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Jin Y, Tian D, Li J, Wu Q, Pan Z, Han M, Wang Y, Zhang J, Han G. Water causes divergent responses of specific carbon sink to long-term grazing in a desert grassland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162166. [PMID: 36801405 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Heavy grazing generally reduces grassland biomass, further decreasing its carbon sink. Grassland carbon sink is determined by both plant biomass and carbon sink per unit biomass (specific carbon sink). This specific carbon sink could reflect grassland adaptative response, because plants generally tend to adaptively enhance the functioning of their remaining biomass after grazing (i.e. higher leaf nitrogen content). Though we know well about the regulation of grassland biomass on carbon sink, little attention is paid to the role of specific carbon sink. Thus, we conducted a 14-year grazing experiment in a desert grassland. Ecosystem carbon fluxes, including net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE), gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (ER), were measured frequently during five consecutive growing seasons with contrasting precipitation events. We found that heavy grazing reduced NEE more in drier (-94.0 %) than wetter (-33.9 %) years. However, grazing did not reduce community biomass much more in drier (-70.4 %) than wetter years (-66.0 %). These meant a positive response of specific NEE (NEE per unit biomass) to grazing in wetter years. This positive response of specific NEE was mainly caused by a higher biomass ratio of other species versus perennial grasses with greater leaf nitrogen content and specific leaf area in wetter years. In addition, we also detected a shift of grazing effects on specific NEE from positive in wetter years to negative in drier years. Overall, this study is among the first to reveal the adaptive response of grassland specific carbon sink to experimental grazing in plant trait view. The stimulation response of specific carbon sink can partially compensate for the loss of grassland carbon storage under grazing. These new findings highlight the role of grassland adaptive response in decelerating climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, China
| | - Dashuan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Jiangwen Li
- College of Life Sciences, Yan' an University, Yan' an 716000, China
| | - Qian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, China
| | - Zhanlei Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Mengqi Han
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, China
| | - Yuehua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- College of Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, China
| | - Guodong Han
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Forage Cultivation, Processing and High Efficient Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Grassland Management and Utilization, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, China.
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Bektaş B, Thuiller W, Renaud J, Guéguen M, Calderón-Sanou I, Valay JG, Colace MP, Münkemüller T. A spatially explicit trait-based approach uncovers changes in assembly processes under warming. Ecol Lett 2023. [PMID: 37082882 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The re-assembly of plant communities during climate warming depends on several concurrent processes. Here, we present a novel framework that integrates spatially explicit sampling, plant trait information and a warming experiment to quantify shifts in these assembly processes. By accounting for spatial distance between individuals, our framework allows separation of potential signals of environmental filtering from those of different types of competition. When applied to an elevational transplant experiment in the French Alps, we found common signals of environmental filtering and competition in all communities. Signals of environmental filtering were generally stronger in alpine than in subalpine control communities, and warming reduced this filter. Competition signals depended on treatments and traits: Symmetrical competition was dominant in control and warmed alpine communities, while hierarchical competition was present in subalpine communities. Our study highlights how distance-dependent frameworks can contribute to a better understanding of transient re-assembly dynamics during environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billur Bektaş
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | - Wilfried Thuiller
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | - Julien Renaud
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | - Maya Guéguen
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | - Irene Calderón-Sanou
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Marie-Pascale Colace
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
| | - Tamara Münkemüller
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France
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Yao L, Wang D, Wang D, Li S, Chen Y, Guo Y. Phenotypic Plasticity and Local Adaptation of Leaf Cuticular Waxes Favor Perennial Alpine Herbs under Climate Change. PLANTS 2021; 11:plants11010120. [PMID: 35009124 PMCID: PMC8747477 DOI: 10.3390/plants11010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Six perennial herbs (Plantago asiatica, Polygonum viviparum, Anaphalis lactea, Kobresia humilis, Leontopodium nanum and Potentilla chinensis) widely distributed in alpine meadows were reciprocally transplanted at two sites in eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Hongyuan (3434 m, 2.97 °C, 911 mm) and Qilian (3701 m, 2.52 °C, 472 mm), aiming to evaluate the responses of alpine plants to changing environments. When plants were transplanted from Hongyuan to Qilian, most plant species showed a decrease of total wax coverage in first year and reverse trend was observed for some plant species in second year. However, when plants were transplanted from Qilian to Hongyuan, the response of total wax coverage differed greatly between plant species. When compared with those in first year, plasticity index of average chain length of alkane decreased whereas carbon preference index of alkane increased at both Hongyuan and Qilian in second year. The total wax coverage differed between local and transplanted plants, suggesting both environmental and genetic factors controlled the wax depositions. Structural equation modeling indicated that co-variations existed between leaf cuticular waxes and leaf functional traits. These results suggest that alpine herbs adjust both wax depositions and chain length distributions to adapt to changing environment, showing climate adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luhua Yao
- College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China;
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (D.W.); (D.W.)
| | - Dengke Wang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (D.W.); (D.W.)
| | - Dangjun Wang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; (D.W.); (D.W.)
| | - Shixiong Li
- Qinghai Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Xining 810016, China;
| | - Youjun Chen
- Institute of Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Yanjun Guo
- College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China;
- Correspondence:
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Bai X, Zhao W, Wang J, Ferreira CSS. Precipitation drives the floristic composition and diversity of temperate grasslands in China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Ratier Backes A, Frey L, Arévalo JR, Haider S. Effects of Soil Properties, Temperature and Disturbance on Diversity and Functional Composition of Plant Communities Along a Steep Elevational Gradient on Tenerife. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.758160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevational variation of vegetation has been of interest for centuries, and a prominent example for such pronounced vegetation changes can be found along the steep elevational gradient on Tenerife, Canary Islands, 200 km off the West-African cost. The 3,718-m ascent to the peak of the island volcano, Teide, offers a unique opportunity to investigate associated changes in vegetation. However, elevation is not a directly acting factor, but represents several natural environmental gradients. While the elevational variation of temperature is globally rather uniform and temperature effects on plant communities are well understood, much less is known about the region-specific elevational change of chemical soil properties and their impact on plant communities along elevational gradients. Because human interference takes place even at high-elevation areas, we considered human-induced disturbance as important third factor acting upon plant community assemblages. In our study, we compared the effects of soil properties, temperature and disturbance on species richness, functional identity and functional diversity of plant communities along the elevational gradient on Tenerife. We used pairs of study plots: directly adjacent to a road and in natural vegetation close by. In each plot, we did vegetation relevées, took soil samples, and installed temperature loggers. Additionally, we collected leaf samples to measure leaf functional traits of 80% of the recorded species. With increasing elevation, soil cation concentrations, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and pH decreased significantly, while the soil carbon to phosphorus ratio slightly peaked at mid-elevations. Temperature had the strongest effects, increasing species richness and favoring communities with fast resource acquisition. Species richness was higher at road verges, indicating the positive effect of reduced competition and artificially generated heterogeneity. However, we did not detect road effects on plant functional characteristics. Vice versa, we did not find soil effects on species richness, but increased concentrations of soil cations favored acquisitive communities. Surprisingly, we could not reveal any influence on community functional diversity. The importance of temperature aligns with findings from large-scale biogeographic studies. However, our results also emphasize that it is necessary to consider the effects of local abiotic drivers, like soil properties and disturbance, to understand variation in plant communities.
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