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Shi H, Shi Q, Zhou X, Cui C, Li X, Zhang Z, Zhu C. Influence of surface water and groundwater on functional traits and trade-off strategies of oasis communities at the end of the Keriya River, China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1340137. [PMID: 38434438 PMCID: PMC10905963 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1340137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Plant functional traits reflect the capacity of plants to adapt to their environment and the underlying optimization mechanisms. However, few studies have investigated trade-off strategies for functional traits in desert-wetland ecosystems, the mechanisms by which surface water disturbance and groundwater depth drive functional trait variation at the community scale, and the roles of intraspecific and interspecific variation. Therefore, this study analyzed specific differences in community-weighted mean traits among habitat types and obtained the relative contribution of intraspecific and interspecific variation by decomposing community-weighted mean traits, focusing on the Daliyabuyi Oasis in the hinterland of the Taklamakan Desert. We also explored the mechanisms by which surface water and groundwater influence different sources of variability specifically. The results showed that plant height, relative chlorophyll content, leaf thickness, leaf nitrogen content, and nitrogen-phosphorus ratio were the key traits reflecting habitat differences. As the groundwater depth becomes shallower and surface water disturbance intensifies, plant communities tend to have higher leaf nitrogen content, nitrogen-phosphorus ratio, and relative chlorophyll content and lower height. Surface water, groundwater, soil water content, and total soil nitrogen can influence interspecific and intraspecific variation in these traits through direct and indirect effects. As arid to wet habitats change, plant trade-off strategies for resources will shift from conservative to acquisitive. The study concluded that community functional traits are mainly contributed by interspecific variation, but consideration of intraspecific variation and the covariation effects that exist between it and interspecific variation can help to further enhance the understanding of the response of community traits in desert-wetland ecosystems to environmental change. Surface water disturbance has a non-negligible contribution to this adaptation process and plays a higher role than groundwater depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Shi
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Qingdong Shi
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiaolong Zhou
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Chuandeng Cui
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Xiang Li
- College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology of Education Ministry, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Zipeng Zhang
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Chuanmei Zhu
- College of Geography and Remote Sensing Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
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Gao Y, Zeng F. Patterns of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometry of three life-form desert plants and responses to soil and microbial biomass factors in a hyper-arid desert ecosystem. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:43962-43974. [PMID: 36680725 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25445-3] [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: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plant, soil, and microbial biomass ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) are crucial in maintaining stability of desert ecosystems. Nevertheless, variation in relations of elemental ratios between different life forms of plants and soil and microbial biomass in desert ecosystems remains unclear. In a hyper-arid desert ecosystem, C, N, and P concentrations and ratios were analyzed in the plant-soil-microbial biomass system of three perennial desert species (Alhagi sparsifolia Shap. [Herb, Fabaceae], Karelinia caspica Pall. [Herb, non-Fabaceae], and Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. [Shrub]). Concentrations of N and P in Alhagi sparsifolia leaf, stem, and root were significantly greater than those in Karelinia caspica and Tamarix ramosissima, whereas plant C and soil organic C (SOC) were highest with Tamarix ramosissima. Alhagi sparsifolia and Tamarix ramosissima were P-limited, whereas Karelinia caspica was N-limited. According to correlation analysis, SOC rather than soil total P (STP) regulated plant N:P ratios, and microbial biomass C, N, and P rather than SOC, soil total N, and STP regulated plant C:N:P ratios. Soil water content also affected plant nutrient balance. Thus, in a hyper-arid desert ecosystem, the plant-soil-microbial biomass system and the balance of C, N, and P are closely related, and the role of soil microbial biomass in affecting plant nutrient balance should receive increased attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanju Gao
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, Hotan, 848300, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fanjiang Zeng
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China.
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, Hotan, 848300, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Yu DW, Duan SJ, Zhang XC, Yin DQ, Wang SJ, Chen JS, Lei NF. Effects of nutrient supply on leaf stoichiometry and relative growth rate of three stoloniferous alien plants. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278656. [PMID: 36459510 PMCID: PMC9718409 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Different nutrient supply brings about changes in leaf stoichiometry, which may affect growth rate and primary production of plants. Invasion of alien plants is a severe threat to biodiversity and ecosystem worldwide. A pot experiment was conducted by using three stoloniferous alien plants Wedelia trilobata, Alternanther philoxeroides and Hydrocotyle vulgaris to investigate effects of nutrient supply on their leaf stoichiometry and relative growth rate. Different nitrogen or phosphorus supply was applied in the experiment (N1:1 mmol L-1, N2:4 mmol L-1, and N3:8 mmol L-1, P1:0.15 mmol L-1, P2:0.6 mmol L-1 and P3:1.2 mmol L-1). Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in leaves of the three alien plants significantly increased with increase of nitrogen supply. With increase of phosphorus supply, nitrogen or phosphorus concentration of leaf was complex among the three alien plants. N:P ratio in leaf of the three alien plants subjected to different levels of nutrient supply was various. A positive correlation between relative growth rate and N:P ratio of the leaf is observed in W. trilobata and A. philoxeroides suffering from N-limitation. A similar pattern was not observed in Hydrocotyle vulgaris. We tentatively concluded that correlations between relative growth rate and N: P ratio of the leaf could be affected by species as well as nutrient supply. It is suggested that human activities, invasive history, local abundance of species et al maybe play an important role in the invasion of alien plants as well as relative growth rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Wei Yu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Su-Juan Duan
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao- Chao Zhang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
| | - Da-Qiu Yin
- China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jin-Song Chen
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
- * E-mail: (J-SC); (N-FL)
| | - Ning-Fei Lei
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China
- * E-mail: (J-SC); (N-FL)
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Ullah A, Tariq A, Zeng F, Sardans J, Graciano C, Ullah S, Chai X, Zhang Z, Keyimu M, Asghar MA, Javed HH, Peñuelas J. Phosphorous Supplementation Alleviates Drought-Induced Physio-Biochemical Damages in Calligonum mongolicum. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11223054. [PMID: 36432784 PMCID: PMC9699272 DOI: 10.3390/plants11223054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Calligonum mongolicum is a phreatophyte playing an important role in sand dune fixation, but little is known about its responses to drought and P fertilization. In the present study, we performed a pot experiment to investigate the effects of P fertilization under drought or well-watered conditions on multiple morpho-physio-biochemical attributes of C. mongolicum seedlings. Drought stress leads to a higher production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA), leading to impaired growth and metabolism. However, C. mongolicum exhibited effective drought tolerance strategies, including a higher accumulation of soluble sugars, starch, soluble protein, proline, and significantly higheractivities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes. P fertilization increased the productivity of drought-stressed seedlings by increasing their growth, assimilative shoots relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes accumulation, mineral nutrition, N assimilation, and reduced lipid peroxidation. Our findings suggest the presence of soil high P depletion and C. mongolicum high P requirements during the initial growth stage. Thus, P can be utilized as a fertilizer to enhance the growth and productivity of Calligonum vegetation and to reduce the fragility of the hyper-arid desert of Taklamakan in the context of future climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abd Ullah
- Xinjiang Key Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration Laboratory, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Akash Tariq
- Xinjiang Key Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration Laboratory, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100045, China
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.T.); (F.Z.); Tel.: +86-155-0448-0471 (A.T.)
| | - Fanjiang Zeng
- Xinjiang Key Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration Laboratory, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100045, China
- Correspondence: (A.T.); (F.Z.); Tel.: +86-155-0448-0471 (A.T.)
| | - Jordi Sardans
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Corina Graciano
- Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires B1406, Argentina
| | - Sami Ullah
- Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
| | - Xutian Chai
- Xinjiang Key Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration Laboratory, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration Laboratory, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Maierdang Keyimu
- Xinjiang Key Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration Laboratory, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830000, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Muhammad Ahsan Asghar
- Department of Biological Resources, Agricultural Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, ELKH, 2462 Martonvásár, Hungary
| | - Hafiz Hassan Javed
- College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CREAF, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain
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Tariq A, Ullah A, Sardans J, Zeng F, Graciano C, Li X, Wang W, Ahmed Z, Ali S, Zhang Z, Gao Y, Peñuelas J. Alhagi sparsifolia: An ideal phreatophyte for combating desertification and land degradation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157228. [PMID: 35809729 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The upcoming launch of the post-2020 biodiversity framework entails elucidating the future priorities and strategies for conserving biodiversity on a regional and global scale. Desertification has caused significant environmental and socio-economic problems in many arid and semiarid areas of the world. Phreatophytes increase nutrient levels and water reserves in the ground below them and are essential resources for other plants and animals. Factors that can enhance or reduce the island effect of phreatophytes are worthy of research since they can contribute to the survival and growth of this group of plants. Furthermore, these plants substantially impact the whole environment and boast necessary evolutionary adaptations for sustaining islands of life in the arid landscape to prevent complete desertification. Alhagi sparsifolia is a semi-shrub legume and a typical desert phreatophyte. The main objective of this review is to disseminate research-based knowledge and improve awareness of this important plant species and provide a framework that could effectively improve regional socio-ecological environments, particularly in controlling desertification, thereby enhancing human welfare. First, we synthesized knowledge of the physiological acclimation of this species, above all in terms of water and nutrient use, the impact of salinity, and its response to different light environments and temperatures. Then, we analyzed the socio-ecological services that A. sparsifolia offers, highlighted the anthropogenic threats to its habitats, and strategies for its sustainable utilization and management. We conclude that more knowledge of how A. sparsifolia interacts with groundwater will contribute significantly to elucidating the possible effects of climate change and human activities on the sustainable use of groundwater. Protected areas must be set up, and key knowledge shared to combat desertification and improve people's welfare as a means of guaranteeing sustainable development. An integrative socio-ecological approach must be adapted to improve understanding of this valuable phreatophyte's importance and sustainable use and fulfill Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Tariq
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China.
| | - Abd Ullah
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
| | - Jordi Sardans
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Fanjiang Zeng
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China.
| | - Corina Graciano
- Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Xiangyi Li
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
| | - Weiqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-Geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China; Institute of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
| | - Zeeshan Ahmed
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
| | - Sikandar Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
| | - Yanju Gao
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele 848300, China
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Ding D, Arif M, Liu M, Li J, Hu X, Geng Q, Yin F, Li C. Plant-soil interactions and C:N:P stoichiometric homeostasis of plant organs in riparian plantation. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:979023. [PMID: 35979078 PMCID: PMC9376457 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.979023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometric ratios give valuable insight into ecosystem function. The purpose of the present study is to probe into the C, N, and P stoichiometric characteristics in various organs and their relationships with soil factors of the dominant deciduous conifer plant species (Taxodium ascendens and Taxodium distichum) during afforestation in the riparian zone of Three Gorges Reservoir. The results showed only a small change in the concentration of C in different plant organs and soils. T. ascendens contained mean N and P concentrations of 7.63 and 1.54 g/kg in fine roots, 5.10 and 0.56 g/kg in stems, and 15.48 and 2.30 g/kg in leaves, respectively. Whereas T. distichum had a mean N and P concentration of 7.08 and 1.37 g/kg in fine roots, 4.84 and 0.59 g/kg in stems, and 16.89 and 2.23 g/kg in leaves. The N:P ratios in all organs were below 14, indicating that N may have inhibited tree growth. The fine roots P and N:P of T. distichum were weak plasticity and weak homeostasis, and those of T. ascendens were plasticity and weak plasticity. Their stems and leaves adhere to strict homeostasis. N concentrations were significantly positively related to P concentrations in every tissue (except the stems of T. ascendens), and C concentrations were significantly positively associated with P concentrations in the stems and leaves of T. ascendens and T. distichum (p < 0.05). Likewise, soil P and fine root P were positively associated (p < 0.01). This study contributes to the understanding of deciduous conifer plant stoichiometry. It demonstrates N, P, and N:P stoichiometric homeostasis in T. ascendens and T. distichum, which can withstand flooding and are suitable for vegetation restoration in the hydro-fluctuation zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Ding
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Muhammad Arif
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Minghui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiajia Li
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qianwen Geng
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fan Yin
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Changxiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Biological Science Research Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Changxiao Li,
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7
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Gao Y, Zhang Z, Zhang B, Yin H, Chai X, Xu M, Tariq A, Zeng F. Foliar P-Fractions Allocation of Karelinia caspia and Tamarix ramosissima Are Driven by Soil and Groundwater Properties in a Hyper-Arid Desert Ecosystem. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:833869. [PMID: 35432406 PMCID: PMC9009172 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.833869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The allocation patterns of foliar phosphorus (P) fractions across various vegetation types generally reflect the adaptability to P-impoverished environments. However, the allocation of foliar-P fractions within the desert herb Karelinia caspia (K. caspica) and shrub Tamarix ramosissima (T. ramosissima) in soils with different environment-P availability and the impact of soil and groundwater properties on foliar-P fractions allocation remain unclear. The foliar-P fractions (metabolites-P, nucleic acid-P, structural-P, and residual-P) of K. caspica and T. ramosissima and the properties of 0-60 cm deep soil under their canopy and groundwater were determined at four different environment-P sites. Results found that as environment-P availability decreased, both plants allocated the higher proportions of foliar-P to nucleic acid-P than to metabolites-P and structural-P. With the exception of residual-P, foliar-P fractions were markedly higher for K. caspica than T. ramosissima. Soil Olsen-P, NO3 --N, soil water content, electrical conductivity (EC), groundwater EC, and total dissolved solids (TDSs) played an important role in allocating foliar P-fractions for both K. caspica and T. ramosissima. Compared with K. caspica, the foliar-P fractions of T. ramosissima were more tightly bounded to groundwater than soil properties. Overall, these findings show how desert plants flexibility take advantage of the foliar-P in low environment-P availability and illustrate the foliar-P fractions allocation of desert plants is driven by soil and groundwater properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanju Gao
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
| | - Hui Yin
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
| | - Xutian Chai
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengqi Xu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Akash Tariq
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
- *Correspondence: Akash Tariq,
| | - Fanjiang Zeng
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Fanjiang Zeng,
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Trade-Off Relationships of Leaf Functional Traits of Lycium ruthenicum in Response to Soil Properties in the Lower Reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13090453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Soil properties affect plant growth and cause variation in leaf functional traits. Lycium ruthenicum Murray is one of the desert dominant shrubs and halophytes in the lower reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China. We analyzed the trade-off relationships of 14 leaf functional traits of eight L. ruthenicum populations growing at varying distances from the river and discussed the effects that soil properties have on leaf functional traits. The results showed that: Lower leaf nitrogen (N) content indicated that L.ruthenicum was located at the slow investment–return axis of the species resource utilization graph. Compared with non-saline and very slightly saline habitats, populations of slightly saline habitats showed a higher carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N). Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed a relatively strong relationship between leaf functional traits and soil properties, the first RDA axis accounted for 70.99 and 71.09% of the variation in 0–40 and 40–80 cm of soil properties. Relative importance analysis found that in the 0–40 cm soil layer, leaf traits variations were mainly influenced by soil moisture (SWC), HCO3− and CO32− ions content, while leaf traits variations in the 40–80 cm soil layer were mainly influenced by HCO3− and SO42−. L.ruthenicum has a foliar resource acquisition method and a resource conservation trade-off with a flexible life history strategy in habitats with drought and salinity stress. In the shallow soil layers, water affects leaf traits variation greater than salt, and in both shallow and deep soil layers, HCO3− plays a dominant role on leaf traits. This study provides insights into the adversity adaptation strategies of desert plants and the conservation and restoration of arid-saline ecosystems.
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Zhang B, Tang G, Yin H, Zhao S, Shareef M, Liu B, Gao X, Zeng F. Groundwater Depths Affect Phosphorus and Potassium Resorption but Not Their Utilization in a Desert Phreatophyte in Its Hyper-Arid Environment. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:665168. [PMID: 34163505 PMCID: PMC8216241 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.665168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Nutrients are vital for plant subsistence and growth in nutrient-poor and arid ecosystems. The deep roots of phreatophytic plants are necessary to access groundwater, which is the major source of nutrients for phreatophytes in an arid desert ecosystem. However, the mechanisms through which changes in groundwater depth affect nutrient cycles of phreatophytic plants are still poorly understood. This study was performed to reveal the adaptive strategies involving the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and nutrient resorption efficiency (NRE) of desert phreatophytes as affected by different groundwater depths. This work investigated the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) concentrations in leaf, stem, and assimilating branch, as well as the NUE and NRE of the phreatophytic Alhagi sparsifolia. The plant was grown at groundwater depths of 2.5, 4.5, and 11.0 m during 2015 and 2016 in a desert-oasis transition ecotone at the southern rim of the Taklimakan Desert in northwestern China. Results show that the leaf, stem, and assimilating branch P concentrations of A. sparsifolia at 4.5 m groundwater depth were significantly lower than those at 2.5 and 11.0 m groundwater depths. The K concentrations in different tissues of A. sparsifolia at 4.5 m groundwater depth were significantly higher than those at 2.5 and 11.0 m groundwater depths. Conversely, the NRE of P in A. sparsifolia was the highest among the three groundwater depths, while that of K in A. sparsifolia was the lowest among the three groundwater depths in 2015 and 2016. The N concentration and NUE of N, P, and K in A. sparsifolia, however, were not influenced by groundwater depth. Further analyses using structural equation models showed that groundwater depth had significant effects on the P and K resorption of A. sparsifolia by changing soil P and senescent leaf K concentrations. Overall, our results suggest groundwater depths affect P and K concentrations and resorption but not their utilization in a desert phreatophyte in its hyper-arid environment. This study provides a new insight into the phreatophytic plant nutrient cycle strategy under a changing external environment in a hyper-arid ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, Xinjiang, China
| | - Gangliang Tang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hui Yin
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, Xinjiang, China
| | - Shenglong Zhao
- Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Academy of Science, Lanzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Shareef
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, Xinjiang, China
| | - Bo Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi, China
| | - Xiaopeng Gao
- Department of Soil Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Fanjiang Zeng
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, Xinjiang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
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10
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Yin H, Zheng H, Zhang B, Tariq A, Lv G, Zeng F, Graciano C. Stoichiometry of C:N:P in the Roots of Alhagi sparsifolia Is More Sensitive to Soil Nutrients Than Aboveground Organs. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:698961. [PMID: 34712247 PMCID: PMC8545904 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.698961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The stoichiometry of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (C:N:P) among leaves, stems, and roots reflects trade-offs in plants for acquiring resources and their growth strategy. The widely distributed plant Alhagi sparsifolia is an ideal species to study the ecological stoichiometry in different organs in response to the availability of nutrients and water in the desert ecosystem. However, which response of organs is most sensitive to environmental conditions is still unclear. To answer this question, we collected samples of plants and soils including not only aboveground leaves and stems, but also underground roots and soils from a wide range of arid areas during the growing season. The C, N, P, C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios in leaves, thorns, stems, and roots were derived to explore their relationship as well as their response mechanisms to nutrients and water spanning 1 m deep in the soil. The results showed that the order of N concentration was leaves > thorns > stems > roots, that the concentration of P in the leaves, thorns, and stems was similar, and that their values were higher than those in the roots. First, the C:N ratios in the leaves and stems were significantly positively correlated with the ratio in roots. The C:N ratios in each organ showed a significant relationship with the soil alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen (SAN) above a depth of 60 cm. In addition to SAN, soil available phosphorus (SAP) and soil organic carbon (SOC) affect the C:N ratio in the roots. Second, the C:P and N:P ratios in aboveground organs showed no correlations with the ratios in roots. The C:P and N:P ratios in the leaves and thorns have no relationship with soil nutrients, while the C:P ratio in roots was influenced by SAN and SOC in all soil layers. Finally, the N:P ratios in roots were also affected by nutrients in different soil depths at 0-20 and 60-80 cm. These results illustrate that the roots were more sensitive to soil nutrients than the aboveground parts. Our study of ecological stoichiometry also suggests a novel systematic approach for analyzing the sensitivity of responses of an organ to environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yin
- College of Resource and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
| | - Hongwei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
| | - Akash Tariq
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
- *Correspondence: Akash Tariq
| | - Guanghui Lv
- College of Resource and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
- Guanghui Lv
| | - Fanjiang Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, China
- Fanjiang Zeng
| | - Corina Graciano
- Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Akram MA, Wang X, Hu W, Xiong J, Zhang Y, Deng Y, Ran J, Deng J. Convergent Variations in the Leaf Traits of Desert Plants. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 9:E990. [PMID: 32759791 PMCID: PMC7463800 DOI: 10.3390/plants9080990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Convergence is commonly caused by environmental filtering, severe climatic conditions and local disturbance. The basic aim of the present study was to understand the pattern of leaf traits across diverse desert plant species in a common garden, in addition to determining the effect of plant life forms (PLF), such as herb, shrub and subshrub, phylogeny and soil properties on leaf traits. Six leaf traits, namely carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), δ13C and leaf water potential (LWP) of 37 dominant desert plant species were investigated and analyzed. The C, N, K and δ13C concentrations in leaves of shrubs were found higher than herbs and subshrubs; however, P and LWP levels were higher in the leaves of subshrubs following herbs and shrubs. Moreover, leaf C showed a significant positive correlation with N and a negative correlation with δ13C. Leaf N exhibited a positive correlation with P. The relationship between soil and plant macro-elements was found generally insignificant but soil C and N exhibited a significant positive correlation with leaf P. Taxonomy showed a stronger effect on leaf C, N, P and δ13C than soil properties, explaining >50% of the total variability. C3 plants showed higher leaf C, N, P, K and LWP concentration than C4 plants, whereas C4 plants had higher δ13C than C3 plants. Legumes exhibited higher leaf C, N, K and LWP than nonlegumes, while nonlegumes had higher P and δ13C concentration than legumes. In all the species, significant phylogenetic signals (PS) were detected for C and N and nonsignificant PS for the rest of the leaf traits. In addition, these phylogenetic signals were found lower (K-value < 1), and the maximum K-value was noted for C (K = 0.35). The plants of common garden evolved and adapted themselves for their survival in the arid environment and showed convergent variations in their leaf traits. However, these variations were not phylogenetics-specific. Furthermore, marks of convergence found in leaf traits of the study area were most likely due to the environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Adnan Akram
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaoting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Weigang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Junlan Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Yahui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Yan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Jinzhi Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Jianming Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
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12
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Li L, Liu B, Gao X, Li X, Li C. Nitrogen and phosphorus addition differentially affect plant ecological stoichiometry in desert grassland. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18673. [PMID: 31822795 PMCID: PMC6904472 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55275-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant C:N:P stoichiometric relations drive powerful constraints on ecological interactions and processes. However, information about plant stoichiometric responses to N and P availability in desert grassland is limited. We conducted two field experiments with 7 levels of N (from 0.5 g to 24 g N ∙ m-2 yr-1) and P (from 0.05 g to 3.2 g P ∙ m-2 yr-1) additions in a desert grassland of Kunlun Mountain in the northwest of China to investigate the effects of these addition rates on the N and P stoichiometry of the dominant grass species Seriphidium korovinii. Nitrogen and P additions both affected plant stoichiometry. N addition suppressed P concentrations, whereas P addition had no effect on plant N concentrations. The N:P ratios of green aboveground biomass (AGB) were positively correlated with N addition ranging from 14.73 to 29.08, whereas those for P additions decreased ranging from 14.73 to 8.29. N concentrations were positively correlated with soil available N:P ratios, whereas, P concentrations were negatively correlated with soil availably N:P. Our results suggest that chemistry and stoichiometry of S. korovinii was directly affected by soil nutrient availability. Soil N availability affects S. korovinii stoichiometry to a greater extent that does soil P availability in this ecosystem. These findings suggest that N-deposition could affect the stoichiometry of this desert grassland ecosystem, and thereby potentially alter litter decomposition, plant community composition, nutrient cycling, and food-web dynamics of these desert ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China.
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystem in Xinjiang, Cele, 848300, Xinjiang, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Lab. of Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China
| | - Xiaopeng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystem in Xinjiang, Cele, 848300, Xinjiang, China
- Department of Soil Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiangyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystem in Xinjiang, Cele, 848300, Xinjiang, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chengdao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
- Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystem in Xinjiang, Cele, 848300, Xinjiang, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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