exploring how functional traits vary and covary is important to understand plant responses to environmental change. However, we have limited understanding of the ways multiple functional traits vary and covary within invasive species. METHODS We measured 12 leaf traits of an invasive plant Chromolaena odorata, associated with plant or leaf economics, herbivore defense, and drought resistance on 10 introduced populations from Asia and 12 native populations from South and Central America, selected across a broad range of climatic conditions, and grown in a common garden. RESULTS Species' range and climatic conditions influenced leaf traits, but trait variation across climate space differed between the introduced and native ranges. Traits that confer defense against herbivores and drought resistance were associated with economic strategy, but the patterns differed by range. Plants from introduced populations that were at the fast-return end of the spectrum (high photosynthetic capacity) had high physical defense traits (high trichome density), whereas plants from native populations that were at the fast-return end of the spectrum had high drought escape traits (early leaf senescence and high percentage of withered shoots). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that invasive plants can rapidly adapt to novel environmental conditions. Chromolaena odorata showed multiple different functional trait covariation patterns and clines in the native and introduced ranges. Our results emphasize that interaction between multiple traits or functions should be considered when investigating the adaptive evolution of invasive plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Ping Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, China
| | - Yu-Long Feng
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110866, China
| | - Wei-Tao Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, China
| | - Kyle Tomlinson
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Liao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, China
| | - Yu-Long Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, China
| | - Jiao-Lin Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, China
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Zhou Z, Su P, Wu X, Zhang H, Shi R, Yang J. Leaf and canopy photosynthesis of four desert plants: considering different photosynthetic organs. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2022; 151:265-277. [PMID: 34780003 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-021-00884-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Desert plants evolve different photosynthetic organs to adapt to the extreme environment. We studied the leaf and canopy gas exchange, chlorophyll content, fluorescence parameters, and anatomical structure of different photosynthetic organs (leaf and assimilating stem) on four desert plants (Nitraria sphaerocarpa, Caragana korshinskii, Haloxylon ammodendron, and Calligonum mongolicum). The results showed a higher net photosynthetic rate (PN) in the assimilating stems of H. ammodendron and C. mongolicum, which also had a higher light saturation point and a lower light compensation point than leaves (N. sphaerocarpa and C. korshinskii), suggesting more efficient solar energy utilization in the former. Within each species, canopy apparent photosynthetic rate (CAP) was significantly lower than PN, and the daily average CAP of the assimilating stems was significantly higher than leaves. These findings indicated that the photosynthetic response of desert plants was specific to photosynthetic organs. We concluded that the assimilating stem was a superior adaption for desert plants to survive the arid environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Process and Climate Change in Cold and Arid Regions, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Peixi Su
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Process and Climate Change in Cold and Arid Regions, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiukun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resource, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Haina Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Ecological Engineering, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang, 330099, China
| | - Rui Shi
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Process and Climate Change in Cold and Arid Regions, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jianping Yang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Process and Climate Change in Cold and Arid Regions, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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Wright CL, de Lima ALA, de Souza ES, West JB, Wilcox BP. Plant functional types broadly describe water use strategies in the Caatinga, a seasonally dry tropical forest in northeast Brazil. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:11808-11825. [PMID: 34522343 PMCID: PMC8427645 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In seasonally dry tropical forests, plant functional type can be classified as deciduous low wood density, deciduous high wood density, or evergreen high wood density species. While deciduousness is often associated with drought-avoidance and low wood density is often associated with tissue water storage, the degree to which these functional types may correspond to diverging and unique water use strategies has not been extensively tested.We examined (a) tolerance to water stress, measured by predawn and mid-day leaf water potential; (b) water use efficiency, measured via foliar δ13C; and (c) access to soil water, measured via stem water δ18O.We found that deciduous low wood density species maintain high leaf water potential and low water use efficiency. Deciduous high wood density species have lower leaf water potential and variable water use efficiency. Both groups rely on shallow soil water. Evergreen high wood density species have low leaf water potential, higher water use efficiency, and access alternative water sources. These findings indicate that deciduous low wood density species are drought avoiders, with a specialized strategy for storing root and stem water. Deciduous high wood density species are moderately drought tolerant, and evergreen high wood density species are the most drought tolerant group.Synthesis. Our results broadly support the plant functional type framework as a way to understand water use strategies, but also highlight species-level differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia L. Wright
- Environmental Sciences DivisionOak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeTNUSA
- Ecology and Conservation BiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - André L. A. de Lima
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco/Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada (UFRPE/UAST)Serra TalhadaBrasil
| | - Eduardo S. de Souza
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco/Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada (UFRPE/UAST)Serra TalhadaBrasil
| | - Jason B. West
- Ecology and Conservation BiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Bradford P. Wilcox
- Ecology and Conservation BiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
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Ávila-Lovera E, Garcillán PP. Phylogenetic signal and climatic niche of stem photosynthesis in the mediterranean and desert regions of California and Baja California Peninsula. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2021; 108:334-345. [PMID: 33280080 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Woody plants with photosynthetic stems are common in the drylands of the world; however, we know little about the origin(s) and geographical distribution of photosynthetic stems. Therefore, we set to answer the following questions: (1) Is stem photosynthesis phylogenetically conserved? (2) Do green-stemmed and fleshy-stemmed species have identifiable climatic niches? METHODS We mapped the photosynthetic stem trait onto a phylogeny of 228 mediterranean and desert species and calculated indices of phylogenetic signal and created climatic niche models of 28 species belonging to three groups: green, fleshy, and green-and-fleshy stemmed species. RESULTS We found phylogenetic signal in the fleshy stem trait, but not in the green stem trait. Fleshy-stemmed species occupy areas associated with high isothermality, high precipitation seasonality, and high mean temperature of the wettest quarter, whereas green-stemmed species occupy areas associated with high precipitation of driest month, high precipitation of coldest quarter, high mean diurnal temperature range and high maximum temperature of the warmest month. CONCLUSIONS Despite the fact that both photosynthetic stem types help cope with water shortage, having fleshy stems allows plants to cope with greater precipitation seasonality than is possible with green stems. Green stems require a lot of water to be stored in the soil to maintain net photosynthesis during the dry season, so they inhabit areas with higher and more predictable precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleinis Ávila-Lovera
- Schimd College of Science and Technology, Chapman University. One University Drive, Orange, CA, 92866, USA
| | - Pedro P Garcillán
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.C.S., 23096, México
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