Abstract: Potentilla anserina is a cosmopolitan species and miscellaneous forb in alpine meadow, whose asexual reproduction, space expansibility, and morphological plasticity vary significantly with different habitats. The main aims of this study were to ascertain the photosynthetic characteristics of P. anserine under different alpine conditions and their relationship with the environmental factors, and thus find the main environmental factors influencing their propagation ability. Three types of ecosystems (swamp, wet meadow and dry meadow) were selected in the Zoige Plateau to compare the diurnal changes of photosynthesis in P. anserine. The results showed that the average values of net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate (T_r), instantaneous water use efficiency (IWUE) and light use efficiency (LUE) of P. anserinein different habitats in late July were significantly higher than those in late August (P<0.05) due to the stronger radiation and higher atmospheric temperature. In each month, the daily average of P_n of dry meadow was significantly higher than that of wet meadow and swamp (P<0.05). The photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was significantly positively correlated with P_n in three habitats (P<0.05). In dry meadow, air relative humidity (RH) and soil water content (SWC) also had a significantly positive correlation with P_n (P<0.05). From swamp to wet meadow to dry meadow, P_n, WUE, light saturation point (LSP), photosynthetic time, apparent quantum yield (AQY) and carboxylation efficiency (CE) of P. anserine gradually increased and the light compensation point (LCP) decreased. The variations of all parameters indicated that the photosynthetic capacity of P. anserine was enhanced in relatively dry habitats, and its photosynthetic characteristics were moving in the favorable direction for its growth. Water availability may be an important environmental factor that affects the reproduction ability and coverage of P. anserina.

Key words: population resources, fishery management policies., per-recruit model, Schizopygopsis younghusbandi