Understorey plant community assemblage of Australian Eucalyptus woodlands under elevated CO2 is modulated by water and phosphorus availability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raúl Ochoa-Hueso ◽  
Rani Carroll ◽  
Juan Piñeiro ◽  
Sally A Power
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Elevated Co2 ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Functional Adaptation ◽  
Phosphorus Addition ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Understorey Plant

Abstract Aims Given the key functional role of understorey plant communities and the substantial extent of forest cover at the global scale, investigating understorey community responses to elevated CO2 (eCO2) concentrations, and the role of soil resources in these responses, is important for understanding the ecosystem-level consequences of rising CO2 concentrations for forest ecosystems. Here, we evaluated how experimentally manipulated the availabilities of the two most limiting resources in an extremely phosphorus-limited eucalypt woodland in eastern Australia woodland (i.e. water and phosphorus) can modulate the response of the understorey community to eCO2 in terms of germination, phenology, cover, community composition, and leaf traits. Methods We collected soil containing native soil seed bank to grow experimental understorey plant communities under glasshouse conditions. Important findings Phosphorus addition increased total plant cover, particularly during the first four weeks of growth and under high-water conditions, a response driven by the graminoid component of the plant community. However, the treatment differences diminished as the experiment progressed, with all treatments converging at ~80% plant cover after ~11 weeks. In contrast, plant cover was not affected by eCO2. Multivariate analyses reflected temporal changes in the composition of plant communities, from pots where bare soil was dominant to high-cover pots dominated by a diverse community. However, both phosphorus addition and the interaction between water availability and CO2 affected the temporal trajectory of the plant community during the experiment. Elevated CO2 also increased community-level specific leaf area, suggesting that functional adaptation of plant communities to eCO2 may precede the onset of compositional responses. Given that the response of our seedbank-derived understorey community to eCO2 developed over time and was mediated by interactions with phosphorus and water availability. Our results suggest that a limited role of eCO2 in shaping plant communities in water-limited systems, particularly where low soil nutrient availability constrains productivity responses.

scholarly journals Elevated CO2 concentrations reduce C4 cover and decrease diversity of understorey plant community in a Eucalyptus woodland

2018 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 1483-1494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shun Hasegawa ◽  
Juan Piñeiro ◽  
Raúl Ochoa-Hueso ◽  
Anthony M. Haigh ◽  
Paul D. Rymer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Elevated Co2 ◽  
Co2 Concentrations ◽  
Understorey Plant

scholarly journals Mountain pastures of Qilian Shan: plant communities, grazing impact and degradation status (Gansu province, NW China)

Hacquetia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Baranova ◽  
Udo Schickhoff ◽  
Shunli Wang ◽  
Ming Jin
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Gansu Province ◽  
Grazing Impact ◽  
Vegetation Patterns ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Nw China

Abstract Environmental degradation of pasture areas in the Qilian Mountains (Gansu province, NW China) has increased in recent years. Soil erosion and loss of biodiversity caused by overgrazing is widespread. Changes in plant cover, however, have not been analysed so far. The aim of this paper is to identify plant communities and to detect grazing-induced changes in vegetation patterns. Quantitative and qualitative relevé data were collected for community classification and to analyse gradual changes in vegetation patterns along altitudinal and grazing gradients. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was used to analyse variation in relationships between vegetation, environmental factors and differential grazing pressure. The results of the DCA showed apparent variation in plant communities along the grazing gradient. Two factors - altitude and exposure - had the strongest impact on plant community distribution. Comparing monitoring data for the most recent nine years, a trend of pasture deterioration, plant community successions and shift in dominant species becomes obvious. In order to increase grassland quality, sustainable pasture management strategies should be implemented.

Harvest index combined with impaired N availability constrains the responsiveness of durum wheat to elevated CO2 concentration and terminal water stress

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gorka Erice ◽  
Alvaro Sanz-Sáez ◽  
Amadeo Urdiain ◽  
Jose L. Araus ◽  
Juan José Irigoyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Elevated Co2 ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Harvest Index ◽  
Grain Filling ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Elevated Co2 Concentration

Despite its relevance, few studies to date have analysed the role of harvest index (HI) in the responsiveness of wheat (Triticum spp.) to elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) under limited water availability. The goal of the present work was to characterise the role of HI in the physiological responsiveness of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) exposed to elevated [CO2] and terminal (i.e. during grain filling) water stress. For this purpose, the performance of wheat plants with high versus low HI (cvv. Sula and Blanqueta, respectively) was assessed under elevated [CO2] (700 μmol mol–1 vs 400 μmol mol–1 CO2) and terminal water stress (imposed after ear emergence) in CO2 greenhouses. Leaf carbohydrate build-up combined with limitations in CO2 diffusion (in droughted plants) limited the responsiveness to elevated [CO2] in both cultivars. Elevated [CO2] only increased wheat yield in fully watered Sula plants, where its larger HI prevented an elevated accumulation of total nonstructural carbohydrates. It is likely that the putative shortened grain filling period in plants exposed to water stress also limited the responsiveness of plants to elevated [CO2]. In summary, our study showed that even under optimal water availability conditions, only plants with a high HI responded to elevated [CO2] with increased plant growth, and that terminal drought constrained the responsiveness of wheat plants to elevated [CO2].

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of a Winter Storm on the Beach and Dune Systems and Erosion Mitigation by Plants

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmelo Maximiliano-Cordova ◽  
M. Luisa Martínez ◽  
Rodolfo Silva ◽  
Patrick A. Hesp ◽  
Roger Guevara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Coastal Dunes ◽  
Winter Storm ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Erosion Mitigation ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Impact

The impact of storms on coastal dunes and beaches and the effects they induce in topography and plant communities are natural processes that contribute to maintaining natural coastal dynamics. However, because coasts are often densely populated, these phenomena are perceived as major threats to human property. To protect human assets sustainably, nature-based defenses have emerged as an option. Coastal dunes act as natural buffers that mitigate the extent of erosion and inland flooding, and their resistance depends on the biogeomorphological feedback between the plants and the dunes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of one winter storm on beach and dune topography and the plant communities, and to explore the effect of plants in mitigating erosion on beaches with different geomorphological features. The effects on plant communities were evaluated by comparing diversity and plant cover before and after the storm. Later, the role of plants in conferring dune resistance against erosion was examined by measuring erosion on the exposed face of the dunes considering plant cover and plant richness. The results did not show significant differences in plant diversity and plant cover between pre-and post-storm conditions, but turnover of species was recorded. The dune building species were not affected but inland species disappeared. Erosion was reduced when the dunes were higher and, furthermore, plant cover was negatively correlated with erosion on these dunes. The results showed a reduced impact of the storm on the plant communities, which is important as it facilitates the recovery of dunes by the dune-building species and protects them in a subsequent storm. The novelty of this study is that: (a) it demonstrates the species-specific role of plants in mitigating dune erosion in field conditions; (b) it shows the interaction between plant-related features and geomorphological variables in promoting dune resistance to erosion, and (c) it explores the immediate effect of a winter storm on the plant community and dune-building species.

Divergent responses to long-term grazing exclusion among three plant communities in a flood pulsing wetland in eastern Australia.

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J Berney ◽  
G. Glenn Wilson ◽  
Darren S. Ryder ◽  
R.D.B Whalley ◽  
John Duggin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Grazing Exclusion ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Over Time

We examined the effects of grazing exclusion over a period of 14 years on the species richness and community composition of three plant communities with different dominant species and water regimes in the Gwydir Wetlands in eastern Australia. Responses to grazing exclusion varied among the three plant communities, and were most likely to be evident during dry periods rather than during periods of inundation. In frequently flooded plant communities, there was an increase in phytomass following exclusion of domestic livestock, but changes in plant community composition and species richness due to livestock exclusion varied depending on the morphological attributes of the dominant plant species. In a plant community where tall sedge species were dominant, livestock exclusion further increased their dominance and overall species richness declined. In contrast, where a prostrate grass species such as Paspalum distichum was dominant, species richness increased following livestock exclusion, due to an increase in the abundance of taller dicotyledon species. However, livestock exclusion in a community where flooding was less frequent and native grass species have been largely replaced with the introduced species Phyla canescens, resulted in no significant changes to phytomass, species richness or community composition among the grazing exclusion treatments over time. Our results indicate responses to exclusion of domestic livestock are dependent upon the dominant species within the plant community and will likely vary over time with the extent of wetland inundation. Grazing exclusion alone, without increased flooding, is unlikely to restore floristically degraded floodplain plant communities.

scholarly journals Plant Community Diversity at Two Reclaimed Mine Tailing Storage Facilities in Québec, Canada

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1191
Author(s):  
Alyson Gagnon ◽  
Nicole J. Fenton ◽  
Pascal Sirois ◽  
Jean-François Boucher
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Paper Mill ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Chicken Manure ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Paper Mill Sludge ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Storage Facilities

Mining activities generate residues during the ore concentration process. These wastes are placed into large tailing storage facilities, and upon mine closure, these tailings must be reclaimed. This study aimed to determine how different reclamation methods, involving combinations of planted boreal woody species and organic amendments application (paper mill sludge biosolids, chicken manure, and topsoil) affected plant community diversity at two tailing storage facilities in Québec, Canada. We recorded the composition of the plant communities using the percent cover of plant species within 1 m × 1 m quadrats. At the Niobec mine site, paper mill sludge mixed with topsoil enhanced total plant cover was compared with the use of topsoil only; the former amendment, however, reduced evenness (J′) and diversity (1−D) due to the increased growth of grasses and invasive forbs. At the Mont-Wright site, plots having received paper mill sludge mixed with a “Norco” treatment (a mixture of chicken manure, hay, and grass seeds) produced the highest total plant cover. The Norco treatment mixed with topsoil and the single application of topsoil and biosolids produced the highest evenness (J′) and diversity (1−D). Overall, organic amendment applications promoted vegetation cover on tailings and contributed to the colonization of diverse plant communities.

The comparative ecologo-phytocoenotical positions of the two feather-grass species (Stipa pennata L. and S. tirsa Stev.) in the plant communities of Yamskaya Steppe (Belgorod region)

2011 ◽  
pp. 29-54
Author(s):  
B. K. Gannibal
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Protected Territory ◽  
Feather Grass

There is a general phytocoenotic question — why the species similar taxonomically and ecologically can co-exist within a plant community? The paper deals with two of such species — Stipa pennata L. and S. tirsa Stev., that previously were considered by plant taxonomists as one species. They are reputed to be the most mesophytic feather-grasses, although there are a lot of contradictory opinions about their physiology and ecology. In 1920s and 30s two well-known Russian geobotanists B. Keller and V. Aljekhin conflicted on the problem. In our case both species co-exist in the steppe communities of the protected territory (zapovednik “Belogorie”). The phytocoenotical role of feather-grassesvaries in the different ecotopes. The phytocoenotical roles S. pennata and S. tirsa are very similar in the plant communities growing on the cold slopes. As for the warm sites, the participation of S. pennata in the communities is the same, whereas a presence of S. tirsa is considerably decreased. Each feather-grass de­monstrates a high correlation with specific grass species of communities. The obtained results show the clear phytocoenotic distinctions between two species.

scholarly journals Dominant drivers of plant community assembly vary by soil type and time in reclaimed forests

Plant Ecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn E. Trepanier ◽  
Bradley D. Pinno ◽  
Ruth C. Errington
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
Community Assembly ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Vegetative Reproduction ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Plant Community Assembly

AbstractInformation on plant community assembly mechanisms is limited on forest reclamation sites after mining in the Canadian boreal forest. We assessed the change in plant community composition after Year 2 and Year 5 on species-rich forest floor mineral mix (FFMM) and species-poor peat mineral mix (PMM) reclamation soils by examining assembly mechanisms, i.e., seed bank, seed rain, biotic dispersal, vegetative expansion, and competition. Initial plant cover and diversity were greater on FFMM due to non-native species originating from the seed bank, which had 5× more seeds in the FFMM. By Year 5, both soil types had approximately 40% cover and 80 species richness due to the addition of wind and biotic-dispersed species and were characterized by a shift towards native species. Native forbs using vegetative reproduction expanded up to 2 m from FFMM into PMM. At Year 5 competition does not seem to have a large role in the structuring of the vegetation community. Overall, multiple factors were involved in structuring plant communities on reclamation sites, but we observed a general convergence between plant communities on different soil types in a relatively short period of time.

scholarly journals Plant community recovery from intense deer grazing depends on reduction of graminoids and the time after exclosure installation in a semi-natural grassland

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiaki Otsu ◽  
Hayato Iijima ◽  
Takuo Nagaike
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Sika Deer ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Dissimilarity Index ◽  
Large Herbivores ◽  
Community Recovery ◽  
One Year ◽  
Deer Grazing

Exclosures that exclude large herbivores are effective tools for the protection and restoration of grazed plant communities. However, previous studies have shown that the installation of an exclosure does not ensure plant community recovery. Our study aimed to determine the effects of the domination of unpalatable plants and the timing of exclosure installation on the plant community recovery process in montane grassland overgrazed by sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan. In this study we compared plant species composition and their cover with inside and outside exclosures installed at different times. Furthermore, we also compared them with those in 1981, when density of sika deer was very low. We used quadrats inside and outside fenced areas established in 2010 and 2011 to record both the cover and the height of species in each quadrat between 2011 and 2015. Plant cover, with the exception of graminoid species, increased in later years in all treatments. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) plots showed significantly differentiated treatment trends. The species composition within the 2010 fenced area gradually shifted to greater similarity with the species composition reported in 1981. The plant community in the 2011 fenced area was slower to recover. Compositions of plant communities outside the fenced areas hardly changed from 2011 to 2015. Chao’s dissimilarity index decreased over time between the plant community surveyed between 2011 and 2015 and the past plant community in 1981 within the exclosures, and was higher in the 2011 fenced area than in the 2010 fenced area. In conclusion, we show that the reduction of graminoids and the time after exclosure installation were important for plant community recovery from deer grazing damage. A delay in exclosure installation of one year could result in a delay in plant community recovery of more than one year.

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