scholarly journals Effects of Stellera chamaejasme removal on the nutrient stoichiometry of S. chamaejasme-dominated grasslands in the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9239
Author(s):  
Meiling Song ◽  
Yuqin Wang ◽  
Gensheng Bao ◽  
Hongsheng Wang ◽  
Yali Yin ◽  
...  

Background Stoichiometric relations drive powerful constraints in several fundamental ecosystem processes. However, limited studies have been conducted on the ecological stoichiometry of plants after the change of community composition induced by Stellera chamaejasme removal in alpine grassland in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Methods We investigated the effects of S. chamaejasme removal on ecological stoichiometry by estimating the C:N:P stoichiometry in species, functional group and community levels of the ecosystem. The interactions between different species, functional groups and correlation with soil nutrient, responding to S. chamaejasme removal were also analyzed. Results For the plants that became dominant after S. chamaejasme removal (SR), N content decreased and their C:N increased. S. chamaejasme removal significantly affected the nutrient stoichiometry of different functional groups. Specifically, Gramineae in the SR sites had decreased N content and N:P, and increased C:N; however, forbs had increased N content, C:P and N:P and decreased P content and C:N. At the community level, N content was lower and C:N higher in SR communities compared to CK. The N content of the plant community was positively correlated with soil total N content. S. chamaejasme removal could change the nutrient balance from species level, to functional group level, and to community level. Thus, supplementary measures might be cooperated with S. chamaejasme removal for the recovery of S. chamaejasme-dominated degraded grassland. These results provide insight into the role of S. chamaejasme in ecological protection and conservation, and the conclusions from this study could be used to develop effective and sustainable measures for S. chamaejasme control in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau.

Author(s):  
Hui Wang ◽  
Bing Wang ◽  
Xiang Niu ◽  
Qingfeng Song ◽  
Haonan Bai ◽  
...  

We analyzed the plant-litter-soil continuum to investigate the carbon and nitrogen distribution and ecological stoichiometry of an evergreen broad-leaved forest at Dagangshan Mountain, Jiangxi. The results showed that the average C and N contents and C:N ratios in the leaves and fine roots among 6 different tree species were 401.87g/kg, 21.41g/kg, 19.27 and 348.64g/kg, 15.73g/kg, 23.97, respectively; the average C and N contents and C:N ratios were 323.06 g/kg, 12.76 g/kg, 25.58 respectively in leaf litter, and 16.40 g/kg, 1.09 g/kg, 16.27 respectively for soil. In contrast with the C content, the total N content of the fine roots and litter had a high coefficient of variation and a high spatial heterogeneity. We ranked the six different representative tree species according to total C and N content in leaves and fine roots. The results for each species were generally consistent with each other, showing a positive correlation relationship between total C and N content in the leaves and roots. Among them, S. discolor (Champ. ex Benth.) Muell. plants displayed high carbon and nitrogen storage capacities, and on the other hand, C. fargesii Franch., C. myrsinifolia (Blume) Oersted, A. fortunei (Hemsl.) Makino, and V. fordii (Hemsl.) Airy Shaw showed a high nitrogen transfer rate. Total soil N and C decreased with depth. Soil organic carbon (SOC), soil resistant organic carbon (ROC), total N, alkali nitrogen, NH4+-N and NO3--N contents were all also negative correlated with soil depth, but the contents of the NH4+-N and NO3--N did not change significantly; The spatial distribution of soil NO3--N was significantly heterogeneous. At 0-10 cm soil depth, SOC was positively correlated with alkaline nitrogen, and at 10-20 cm soil depth, SOC was significantly positively correlated with total N. In general, when soil carbon was abundant, nitrogen supply capacity was also high.


2021 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 106179
Author(s):  
Zhiying Ning ◽  
Xueyong Zhao ◽  
Yulin Li ◽  
Lilong Wang ◽  
Jie Lian ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 333
Author(s):  
Lourdes Morillas ◽  
Javier Roales ◽  
Cristina Cruz ◽  
Silvana Munzi

Lichens are classified into different functional groups depending on their ecological and physiological response to a given environmental stressor. However, knowledge on lichen response to the synergistic effect of multiple environmental factors is extremely scarce, although vital to get a comprehensive understanding of the effects of global change. We exposed six lichen species belonging to different functional groups to the combined effects of two nitrogen (N) doses and direct sunlight involving both high temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 58 days. Irrespective of their functional group, all species showed a homogenous response to N with cumulative, detrimental effects and an inability to recover following sunlight, UV exposure. Moreover, solar radiation made a tolerant species more prone to N pollution’s effects. Our results draw attention to the combined effects of global change and other environmental drivers on canopy defoliation and tree death, with consequences for the protection of ecosystems.


1993 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Tofinga ◽  
R. Paolini ◽  
R. W. Snaydon

SUMMARYWheat, barley and two morphologically contrasting cultivars of peas (leafy and semi-leafless) were grown in pure stands, at standard agricultural densities, and in additive mixtures of cereals with peas. The stands were grown in boxes in the field, and partitions were used to separate the effects of root and shoot interactions. The cereals and peas were either planted at the same time, or one species was planted 10 days before the other. The origin of the N present in each species was determined by applying N fertilizer labelled with 15N.Both cultivars of peas had greater shoot and root competitive abilities than wheat or barley, probably because of their larger seed size; leafy peas had greater shoot and root competitive abilities than semi-leafless peas. Sowing peas after cereals reduced their competitive ability.The relative yield total (RYT) of cereal-pea mixtures, based on total biomass, averaged 1·6 when only the root systems interacted, and 1·4 when only the shoot systems interacted, but did not differ significantly from 10 when both root and shoot systems interacted. RYT values were greater when peas were grown with wheat, rather than with barley, and when peas were sown at the same time as the cereals.Shoot competition from peas increased the N% of cereals, but substantially reduced their total N content, because biomass yield was reduced. Shoot competition from cereals had no effect on the N% of peas, and only slightly reduced their total N content. Shoot competition between cereals and peas had no significant effect upon the proportion of N derived from various sources by either cereals or peas.Root competition from peas significantly reduced both the N% and total N content of cereals. Root competition from cereals had little effect on the N% of peas, but significantly reduced their total N content and increased the proportion of N derived from rhizobial fixation from 76 to 94%. Since cereals and peas largely used different sources of N, resource complementarity for N was probably an important component of intercropping advantage, when the roots of cereals and peas shared soil resources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (Especial) ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
Nelcy Aguilar Sasari ◽  
Milenka Alessandra Fernández Ledezma ◽  
Tania Araujo-Burgos

Additives are necessary substances to improve the nutritional and organoleptic properties and the shelf life of processed food. In addition, their use is regulated, and it must be declared on the food labels. Thus, the objective of this research was to determine the frequency of food additives in processed baby products in Cochabamba metropolitan area (Bolivia). Data were collected by label reading and a frequency analysis was performed by additives and by functional group. 26 baby products were found where 41 food additives were identified with an occurrence of 256 times, and a mean of 9,8 additives per product. Moreover, the functional groups most widely used are antioxidants and colorants. Finally, the most frequent additives are mostly harmless, except for sodium nitrate and copper sulfate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-72
Author(s):  
Robby Candra Purnama ◽  
Annisa Primadiamanti

Kepok banana plants contain secondary metabolites such as tannins and flavonoids. Tannins and flavonoids have various properties for human health. Research has been carried out to identify secondary metabolite compounds (tannins, flavonoids, and saponins) by using the phytochemical screening method to see the functional group profile contained in the extract of kepok banana stem waste. Kepok banana stem waste was extracted in 96% ethanol, then evaporated and screened phytochemically. This extract was used to prepare effervescently. Screening results showed that tannin and flavonoids were identified by the appearance of the following color black-green and dark red, respectively. Meanwhile, saponins were negative because the foam formed had a height of 0.3 cm and did not meet the saponins' positive requirements (1-3 cm high foam and stable for 5 minutes). Identification of functional groups in the extract of kepok banana stem waste using Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that C-C stretching in the area 2927.24 cm-1, O-H stretching in the 3423.87 cm-1 area, C=O stretching in the 1648.87 cm-1 area. Also appeared bending CH2 in the region of 1421.45 cm-1, and C-C in the area of 1149.98 cm-1. The characteristics of three different formulas (A, B, and C) of effervescent have been investigated: the moisture content of 2.51%; 2.55%, and 2.52%, respectively. Then, flow rate of 8.81 g/s; 8.83 g/s; and 8.82 g/s, compressibility of 14.5%; 14.4%; and 14.5%, and a pH of 5.97; 5.98; and 5.97 respectively. All parameters are eligible.


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