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Fang T, Jin G, Liu Z. Isotope-Based Techniques to Investigate Factors Influencing Water Use Efficiency in Pinus koraiensis Leaves during Plant Growth. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:1771. [PMID: 38999611 PMCID: PMC11243977 DOI: 10.3390/plants13131771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Plant water use efficiency (WUE) is a comprehensive physiological indicator of plant growth and ability to adapt to drought. However, research on the mechanisms controlling WUE during plant growth and development remains weak. Here, we studied Pinus koraiensis as a typical evergreen conifer species in Northeast China. After collecting 80 tree samples with varying diameters at breast height (DBH), we measured δ13C and δ18O as an indicator of WUE, leaf morphology (volume, dry weight, and total epidermal area), ecological stoichiometry (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content), and abiotic factors (light environment, soil pH, soil water content, and soil nutrient content). Correlational analysis of these variables revealed distinct differences between smaller/younger and larger/older plants: (1) In plants with DBH less than 52 cm, δ13C was positively related to DBH, and δ18O was negatively related to DBH. Plants with DBH greater than 52 cm showed no relationship between δ13C and DBH, and δ18O was positively related to DBH. (2) In plants with DBH less than 52 cm, there was a negative correlation between δ13C and δ18O and between δ13C and leaf phosphorus content (LP), but a positive correlation between δ13C and DBH, leaf mass per area (LMA), and leaf density (LD). The slopes of DBH-δ13C, δ18O-δ13C, leaf nitrogen content (LN)-δ13C, and LMA-δ13C correlations were greater in smaller plants than large plants. (3) Structural equation modelling showed that in smaller plants, DBH had a direct positive effect on δ13C content and a direct negative effect on δ18O, and there was a direct positive effect of light environment on δ18O. In larger plants, there was a direct negative effect of light environment on δ13C and a direct positive effect of DBH on light environment, as well as a negative effect of soil nitrogen content on leaf nitrogen. In smaller plants, DBH was the most important factor influencing δ13C, followed by δ18O and soil moisture, with light and soil pH showing minimal influence. In larger plants, light environment influenced δ13C the most, followed by soil nitrogen content and soil moisture content, with leaf nitrogen and DBH contributing little. The results suggest that water use efficiency strategies of P. koraiensis vary according to growth stage, and the effects of abiotic factors and functional traits vary at different growth stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Fang
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Guangze Jin
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Zhili Liu
- Center for Ecological Research, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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Zhang Z, Wang X, Guo S, Li Z, He M, Zhang Y, Li G, Han X, Yang G. Divergent patterns and drivers of leaf functional traits of Robinia pseudoacacia and Pinus tabulaeformis plantations along a precipitation gradient in the Loess plateau, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 348:119318. [PMID: 37857219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119318] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Changes in precipitation patterns in arid and semi-arid regions can reshape plant functional traits and significantly affect ecosystem functions. However, the synchronous responses of leaf economical, anatomical, photosynthetic, and biochemical traits to precipitation changes and their driving factors have rarely been investigated, which hinders our understanding of plants' ecological adaptation strategies to drought tolerance in arid areas. Therefore, the leaf traits of two typical plantations (Robinia pseudoacacia, RP and Pinus tabulaeformis, PT) along the precipitation gradient in the Loess Plateau, including economical, anatomical, photosynthetic, and biochemical traits, were investigated in this study. The results show that the leaf photosynthetic traits of RP and PT increase along the precipitation gradient, whereas leaf biochemical traits decrease. The anatomical traits of PT decrease with increasing precipitation, whereas no significant variation was observed for RP. Random Forest analysis show that LNC, LDMC, Chl, and PRO are leaf traits that significantly vary with the precipitation gradient in both plantations. Correlation analysis reveals that the traits coordination of RP is better than that of PT. The LMG model was used to determine driving factors. The results suggest that MAP explains the variation of PT leaf traits better (30.38%-36.78%), whereas SCH and SPH contribute more to the variation of RP leaf traits (20.88%-41.76%). In addition, the piecewise Structural Equation Model shows that the climate and soil physical and chemical properties directly affect the selected leaf functional traits of RP, whereas only the soil chemical properties directly affect the selected leaf functional traits of PT. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the ecological adaptation of plants to environmental gradients and highlight that correlations among leaf traits should be considered when predicting plant adaptation strategies under future global change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjiao Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Circular Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Xing Wang
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Circular Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Shujuan Guo
- A School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, PR China.
| | - Zhenxia Li
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Circular Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Mengfan He
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Circular Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yunlong Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Circular Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Guixing Li
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Circular Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Xinhui Han
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Circular Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China.
| | - Gaihe Yang
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China; Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Circular Agriculture, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
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Han SH, An JY, Hernandez JO, Yang HM, Kim ES, Noh NJ, Seo JM, Park BB. Effects of Thinning Intensity on Litterfall Production, Soil Chemical Properties, and Fine Root Distribution in Pinus koraiensis Plantation in Republic of Korea. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3614. [PMID: 37896077 PMCID: PMC10609674 DOI: 10.3390/plants12203614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
It is crucial to evaluate the effects of thinning on litterfall production, soil chemical properties, and fine root dynamics when implementing thinning as a silvilcultural technique to enhance tree growth and timber yield in Pinus koraiensis plantations. Thus, we determined the 10-year effects (2007-2017) of different thinning intensities on litterfall production, soil chemical properties, and fine root biomass and necromass within a P. koraiensis plantation in South Korea. The soil chemical parameters and fine root biomass and necromass were also compared across three soil depths (0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm). Three thinning treatments were employed: no thinning (CON), light thinning (32% removed, LT), and heavy thinning (64% removed, HT). Results revealed that litterfall was consistent across all thinning treatments, but broadleaf species had considerably higher litterfall production at HT stands than at CON/LT stands. Soil chemical properties, except exchangeable K+, were generally lower at LT stands, particularly at a depth of 20-30 cm soil. After ten years, there was a decrease in fine root biomass and necromass with increasing soil depth. Over 80% of fine roots were found in the upper layer (0-20 cm), while very fine roots (0-1 mm) consisted mainly of 47% pine and 53% other species and were concentrated in the 0-10 cm soil depth in HT. In conclusion, different thinning intensities had diverse effects on the parameters measured within the plantation. Future studies can explore how the effects of thinning intensities on litterfall production, soil chemistry, and fine root dynamics affect species diversity, carbon storage, and understory vegetation in P. koraiensis plantations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Ho Han
- Kasuya Research Forest, Kyushu University, Sasaguri, Fukuoka 811-2415, Japan;
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (J.O.H.); (J.M.S.)
| | - Ji Young An
- Division of Environmental and Forest Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52725, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonathan O. Hernandez
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (J.O.H.); (J.M.S.)
- Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Hee Moon Yang
- Division of Forest Ecology, National Institute of Forest Science, Seoul 02445, Republic of Korea; (H.M.Y.); (E.-S.K.)
| | - Eun-Sook Kim
- Division of Forest Ecology, National Institute of Forest Science, Seoul 02445, Republic of Korea; (H.M.Y.); (E.-S.K.)
| | - Nam Jin Noh
- Division of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jeong Min Seo
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (J.O.H.); (J.M.S.)
- Division of Garden Material, Sejong National Arboretum, Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute, Sejong 30106, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Bae Park
- Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea; (J.O.H.); (J.M.S.)
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Zhou X, Xin J, Huang X, Li H, Li F, Song W. Linking Leaf Functional Traits with Soil and Climate Factors in Forest Ecosystems in China. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:3545. [PMID: 36559655 PMCID: PMC9781696 DOI: 10.3390/plants11243545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plant leaf functional traits can reflect the adaptive strategies of plants to environmental changes. Exploring the patterns and causes of geographic variation in leaf functional traits is pivotal for improving ecological theory at the macroscopic scale. In order to explore the geographical variation and the dominant factors of leaf functional traits in the forest ecosystems of China, we measured 15 environmental factors on 16 leaf functional traits in 33 forest reserves in China. The results showed leaf area (LA), carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N), carbon-to-phosphorus ratio (C/P), nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio (N/P), phosphorus mass per area (Pa) and nitrogen isotope abundance (δ15N)) were correlated with latitude significantly. LA, Pa and δ15N were also correlated with longitude significantly. The leaf functional traits in southern China were predominantly affected by climatic factors, whereas those in northern China were mainly influenced by soil factors. Mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP) and mean annual humidity (MAH) were shown to be the important climate factors, whereas available calcium (ACa), available potassium (AK), and available magnesium (AMg) were shown to be the important climate factors that affect the leaf functional traits of the forests in China. Our study fills the gap in the study of drivers and large-scale geographical variability of leaf functional traits, and our results elucidate the operational mechanisms of forest-soil-climate systems. We provide reliable support for modeling global forest dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Zhou
- College of Nuclear Technology and Automation Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Jiaxun Xin
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, No. 27 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaofei Huang
- College of Nuclear Technology and Automation Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
- Applied Nuclear Techniques in Geosciences Key Laboratory of Sichuan, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Haowen Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, No. 27 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Fei Li
- College of Nuclear Technology and Automation Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
- Applied Nuclear Techniques in Geosciences Key Laboratory of Sichuan, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Wenchen Song
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, No. 27 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian, Beijing 100081, China
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