Effects of increased precipitation on growth of two ephemeral plants in the Gurbantunggut Desert, China

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202001.004

Abstract

Abstract: Ephemeral plants are a major component of biodiversity in the deserts of Northwest China, with important ecological functions. Information on plant morphological characteristics and biomass accumulation and allocation during different growth stages could enhance our understanding of the functional features and survival strategy of ephemeral plants. We examined the effects of increased precipitation on ephemeral species Eremopyrum distans and Nepeta micrantha in the Gurbantunggut Desert. Changes in morphological characteristics and biomass accumulation and allocation were analyzed under increasing precipitation 30% and 50% treatments. The results showed that increased precipitation 30% and 50% treatments promoted the growth of E. distans, with leaf area and reproductive organ biomass being increased by 14.2%-188.5% and 55.9%, respectively. The effects of increased precipitation on the growth of N. micrantha varied across different growth stages. At leaf expansion stage, increased precipitation promoted growth of N. micrantha, while at fruit ripening stage, increased precipitation 50% treatment reduced leaf area, plant height, and reproduction biomass by 54.9%, 20.5%, 43.2%, respectively. Thus, the responses of the two species to increased precipitation was species-specific. Increased precipitation would change the survival strategies of the two species, with consequence on the species composition and structure of desert community.

ZHANG Lan, ZHANG Ling-wei, LIU Hui-liang, CHEN Yan-feng. Effects of increased precipitation on growth of two ephemeral plants in the Gurbantunggut Desert, China[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2020, 31(1): 9-16.

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