Hydraulic redistribution by two semi-arid shrub species: Implications for Sahelian agro-ecosystems

Hydraulic redistribution is the process of passive water movement from deeper moist soil to shallower dry soil layers using plant roots as conduits. Results from this study indicate that this phenomenon exists among two shrub species (Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum) that co-exist with annual food crops in Sahelian agro-ecosystems. Real-time measurements were conducted for soil water content, soil water potential and microclimate variables notably; air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation and solar irradiance. Additionally, sap flow measurements were conducted in shrub roots using the thermal dissipation technique on intact and coppiced shrubs. Monthly predawn leaf water potential was measured using a portable pressure chamber. Soil water potential (Ψ_s) at the 20 cm depth declined significantly during the dry season with diel changes in Ψ_s of −0.6 to −1.1 MPa. These variations were attributed to passive water release from shrub roots resulting in overnight rewetting of drier upper soil layers. Sap flow measurements on tap and lateral shrub roots indicated daily reversals in the direction of flow. During the peak of the dry season, both positive (toward shrub) and negative (toward soil) flows were observed in lateral shrub roots with sap flow in the lateral roots frequently negative at night and rapidly becoming positive soon after sunrise. The negative sap flow at night in superficial lateral roots and the periodic positive flow in the descending tap roots were indicative of hydraulic redistribution. Hydraulic redistribution may be an important mechanism for drought stress avoidance while maintaining plant physiological functions in both shrubs and neighboring annuals in water-limited environments.     

Xylem efficiency vs. safety: Acclimation to drought of seedling root anatomy for six Patagonian shrub species

With the aim to seek evidences on the possible trade off between hydraulic efficiency and hydraulic safety, from both an evolutionary and an acclimation point of view, we compared root xylem anatomy and derived functional properties for seedlings of six Patagonian shrub species grown in a greenhouse under two levels of water availability (control and drought). Root central cylinder area, vessel diameter (b) and double-wall thickness (t) were measured; from these data, the sum of vessel radii to the fourth power and wall strength [(t/b)²] were calculated as indicators of hydraulic efficiency and safety respectively. Across species, we observed only a weak negative correlation between hydraulic efficiency and hydraulic safety. Within species, Lycium chilense, the species with the most mesic leaves of the group, showed significant acclimation to drought for both functional attributes, lowering efficiency and increasing safety by developing a higher proportion of small and more resistant xylem vessels.     

Horizontal and vertical zones of influence for root systems of four Mojave Desert shrubs

Horizontal and vertical zones of influence for root systems of four Mojave Desert shrubs were characterized using ³²P as a nutrient tracer. Larrea tridentata's horizontal zone of influence was sparse near the plant's stem base, with a maximum probability of accessing ³²P (P_max) of 41%. However, its horizontal zone of influence extended beyond 5 m, and the distance from the stem base at which the probability of accessing ³²P was half P_max (L₅₀3 m) was significantly greater than the other three shrubs. Ambrosia dumosa's zone of influence was dense near the plant's stem base (P_max78%), but was rare at distances >2 m (L₅₀1 m). Zones of influence for Lycium andersonii and Lycium pallidum were intermediate between those of L. tridentata and A. dumosa. For vertical zones of influence, L. tridentata was more likely to obtain ³²P from 5 m soil depths than A. dumosa, but L. pallidum was not significantly different from either A. dumosa or L. tridentata. Horizontal zones of influence did not change with treatments that altered soil water and nitrogen availability, but vertical zones of influence increased with a flood irrigation treatment that increased water availability to 5 m soil depth. These differences among species likely reflect compromises between their shoot growth strategies and their need to acquire spatially and temporally limited soil resources, especially through competitive interactions.     

Changes of woody plant interaction and spatial distribution between rocky and sandy soil areas in a semi-arid savanna, South Africa

We examined the impact of shrub-shrub interactions and soil type (rocky or sandy) on growth and spatial distribution of the two savanna shrub species Tarchonanthus camphoratus and Acacia mellifera. To explore plant interactions, we compared the size of juvenile and mature T. camphoratus shrubs between different locations (under the subcanopy of A. mellifera and in the open). Juvenile T. camphoratus shrubs had similar sizes regardless of location; however, in rocky soil, mature shrubs in the open were larger than those near A. mellifera, implying an inter-specific competitive effect of A. mellifera on T. camphoratus. Juvenile T. camphoratus shrubs grew faster in the sandy than in the rocky area. Furthermore, we used the Wiegand-Moloney O-ring statistics to explore the spatial distribution of T. camphoratus. T. camphoratus showed spatial aggregation, but in the rocky area T. camphoratus juveniles were positively associated with A. mellifera (indicating facilitation as the pattern-creating process), whereas in the sandy area they were positively associated with mature T. camphoratus shrubs (indicating seed dispersal as the pattern-creating process). T. camphoratus exhibited encroachment potential in the sandy area. We showed how spatial pattern analysis can help to explore processes determining woody plant spacing and recommend its further use.     

Comparative study of seed germination and growth of Kochia prostrata and Kochia scoparia (Chenopodiaceae) under salinity

Soils of arid regions of Central Asia contain salts of different types that may differentially affect seed germination and plant development. We studied effect of NaCl, Na₂SO₄, 2NaCl + KCl + CaCl₂ and 2Na₂SO₄+K₂SO₄+MgSO₄ on germination of Kochia prostrata and Kochia scoparia seeds under a range of concentrations from 0.5 to 5% and at two constant temperature regimes +22 °C and +6 °C. The observed salt tolerance limit of germination at constant temperature +22 °C for both species was 5-6%, while at low temperature (+6 °C) this limit was 2%. The salt tolerance of young plants (before flowering) was 3% for NaCl. Low concentrations of sulfuric and mixed salts had a stimulating effect on seed germination in K. prostrata. Despite similarity of salt-tolerance limits the studied species showed a significant difference in seed recovery ability, i.e. the ability of ungerminated, salt-soaked seeds to germinate after transfer to fresh water. K. scoparia demonstrated a full germination recovery after seed transfer to distilled water while K. prostrata showed only a partial recovery.     

Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.), huisache (Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.) and catclaw (Mimosa biuncifera Benth.) and their effect on dynamics of carbon and nitrogen in soils of the semi-arid highlands of Durango Mexico

In the northern semiarid and arid part of Mexico, mesquite (Prosopis juliflora (SW.) DC.), huisache (Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.) and catclaw (Mimosa biuncifera Benth.), N₂-fixing trees or shrubs, dominate the landscape. It is unknown, however, how much the leaves of those shrubs contribute to dynamics of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in soil. We investigated this by adding leaves of each species to soil sampled under the canopy of mesquite, huisache, and catclaw and outside their canopy while monitoring production of carbon dioxide (CO₂), and dynamics of inorganic N (ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻)) in an aerobic incubation. The (hemi)cellulose and N content of the catclaw leaves was lower and the lignin and polyphenol content was larger than in the mesquite and huisache leaves. If we considered no priming effect, then 41% of the C added with catclaw leaves, 47% with huisache leaves and 49% with mesquite leaves mineralized within 42 days. The addition of the leaves had little or no effect on N mineralized, and only 6% of organic N of the mesquite leaves was mineralized. It was found that catclaw, huisache and mesquite have a positive effect on the arid and semi-arid ecosystems as they increased soil organic matter and soil N content.     

Photosynthetic response to different light intensities, water status and leaf age of two Berberis species (Berberidaceae) of Patagonian steppe, Argentina

Net photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) from leaves of Berberis buxifolia and Berberis heterophylla saplings were measured under different conditions of radiation and water availability and for leaves of different ages. Comparative studies of basic physiological performance would give insight how these shrubs survive and grow under this austral extreme ecosystem. B. buxifolia had higher A values than B. heterophylla for all light intensities measured. Values of gs for both Berberis species also declined as light intensity decreased. There was a negative relationship between A and water stress expressed as pre-dawn leaf water potential (ψ_lp) where the reduction in gs was the main factor that reduced A in both species. Also, A and gs of Berberis plants increased rapidly during the first days after leaf unfolding, reached a maximum value when the leaf was completely expanded, and then declined. These results could be used to estimate the responses of saplings to environmental conditions under the dynamic of natural stands in this austral extreme ecosystem and for restoration plans.     

Mechanical shaking and soil water affect the growth of Psammochloa villosa in the Mu Us Sandland

The Mu Us Sandland is basically characterized by water shortage and high wind. Thus, wind-induced mechanical perturbation (MP) and soil water availability are likely to interact to affect plant growth. Since high water availability and MP can induce responses that are in the opposite direction, we hypothesized that MP effects on perennial grasses might be mitigated by increased soil water availability in the Mu Us Sandland. We counducted an experiment in which seedlings of Psammochloa villosa were subjected to two levels of MP (non-MP vs. MP 1 min d⁻¹) and two levels of water availability (200 ml d⁻¹vs. 400 ml d⁻¹) and measured three plant traits. MP significantly decreased plant height, total biomass, and root/shoot ratio. There were significant interactions between MP and soil water availability on plant height and root/shoot ratio. These findings imply that MP alone is a stressful factor for P. villosa and MP effects on its growth can be partially mitigated by increased soil water availability, and also suggest that P. villosa may respond to MP in a way that allows plants to survive in the windy semiarid environments.     

Rainfall interception by sand-stabilizing shrubs related to crown structure

On the edge of the Tengger Desert in northern China,revegetation has changed the landscape from moving dunes to stabilized dunes covered by shrubs,which further modifies the pattern of rainfall redistribution.To study rainfall interception loss by shrubs and its relationship to rainfall properties and crown structure,throughfalls passing through crowns of Artemisia ordosica Krash.and Caragana korshinskii Kom.were measured using nine PVC cups under the canopy of each of the two shrubs during 73 rain events over a three-year period,with total rainfall of 260.9 mm.Interception losses of gross rainfall by A.ordosica and C.korshinskii account for 15% and 27% of the total on a crown area basis,and 6% and 11% on a ground area basis,respectively.Individual throughfall(T) and interception(I) were significantly related to rainfall amount(Pg),duration(D),and intensity(R).Ratios of throughfall to rainfall(T/Pg) and interception to rainfall(I/Pg) were not only significantly related to Pg,D,and R,but also to shrub species,and interactions of species with crown volume(CV) and leaf area index(LAI).Under most rain events,interceptions by C.korshinskii with greater CV and LAI were significantly higher than those by A.ordosica,and more rainfall interception occurred at locations closer to the stems of the two shrubs.For C.korshinskii,I/Pg had a significant positive linear relation with CV and LAI,while T/Pg had a significant negative linear relation with them.CV has a greater influence on T/Pg and I/Pg than does LAI.Using a regression method,canopy water storage capacities are estimated to be 0.52 and 0.68 mm,and free throughfall coefficient to be 0.62 and 0.47 for A.ordosica and C.korshinskii,respectively.     

Biomass production, evapotranspiration and water use efficiency of arid rangelands in the Northern Cape, South Africa

Annual above-ground net primary production (ANPP), evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency (WUE) of rangeland have the potential to provide an objective basis for establishing pricing for ecosystem services. To provide estimates of ANPP, we surveyed the biomass, estimated ET and prepared a water use efficiency for dwarf shrublands and arid savanna in the Riemvasmaak Rural Area, Northern Cape, South Africa. The annual production fraction was surveyed in 33 MODIS 1 km² pixels and the results regressed against the MODIS f_PAR product. This regression model was used to predict the standing green biomass (kg DM ha⁻¹) for 2009 (dry year). Using an approach which combines potential evapotranspiration (ET₀) and the MODIS f_PAR product, we estimated actual evapotranspiration (ET_a). These two models (greening standing biomass and ET_a) were used to calculate the annual WUE for 2009. WUE was 1.6 kg DM mm⁻¹ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. This value may be used to provide an estimate of ANPP in the absence of direct measurements of biomass and to provide a comparison of the water use efficiency of this rangeland with other rangeland types.     

Plant water relations of thornscrub shrub species, north-eastern Mexico

As an approach to understand how diurnal and seasonal plant water potentials (Ψ) are related to soil water-content and evaporative demand components, the responses of six thornscrub shrubs species (Havardia pallens, Acacia rigidula, Eysenhardtia texana, Diospyros texana, Randia rhagocarpa, and Bernardia myricaefolia) of the north-eastern region of Mexico to drought stress were investigated during the course of 1 year. All study species showed the typical diurnal pattern of variation in Ψ. That is, Ψ decreased gradually from predawn (Ψ_pd) maximal values to reach minima at midday (Ψ_md) and began to recover in the late afternoon. On a diurnal basis and with adequate soil water-content (>0.20 kg kg⁻¹), diurnal Ψ values differed among shrub species and were negatively and significantly (p<0.001) correlated with air temperature (r=−0.741 to −0.883) and vapor pressure deficit (r=−0.750 to −0.817); in contrast, a positive and significant (p<0.001) relationship was found to exist with relative humidity (r=0.758–0.842). On a seasonal basis, during the wettest period (soil water-content>0.20 kg kg⁻¹), higher Ψ_pd (−0.10 MPa) and Ψ_md (−1.16 MPa) values were observed in R. rhagocarpa, whereas lower figures (−0.26 and −2.73 MPa, respectively) were detected in A. rigidula. On the other hand, during the driest period (soil water-content<0.15 kg kg⁻¹), Ψ_pd and Ψ_md values were below −7.3 MPa; i.e. when shrubs species faced severe water deficit. Soil water-content at different soil layers, monthly mean relative humidity and monthly precipitation were significantly correlated with both Ψ_pd (r=0.538–0.953; p<0.01) and Ψ_md (r=0.431–0.906; p<0.05). Average soil water-content in the 0–50 cm soil depth profile explained between 70% and 87% of the variation in Ψ_pd. Results have shown that when gravimetric soil water-content values were above 0.15 kg kg⁻¹, Ψ_pd values were high and constant; below this threshold value, Ψ declined gradually. Among all shrub species, A. rigidula appeared to be the most drought tolerant of the six species since during dry periods it tends to sustain significantly higher Ψ_pd in relation to B. myricaefolia. The remaining species showed an intermediate pattern. It is concluded that the ability of shrub species to cope with drought stress depends on the pattern of water uptake and the extent to control water loss through the transpirational flux.     

Distribution of axis-splitting in Mojave Desert shrub species along an elevational gradient

Although highly branched from the base, all shrubs have short main axes linking canopies to root systems. Main axes become increasingly segmented into independent canopy/stem/root segments as aridity increases across continents. The resulting hydraulic modularity has been proposed as an adaption to low soil moisture that prevents runaway embolism and minimizes risk of hydraulic failure. Here we test the hypotheses that (1) at a regional scale, the importance of axis-splitting species in communities declines with increasing elevation, as a proxy for precipitation, and (2) that this decline is explained by lower occurrence of low-elevation dominant species. We evaluated all species for axis splitting and determined importance values in plots along an elevational transect in the Mojave Desert. As predicted, as elevation increased, the total importance of axis-splitting species declined from 100% at low-elevation sites to 75% at the highest elevation site. However, this decline was not due solely to the decline of the lower elevation dominant species. At the high elevation site, the influx of new species resulted in a six-fold increase in species richness and almost all of the new high elevation woody eudicotyledonous species exhibited axis splitting; non-splitting species were represented by other growth forms.     

灌溉量对2种灌木光合特性和水分利用效率的影响

采用野外试验,研究了灌溉量对新疆策勒绿洲木沙拐枣（Calligonum mongolicum）和花棒（Hedysarum scoparium）光合特性和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明：（1） 随着灌溉量的增加,沙拐枣和花棒的净光合速率均增加,但是蒸腾速率、气孔导度、胞间CO₂浓度没有明显增加;（2） 灌溉增加了沙拐枣的清晨水势和正午水势,并且只有灌溉和无灌溉处理的正午水势差异显著（p<0.05）;而灌溉只增加了花棒的清晨水势,并且只有充分灌溉和无灌溉的条件下差异显著（p<0.05）;（3） 在不同的灌溉条件下,沙拐枣和花棒的稳定碳同位素比率δ¹³C变化不大,沙拐枣在无灌溉、适度灌溉、充分灌溉下δ¹³C的平均值分别为-12.267、-12.147、-11.958,花棒的δ¹³C分别为-27.928、-28.068、-27.166;（4） 沙拐枣和花棒的水分利用效率均在无灌溉条件下明显高于灌溉条件下,而且一次性的灌溉不会改变其水分利用效率。     

岷江上游山地森林生态气候效应

为探讨岷江上游地区山地气候特征及森林生态气候效应,利用岷江上游南、北坡林内外的小气候观测资料,对该地区南、北坡向山地的太阳辐射、气温(1．5m)、地表温、水汽压、相对湿度、风速等小气候特征及森林生态气候效应进行了比较分析,探讨了其分布规律以及彼此间的内在联系。结果表明：不同坡向,不同季节,各山地气候要素分布存在区别;而山地森林具有较显著的生态气候效应,可以降低气温和地表温,增加湿度,减小风速,其生态效应在不同季节和不同坡向存在差异;通过林内、外气象要素的回归分析,得知：林内外的气象要素除4月风速之外,大多数气象要素存在显著的林内外相关关系;其中,以气温和相对湿度的相关性最好。     

Plant–water relationships and growth strategies of Jatropha curcas L. seedlings under different levels of drought stress

Although Jatropha curcas, an important tropical biofuel crop, is reputed for its drought resistance, its ability to perform under dry conditions has hardly been investigated. In a greenhouse experiment we investigated the plant–water relationships of Jatropha seedlings from different accessions under different levels of drought stress. There was little difference in plant–water relations between accessions. Drought significantly reduced leaf area, biomass and relative growth rate, but had no effect on specific leaf area, daily range in leaf water potential, leaf water content, transpiration efficiency or aboveground biomass water productivity, corrected for atmospheric conditions. Stem wood density was equally low (0.26 g cm^?3) for all treatments. Stem water content was lowest for dry treatment seedlings. Based on these results, Jatropha could be characterized as a stem-succulent tree. In contrast to other stem-succulent deciduous trees, leaves were not shed immediately after the seedlings were confronted with drought. Instead, at the onset of drought, leaves with a higher adaxial stomatal density were formed, after which leaves were only gradually shed. The role of the succulent stem in the water economy of Jatropha was confined to balancing the small water losses of the leaves during drought.     

昆仑山北坡驼绒藜叶片功能性状及其海拔差异性

以昆仑山北坡前山带驼绒藜为试验材料,测定其光合、叶片氮、磷含量及比叶面积,并检验其相关关系。研究结果表明:①光合有效辐射和土壤含水量随海拔升高而增大,温度随海拔升高而降低;②驼绒藜的光合日进程曲线为“单峰型”,且没有出现明显的“午休”现象,到上午10:00左右达到最大值,而后逐渐下降;其最大净光合速率随海拔升高而增大;③随着海拔上升,叶片氮、磷含量及比叶面积均呈升高趋势;④单位面积最大光合速率（Aarea）与叶片氮（Nmass）、磷（Pmass）含量及比叶面积（SLA）的相关性均达到极显著水平,且呈高度正相关。逐步回归分析发现对Aarea贡献大小顺序为Nmass>SLA>Pmass。     

Limitations to photosynthetic function across season in Larrea tridentata (creosotebush) growing on contrasting soil surfaces in the Sonoran Desert

Plant community structure in the southwestern United States co-varies with soil surface characteristics due to their role in controlling water availability. At the University of Arizona Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, we evaluated winter and summer season dynamics of photosynthesis in a dominant shrub species, Larrea tridentata (creosotebush), across soils with contrasting development of surface and sub-surface horizons. We measured pre-dawn water potential (Ψ_pd), stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf nitrogen content (%N), and determined stable carbon isotope discrimination (Δ). There were no differences in these parameters throughout the winter, although Δ was higher and %N was lower on the clay than sandy soil early in the dry summer period, and g_s was higher on the clay than sandy soil late in the summer season while precipitation decreased. We used path analysis to determine the relative influences of %N, g_s and Ψ_pd on photosynthetic function (Δ) during the winter and summer seasons. There was no influence during the summer, although g_s and %N had positive and negative impacts on Δ within the sandy soil type respectively during the winter. Across soil type, g_s was the main driver of %N and Δ. Our study highlights the need to include soil type for understanding how physiological performance of L. tridentata varies over seasons within arid and semi-arid ecosystems.     

毛乌素沙地油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)灌丛穿透雨量特征及影响因素

于2012年5—9月观测了毛乌素沙地油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)灌丛的穿透雨量,分析了其变化特征及影响因素。结果显示:油蒿灌丛的平均穿透雨量占降雨量百分比(Th%)为72.3%,其中有枯枝灌丛的Th%平均为69.3%,较无枯枝灌丛的75.3%低,这可能是油蒿灌丛老化后土壤水分条件变差的原因之一。油蒿灌丛下穿透雨量及其空间分布受到有无枯枝和距主干辐射距离远近的影响,且受到降雨量和风速风向等气象条件作用明显。     

A large daylight geodesic dome for quantification of whole-ecosystem CO2 and water vapour fluxes in arid shrublands

We designed, constructed, calibrated and field-tested a lightweight (30 kg), 4.2 m diameter, 16.4 m³ polyethylene-covered dome static chamber ecosystem gas exchange cuvette that can quantify ecosystem CO₂ and water vapour fluxes as low as 0.1 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ and 0.1 mmol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹ with little impact on environmental conditions. Fluxes measured in May 2001 in an intact Great Basin sagebrush ecosystem at midday were significantly higher than in an adjacent post-wildfire successional ecosystem, with observed ranges from –0.71 to 1.49 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ for CO₂ and from –0.09 to 0.53 mmol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹ for water vapour.     

乔木和灌木枝水分传导脆弱性沿降水量递增的分化

植物枝条失去50%水分传导时对应的水势(ψ50),称为枝的水分传导脆弱性。该指标是反映植物干旱适应能力的关键指标,也决定着植物沿降水梯度的分布。乔木和灌木枝水分传导脆弱性沿降水量递增的变化是否一致,有待揭示。基于已发表的文献,筛选出236种乔木、137种灌木,建立ψ50与分布地年均降水量及分布地干旱指数关系,来确认两大类植物的ψ50沿降水递增的变化的异同。结果表明:乔木和灌木的ψ50均随降水梯度、干旱指数的增加而增加,一元线性回归方程显著;ψ50与降水梯度、干旱指数回归方程的回归系数在乔木和灌木间差异不显著,但同一降水量下,乔木比灌木具有较低的ψ50值。我们认为灌木和乔木枝水分传导脆弱性对降水量和干旱指数递增具有相似的适应性。