Stable carbon isotope composition and intrinsic water use efficiency in plants along an altitudinal gradient on the eastern slope of Yulong Snow Mountain, China

IF 4.6 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ECOLOGY

Ecological Processes Pub Date : 2024-05-11 DOI:10.1186/s13717-024-00518-4

Feng Jiang, Tao Pu, Zi-Jing Xue, Yan-Wei Ma, Xiao-Yi Shi, Fu-Xi Shi

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Abstract

Stable carbon isotope composition (δ13Cp) can be used to estimate the changes in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) in plants, which helps us to better understand plants’ response strategies to climate change. This study focused on the variations in δ13Cp and iWUE for the different life-form plants (i.e., herbs, shrubs, and trees) along an altitudinal gradient (3300, 3600, 3900, 4100, 4300, and 4500 m) on the eastern slope of Yulong Snow Mountain, southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The response mechanisms of δ13Cp and iWUE for different life-form plants to altitude were thoroughly analyzed in this mountain ecosystem. The δ13Cp values of plants on the eastern slopes of Yulong Snow Mountain ranged from − 30.4‰ to − 26.55‰, with a mean of − 28.02‰, indicating a dominance of C3 plants. The δ13Cp and iWUE values varied among different life-form plants in the order of herbs > shrubs > trees, particularly in 3600, 3900, and 4300 m. The δ13Cp and iWUE values for herbs and shrubs increased with altitude and were mainly controlled by air temperature. The two parameters for trees exhibited a trend of initial decrease followed by an increase with altitude. Below 3900 m, the δ13Cp and iWUE values decreased with altitude, influenced by soil moisture. However, above 3900 m, the two parameters increased with altitude, mainly regulated by air temperature. In addition, iWUE was positively correlated with leaf P content but negatively correlated with leaf N:P ratio, especially for herbs and trees, suggesting that P plays a key role in modulating iWUE in this region. The differentiated responses of water availability for different life-form plants to a higher altitudinal gradient are regulated by air temperature, soil moisture, and leaf P content in the Yulong Snow Mountain. These results provide valuable insights into understanding the water–carbon relationships in high-altitude ecosystems.

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中国玉龙雪山东坡沿海拔梯度植物的稳定碳同位素组成和内在水分利用效率

稳定碳同位素组成（δ13Cp）可用于估算植物内在水分利用效率（iWUE）的变化，从而帮助我们更好地了解植物对气候变化的应对策略。本研究重点研究了青藏高原东南缘玉龙雪山东坡不同生命形式植物（即草本、灌木和乔木）的δ13Cp和iWUE在海拔梯度（3300、3600、3900、4100、4300和4500米）上的变化。在该高山生态系统中，深入分析了不同生命形式植物的δ13Cp和iWUE对海拔高度的响应机制。玉龙雪山东坡植物的δ13Cp值在-30.4‰至-26.55‰之间，平均值为-28.02‰，表明C3植物占优势。不同生命形式植物的δ13Cp和iWUE值依次为草本植物>灌木>乔木，尤其是在海拔3600米、3900米和4300米的地区。乔木的这两个参数则呈现出先降低后随海拔升高而升高的趋势。在海拔 3900 米以下，受土壤湿度的影响，δ13Cp 和 iWUE 值随海拔升高而降低。然而，在海拔 3900 米以上，这两个参数随海拔升高而升高，主要受气温影响。此外，iWUE 与叶片 P 含量呈正相关，但与叶片 N:P 比率呈负相关，尤其是草本植物和乔木，这表明 P 在调节该地区 iWUE 方面起着关键作用。在玉龙雪山，气温、土壤水分和叶片钾含量对不同生命形式植物的水分供应对较高海拔梯度的差异响应具有调节作用。这些结果为理解高海拔生态系统的水碳关系提供了宝贵的见解。

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来源期刊

Ecological Processes Environmental Science-Ecological Modeling

CiteScore

8.50

自引率

4.20%

发文量

审稿时长

13 weeks

期刊介绍： Ecological Processes is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal devoted to quality publications in ecological studies with a focus on the underlying processes responsible for the dynamics and functions of ecological systems at multiple spatial and temporal scales. The journal welcomes manuscripts on techniques, approaches, concepts, models, reviews, syntheses, short communications and applied research for advancing our knowledge and capability toward sustainability of ecosystems and the environment. Integrations of ecological and socio-economic processes are strongly encouraged.