scholarly journals 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 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 453
Author(s):  
Shanjia Li ◽  
Wei Gou ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
James F. White ◽  
Guoqiang Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Heihe River ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Lycium Ruthenicum ◽  
Saline Habitats

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.

scholarly journals Trade-off relationship of leaf functional traits of desert halophyte Lycium ruthenicum in the lower reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China: response to soil moisture and salinity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanjia Li ◽  
Wei Gou ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Guoqiang Wu ◽  
Peixi Su
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Heihe River ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Saline Habitats ◽  
Relationship Of

Abstract Background: Soil salinization affects plant growth and causes changes in leaf traits. Lycium ruthenicum Murr. is one of the dominant shrubs and halophytes in the lower reaches of the Heihe River in Northwest China. We analyzed the trade-off relationship of fourteen leaf functional traits of eight L.ruthenicum populations growing at varying distances from the Heihe River, and discussed the effects that soil moisture and salinity have on leaf functional traits. Results: Lower nitrogen (N) contents 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 sites, populations of slightly saline sites showed 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 cm and 40-80 cm of soil moisture and salinity. Populations in non-saline and very slightly saline habitats tended to have higher leaf C content, whereas populations in slightly saline habitats tended to have lower leaf C content, and the discrepancy was evident. 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 trait variations in the 40-80 cm soil layer were mainly influenced by HCO3- and SO42-. Conclusions: The leaf functional traits of L. ruthenicum in this region are mainly restricted by soil N content. The L.ruthenicum populations formed a pattern of increased C:N ratios and C content, reduced nitrogen to phosphorus ratio (N:P) and N content from very slightly saline soil to slightly saline. 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 greater than salt on leaf traits variation; in both shallow and deep soil layers, HCO3- plays a dominant role on leaf traits. We believe that these findings will provide some baseline information to facilitate the management and restoration of arid-saline desert ecosystems.

scholarly journals Trade-off strategies of leaf functional traits of desert halophyte Lycium ruthenicum in the lower reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China: response to soil moisture and salinity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanjia Li ◽  
Wei Gou ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Guoqiang Wu ◽  
Peixi Su
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Heihe River ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Leaf Trait ◽  
Saline Habitats

Abstract Background: Soil salinization affects plant growth and causes changes in leaf traits. Lycium ruthenicum Murr. is one of the dominant shrubs and halophytes in the lower reaches of the Heihe River in Northwest China. We analyze the trade-off strategies of fourteen leaf functional traits of eight L.ruthenicum populations growing at varying distances from the Heihe River, and discussed the effects soil moisture and salinity on leaf functional traits. Results: Lower nitrogen (N) contents indicated that L.ruthenicum was located at the slow investment-return axis of the species resource utilization graph. Compared to non-saline and very slightly saline sites, populations of slightly saline sites showed 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 cm and 40-80 cm of soil moisture and salinity. Populations in non-saline and very slightly saline habitats tended to have higher leaf C content, whereas populations in slightly saline habitats tended to have lower leaf C content, and the discrepancy was evident. 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 trait variations in the 40-80 cm soil layer were mainly influenced by HCO3- and SO42-. Conclusions: The leaf functional traits of L. ruthenicum in this region are mainly restricted by soil N content. The L.ruthenicum populations formed a pattern of increased C:N ratios and C content, reduced nitrogen to phosphorus ratio (N:P) and N content from very slightly saline soil to slightly saline. 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 has a greater effect than salt on leaf trait variation, in both shallow and deep soil layers, HCO3- have a relatively important effect on leaf traits. We believe that these findings will provide some baseline information to facilitate the management and restoration of arid-saline desert ecosystems.

scholarly journals Trade-off strategy of leaf functional traits of desert halophyte Lycium ruthenicum in the lower reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China: response to soil moisture and salinity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanjia Li ◽  
Wei Gou ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Guoqiang Wu ◽  
Peixi Su
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Life History Strategy ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Heihe River ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Lycium Ruthenicum ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

Abstract Abstract Background: Understanding salinity resistance and water utilization on shrub species is a challenge to the management and conservation of desert halophytes. Lycium ruthenicum Murr.with a significant soil and water conservation capacity, is one of the dominant shrubs and halophytes in the lower reaches of the Heihe River, Northwest China. In this paper, the effects of two depths (0-40 and 40-80 cm) of soil salinities and water contents on the leaf functional traits of eight L. ruthenicum communities in different distances from the main channel were studied. Fourteen leaf water physiological and ecological stoichiometric traits were investigated, linking with soil factors to explain desert plant trade-off strategies. Results: Specific leaf volume (SLV), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf thickness (LT), nitrogen (N), C:N, C:P could serve as good indicators of drought and saline resistance. Low N, specific leaf area (SLA) indicated that the plant was located at the slow investment-return axis of the species resource utilization. Low C:N, C:P showed that L. ruthenicum had a defensive life history strategy at drought and salinity areas. The RDA results showed that 0-40 and 40-80 cm soil properties respectively explained 93.45% and 99.96% leaf traits variation. Soil water contents, HCO3- had extremely positive correlation (P<0.01) with leaf functional traits. Shallow soil water contents significantly affects P, and deeper soil water contents significantly responds C and N; shallow soil salinity significantly affected LT, C and N contents, whereas deeper soil salinity significantly affected N and SLV. Conclusions: L. ruthenicum had a foliar resource acquisition and resource conservation trade-off with a defensive life history strategy in the area of drought and salinity. This finding provides baseline information to facilitate the management and restoration of arid-saline desert ecosystem.

scholarly journals Trade-off strategy of leaf functional traits of desert halophyte Lycium ruthenicum in the lower reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China: response to soil moisture and salinity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanjia Li ◽  
Wei Gou ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Guoqiang Wu ◽  
Peixi Su
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Heihe River ◽  
Soil Factors ◽  
N Content ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Leaf Trait ◽  
Lycium Ruthenicum ◽  
Saline Habitats

Abstract Background: Soil salinization affects plant growth and causes changes in leaf traits. Lycium ruthenicum Murr., a shrub with significant soil and water conservation capacities. In this paper, we analyze the trade-offs of leaf functional traits of eight L.ruthenicum populations growing at varying distances from the Heihe river by dividing the eight sites into three groups according to the average soil salinity and discussing the effects of soil factors at 0-40cm and 40-80cm on leaf trait patterns. We also attempt to explain desert L.ruthenicum trade-off strategies by choosing fourteen leaf traits to link with soil factors. Results: Low N contents indicated that L.ruthenicum was located at the slow investment-return axis of the species resource utilization graph. Compared to non-saline and very slightly saline sites, populations of slightly saline sites showed higher C:N. The redundancy analysis "RDA" results showed that 0-40cm and 40-80cm soil properties explained 70.99% and 71.09% of leaf trait variation, respectively. As soil salinity gradients increased, leaf C:N increased and N content decreased, and the difference was significant. Populations in non-saline and very slightly saline habitats tended to have higher leaf C content, while populations in slightly saline habitats tended to have lower leaf C content, and the discrepancy was evident. Relative importance analysis found that in the 0-40cm layer, leaf traits variations were mainly influenced by soil water content (SWC), HCO3-and CO32-, while leaf trait variations in the 40-80cm layer were mainly influenced by HCO3- and SO42-ions. Conclusions: The growth of L. ruthenicum in the Ejina desert is mainly restricted by N content, which determines soil fertility. L.ruthenicum has a foliar resource acquisition method and a resource conservation trade-off with a flexible life history strategy. Leaf traits can vary significantly due to different environments in a given habitat. As the environmental gradient changes from mild to severe, the populations present a pattern of increased C:N,increased C content, reduced N:P, and reduced N content. In the shallow soil layers of saline-stressed arid environments,water has a greater effect than salt on leaf trait variation.In both shallow and deep soil layers, HCO3- ions have a relatively large effect on leaf properties.

scholarly journals Response of leaf functional traits of woody plants in central Guizhou to degraded karst soil characteristics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Wang ◽  
Li Rong ◽  
Mengjie Wang ◽  
Tianmu Ye ◽  
Tingting Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Functional Properties ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits

1.In this study, the dominant woody plants in different degraded background plots in Puding, Guizhou Province were selected as the research objects. Six leaf functional traits(LT, LA, SLA, LDMC, LTD, Chlc) were measured to analyze the effects of soil characteristics on the leaf functional traits of vegetation in the region. 2.We observed that under the degraded environment of karst area, the plant leaves tended to increase, with the most significant change in the returned land; There were significant differences in plant traits under burning,burning felling and returning farmland, with the largest change range of LA, LTD and SLA, which could reach 121.90%, 118.08% and 86.00% respectively in the corresponding sample plots. 3.In the degraded plots, the leaf traits were significantly different among tree, shrub and liana species. In general, the interspecific variation of shrub and liana species was higher than that of tree species, and the community was in the early and middle stage of succession. 4.Soil properties under different degradation background were quite different,and there was a significant correlation between soil properties and vegetation leaf functional properties. Soil depth, soil nutrients and soil humidity were the key soil characteristic factors of plant leaf functional properties. 5.The results showed that the leaf traits of plant in degraded area showed large LA,small LT, low SLA and LTD, high LDMC and low Chlc, which tended to develop drought character combination. This paper reveals the internal differentiation succession law of degraded karst secondary forest in central Guizhou and provides scientific basis for the management and biodiversity protection of karst secondary forest.

scholarly journals Short-Term Nitrogen Addition Does Not Significantly Alter the Effects of Seasonal Drought on Leaf Functional Traits in Machilus pauhoi Kanehira Seedlings

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Yu ◽  
Dongliang Cheng ◽  
Baoyin Li ◽  
Chaobin Xu ◽  
Zhongrui Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Traits ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Subtropical China ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Seasonal Drought

Research Highlights: Short-term nitrogen (N) addition did not significantly alter the effects of seasonal drought on the leaf functional traits in Machilus pauhoi Kanehira seedlings in N-rich subtropical China. Background and Objectives: Seasonal drought and N deposition are major drivers of global environmental change that affect plant growth and ecosystem function in subtropical China. However, no consensus has been reached on the interactive effects of these two drivers. Materials and Methods: We conducted a full-factorial experiment to analyze the single and combined effects of seasonal drought and short-term N addition on chemical, morphological and physiological traits of M. pauhoi seedlings. Results: Seasonal drought (40% of soil field capacity) had significant negative effects on the leaf N concentrations (LNC), phosphorus (P) concentrations (LPC), leaf thickness (LT), net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Gs), and predawn leaf water potential (ψPD), and significant positive effects on the carbon:N (C:N) ratio and specific leaf area (SLA). Short-term N addition (50 kg N·hm−2·year−1 and 100 kg N·hm−2·year−1) tended to decrease the C:N ratio and enhance leaf nutrient, growth, and photosynthetic performance because of increased LNC, LPC, LT, leaf area (LA), SLA, A, E, and ψPD; however, it only had significant effects on LT and Gs. No significant interactive effects on leaf traits were detected. Seasonal drought, short-term N addition, and their interactions had significant effects on soil properties. The soil total C (STC), nitrate N (NO3−-N) and soil total N (STN) concentrations were the main factors that affected the leaf traits. Conclusions: Seasonal drought had a stronger effect on M. pauhoi seedling leaf traits than short-term N deposition, indicating that the interaction between seasonal drought and short-term N deposition may have an additive effecton M. pauhoi seedling growth in N-rich subtropical China.

Relationship between soil properties and leaf functional traits in early secondary succession of tropical montane cloud forest

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guadalupe Hernández‐Vargas ◽  
Lázaro R. Sánchez‐Velásquez ◽  
Juan C. López‐Acosta ◽  
Juan C. Noa‐Carrazana ◽  
Yareni Perroni
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Secondary Succession ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Tropical Montane Cloud Forest ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Montane Cloud Forest

scholarly journals Is the Seasonal Variation in Frost Resistance and Plant Performance in Four Oak Species Affected by Changing Temperatures?

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 369
Author(s):  
Maggie Preißer ◽  
Solveig Franziska Bucher
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Chlorophyll Content ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Frost Resistance ◽  
Photosynthetic Performance ◽  
Leaf Thickness ◽  
Plant Performance ◽  
Deciduous Species ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Trade Off

Research Highlights: We found seasonal variation in frost resistance (FR) and plant performance which were affected by growth temperature. This helps to better understand ecophysiological processes in the light of climate change. Background and Objectives: FR and photosynthesis are important plant characteristics that vary with the season. The aim of this study was to find out whether there is a seasonal variation in FR, photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rates and leaf functional traits associated with performance such as specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), chlorophyll content, stomatal characteristics and leaf thickness in two evergreen and two deciduous species, and whether this is influenced by different temperature treatments. Additionally, the trade-off between FR and photosynthetic performance, and the influence of leaf functional traits was analyzed. By understanding these processes better, predicting species behavior concerning plant performance and its changes under varying climate regimes can be improved. Materials and Methods: 40 individuals of four oak species were measured weekly over the course of ten months with one half of the trees exposed to frost in winter and the other half protected in the green house. Two of these species were evergreen (Quercus ilex L., Quercus rhysophylla Weath.), and two were deciduous (Quercus palustris L., Quercus rubra L.). We measured FR, the maximum assimilation rate at light saturation under ambient CO2 concentrations (Amax), chlorophyll fluorescence and the leaf functional traits SLA, LDMC, stomatal pore area index (SPI), chlorophyll content (Chl) and leaf thickness. Results: All parameters showed a significant species-specific seasonal variation. There was a difference in all traits investigated between evergreen and deciduous species and between the two temperature treatments. Individuals that were protected from frost in winter showed higher photosynthesis values as well as SLA and Chl, whereas individuals exposed to frost had overall higher FR, LDMC, SPI and leaf thickness. A trade-off between FR and SLA, rather than FR and photosynthetic performance was found.

scholarly journals Biovera-Epi: A new database on species diversity, community composition, and leaf functional traits of vascular epiphytes along an elevational gradient in Mexico

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Guzmán-Jacob ◽  
Patrick Weigelt ◽  
Dylan Craven ◽  
Gerhard Zotz ◽  
Thorsten Krömer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Composition ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Plant Ecology ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Leaf Functional Traits ◽  
Vascular Epiphytes ◽  
Forest Use ◽  
Study Sites

This data paper describes a new, comprehensive database (BIOVERA-Epi) on species distributions and leaf functional traits of vascular epiphytes, a poorly studied plant group, along gradients of elevation and forest-use intensity in the central part of Veracruz State, Mexico. The distribution data includes frequencies of 271 vascular epiphyte species belonging to 92 genera and 23 families across 120 20 m × 20 m forest plots at eight study sites along an elevational gradient from sea level to 3500 m a.s.l. In addition, BIOVERA-Epi provides information on 1595 measurements of nine morphological and chemical leaf traits from 474 individuals and 102 species. For morphological leaf traits, we provide data on each sampled leaf. For chemical leaf traits, we provide data at the species level per site and land-use type. We also provide complementary information for each of the sampled plots and host trees. BIOVERA-Epi contributes to an emerging body of synthetic epiphytes studies combining functional traits and community composition. BIOVERA-Epi includes data on species frequency and leaf traits from 120 forest plots distributed along an elevational gradient including six different forest types and three levels of forest-use intensity. It will expand the breadth of studies on epiphyte diversity, conservation, and functional plant ecology in the Neotropics and will contribute to future synthetic studies on the ecology and diversity of tropical epiphyte assemblages.

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