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Liu Y, Li G, Wang M, Yan W, Hou F. Effects of three-dimensional soil heterogeneity and species composition on plant biomass and biomass allocation of grass-mixtures. AOB PLANTS 2021; 13:plab033. [PMID: 34234936 PMCID: PMC8255077 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plab033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Soil heterogeneity significantly affects plant dynamics such as plant growth and biomass. Most studies developed soil heterogeneity in two dimensions, i.e. either horizontally or vertically. However, soil heterogeneity in natural ecosystems varies both horizontally and vertically, i.e. in three dimensions. Previous studies on plant biomass and biomass allocation rarely considered the joint effects of soil heterogeneity and species composition. Thus, to investigate such joint effects on plant biomass and biomass allocation, a controlled experiment was conducted, where three levels of soil heterogeneity and seven types of species compositions were applied. Such soil heterogeneity was developed by filling nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor substrates in an alternative pattern in pots with different patch sizes (small, medium or large), and species compositions was achieved by applying three plant species (i.e. Festuca elata, Bromus inermis, Elymus breviaristatus) in all possible combinations (growing either in monoculture or in mixtures). Results showed that patch size significantly impacted plant biomass and biomass allocation, which differed among plant species. Specially, at the pot scale, with increasing patch size, shoot biomass decreased, while root biomass and R:S ratio increased, and total biomass tended to show a unimodal pattern, where the medium patch supported higher total biomass. Moreover, at the substrate scale, more shoot biomass and total biomass were found in nutrient-rich substrate. Furthermore, at the community scale, two of the three target plant species growing in monoculture had more shoot biomass than those growing together with other species. Thus, our results indicate soil heterogeneity significantly affected plant biomass and biomass allocation, which differ among plant species, though more research is needed on the generalization on biomass allocation. We propose that soil heterogeneity should be considered more explicitly in studies with more species in long-term experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Guoe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Mingxia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Wenjing Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Fujiang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
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Vegetation structure determines the spatial variability of soil biodiversity across biomes. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21500. [PMID: 33299083 PMCID: PMC7725809 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78483-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The factors controlling the spatial variability of soil biodiversity remain largely undetermined. We conducted a global field survey to evaluate how and why the within-site spatial variability of soil biodiversity (i.e. richness and community composition) changes across global biomes with contrasting soil ages, climates and vegetation types. We found that the spatial variability of bacteria, fungi, protists, and invertebrates is positively correlated across ecosystems. We also show that the spatial variability of soil biodiversity is mainly controlled by changes in vegetation structure driven by soil age and aridity. Areas with high plant cover, but low spatial heterogeneity, were associated with low levels of spatial variability in soil biodiversity. Further, our work advances the existence of significant, undescribed links between the spatial variability of soil biodiversity and key ecosystem functions. Taken together, our findings indicate that reductions in plant cover (e.g., via desertification, increases in aridity, or deforestation), are likely to increase the spatial variability of multiple soil organisms and that such changes are likely to negatively impact ecosystem functioning across global biomes.
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Lobna MF, Kaouthar J, Naser AA, Chaieb M. Plant traits and phenotypic variability effect on the phytomass production of Stipagrostis ciliata (Desf.) De Winter. Saudi J Biol Sci 2020; 27:1553-1561. [PMID: 32489293 PMCID: PMC7253882 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A process of continuous degradation of plant communities, due mainly to long-term overgrazing has been revealed by most ecological studies in North African arid climate. Notably, this degradation appeared across the depletion of perennial grass species exhibiting low density in the majority of range ecosystems. This study aimed to examine the phenology and the aboveground phytomass production of Stipagrostis ciliata (Desf.) De Winter accessions, a perennial grass, growing under the same environment but coming from different climates of Tunisia. Additionally, the extent of genetic variation in phenological parameters, root and shoot phytomass productivity and the correlations among these parameters were also analyzed. Significant differences in all morphological parameters of S. ciliata accessions were revealed by ANOVA test and were corroborated with significant and positive correlation indicated by Pearson’s correlation analysis. Plant diameter, biovolume, root biomass with protective sleeve and spike number exhibited significant differences and high distinctiveness between S. ciliata accessions. Tukey’s HDS tests indicated the presence of three groups of accessions. Principal component analysis (PCA) applied on a table with eight observations and 13 variables, and dispersion of S. ciliata accessions on the first two axes of PCA confirmed the presence of three groups of accessions. Trait variability in the field for the five accessions is more likely to be the result of phenotypic plasticity rather than of genetic differentiation between accessions. Overall, the characterization of S. ciliata accessions exhibited significant differences in terms of morphological and biomass productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mnif Fakhfakh Lobna
- Laboratory of Ecosystems and Biodiversity in Arid Land of Tunisia (LEBIOMAT), University of Sfax, Faculty of Sciences, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
| | - Jeddi Kaouthar
- Laboratory of Ecosystems and Biodiversity in Arid Land of Tunisia (LEBIOMAT), University of Sfax, Faculty of Sciences, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
| | - Anjum A Naser
- CESAM-Centres for Environmental and Marine Studies and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mohamed Chaieb
- Laboratory of Ecosystems and Biodiversity in Arid Land of Tunisia (LEBIOMAT), University of Sfax, Faculty of Sciences, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
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Stover HJ, Henry HAL. Soil Homogenization Modifies Productivity, Nitrogen Retention and Decomposition in Restored Grassland. Ecosystems 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-019-00401-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Stover HJ, Henry HAL. Legacy effects of soil homogenization on tallgrass prairie restoration: toward resolved understanding of the relationship between soil heterogeneity and plant species diversity. Restor Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Holly J. Stover
- Department of BiologyWestern University, 1151 Richmond Street London ON N6A 5B7 Canada
| | - Hugh A. L. Henry
- Department of BiologyWestern University, 1151 Richmond Street London ON N6A 5B7 Canada
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Stover HJ, Henry HAL. Interactions between soil heterogeneity and freezing: Implications for grassland plant diversity and relative species abundances. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2019; 25:2275-2284. [PMID: 30963661 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Plant stress resulting from soil freezing is expected to increase in northern temperate regions over the next century due to reductions in snow cover caused by climate change. Within plant communities, soil spatial heterogeneity can potentially buffer the effects of plant freezing stress by increasing the availability of soil microsites that function as microrefugia. Moreover, increased species richness resulting from soil heterogeneity can increase the likelihood of stress-tolerant species being present in a community. We used a field experiment to examine interactions between soil heterogeneity and increased freezing intensity (achieved via snow removal) on plant abundance and diversity in a grassland. Patches of topsoil were mixed with either sand or woodchips to create heterogeneous and homogeneous treatments, and plant community responses to snow removal were assessed over three growing seasons. Soil heterogeneity interacted significantly with snow removal, but it either buffered or exacerbated the snow removal response depending on the specific substrate (sand vs. woodchips) and plant functional group. In turn, snow removal influenced plant responses to soil heterogeneity; for example, adventive forb cover responded to increased heterogeneity under ambient snow cover, but this effect diminished with snow removal. Our results reveal that soil heterogeneity can play an important role in determining plant responses to changes in soil freezing stress resulting from global climate change. While the deliberate creation of soil microsites in ecological restoration projects as a land management practice could increase the frequency of microrefugia that mitigate plant community responses to increased freezing stress, the design of these microsites must be optimized, given that soil heterogeneity also has the potential to exacerbate freezing stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly J Stover
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hugh A L Henry
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Promoting invasive species to enhance multifunctionality in a native ecosystem still requires strong(er) scrutiny. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1851-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Arab L, Seegmueller S, Kreuzwieser J, Eiblmeier M, Rennenberg H. Atmospheric pCO 2 impacts leaf structural and physiological traits in Quercus petraea seedlings. PLANTA 2019; 249:481-495. [PMID: 30259170 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-018-3016-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric p CO 2 impacts Quercus petraea biomass production and cell wall composition of the leaves in favor of cellulose at the expense of lignin, and enhances foliar non-structural carbohydrate levels and sucrose contents in a pCO 2 concentration-dependent manner. Sessile oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.) was grown for ca. half a year from seeds at ambient control (525 ppm), 750, 900, and 1000 ppm atmospheric pCO2 under controlled conditions. Increasing pCO2 enhanced biomass production, modified the cell wall composition of the leaves in favor of cellulose at the expense of lignin, and enhanced the foliar non-structural carbohydrate level, in particular the sucrose content; as well as total N content of leaves by increased levels of all major N fractions, i.e., soluble proteins, total amino acids, and structural N. The enhanced total amino acid level was largely due to 2-ketoglutarate and oxalo acetate-derived compounds. Increasing pCO2 alleviated oxidative stress in the leaves as indicated by reduced H2O2 contents. High in vitro glutathione reductase activity at reduced H2O2 contents suggests enhanced ROS scavenging, but increased lipid peroxidation may also have contributed, as indicated by a negative correlation between malone dialdehyde and H2O2 contents. Almost all these effects were at least partially reversed, when pCO2 exceeded 750 or 900 ppm. Apparently, the interaction of atmospheric pCO2 with leaf structural and physiological traits of Q. petraea seedlings is characterized by a dynamic response depending on the pCO2 level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Arab
- Chair of Tree Physiology, Institute of Forest Sciences, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 53/54, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Stefan Seegmueller
- Forschungsanstalt für Waldökologie und Forstwirtschaft, Hauptstraße 16, 67705, Trippstadt, Germany
| | - Jürgen Kreuzwieser
- Chair of Tree Physiology, Institute of Forest Sciences, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 53/54, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Monika Eiblmeier
- Chair of Tree Physiology, Institute of Forest Sciences, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 53/54, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heinz Rennenberg
- Chair of Tree Physiology, Institute of Forest Sciences, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 53/54, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
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Durán J, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Dougill AJ, Guuroh RT, Linstädter A, Thomas AD, Maestre FT. Temperature and aridity regulate spatial variability of soil multifunctionality in drylands across the globe. Ecology 2018; 99:1184-1193. [PMID: 29484631 PMCID: PMC6053039 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between the spatial variability of soil multifunctionality (i.e., the capacity of soils to conduct multiple functions; SVM) and major climatic drivers, such as temperature and aridity, has never been assessed globally in terrestrial ecosystems. We surveyed 236 dryland ecosystems from six continents to evaluate the relative importance of aridity and mean annual temperature, and of other abiotic (e.g., texture) and biotic (e.g., plant cover) variables as drivers of SVM, calculated as the averaged coefficient of variation for multiple soil variables linked to nutrient stocks and cycling. We found that increases in temperature and aridity were globally correlated to increases in SVM. Some of these climatic effects on SVM were direct, but others were indirectly driven through reductions in the number of vegetation patches and increases in soil sand content. The predictive capacity of our structural equation modelling was clearly higher for the spatial variability of N- than for C- and P-related soil variables. In the case of N cycling, the effects of temperature and aridity were both direct and indirect via changes in soil properties. For C and P, the effect of climate was mainly indirect via changes in plant attributes. These results suggest that future changes in climate may decouple the spatial availability of these elements for plants and microbes in dryland soils. Our findings significantly advance our understanding of the patterns and mechanisms driving SVM in drylands across the globe, which is critical for predicting changes in ecosystem functioning in response to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Durán
- Centre for Functional Ecology, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Spain
| | - Andrew J. Dougill
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Reginald T. Guuroh
- CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box UP 63, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
- University of Cologne, Range Ecology and Range Management Group, Botanical Institute, Zuelpicher Str. 47b, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - Anja Linstädter
- University of Cologne, Range Ecology and Range Management Group, Botanical Institute, Zuelpicher Str. 47b, 50674 Cologne, Germany
- University of Bonn, Center for Development Research, Walter-Flex-Str. 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany
| | - Andrew D. Thomas
- Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB, UK
| | - Fernando T. Maestre
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Spain
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Haworth M, Moser G, Raschi A, Kammann C, Grünhage L, Müller C. Carbon dioxide fertilisation and supressed respiration induce enhanced spring biomass production in a mixed species temperate meadow exposed to moderate carbon dioxide enrichment. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2015; 43:26-39. [PMID: 32480439 DOI: 10.1071/fp15232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2015] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The rising concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere ([CO2]) has a direct effect on terrestrial vegetation through shifts in the rates of photosynthetic carbon uptake and transpirational water-loss. Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiments aim to predict the likely responses of plants to increased [CO2] under normal climatic conditions. The Giessen FACE system operates a lower [CO2] enrichment regime (480μmolmol-1) than standard FACE (550-600μmolmol-1), permitting the analysis of a mixed species temperate meadow under a [CO2] level equivalent to that predicted in 25-30 years. We analysed the physiological and morphological responses of six species to investigate the effect of moderate [CO2] on spring biomass production. Carbon dioxide enrichment stimulated leaf photosynthetic rates and supressed respiration, contributing to enhanced net assimilation and a 23% increase in biomass. The capacity for photosynthetic assimilation was unaffected by [CO2] enrichment, with no downregulation of rates of carboxylation of Rubisco or regeneration of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate. Foliar N content was also not influenced by increased [CO2]. Enhanced [CO2] reduced stomatal size, but stomatal density and leaf area index remained constant, suggesting that the effect on gas exchange was minimal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Haworth
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto di Biometeorologia, Via Giovanni Caproni 8, 50145 Florence, Italy
| | - Gerald Moser
- Department of Plant Ecology, Interdisciplinary Research Centre, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Antonio Raschi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto di Biometeorologia, Via Giovanni Caproni 8, 50145 Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Kammann
- Department of Plant Ecology, Interdisciplinary Research Centre, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ludger Grünhage
- Department of Plant Ecology, Interdisciplinary Research Centre, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph Müller
- Department of Plant Ecology, Interdisciplinary Research Centre, University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Wang Z, van Kleunen M, During HJ, Werger MJA. Root foraging increases performance of the clonal plant Potentilla reptans in heterogeneous nutrient environments. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58602. [PMID: 23472211 PMCID: PMC3589344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Plastic root-foraging responses have been widely recognized as an important strategy for plants to explore heterogeneously distributed resources. However, the benefits and costs of root foraging have received little attention. Methodology/Principal Findings In a greenhouse experiment, we grew pairs of connected ramets of 22 genotypes of the stoloniferous plant Potentilla reptans in paired pots, between which the contrast in nutrient availability was set as null, medium and high, but with the total nutrient amount kept the same. We calculated root-foraging intensity of each individual ramet pair as the difference in root mass between paired ramets divided by the total root mass. For each genotype, we then calculated root-foraging ability as the slope of the regression of root-foraging intensity against patch contrast. For all genotypes, root-foraging intensity increased with patch contrast and the total biomass and number of offspring ramets were lowest at high patch contrast. Among genotypes, root-foraging intensity was positively related to production of offspring ramets and biomass in the high patch-contrast treatment, which indicates an evolutionary benefit of root foraging in heterogeneous environments. However, we found no significant evidence that the ability of plastic foraging imposes costs under homogeneous conditions (i.e. when foraging is not needed). Conclusions/Significance Our results show that plants of P. reptans adjust their root-foraging intensity according to patch contrast. Moreover, the results show that the root foraging has an evolutionary advantage in heterogeneous environments, while costs of having the ability of plastic root foraging were absent or very small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Forest and Soil Ecology, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China.
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García-Palacios P, Maestre FT, Bardgett RD, de Kroon H. Plant responses to soil heterogeneity and global environmental change. THE JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2012; 100:1303-1314. [PMID: 25914423 PMCID: PMC4407979 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2745.2012.02014.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that soil nutrient heterogeneity, a ubiquitous feature of terrestrial ecosystems, modulates plant responses to ongoing global change (GC). However, we know little about the overall trends of such responses, the GC drivers involved, and the plant attributes affected.We synthesized literature to answer the question: Does soil heterogeneity significantly affect plant responses to main GC drivers, such as elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2), nitrogen (N) enrichment and changes in rainfall regime?Overall, most studies have addressed short-term effects of N enrichment on the performance of model plant communities using experiments conducted under controlled conditions. The role of soil heterogeneity as a modulator of plant responses to elevated CO2 may depend on the plasticity in nutrient uptake patterns. Soil heterogeneity does interact with N enrichment to determine plant growth and nutrient status, but the outcome of this interaction has been found to be both synergistic and inhibitory. The very few studies published on interactive effects of soil heterogeneity and changes in rainfall regime prevented us from identifying any general pattern.We identify the long-term consequences of soil heterogeneity on plant community dynamics in the field, and the ecosystem level responses of the soil heterogeneity × GC driver interaction, as the main knowledge gaps in this area of research.In order to fill these gaps and take soil heterogeneity and GC research a step forward, we propose the following research guidelines: 1) combining morphological and physiological plant responses to soil heterogeneity with field observations of community composition and predictions from simulation models; and 2) incorporating soil heterogeneity into a trait-based response-effect framework, where plant resource-use traits are used as both response variables to this heterogeneity and GC, and predictors of ecosystem functioning.Synthesis. There is enough evidence to affirm that soil heterogeneity modulates plant responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 and N enrichment. Our synthesis indicates that we must explicitly consider soil heterogeneity to accurately predict plant responses to GC drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo García-Palacios
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Fernando T. Maestre
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Spain
| | - Richard D. Bardgett
- Soil and Ecosystem Ecology Laboratory, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, LA1 4YQ Lancaster, UK
| | - Hans de Kroon
- Department of Experimental Plant Ecology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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A global synthesis reveals biodiversity loss as a major driver of ecosystem change. Nature 2012; 486:105-8. [PMID: 22678289 DOI: 10.1038/nature11118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 910] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Evidence is mounting that extinctions are altering key processes important to the productivity and sustainability of Earth's ecosystems. Further species loss will accelerate change in ecosystem processes, but it is unclear how these effects compare to the direct effects of other forms of environmental change that are both driving diversity loss and altering ecosystem function. Here we use a suite of meta-analyses of published data to show that the effects of species loss on productivity and decomposition--two processes important in all ecosystems--are of comparable magnitude to the effects of many other global environmental changes. In experiments, intermediate levels of species loss (21-40%) reduced plant production by 5-10%, comparable to previously documented effects of ultraviolet radiation and climate warming. Higher levels of extinction (41-60%) had effects rivalling those of ozone, acidification, elevated CO(2) and nutrient pollution. At intermediate levels, species loss generally had equal or greater effects on decomposition than did elevated CO(2) and nitrogen addition. The identity of species lost also had a large effect on changes in productivity and decomposition, generating a wide range of plausible outcomes for extinction. Despite the need for more studies on interactive effects of diversity loss and environmental changes, our analyses clearly show that the ecosystem consequences of local species loss are as quantitatively significant as the direct effects of several global change stressors that have mobilized major international concern and remediation efforts.
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High Resilience in Heathland Plants to Changes in Temperature, Drought, and CO2 in Combination: Results from the CLIMAITE Experiment. Ecosystems 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-011-9508-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Albert KR, Ro-Poulsen H, Mikkelsen TN, Michelsen A, van der Linden L, Beier C. Interactive effects of elevated CO2, warming, and drought on photosynthesis of Deschampsia flexuosa in a temperate heath ecosystem. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2011; 62:4253-66. [PMID: 21586430 PMCID: PMC3153679 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/err133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Revised: 03/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/05/2011] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Global change factors affect plant carbon uptake in concert. In order to investigate the response directions and potential interactive effects, and to understand the underlying mechanisms, multifactor experiments are needed. The focus of this study was on the photosynthetic response to elevated CO(2) [CO2; free air CO(2) enrichment (FACE)], drought (D; water-excluding curtains), and night-time warming (T; infrared-reflective curtains) in a temperate heath. A/C(i) curves were measured, allowing analysis of light-saturated net photosynthesis (P(n)), light- and CO(2)-saturated net photosynthesis (P(max)), stomatal conductance (g(s)), the maximal rate of Rubisco carboxylation (V(cmax)), and the maximal rate of ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) regeneration (J(max)) along with leaf δ(13)C, and carbon and nitrogen concentration on a monthly basis in the grass Deschampsia flexuosa. Seasonal drought reduced P(n) via g(s), but severe (experimental) drought decreased P(n) via a reduction in photosynthetic capacity (P(max), J(max), and V(cmax)). The effects were completely reversed by rewetting and stimulated P(n) via photosynthetic capacity stimulation. Warming increased early and late season P(n) via higher P(max) and J(max). Elevated CO(2) did not decrease g(s), but stimulated P(n) via increased C(i). The T×CO2 synergistically increased plant carbon uptake via photosynthetic capacity up-regulation in early season and by better access to water after rewetting. The effects of the combination of drought and elevated CO(2) depended on soil water availability, with additive effects when the soil water content was low and D×CO2 synergistic stimulation of P(n) after rewetting. The photosynthetic responses appeared to be highly influenced by growth pattern. The grass has opportunistic water consumption, and a biphasic growth pattern allowing for leaf dieback at low soil water availability followed by rapid re-growth of active leaves when rewetted and possibly a large resource allocation capability mediated by the rhizome. This growth characteristic allowed for the photosynthetic capacity up-regulations that mediated the T×CO2 and D×CO2 synergistic effects on photosynthesis. These are clearly advantageous characteristics when exposed to climate changes. In conclusion, after 1 year of experimentation, the limitations by low soil water availability and stimulation in early and late season by warming clearly structure and interact with the photosynthetic response to elevated CO(2) in this grassland species.
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Albert
- Biosystems Department; Risø DTU, Roskilde, Denmark.
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García-Palacios P, Maestre FT, Gallardo A. Soil nutrient heterogeneity modulates ecosystem responses to changes in the identity and richness of plant functional groups. THE JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2011; 99:551-562. [PMID: 25914424 PMCID: PMC4407982 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2745.2010.01765.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent research has shown that biodiversity may has its greatest impact on ecosystem functioning in heterogeneous environments. However, the role of soil heterogeneity as a modulator of ecosystem responses to changes in biodiversity remains poorly understood, as few biodiversity studies have explicitly considered this important ecosystem feature.We conducted a microcosm experiment over two growing seasons to evaluate the joint effects of changes in plant functional groups (grasses, legumes, non-legume forbs and a combination of them), spatial distribution of soil nutrients (homogeneous and heterogeneous) and nutrient availability (50 and 100 mg of nitrogen [N] added as organic material) on plant productivity and surrogates of carbon, phosphorous and N cycling (β-glucosidase and acid phosphatase enzymes and in situ N availability, respectively).Soil nutrient heterogeneity interacted with nutrient availability and plant functional diversity to determine productivity and nutrient cycling responses. All the functional groups exhibited precise root foraging patterns. Above- and belowground productivity increased under heterogeneous nutrient supply. Surrogates of nutrient cycling were not directly affected by soil nutrient heterogeneity. Regardless of their above- and belowground biomass, legumes increased the availability of soil inorganic N and the activity of the acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase enzymes.Our study emphasizes the role of soil nutrient heterogeneity as a modulator of ecosystem responses to changes in functional diversity beyond the species level. Functional group identity, rather than richness, can play a key role in determining the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning.Synthesis. Our results highlight the importance of explicitly considering soil heterogeneity in diversity-ecosystem functioning experiments, where the identity of the plant functional group is of major importance. Such consideration will improve our ability to fully understand the role of plant diversity on ecosystem functioning in ubiquitous heterogeneous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo García-Palacios
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Spain
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales, Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, CSIC, C/Serrano 115-bis, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando T. Maestre
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Spain
| | - Antonio Gallardo
- Departmento de Física, Química y Sistemas Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
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Griffin JN, Jenkins SR, Gamfeldt L, Jones D, Hawkins SJ, Thompson RC. Spatial heterogeneity increases the importance of species richness for an ecosystem process. OIKOS 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2009.17572.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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