Variation in leaf functional traits of different-aged Robinia pseudoacacia communities and relationships with soil nutrients

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.201701.036

Abstract

Abstract: On the basis of various leaf functional traits of different-aged Robinia pseudoacacia communities, as well as the relationships between the traits and soil nutrients, the adaptation strategy of R. pseudoacacia in relation to soil conditions was analyzed in Ansai County, the Loess Plateau, China. The results showed that specific leaf area, leaf area, leaf water content, leaf total nitrogen content and leaf organic carbon content first increased and then decreased with the increasing stand age. The peak values of specific leaf area (279.18 cm²·g^-1), leaf area (12.33 cm²), leaf water content (0.09%), leaf total nitrogen content (33.01 g·kg^-1) and leaf organic carbon content (523.08 g·kg^-1) were obtained at 30 years old. With the increasing stand age, leaf tissue density, leaf total phosphorus content, leaf thickness and stomata density increased, and stomata length and stomata width decreased. Leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf total phosphorus content, leaf water content, leaf thicknessand stomata density were the main indexes based on principal component analysis (PCA), for R. pseudoacacia leaf functional traits responding to the increased stand age. The indexes were correlated with each other, indicating that R. pseudoacacia was capable of changing leaf morphological structure to adapt to environmental changes. Soil total nitrogen content was the main factor influencing leaf area, leaf water content, specific leaf area and stomata length, while soil organic carbon content mainly affected stomata width, leaf tissue density, leaf thickness, leaf total phosphorus content, leaf total nitrogen content and stomata density. Therefore, soil total nitrogen and organic carbon content were main factors that affected leaf functional traits of R. pseu-doacacia in different stand ages. Soil nutrients in R. pseudoacacia communities were improved with the increasing stand age, which eventually affected leaf functional traits. The flexibility of leaf functional traits indicated that R. pseudoacacia communities had great potential to adapt to environmental change in Loess Plateau hilly region.

DUAN Yuan-yuan, SONG Li-juan, NIU Su-qi, HUANG Ting, YANG Gai-he, HAO Wen-fang. Variation in leaf functional traits of different-aged Robinia pseudoacacia communities and relationships with soil nutrients[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2017, 28(1): 28-36.

References

[1] Violle C, Navas ML, Vile D, et al. Let the concept of trait be functional! Oikos, 2007, 116: 882-892
[2] Zhang P-P (张萍萍), Li Y-Y (李秧秧), Shao M-A (邵明安). Effects of sandy land water habitat and years after rejuvenation pruning on leaf functional traits of Salix psammophila. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2011, 22(9): 2240-2246 (in Chinese)
[3] Shi Y (施宇), Wen Z-M (温仲明), Gong S-H (龚时慧). Comparisons of relationships between leaf and fine root traits in hilly area of the Loess Plateau, Yanhe River basin, Shaanxi Province, China. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2011, 31(22): 6805-6814 (in Chinese)
[4] Dong X-G (董星光), Cao Y-F (曹玉芬), Tian L-M (田路明), et al. Leaf morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of wild Ussurian pear in China. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2015, 26(5): 1327-1334 (in Chinese)
[5] Ding M (丁曼), Wen Z-M (温仲明), Zheng Y (郑颖). Scale change and dependence of plant functional traits in hilly areas of the loess region, Shaanxi Pro-vince, China. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2014, 34(9): 2308-2315 (in Chinese)
[6] Shi Y (施宇), Wen Z-M (温仲明), Gong S-H (龚时慧), et al. Trait variations along a climatic gradient in hilly area of Loess Plateau. Research of Soil and Water Conservation (水土保持研究), 2012, 19(1): 107-111 (in Chinese)
[7] Wang S-G (王曙光), Li Z-Q (李中青), Jia S-S (贾寿山), et al. Relationships of wheat leaf stomatal traits with wheat yield and drought-resistance. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2013, 24(6): 1609-1614 (in Chinese)
[8] Cornwell WK, Cornelissen JH. Plant species traits are the predominant control on litter decomposition rates within biomes worldwide. Ecology Letters, 2008, 11: 1065-1071
[9] Zhang H-W (张慧文), Ma J-Y (马剑英), Sun W (孙伟), et al. Altitudinal variation in functional traits of Picea schrenkiana var. tianschanica and their relationship to soil factors in Tianshan Mountains, Northwest China. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2010, 30(21): 5747-5758 (in Chinese)
[10] Yang S-S (杨士梭), Wen Z-M (温仲明), Miao L-P (苗连朋), et al. Responses of plant functional traits to micro-topographical changes in hilly and gully region of the Loess Plateau, China. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2014, 25(12): 3413-3419 (in Chinese)
[11] Ding J (丁佳), Wu Q (吴茜), Yan H (闫慧), et al. Effects of topographic variations and soil characteristics on plant functional traits in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest. Biodiversity Science (生物多样性), 2011, 19(2): 158-167 (in Chinese)
[12] Liu M-X (刘旻霞), Ma J-Z (马建祖). Feature variation of plant functional traits and environmental factor in south- and north-facing slope. Research of Soil and Water Conservation (水土保持研究), 2013, 20(1): 102-106 (in Chinese)
[13] Hu Y-S (胡耀升), Me X-Y (么旭阳), Liu Y-H (刘艳红). The functional traits of forests at different succession stages and their relationship to terrain factors in Changbai Mountains. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2014, 34(20): 5915-5924 (in Chinese)
[14] Hu Y-S (胡耀升), Me X-Y (么旭阳), Liu Y-H (刘艳红). Specific leaf area and its influencing factors of forests at different succession stages in Changbai Mountains. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2015, 35(5): 1480-1487 (in Chinese)
[15] Han Y-Y (韩营营), Huang W (黄唯), Sun T (孙涛), et al. Soil organic carbon stocks and fluxes in different age stands of secondary Betula platyphylla in Xiaoxing’an Mountain, China. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2015, 35(5): 1460-1469 (in Chinese)
[16] Luo D (罗达), Feng Q-H (冯秋红), Shi Z-M (史作民), et al. Dynamics of carbon and nitrogen storage of Cupressus chengiana plantations in the arid valley of Minjiang River, Southwest China. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2015, 26(4): 1099-1105 (in Chinese)
[17] Miao J (苗娟), Zhou C-Y (周传艳), Li S-J (李世杰), et al. Accumulation of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in Pinus yunnanensis forests at different age stages. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2014, 25(3): 625-631 (in Chinese)
[18] Cui N-J (崔宁洁), Chen X-H (陈小红), Liu Y (刘洋), et al. Shrub and herb diversity at different ages of Pinus massoniana plantation. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2014, 34(15): 4313-4323 (in Chinese)
[19] Ming A-G (明安刚), Jia H-Y (贾宏炎), Tian Z-W (田祖为), et al. Characteristics of carbon storage and its allocation in Erythrophleum fordii plantations with different ages. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2014, 25(4): 940-946 (in Chinese)
[20] Sun J (孙娇), Zhao F-Z (赵发珠), Han X-H (韩新辉), et al. Ecological stichiometry of soil aggregates and relationship with soil nutrients of different-aged Ro-binia pseudoacacia forests. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2016, 36(21): 1-10 (in Chinese)
[21] Bu Y-J (卜耀军), Wen Z-M (温仲明), Jiao F (焦峰), et al. Research on bio-diversity of artificial and natural plant communities in Loess Hilly Region: Taking Ansai County as an example. Research of Soil and Water Conservation (水土保持研究), 2005, 12(1): 4-6 (in Chinese)
[22] Song G (宋光), Wen Z-M (温仲明), Ding M (丁曼), et al. Relationships between functional traits of Robinia pseudoacacia and meteorological factors in Loess Plateau, North Shaanxi, China. Research of Soil and Water Conservation (水土保持研究), 2013, 20(3): 125-130 (in Chinese)
[23] Bao S-D (鲍士旦). Soil and Agricultural Chemistry Analysis. Beijing: China Agriculture Press, 2000: 30-84 (in Chinese)
[24] Song H (宋贺), Yu H-Y (于鸿莹), Chen Y-T (陈莹婷), et al. Leaf economics spectrum among different plant functional types in Beijing Botanical Garden, China. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2016, 27(6): 1861-1869 (in Chinese)
[25] Liu J-H (刘江华), Liu G-B (刘国彬), Chen S-Y (陈淑芸). Relationship between soil moisture of Robinia pseudoacacia forests and aboveground biomass of understory vegetation. Research of Soil and Water Conservation (水土保持研究), 2009, 16(3): 57-60 (in Chinese)
[26] Qi J (祁建), Ma K-M (马克明), Zhang Y-X (张育新). Comparisons on leaf traits of Quercus liaotungensis Koidz. on different slope positions in Dongling Moutain of Beijing. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2001, 25(1): 76-82 (in Chinese)
[27] Cui N-J (崔宁洁), Liu X-B (刘小兵), Zhang D-J (张丹桔), et al. The distribution pattern of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus and the stoichiometry characteristics of Pinus massoniana plantation in different ages. Ecology and Environmental Sciences (生态环境学报), 2014, 23(2): 188-195 (in Chinese)
[28] Sun S-C (孙书存), Chen L-Z (陈灵芝). Leaf nutrient dynamics and resorption efficiency of Quercus liaotungensis in the Dongling Mountain region. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica (植物生态学报), 2001, 25(1): 76-82 (in Chinese)
[29] Liu F, Zhang M, Yang W, et al. Leaf functional traits and trait relationships of tropical woody vegetation in relation to successional stage: Shifts in understory and canopy layers. Ecoscience, 2012, 19: 198-208
[30] Yang H (杨浩), Luo Y-C (罗亚晨). Responses of the functional traits in Cleistogenes squarrosa to nitrogen addition and drought. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology (植物生态学报), 2015, 39(1): 32-42 (in Chinese)
[31] Dang J-J (党晶晶), Zhao C-Z (赵成章), Li Y (李钰), et al. Relationship between leaf traits of Melica przewalskyi and slope aspects in alpine grassland of Qilian Mountains, China. Chinese Journal of Plant Eco-logy (植物生态学报), 2015, 39(1): 23-31 (in Chinese)
[32] Zheng Y (郑颖), Wen Z-M (温仲明), Song G (宋光), et al. Adaptation strategies of different plant functional types and their composition along a vegetation gradient in a forest-steppe zone in the Yanhe River catchment, Shaanxi, China. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2015, 35(17): 5834-5845 (in Chinese)
[33] Xiong H (熊慧), Ma C-E (马承恩), Li L (李乐), et al. Stomatal characteristics of ferns and angiosperms and their responses to changing light intensity at different habitats. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology (植物生态学报), 2014, 38(8): 868-877 (in Chinese)
[34] Zhu Y-H (朱燕华), Kang H-Z (康宏樟), Liu C-J (刘春江). Affecting factors of plant stomatal traits varia-bility and relevant investigation methods. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2011, 22(1): 250-256 (in Chinese)
[35] Aasamaa K, Sõber A, Rahi M. Leaf anatomical characteristics associated with shoot hydraulic conductance, stomatal conductance and stomatal sensitivity to changes of leaf water status in temperate deciduous trees. Functional Plant Biology, 2001, 28: 765-774
[36] Lammertsma EI, Boer HJD, Dekker SC, et al. Global CO₂ rise leads to reduced maximum stomatal conduc-tance in Florida vegetation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2011, 108: 4035-4040
[37] Zhang L-R (张立荣), Niu H-S (牛海山), Wang S-P (汪诗平), et al. Effects of temperature increase and grazing on stomatal density and length of four alpine Kobresia meadow species. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2010, 30(24): 6961-6969 (in Chinese)
[38] Dijkstra P, Lambers H. Analysis of specific leaf area and photosynthesis of two inbred lines of Plantago major differing in relative growth rate. New Phytologist, 1989, 113: 283-290
[39] Qi D-H (戚德辉), Wen Z-M (温仲明), Yang S-S (杨士梭), et al. Trait-based responses and adaptation of Artemisia sacrorum to environmental changes. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2015, 26(7): 1921-1927 (in Chinese)
[40] Wang R-L (王瑞丽), Yu G-R (于贵瑞), He N-P (何念鹏), et al. Altitudinal variation in the covariation of stomatal traits with leaf functional traits in Changbai Mountain. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2016, 36(8): 2175-2184 (in Chinese)
[41] Meng T-T (孟婷婷), Ni J (倪健), Wang G-H (王国宏). Plant functional traits, environments and ecosystem functioning. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology (植物生态学报), 2007, 31(1): 150-165 (in Chinese)
[42] Mao R (毛瑢), Cui Q (崔强), Zhao Q (赵琼), et al. Soil microbial biomass and activity in relation to stand age of poplar shelterbelts. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2009, 20(9): 2079-2084 (in Chinese)
[43] Yang J-J (杨佳佳), Zhang X-R (张向茹), Ma L-S (马露莎), et al. The relationship of stoichiometry cha-racteristics among different components of Robinia pseu-doacacia communities in the hilly Loess Plateau. Acta Pedologica Sinica (土壤学报), 2014, 51(1): 133-142 (in Chinese)
[44] Wang Y-Y (王钰莹), Sun J (孙娇), Liu Z-H (刘政鸿), et al. Soil fertility quality of Magnolia officinalis communities in Qin-Ba Mountain Areas. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2016, 36(16): 1-9 (in Chinese)
[45] Xu M-X (许明祥), Liu G-B (刘国彬). The characte-ristics and evolution of soil nutrient in artificial black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) forest land in the hilly Loess Plateau. Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer Science (植物营养与肥料学报), 2004, 10(1): 40-46 (in Chinese)
[46] Liu M-X (刘旻霞), Ma J-Z (马建祖). Responses of plant functional traits and soil factors to slope aspect in alpine meadow of South Gansu, Northwest China. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2012, 23(12): 3295-3300 (in Chinese)
[47] Wang M (王萌), Xu B (徐冰), Zhang D-Y (张大勇), et al. Responses of plant functional traits of Stipa krylovil grassland in Inner Mongolia to nitrogen. Journal of Beijing Normal University (北京师范大学学报), 2016, 52(1): 32-38 (in Chinese)
[48] Knops JMH, Reinhart K. Specific leaf area along a nitrogen fertilization gradient. The American Midland Naturalist, 2000, 144: 265-272
[49] Schmidt MWI, Torn MS, Abiven S, et al. Persistence of soil organic matter as an ecosystem property. Nature, 2011, 478: 49-56
[50] Bu W-S (卜文圣), Zang R-G (臧润国), Ding Y (丁易), et al. Relationships between plant functional traits at the community level and environmental factors during succession in a tropical lowland rainforest on Hainan Island, South China. Biodiversity Science (生物多样性), 2013, 21(3): 278-287 (in Chinese)