Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Driving factors for the patchiness of Leymus chinensis communities in the Inner Mongolia Steppe, China

Author(s):

Jing-Peng Li ¹, Zhi-Rong Zheng ^{1, 2}, Sheng-Xing Ye ³, Rui Xia ², Chao-Yang Feng ²*

Recieved Date: 2014-01-11, Accepted Date: 2014-03-12

Abstract:

Hulunbeier grassland is located in the most eastern Eurasian steppe and is currently the best preserved grassland in China. Leymus chinensis is the constructive or dominant species and often forms the patchiness in Hulunbeier grassland. To investigate the cause for the patchiness of L. chinensis community, the soil, vegetation and environmental factors within the patches of three L. chinensis communities in Huihe Wetland National Nature Reserve were examined. The results showed the following that as community height increased, (1) soil bulk density decreased, whereas soil moisture content, capillary moisture capacity, soil porosity, capillary porosity and aeration porosity increased, (2) the average daytime temperature and wind speed within the community decreased, whereas humidity increased, (3) leaf area, leaf perimeter, leaf width, leaf length, leaf dry matter weight, leaf water content and leaf chlorophyll content all increased and (4) the differences in soil property among the three communities were mainly influenced by physical properties and nitrogen (N) content. The results indicated that leaf structural traits adapt to changes along soil moisture gradient. Communities thriving in higher soil water content showed larger leaf areas, higher leaf width-to-length ratios and oval-shaped leaves, whereas those exposed to low soil water content showed narrower leaves and a linear leaf shape. The soil physical properties initially affected soil water content. Although water played a vital role in the patchiness formation of L. chinensis community, this was not the sole factor that influenced its occurrence. Feedback regulation and the soil-vegetation complex largely influenced the patches development of L. chinensis community.

Keywords:

Patchiness formation, leaf structural trait, soil characteristics, SPAD, PCA

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2014
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 1172-1176

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