1
|
Li Y, He N. Innovations and prospectives of multidimensional trait integration. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024. [PMID: 38867470 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- School of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Nianpeng He
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu X, Arif M, Zheng J, Wu Y, Chen Y, Gao J, Liu J, Changxiao L. Assessing leaf physiological traits in response to flooding among dominant riparian herbs along the Three Gorges Dam in China. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11533. [PMID: 38911496 PMCID: PMC11192621 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Dams worldwide have significantly altered the composition of riparian forests. However, research on the functional traits of dominant herbs experiencing flooding stress due to dam impoundment remains limited. Given the high plasticity of leaf traits and their susceptibility to environmental influences, this study focuses on riparian herbs along the Three Gorges Hydro-Fluctuation Zone (TGHFZ). Specifically, it investigates how six leaf physiological traits of leading herbs-carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and their stoichiometric ratios-adapt to periodic flooding in the TGHFZ using cluster analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple comparisons, Pearson correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). We categorized 25 dominant herb species into three plant functional types (PFTs), noting that species from the same family tended to fall into the same PFT. Notably, leaf carbon content (LCC) exhibited no significant differences across various PFTs or altitudes. Within riparian forests, different PFTs employ distinct adaptation strategies: PFT-I herbs invest in structural components to enhance stress resistance; PFT-II, mostly comprising gramineous plants, responds to prolonged flooding by rapid growth above the water; and PFT-III, encompassing nearly all Compositae and annual plants, responds to prolonged flooding with vigorous rhizome growth and seed production. Soil water content (SWC) emerges as the primary environmental factor influencing dominant herb growth in the TGHFZ. By studying the response of leaf physiological traits in dominant plants to artificial flooding, we intend to reveal the survival mechanisms of plants under adverse conditions and lay the foundation for vegetation restoration in the TGHFZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education)College of Life Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Muhammad Arif
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education)College of Life Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
- Biological Science Research Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesSouthwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Jie Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education)College of Life Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
- Biological Science Research Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesSouthwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education)College of Life Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yangyi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education)College of Life Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Jie Gao
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education)College of Life Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Junchen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education)College of Life Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Li Changxiao
- Key Laboratory of Eco‐Environments in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region (Ministry of Education)College of Life Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
- Biological Science Research Center, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary StudiesSouthwest UniversityChongqingChina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu X, Zhou S, Hu J, Zou X, Tie L, Li Y, Cui X, Huang C, Sardans J, Peñuelas J. Variations and trade-offs in leaf and culm functional traits among 77 woody bamboo species. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:387. [PMID: 38724946 PMCID: PMC11084126 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05108-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Woody bamboos are the only diverse large perennial grasses in mesic-wet forests and are widely distributed in the understory and canopy. The functional trait variations and trade-offs in this taxon remain unclear due to woody bamboo syndromes (represented by lignified culm of composed internodes and nodes). Here, we examined the effects of heritable legacy and occurrence site climates on functional trait variations in leaf and culm across 77 woody bamboo species in a common garden. We explored the trade-offs among leaf functional traits, the connection between leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) concentrations and functional niche traits, and the correlation of functional traits between leaves and culms. RESULTS The Bayesian mixed models reveal that the combined effects of heritable legacy (phylogenetic distances and other evolutionary processes) and occurrence site climates accounted for 55.10-90.89% of the total variation among species for each studied trait. The standardized major axis analysis identified trade-offs among leaf functional traits in woody bamboo consistent with the global leaf economics spectrum; however, compared to non-bamboo species, the woody bamboo exhibited lower leaf mass per area but higher N, P concentrations and assimilation, dark respiration rates. The canonical correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation (ρ = 0.57, P-value < 0.001) between leaf N, P concentrations and morphophysiology traits. The phylogenetic principal components and trait network analyses indicated that leaf and culm traits were clustered separately, with leaf assimilation and respiration rates associated with culm ground diameter. CONCLUSION Our study confirms the applicability of the leaf economics spectrum and the biogeochemical niche in woody bamboo taxa, improves the understanding of woody bamboo leaf and culm functional trait variations and trade-offs, and broadens the taxonomic units considered in plant functional trait studies, which contributes to our comprehensive understanding of terrestrial forest ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Liu
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, SICAU, Chengdu, 611130, China
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, 08193, Spain
- Global Ecology Unit, CSIC, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, Catalonia, 08193, Spain
| | - Shixing Zhou
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, SICAU, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Junxi Hu
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, SICAU, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xingcheng Zou
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, SICAU, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Liehua Tie
- Institute for Forest Resources and Environment of Guizhou, Key Laboratory of Forest Cultivation in Plateau Mountain of Guizhou Province, College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Ying Li
- College of Grassland Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Xinglei Cui
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, SICAU, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Congde Huang
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River & Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, SICAU, Chengdu, 611130, China.
| | - Jordi Sardans
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, 08193, Spain
- Global Ecology Unit, CSIC, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, Catalonia, 08193, Spain
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, 08193, Spain
- Global Ecology Unit, CSIC, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Bellaterra, Catalonia, 08193, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Song X, Gu J, Ye Y, Wang M, Wang R, Ma H, Shao X. Exploring Intraspecific Trait Variation in a Xerophytic Moss Species Indusiella thianschanica (Ptychomitriaceae) across Environmental Gradients on the Tibetan Plateau. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:921. [PMID: 38611451 PMCID: PMC11013618 DOI: 10.3390/plants13070921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Investigating intraspecific trait variability is crucial for understanding plant adaptation to various environments, yet research on lithophytic mosses in extreme environments remains scarce. This study focuses on Indusiella thianschanica Broth. Hal., a unique lithophytic moss species in the extreme environments of the Tibetan Plateau, aiming to uncover its adaptation and response mechanisms to environmental changes. Specimens were collected from 26 sites across elevations ranging from 3642 m to 5528 m, and the relationships between 23 morphological traits and 15 environmental factors were analyzed. Results indicated that coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 5.91% to 36.11%, with gametophyte height (GH) and basal cell transverse wall thickness (STW) showing the highest and lowest variations, respectively. Temperature, elevation, and potential evapo-transpiration (PET) emerged as primary environmental drivers. Leaf traits, especially those of the leaf sheath, exhibited a more pronounced response to the environment. The traits exhibited apparent covariation in response to environmental challenges and indicated flexible adaptive strategies. This study revealed the adaptation and response patterns of different morphological traits of I. thianschanica to environmental changes on the Tibetan Plateau, emphasizing the significant effect of temperature on trait variation. Our findings deepen the understanding of the ecology and adaptive strategies of lithophytic mosses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Song
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (X.S.); (J.G.); (M.W.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jiqi Gu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (X.S.); (J.G.); (M.W.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yanhui Ye
- Resources & Environment College, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China;
| | - Mengzhen Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (X.S.); (J.G.); (M.W.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruihong Wang
- Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China; (R.W.); (H.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
| | - Heping Ma
- Institute of Tibet Plateau Ecology, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China; (R.W.); (H.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, China
| | - Xiaoming Shao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (X.S.); (J.G.); (M.W.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Resources & Environment College, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, China;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhao H, Zuo Z, Yang L, Zhang L, Lv T, Yu D, Wang Z. Similarities and differences in the physiological adaptation to water salinity between two life forms of aquatic plants in alpine and arid wetlands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168449. [PMID: 37952678 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168449] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic plants play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems as primary producers, but their survival is threatened by salinization. Understanding the physiological responses of aquatic plants to increasing water salinity is important for predicting their adaptive strategies under future climate change scenarios. In this study, we measured 15 physiological traits of 49 aquatic plant species along a large environmental gradient in alpine and arid regions of western China to explore their physiological adaptations and compare the similarities and differences in adaptive strategies between emergent and submerged life forms. We found that water salinity and low temperature were key factors affecting aquatic plants in these regions. Aquatic plants adapted to saline habitats by accumulating proline and sulfur (S) concentrations, and to cold habitats by increasing ascorbate peroxidase activity. Plant trait network analysis revealed that S was the hub trait in emergent plants, while proline was the hub trait in submerged plants, indicating that emergent plants balanced osmoregulation and reactive oxygen metabolism through S-containing compounds, while submerged plants prioritized the regulation of osmotic balance through proline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haocun Zhao
- The National Field Station of Freshwater Ecosystems of Liangzi Lake, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072 Wuhan, China.
| | - Zhenjun Zuo
- The National Field Station of Freshwater Ecosystems of Liangzi Lake, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072 Wuhan, China.
| | - Lei Yang
- The National Field Station of Freshwater Ecosystems of Liangzi Lake, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072 Wuhan, China.
| | - Liangjian Zhang
- The National Field Station of Freshwater Ecosystems of Liangzi Lake, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072 Wuhan, China.
| | - Tian Lv
- The National Field Station of Freshwater Ecosystems of Liangzi Lake, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072 Wuhan, China.
| | - Dan Yu
- The National Field Station of Freshwater Ecosystems of Liangzi Lake, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072 Wuhan, China.
| | - Zhong Wang
- The National Field Station of Freshwater Ecosystems of Liangzi Lake, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072 Wuhan, China; Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Education, School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, 850000 Lhasa, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu Y, Fan B, Gong Z, He L, Chen L, Ren A, Zhao N, Gao Y. Intraspecific trait variation and adaptability of Stipa krylovii: Insight from a common garden experiment with two soil moisture treatments. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:ECE310457. [PMID: 37664491 PMCID: PMC10468992 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10457] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding patterns of intraspecific trait variation can help us understand plant adaptability to environmental changes. To explore the underlying adaptation mechanisms of zonal plant species, we selected seven populations of Stipa krylovii, a dominant species in the Inner Mongolia Steppe of China, and evaluated the effects of phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation, the effects of climate variables on population trait differentiation, and traits coordinated patterns under each soil moisture treatment. We selected seeds from seven populations of S. krylovii in the Inner Mongolia Steppe, China, and carried out a soil moisture (2) × population origin (7) common garden experiment at Tianjin City, China, and measured ten plant traits of S. krylovii. General linear analyses were used to analyze how soil moisture and population origin affected each trait variation, Mantel tests were used to analyze population trait differentiation-geographic distance (or climatic difference) relationships, regression analyses were used to evaluate trait-climatic variable relationships, and plant trait networks (PTNs) were used to evaluate traits coordinated patterns. Both soil moisture and population origin showed significant effects on most of traits. Aboveground biomass, root-shoot ratio, leaf width, specific leaf area, and leaf nitrogen (N) content were significantly correlated with climate variables under the control condition. Specific leaf area and leaf N content were significantly correlated with climate variables under the drought condition. By PTNs, the hub trait(s) was plant height under the control condition and were aboveground biomass, root length, and specific leaf area under the drought condition. This study indicates that both phenotypic plasticity and genetic differentiation can significantly affect the adaptability of S. krylovii. In addition, soil moisture treatments show significant effects on trait-climate relationships and traits coordinated patterns. These findings provide new insights into the adaptive mechanisms of zonal species in the semiarid grassland region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Liu
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life ScienceNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Baijie Fan
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life ScienceNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Ziqing Gong
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life ScienceNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Luoyang He
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life ScienceNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life ScienceNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Anzhi Ren
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life ScienceNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Nianxi Zhao
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life ScienceNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Yubao Gao
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life ScienceNankai UniversityTianjinChina
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang C, Hou Y, Hu Y, Zheng R, Li X. Plant diversity increases above- and below-ground biomass by regulating multidimensional functional trait characteristics. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 131:1001-1010. [PMID: 37119271 PMCID: PMC10332393 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Nitrogen enrichment affects biodiversity, plant functional traits and ecosystem functions. However, the direct and indirect effects of nitrogen addition and biodiversity on the links between plant traits and ecosystem functions have been largely overlooked, even though multidimensional characteristics of plant functional traits are probably critical predictors of ecosystem functions. METHODS To investigate the mechanism underlying the links between plant trait identity, diversity, network topology and above- and below-ground biomass along a plant species richness gradient under different nitrogen addition levels, a common garden experiment was conducted in which those driving factors were manipulated. KEY RESULTS The study found that nitrogen addition increased above-ground biomass but not below-ground biomass, while species richness was positively associated with above- and below-ground biomass. Nitrogen addition had minor effects on plant trait identity and diversity, and on the connectivity and complexity of the trait networks. However, species richness increased above-ground biomass mainly by increasing leaf trait diversity and network modularity, and enhanced below-ground biomass through an increase in root nitrogen concentration and network modularity. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate the mechanistic links between community biomass and plant trait identity, diversity and network topology, and show that the trait network architecture could be an indicator of the effects of global changes on ecosystem functions as importantly as trait identity and diversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Yanhui Hou
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Yanxia Hu
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Ruilun Zheng
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Xiaona Li
- Institute of Grassland, Flowers and Ecology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang X, Ji M, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Akram MA, Dong L, Hu W, Xiong J, Sun Y, Li H, Degen AA, Ran J, Deng J. Plant trait networks reveal adaptation strategies in the drylands of China. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:266. [PMID: 37202776 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plants accomplish multiple functions by the interrelationships between functional traits. Clarifying the complex relationships between plant traits would enable us to better understand how plants employ different strategies to adapt to the environment. Although increasing attention is being paid to plant traits, few studies focused on the adaptation to aridity through the relationship among multiple traits. We established plant trait networks (PTNs) to explore the interdependence of sixteen plant traits across drylands. RESULTS Our results revealed significant differences in PTNs among different plant life-forms and different levels of aridity. Trait relationships for woody plants were weaker, but were more modularized than for herbs. Woody plants were more connected in economic traits, whereas herbs were more connected in structural traits to reduce damage caused by drought. Furthermore, the correlations between traits were tighter with higher edge density in semi-arid than in arid regions, suggesting that resource sharing and trait coordination are more advantageous under low drought conditions. Importantly, our results demonstrated that stem phosphorus concentration (SPC) was a hub trait correlated with other traits across drylands. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that plants exhibited adaptations to the arid environment by adjusting trait modules through alternative strategies. PTNs provide a new insight into understanding the adaptation strategies of plants to drought stress based on the interdependence among plant functional traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Mingfei Ji
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Security for Water Source Region of Mid-Route Project of South-North Water Diversion of Henan Province, College of Water Resource and Environment Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, 473061, China
| | - Yahui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Muhammad Adnan Akram
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- School of Economics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Longwei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Weigang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Junlan Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Ying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Hailin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Abraham Allan Degen
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410500, Israel
| | - Jinzhi Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jianming Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhu T, Jiang W, Shen H, Yuan J, Chen J, Gong Z, Wang L, Zhang M, Rao Q. Characteristics of plant trait network and its influencing factors in impounded lakes and channel rivers of South-to-North Water Transfer Project, China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1127209. [PMID: 36968420 PMCID: PMC10036390 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1127209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Trait-based approaches have been widely used to evaluate the effects of variable environments on submerged macrophytes communities. However, little research focused on the response of submerged macrophytes to variable environmental factors in impounded lakes and channel rivers of water transfer project, especially from a whole plant trait network (PTN) perspective. Here, we conducted a field survey designed to clarify the characteristic of PTN topology among impounded lakes and channel rivers of the East Route of South-to-North Water Transfer Project (ERSNWTP) and to unravel the effects of determining factors on the PTN topology structure. Overall, our results showed that leaf-related traits and organ mass allocation traits were the hub traits of PTNs in impounded lakes and channel rivers of the ERSNWTP, which traits with high variability were more likely to be the hub traits. Moreover, PTNs showed different structures among impounded lakes and channel rivers, and PTNs topologies were related to the mean functional variation coefficients of lakes and channel rivers. Specially, higher mean functional variation coefficients represented tight PTN, and lower mean functional variation coefficients indicated loose PTN. The PTN structure was significantly affected by water total phosphorus and dissolved oxygen. Edge density increased, while average path length decreased with increasing total phosphorus. Edge density and average clustering coefficient showed significant decreases with increasing dissolved oxygen, while average path length and modularity exhibited significant increases with increasing dissolved oxygen. This study explores the changing patterns and determinants of trait networks along environmental gradients to improve our understanding of ecological rules regulating trait correlations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianshun Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
- Institute of Aquatic Environment, Jiangxi Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences and Planning, Nanchang, China
| | - Wanxiang Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Henglun Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Juanjuan Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Jing Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Zheng Gong
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Lihong Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Institute of Aquatic Environment, Jiangxi Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences and Planning, Nanchang, China
| | - Qingyang Rao
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yan JM, Li YG, Maisupova B, Zhou XB, Zhang J, Liu HL, Yin BF, Zang YX, Tao Y, Zhang YM. Effects of growth decline on twig functional traits of wild apple trees in two long-term monitoring plots in Yili Valley: Implication for their conservation. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|