1
|
Luo H, Jia W, Zhang F, Zhang M, Zhang Y, Lan X, Yu Z. The competitive relationship of scrub plants for water use in the subalpine zone of the Qilian Mountains in China. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2024; 31:21326-21340. [PMID: 38386162 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32519-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Samples of scrub plants and soil were collected from May to October 2019 in the subalpine scrub zone of the Qilian Mountains. Based on measured oxygen isotope values (δ18O) in plant xylem water and soil water, the multivariate linear mixed model (IsoSource) and the proportional similarity index (PS index) were used to analyze the using proportion for each potential water source and the competition relationship for water use of scrub plants in different growing periods and habitats. The results showed that the soil water content gradually decreased with increasing depth of the soil layer, with the maximum value in the soil layer of 0-10 cm. Most of the scrub plants mainly used soil water in the soil layer of 0-30 cm during the different periods of growing season, but Salix sclerophylla Anderss. and Salix oritrepha Schneid. on the semi-sunny slope habitat mainly used soil water in the soil layer of 40-80 cm during the middle period of growing season (July-August), with the proportion of 59.5% and 52.1%, respectively; and Potentilla fruticosa Linn. and Salix cupularis Rehd. on the semi-shady slope habitat mainly used soil water in the soil layer of 30-60 cm during the early period of growing season (May-June), with the proportion of 61.1% and 49.7%, respectively. The competition relationships of scrub plants for water use varied during different periods of growing season (P < 0.05). On the semi-sunny slope habitat, they were fiercest for Salix cupularis Rehd. and Rhododendron thymifolium Maxim., Potentilla fruticosa Linn., and Salix sclerophylla Anderss. during the early period of growing season; Salix cupularis Rehd. and Rhododendron thymifolium Maxim. during the middle period of growing season, and Salix sclerophylla Anderss. and Salix oritrepha Schneid. during the end period of growing season (September-October). On the semi-shady slope habitat, they were fiercest for Salix oritrepha Schneid. and Caragana jubata (Pall.) Poir. during the early period of growing season; Rhododendron przewalskii Maxim. and Rhododendron thymifolium Maxim. during the middle period of growing season; and Salix cupularis Rehd. and Salix oritrepha Schneid. during the end period of growing season. This study reveals the competitive relationship of scrub plants for water use in the subalpine zone and their response to environmental changes, so as to provide theoretical references for the ecological conservation in the ecologically fragile areas of the Qilian Mountains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Luo
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Wenxiong Jia
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
- Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
| | - Fuhua Zhang
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Miaomiao Zhang
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Xin Lan
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Zhijie Yu
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| |
Collapse
|