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Leaf phenological traits vary greatly with plant species, are thought to relate to leaf functional traits, and play an important role in plant growth. In this study, we investigated leaf phenological and functional traits of 52 woody species (324 individuals) from a natural forest in the Loess Plateau in China. Shrubs obtain a longer leaf life span (LLS) through early leaf emergence and later leaf senescence. Shrubs have a longer LLS compared with trees because they have a greater leaf thickness than trees (to prevent early spring frost), leaf phosphorus content ([P]leaf, related to cell division), and C:N ratio and stem density (to prevent mechanical damage). Among all woody species, species with a small SLA and leaf area and species with thick leaves have a longer leaf emergence duration and LLS, which may be related to material energy reserves. In addition, shrubs had a greater [P]leaf and C:N ratio and a longer leaf emergence duration. Our results reveal differences in leaf phenological traits among life forms and indicate that plant functional traits can provide insight into the mechanisms underlying such differences. In addition, the results of this study provide insight into species coexistence and community assembly in temperate deciduous forests.
Lei Wang; Xiaohui Han; Qiulong Yin; Guoxiang Wang; Jinshi Xu; Yongfu Chai; Ming Yue. Differences in leaf phenological traits between trees and shrubs are closely related to functional traits in a temperate forest. Acta Oecologica 2021, 112, 103760 .
AMA StyleLei Wang, Xiaohui Han, Qiulong Yin, Guoxiang Wang, Jinshi Xu, Yongfu Chai, Ming Yue. Differences in leaf phenological traits between trees and shrubs are closely related to functional traits in a temperate forest. Acta Oecologica. 2021; 112 ():103760.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLei Wang; Xiaohui Han; Qiulong Yin; Guoxiang Wang; Jinshi Xu; Yongfu Chai; Ming Yue. 2021. "Differences in leaf phenological traits between trees and shrubs are closely related to functional traits in a temperate forest." Acta Oecologica 112, no. : 103760.
By comparing the phylogeography of Juglans regia and J. mandshurica, we found that two walnut species, even when sympatric, rarely introgress, suggesting that strong hybridization barriers exist between these species. The biogeographic investigation of temperate walnut (Juglans) trees is of great interest because of their ecological and economical importance. Our goal was to perform an in-depth investigation of the genetic and phylogeographic history of J. regia and J. mandshurica, two walnut species that are sympatric in parts of their ranges, including tests for gene flow and incomplete lineage sorting. We employed a 234 bp locus of mitochondrial DNA, a 1.8 Kbp locus of chloroplast DNA, 3 nuclear loci totaling 1740 bp in length, and 17 EST-SSRs. We sampled 559 individuals, 332 of J. regia and 227 of J. mandshurica, from 69 locations. We found that J. regia and J. mandshurica, even when sympatric, rarely introgress, suggesting that strong barriers to hybridization exist between these species. Niche overlap analyses for the two species found that they occupy distinct ecological niches and that the sympatric populations may be the result of recent postglacial population expansion.
Meng Dang; Hui-Juan Zhou; Keith E. Woeste; Ming Yue; Yi Zhang; Gui-Fang Zhao; Shuo-Xin Zhang; Peng Zhao. Comparative phylogeography of Juglans regia and J. mandshurica combining organellar and nuclear DNA markers to assess genetic diversity and introgression in regions of sympatry. Trees 2021, 1 -15.
AMA StyleMeng Dang, Hui-Juan Zhou, Keith E. Woeste, Ming Yue, Yi Zhang, Gui-Fang Zhao, Shuo-Xin Zhang, Peng Zhao. Comparative phylogeography of Juglans regia and J. mandshurica combining organellar and nuclear DNA markers to assess genetic diversity and introgression in regions of sympatry. Trees. 2021; ():1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMeng Dang; Hui-Juan Zhou; Keith E. Woeste; Ming Yue; Yi Zhang; Gui-Fang Zhao; Shuo-Xin Zhang; Peng Zhao. 2021. "Comparative phylogeography of Juglans regia and J. mandshurica combining organellar and nuclear DNA markers to assess genetic diversity and introgression in regions of sympatry." Trees , no. : 1-15.
To investigate the diversity and distribution of rhizobia associated with Sophora davidii in habitats with different light and soil conditions at the Loess Plateau, we isolated rhizobia from root nodules of this plant grown at 14 sites at forest edge or understory in Shaanxi Province. Based on PCR-RFLP and phylogenies of 16S rRNA gene, housekeeping genes (atpD, dnaK, recA), and symbiosis genes (nodC and nifH), a total of 271 isolates were identified as 16 Mesorhizobium genospecies, belonging to four nodC lineages, and three nifH lineages. The dominance of M. waimense in the forest edge and of M. amorphae/Mesorhizobium sp. X in the understory habitat evidenced the illumination as a possible factor to affect the diversity and biogeographic patterns of rhizobia. However, the results of Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) among the environmental factors and distribution of rhizobial genospecies illustrated that soil pH and contents of total phosphorus, total potassium and total organic carbon were the main determinants for the community structure of S. davidii rhizobia, while the illumination conditions and available P presented similar and minor effects. In addition, high similarity of nodC and nifH genes between Mesorhizobium robiniae and some S. davidii rhizobia under the forest of Robinia pseudoacacia might be evidence for symbiotic gene lateral transfer. These findings firstly brought an insight into the diversity and distribution of rhizobia associated with S. davidii, and revealed illumination conditions a possible factor with impacts less than the soil traits to drive the symbiosis association between rhizobia and their host legumes.
Ying Cao; Dan Tie; Jia Le Zhao; Xu Bo Wang; Jun Jie Yi; Yong Fu Chai; Ke Feng Wang; En Tao Wang; Ming Yue. Diversity and distribution of Sophora davidii rhizobia in habitats with different irradiances and soil traits in Loess Plateau area of China. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 2021, 44, 126224 .
AMA StyleYing Cao, Dan Tie, Jia Le Zhao, Xu Bo Wang, Jun Jie Yi, Yong Fu Chai, Ke Feng Wang, En Tao Wang, Ming Yue. Diversity and distribution of Sophora davidii rhizobia in habitats with different irradiances and soil traits in Loess Plateau area of China. Systematic and Applied Microbiology. 2021; 44 (4):126224.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYing Cao; Dan Tie; Jia Le Zhao; Xu Bo Wang; Jun Jie Yi; Yong Fu Chai; Ke Feng Wang; En Tao Wang; Ming Yue. 2021. "Diversity and distribution of Sophora davidii rhizobia in habitats with different irradiances and soil traits in Loess Plateau area of China." Systematic and Applied Microbiology 44, no. 4: 126224.
In plants, the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play key roles in diverse biological processes. Genome-wide comprehensive and systematic analyses of bHLH proteins have been well conducted in Arabidopsis (AtbHLH), rice (OsbHLH) and tomato (SlbHLH) species. However, there are no reports of bHLH family genes have been functionally characterized in Persian walnut (Juglans regia). We identified a total of 189 bHLH genes in J. regia, which are clustering into 18 subfamilies. All JrbHLH contained the conserved domains HLH. A total of 69 JrbHLH genes were expanded as whole genome duplications (WGD). The syntenic analysis was conducted for Persian walnut (J. regia) with other two woody plants (P. trichocarpa and O. europaea) to infer the bHLH genes’ evolutionary relationship between these species .We identified a total of 42 pairs of orthologous bHLH genes between J. regia and P. trichocarpa, while only 29 orthologous gene pairs between J. regia and O. europaea, while 25 collinear gene pairs were found in three species J. regia, O. europaea and P. trichocarpa. Furthermore, JrbHLHs had different expressed patterns between reproduction and vegetative tissues based on the transcriptome expression profiles of female flowers, male flowers, leaves, and hulls, respectively. Specifically, both transcriptome data and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR) assessment showed that two JrbHLH genes (JrbHLH3-5 and JrbHLH13-13) were highly represented in female and male flowers, while one JrbHLH gene (JrbHLH13-4) was highly expressed in leaves. Genome-wide identification, gene structure, phylogeny and expression analysis of the JrbHLH gene in J.regia, supplied a theoretical foundation for the functional study of the JrbHLH gene family and provide an understanding of the further facilitated molecular studies of Persian walnuts.
Irfan Ullah; Na Hou; Feng Yan; Hanif Khan; Xurong Bai; Sana Ullah; Ming Yue; Peng Zhao. JrbHLH Gene Family: Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptional Expression in Persian Walnut (Juglans regia L.). Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 2021, 30, 1831 -1839.
AMA StyleIrfan Ullah, Na Hou, Feng Yan, Hanif Khan, Xurong Bai, Sana Ullah, Ming Yue, Peng Zhao. JrbHLH Gene Family: Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptional Expression in Persian Walnut (Juglans regia L.). Polish Journal of Environmental Studies. 2021; 30 (2):1831-1839.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIrfan Ullah; Na Hou; Feng Yan; Hanif Khan; Xurong Bai; Sana Ullah; Ming Yue; Peng Zhao. 2021. "JrbHLH Gene Family: Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptional Expression in Persian Walnut (Juglans regia L.)." Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 30, no. 2: 1831-1839.
BackgroundPlant leaves are important organs for photosynthesis and biological energy production. The leaves of Tricyrtis macropoda have an unusual spotted pattern. However, whether the spots of T. macropoda affect the plant microbiome and metabolites is unclear. In this study, we compared differences in the endosphere microbiome and plant metabolites in green parts and spots and the effects of spots on the photosynthesis of leaves.Methods16S/ITS sequences and metabolite spectra were obtained by high-throughput amplicon sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry, respectively. Changes in the diversity of the endophytic microbial community and metabolites were studied, and the effect of T. macropoda leaf spots on photosynthesis was examined by chlorophyll fluorescence.ResultsThe results showed that the relative abundance of Cercospora fungi in the leaf spots of T. macropoda was significantly higher than that in the green parts (P < 0.05) while Colletotrichum fungi showed low abundance in the spots. Alkaloid and ketone metabolites were decreased in the green parts compared with the spots, and amino acids, organic acids, lipids, and other compounds were increased in the green parts compared with the spots. A combined analysis of microbial communities and metabolites showed a significant correlation between the endophytic fungal communities and metabolite production. The changes in these metabolites may cause changes in local leaf color. In addition, we found that the spot areas of T. macropoda can be photosynthetically normal.ConclusionThis research showed the relationship between endophytic microorganisms and metabolites, and the findings advance our understanding of endophyte–plant interactions and provide a new direction for investigating the relationship between endophytes and phenotypes.
Yan Wang; Huyin Cheng; Fan Chang; Le Zhao; Bin Wang; Yi Wan; Ming Yue. Endosphere Microbiome and Metabolic Differences Between the Spots and Green Parts of Tricyrtis macropoda Leaves. Frontiers in Microbiology 2021, 11, 1 .
AMA StyleYan Wang, Huyin Cheng, Fan Chang, Le Zhao, Bin Wang, Yi Wan, Ming Yue. Endosphere Microbiome and Metabolic Differences Between the Spots and Green Parts of Tricyrtis macropoda Leaves. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2021; 11 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYan Wang; Huyin Cheng; Fan Chang; Le Zhao; Bin Wang; Yi Wan; Ming Yue. 2021. "Endosphere Microbiome and Metabolic Differences Between the Spots and Green Parts of Tricyrtis macropoda Leaves." Frontiers in Microbiology 11, no. : 1.
One of the key aims of global change studies is to predict more accurately how plant community composition responds to future environmental changes. Although interspecific relationship is one of the most important forces structuring plant communities, it remains a challenge to integrate long‐term consequences at the plant community level. As an increasing number of studies have shown that maternal environment affects offspring phenotypic plasticity as a response to global environment change through transgenerational effects, we speculated that the transgenerational effect would influence offspring competitive relationships. We conducted a 10‐year field experiment and a greenhouse experiment in a temperate grassland in an Inner Mongolian grassland to examine the effects of maternal and immediate nitrogen addition (N) and increased precipitation (Pr) on offspring growth and the interspecific relationship between the two dominant species, Stipa krylovii and Artemisia frigida. According to our results, Stipa kryloii suppressed A. frigida growth and population development when they grew in mixture, although immediate N and Pr stimulated S. kryloii and A. frigida growth simultaneously. Maternal N and Pr declined S. krylovii dominance and decreased A. frigida competitive suppression to some extent. The transgenerational effect should further facilitate the coexistence of the two species under scenarios of increased nitrogen input and precipitation. If we predicted these species' interspecific relationships based only on immediate environmental effects, we would overestimate S. krylovii's competitive advantage and population development, and underestimate competitive outcome and population development of A. frigida. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the transgenerational effect of maternal environment on offspring interspecific competition must be considered when evaluating population dynamics and community composition under the global change scenario.
Yang Li; Longyu Hou; Liuyi Yang; Ming Yue. Transgenerational effect alters the interspecific competition between two dominant species in a temperate steppe. Ecology and Evolution 2021, 11, 1175 -1186.
AMA StyleYang Li, Longyu Hou, Liuyi Yang, Ming Yue. Transgenerational effect alters the interspecific competition between two dominant species in a temperate steppe. Ecology and Evolution. 2021; 11 (3):1175-1186.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYang Li; Longyu Hou; Liuyi Yang; Ming Yue. 2021. "Transgenerational effect alters the interspecific competition between two dominant species in a temperate steppe." Ecology and Evolution 11, no. 3: 1175-1186.
Trait-based approaches present a promising avenue for improving our understanding of species coexistence and community assembly, while intraspecific trait variation (ITV) across different spatial scales is important in trait-based community assembly mechanisms, especially in extreme environments. In this study, we focused on the functional diversity and community assembly patterns of a desert community across different spatial scales and investigated whether ITV plays a significant role in community assembly processes in arid habitats. A 50 m × 50 m plot with different small quadrats was established in a typical desert community at the transition zone between the Tengger Desert and Loess Plateau in China. A total of 14 traits were selected to assess the trait-based functional diversity and assembly processes in the community. We found that functional diversity showed different patterns when considering ITV and related to different types of traits (chemical traits or morphological traits) and some soil factors (pH and nitrate nitrogen). Plant communities in this study showed stochastic distribution patterns and similar functional diversity patterns based on functional trait approaches, regardless of spatial scales. Also, the effect of ITV on community assembly did not show more effect with increasing scales. These results indicated that ITV diluted deterministic processes in community assembly across scales in arid habitats.
Jinshi Xu; Han Dang; Tingting Tian; Yongfu Chai; Jiaxin Quan; Maolin Lei; Xiao Liu; Yaoxin Guo; Ming Yue. Intraspecific Trait Variation Dilutes Deterministic Processes in Community Assembly of Arid Shrubs across Multiple Scales. Diversity 2020, 12, 447 .
AMA StyleJinshi Xu, Han Dang, Tingting Tian, Yongfu Chai, Jiaxin Quan, Maolin Lei, Xiao Liu, Yaoxin Guo, Ming Yue. Intraspecific Trait Variation Dilutes Deterministic Processes in Community Assembly of Arid Shrubs across Multiple Scales. Diversity. 2020; 12 (12):447.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJinshi Xu; Han Dang; Tingting Tian; Yongfu Chai; Jiaxin Quan; Maolin Lei; Xiao Liu; Yaoxin Guo; Ming Yue. 2020. "Intraspecific Trait Variation Dilutes Deterministic Processes in Community Assembly of Arid Shrubs across Multiple Scales." Diversity 12, no. 12: 447.
Stomata control the water loss for transpiration and the CO2 uptake for photosynthesis. However, the relationships between photosynthesis and stomatal traits across a wide range of species are largely been unknown. Here, we tested the relationships among maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax), stomatal density (SD), stomatal length (SL) and maximum stomatal conductance to water vapour (gmax) across 45 woody plants on the Loess Plateau. We found the correlations of stomatal traits with Amax and gmax were different. Specifically, gmax was positively correlated with SD. Amax was negatively correlated with SD and positively correlated with SL, which were inconsistent with previous findings focusing on a few of species. Our results indicated that plants with large and few stomata could possess low gmax and maintain an appropriate photosynthetic rate, suggesting that it will benefit plants under increased CO2 and decreased water availability environments in the future. Indeed, further work is needed to investigate the effects of stomata, mesophyll and biochemical process on photosynthesis under different environmental conditions.
Qiulong Yin; Tingting Tian; Meng Kou; Peiliang Liu; Lei Wang; Zhanqing Hao; Ming Yue. The relationships between photosynthesis and stomatal traits on the Loess Plateau. Global Ecology and Conservation 2020, 23, e01146 .
AMA StyleQiulong Yin, Tingting Tian, Meng Kou, Peiliang Liu, Lei Wang, Zhanqing Hao, Ming Yue. The relationships between photosynthesis and stomatal traits on the Loess Plateau. Global Ecology and Conservation. 2020; 23 ():e01146.
Chicago/Turabian StyleQiulong Yin; Tingting Tian; Meng Kou; Peiliang Liu; Lei Wang; Zhanqing Hao; Ming Yue. 2020. "The relationships between photosynthesis and stomatal traits on the Loess Plateau." Global Ecology and Conservation 23, no. : e01146.
Ultraviolet-B radiation can result in deleterious effects on many plant growth processes. In clonal plants, resources and hormones are often shared between connected ramets to deal with various environments. However, little is known about whether and how clonal integration influences the ability of clonal plants to respond to UV-B radiation. In this paper, ramet pairs of Duchesnea indica were either connected by stolons or disconnected by stolon interruption. One of the ramet in the pair was exposed to elevated UV-B radiation. Water transport rate and several growth, photosynthetic and biochemical parameters were measured. When ramets were connected and exposed to heterogeneous UV-B radiation, the velocity of water transportation from the UV-B treated ramet to its connected sister ramet was markedly lower. Moreover, stolon connection resulted in an increase of biomass and ramet number in the UV-B stressed part of the clonal fragments at the expense of that in the UV-B unstressed part. In addition, the contents of chlorophylls and UV-B absorbing compounds were shared between connected ramets under heterogeneous UV-B radiation. Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of the UV-B stressed ramets were impaired by supplemental UV-B radiation in Duchesnea indica. Clonal integration significantly reduced the stressful impact imposed by enhanced UV-B radiation at a cost to the whole clone.
Qian Li; Xiao Liu; Yong-Fu Chai; Ming Yue; Jia-Xin Quan. Physiological integration ameliorates the effects of UV-B radiation in the clonal herb Duchesnea indica. Folia Geobotanica 2020, 55, 1 -10.
AMA StyleQian Li, Xiao Liu, Yong-Fu Chai, Ming Yue, Jia-Xin Quan. Physiological integration ameliorates the effects of UV-B radiation in the clonal herb Duchesnea indica. Folia Geobotanica. 2020; 55 (2):1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleQian Li; Xiao Liu; Yong-Fu Chai; Ming Yue; Jia-Xin Quan. 2020. "Physiological integration ameliorates the effects of UV-B radiation in the clonal herb Duchesnea indica." Folia Geobotanica 55, no. 2: 1-10.
Community ecologists often assume that species-level trait differences drive habitat differentiation that promotes species coexistence. Direct empirical studies testing trait–habitat relationships in forest ecosystems are critical for understanding the functional basis of tree coexistence and predicting the effects of forest disturbance on diversity, but such studies have been rarely performed. Considering the importance of the regeneration niche in tree coexistence, here, we tested regeneration niche differentiation and species-level trait–habitat relationships by measuring nine microhabitat variables and seven functional traits of seedlings of three common tree species in a temperate mixed forest in Taibai Mountain in China. Our results showed that most tree seedlings grew in microhabitats with more light and distant neighbor than random points. The three species were separated in the microhabitat space defined by canopy cover and neighbor distance gradients and in the trait space defined by leaf economic traits, seed mass, and wood density. Leaf economic traits were mostly related to light microhabitat variables, whereas seed mass and stem wood density were mostly associated with neighbor distance. These results suggested that the heterogeneity of light availability and neighbor distance were the main ecological gradients in distinguishing different tree species in seedling microhabitats. Differences in seedling functional traits drive the differentiation of species regeneration niches, potentially facilitating the coexistence of tree species. Leaf economic traits, seed mass, and wood density could be used to predict the regeneration microhabitat of tree species.
Yaoxin Guo; Peng Zhao; Zhe Zhou; Junjie Yi; Yongfu Chai; Ming Yue. Coexistence of three common species in a temperate mixed forest: Linking seedling microhabitats and functional traits. Forest Ecology and Management 2020, 465, 118057 .
AMA StyleYaoxin Guo, Peng Zhao, Zhe Zhou, Junjie Yi, Yongfu Chai, Ming Yue. Coexistence of three common species in a temperate mixed forest: Linking seedling microhabitats and functional traits. Forest Ecology and Management. 2020; 465 ():118057.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYaoxin Guo; Peng Zhao; Zhe Zhou; Junjie Yi; Yongfu Chai; Ming Yue. 2020. "Coexistence of three common species in a temperate mixed forest: Linking seedling microhabitats and functional traits." Forest Ecology and Management 465, no. : 118057.
Human activities may lead to land degradation, and then influencing diversity and function of semi‐arid ecosystem. Understanding the plant community assembly processes and diversity patterns along human activities‐related gradients are an important facet of ecological research and can be used to reveal vegetation dynamics under land degradation on Loess Plateau. In this study, we evaluated the net relatedness index (NRI), phylogenetic diversity, and species diversity along habitat (elevation, slope, aspect, residential distance, succession time) and comprehensive disturbance gradients on the Loess Plateau, China. We found that community assembly processes were mainly influenced by slope and succession time linked to human activity. Study regions with slope > 20°or succession time > 35 yr showed no environmental filtering effect during community assembly processes, because these region usually had fewer cropland development activities. Although phylogenetic and species diversity showed a dissimilar pattern along gradients, we also summarized human activities rather than habitat factors drive diversity patterns. In summary, we demonstrate that human activities mainly influence community assembly processes and diversity patterns. With reduction of human disturbance in future, land degradation will be ameliorated on Loess Plateau. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Jinshi Xu; Han Dang; Tingting Tian; Shiqiang Liu; Yongfu Chai; Xiao Liu; Ming Yue; Chengcheng Xiang; Junke Chang. Human disturbance rather than habitat factors drives plant community assembly and diversity patterns in a semiarid region. Land Degradation & Development 2020, 31, 1803 -1811.
AMA StyleJinshi Xu, Han Dang, Tingting Tian, Shiqiang Liu, Yongfu Chai, Xiao Liu, Ming Yue, Chengcheng Xiang, Junke Chang. Human disturbance rather than habitat factors drives plant community assembly and diversity patterns in a semiarid region. Land Degradation & Development. 2020; 31 (14):1803-1811.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJinshi Xu; Han Dang; Tingting Tian; Shiqiang Liu; Yongfu Chai; Xiao Liu; Ming Yue; Chengcheng Xiang; Junke Chang. 2020. "Human disturbance rather than habitat factors drives plant community assembly and diversity patterns in a semiarid region." Land Degradation & Development 31, no. 14: 1803-1811.
Two contradictory niche-based processes, environmental filtering and competitive exclusion, are important ecological processes in community assembly. Quercus wutaishanica forests are the climax communities in the Qinling Mountains and the Loess Plateau, China. Since these areas are characterized by different climate and evolutionary histories, these forests could be a suitable study system to test the phylogenetic niche conservatism hypothesis. We compared variation in community assembly of two distinct Q. wutaishanica forest communities and analyzed how the variations are formed. Quercus wutaishanica forest communities had significantly different species pool, phylogenetic structure and phylogenetic diversity between the two regions that were driven by inconsistency in environment conditions and evolutionary history at the local scale. Soil ammonium nitrogen, soil water content, and nitrate nitrogen play a major role in phylogenetic beta diversity patterns. The effect of environmental filtering on community assembly was more significant on the Loess Plateau than in the Qinling Mountains. Our study also found that local environment is important in mediating the patterns of phylogenetic structure. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of local community assembly.
Mao Wang; Jinshi Xu; Yongfu Chai; Yaoxin Guo; Xiao Liu; Ming Yue. Differentiation of Environmental Conditions Promotes Variation of Two Quercus wutaishanica Community Assembly Patterns. Forests 2019, 11, 43 .
AMA StyleMao Wang, Jinshi Xu, Yongfu Chai, Yaoxin Guo, Xiao Liu, Ming Yue. Differentiation of Environmental Conditions Promotes Variation of Two Quercus wutaishanica Community Assembly Patterns. Forests. 2019; 11 (1):43.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMao Wang; Jinshi Xu; Yongfu Chai; Yaoxin Guo; Xiao Liu; Ming Yue. 2019. "Differentiation of Environmental Conditions Promotes Variation of Two Quercus wutaishanica Community Assembly Patterns." Forests 11, no. 1: 43.
Phylogenetic and functional diversities and their relationship are important for understanding community assembly, which relates to forest sustainability. Thus, both diversities have been used in ecological studies evaluating community responses to environmental changes. However, it is unclear whether these diversity measures can uncover the actual community assembly processes. Herein, we examined their utility to assess such assembly processes by analyzing similarities in phylogenetic, functional, and taxonomic α- and β-diversities along an elevational gradient. Additionally, we examined the relationships among environment, phylogeny, and functional traits within the community. Based on our results, we evaluated whether phylogenetic or functional diversity could better reveal the actual community assembly processes. We found that taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional α-diversities were correlated with one another. Although the functional α-diversity showed a linear correlation with the elevational gradient, taxonomic and phylogenetic α-diversities showed unimodal patterns. Both phylogenetic and functional β-diversities correlated with taxonomic β-diversity, but there was no significant relationship between the former. Overall, our results evidenced that phylogenetic diversity and taxonomic diversity showed similar patterns, whereas functional diversity showed a relatively independent pattern, which may be due to limitations in the functional trait dimensions used in the present study. Although it is difficult to unravel whether the environment shapes phylogeny or functional traits within a community, phylogenetic diversity is a good proxy for assessing the assembly processes, whereas functional diversity may improve knowledge on the community by maximizing information about the functional trait dimensions.
Jinshi Xu; Han Dang; Mao Wang; Yongfu Chai; Yaoxin Guo; Yu Chen; Chenguang Zhang; Ming Yue. Is Phylogeny More Useful than Functional Traits for Assessing Diversity Patterns Under Community Assembly Processes? Forests 2019, 10, 1159 .
AMA StyleJinshi Xu, Han Dang, Mao Wang, Yongfu Chai, Yaoxin Guo, Yu Chen, Chenguang Zhang, Ming Yue. Is Phylogeny More Useful than Functional Traits for Assessing Diversity Patterns Under Community Assembly Processes? Forests. 2019; 10 (12):1159.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJinshi Xu; Han Dang; Mao Wang; Yongfu Chai; Yaoxin Guo; Yu Chen; Chenguang Zhang; Ming Yue. 2019. "Is Phylogeny More Useful than Functional Traits for Assessing Diversity Patterns Under Community Assembly Processes?" Forests 10, no. 12: 1159.
Leaf trait-based research has become the preferred method to understand the ecological strategies of plants. However, there is still a debate on whether area-based or mass-based traits provide different insights into environmental adaptations and responses. In this study, seven key leaf traits (maximum net photosynthetic rate, dark respiration rate, nitrogen content, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, leaf mass per area, leaf dry matter contents and leaf area) of 43 woody species were quantified on the basis of both area and mass along an altitudinal gradient (1100–2700 m) in the Qinling Mountains of China. Differences in leaf traits and bivariate correlations between the two expressions were compared. By considering different expressions, the strengths and directions of the responses of leaf traits to the altitudinal gradient were determined. Leaf traits showed large variations; interspecific variations contributed more to total variance than intraspecific variations. Bivariate correlations between photosynthetic traits and structural traits (mass per area, dry matter content, and area) were weaker on a mass basis than those on an area basis. Most traits exhibited quadratic trends along the altitudinal gradient, and these patterns were more noticeable for area-based than mass-based traits. Area-based traits were more sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation associated with altitude. These results provide evidence that mass- versus area-based traits show different ecological responses to environmental conditions associated with altitude, even if they do not contain very broad spatial scales. Our results also indicate distinction of photosynthetic acclimation among the two expressions along an altitudinal gradient, reflecting trade-offs among leaf structure and physiological traits.
Yongfu Chai; Hailin Shang; Xiaofei Zhang; Ruichang Zhang; Xiao Liu; Ming Yue. Ecological variations of woody species along an altitudinal gradient in the Qinling Mountains of Central China: area-based versus mass-based expression of leaf traits. Journal of Forestry Research 2019, 32, 599 -608.
AMA StyleYongfu Chai, Hailin Shang, Xiaofei Zhang, Ruichang Zhang, Xiao Liu, Ming Yue. Ecological variations of woody species along an altitudinal gradient in the Qinling Mountains of Central China: area-based versus mass-based expression of leaf traits. Journal of Forestry Research. 2019; 32 (2):599-608.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYongfu Chai; Hailin Shang; Xiaofei Zhang; Ruichang Zhang; Xiao Liu; Ming Yue. 2019. "Ecological variations of woody species along an altitudinal gradient in the Qinling Mountains of Central China: area-based versus mass-based expression of leaf traits." Journal of Forestry Research 32, no. 2: 599-608.
Trait‐based approaches applied to community assembly have led to a considerable advance in understanding the drivers that underlie community dynamics. However, species respond to environmental conditions based on traits, and the role of intraspecific trait variability (ITV) in community assembly during succession has not been studied in detail. Here, we explored the effects of environmental conditions on plant trait composition and tested the role of ITV on understanding the assembly processes throughout a long‐term forest succession on the Loess Plateau of China. Thirty plots were established across six successional stages, and 15 functional traits of 210 species were measured. Rao's quadratic entropy of each community with and without accounting for ITV was calculated and then compared with random expectation to evaluate the community functional structure. A structural equation model was used to determine the effects of soil abiotic factors on community functional structure. Community functional structure based on multiple traits transitioned from a stochastic pattern in the early community to a significantly overdispersed pattern in the latest climax community, mainly driven by the increasing niche differentiation of plant height and seed mass. In contrast, community functional structure for most chemical and structure traits showed a neutral but increasing clustering pattern throughout succession. We found that consideration of intraspecific variability did not result in the misreading of the assembly process along a successional gradient; consideration of intraspecific variability only increased the divergence of traits for the latest climax community. Soil NH4‐N was an especially important factor that influenced community functional structure and ITV during succession. Our results suggest a change in the dominant assembly mechanism from stochastic to deterministic processes and a strong environmental modification that drives community assembly during a long‐term forest succession. Ignoring ITV (except for plant height) may be acceptable in understanding community assembly along a local secondary forest succession in a semiarid ecosystem, such as the Loess Plateau.
Yongfu Chai; Han Dang; Ming Yue; Jinshi Xu; Lixia Zhang; Jiaxin Quan; Yaoxin Guo; Ting Li; Lei Wang; Mao Wang; Xiao Liu. The role of intraspecific trait variability and soil properties in community assembly during forest secondary succession. Ecosphere 2019, 10, 1 .
AMA StyleYongfu Chai, Han Dang, Ming Yue, Jinshi Xu, Lixia Zhang, Jiaxin Quan, Yaoxin Guo, Ting Li, Lei Wang, Mao Wang, Xiao Liu. The role of intraspecific trait variability and soil properties in community assembly during forest secondary succession. Ecosphere. 2019; 10 (11):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYongfu Chai; Han Dang; Ming Yue; Jinshi Xu; Lixia Zhang; Jiaxin Quan; Yaoxin Guo; Ting Li; Lei Wang; Mao Wang; Xiao Liu. 2019. "The role of intraspecific trait variability and soil properties in community assembly during forest secondary succession." Ecosphere 10, no. 11: 1.
Gene introgression usually results from natural hybridization occurring among closely related species in sympatric populations. In this study, we discussed two rare and frequent gene flow phenomena between three species of Juglans plants and analyzed the possible causes for the difference. We collected 656 individuals from 40 populations of Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.), Chinese walnut (J. cathayensis Dode), and Iron walnut (J. sigillata Dode) that were genotyped at 17 expressed sequence tag simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) loci to analyze the introgressions between J. regia and J. cathayensis, and J. regia and J. sigillata. Our study compared the spatial patterns of expected heterozygosity (HE), allelic richness (Rs), and private allele richness (PAR) so as to vividly infer the biogeographic history of related species of Juglans in the two regions. The results of the PCoA, UPGMA, and STRUCTURE analyses showed that all J. regia and J. sigillata populations clustered into one group, and the J. cathayensis populations clustered into the other group. The results of the historical gene flow analysis indicated that J. regia and J. sigillata have no genetic barriers, and the directional gene flow is mainly from J. regia to J. sigillata. For the three species of Juglans, all the above results indicated that gene flow was common among the same group of Juglans, and only rare and low-level gene flow appeared in distinct groups. Therefore, our study revealed multiple phenomena of gene flow and introgression among closely related species in sympatric populations, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the genetic evolution of the genus Juglans.
Meng Dang; Ming Yue; Min Zhang; Guifang Zhao; Peng Zhao; Zhao; Dang; Yue. Gene Introgression among Closely Related Species in Sympatric Populations: A Case Study of Three Walnut (Juglans) Species. Forests 2019, 10, 965 .
AMA StyleMeng Dang, Ming Yue, Min Zhang, Guifang Zhao, Peng Zhao, Zhao, Dang, Yue. Gene Introgression among Closely Related Species in Sympatric Populations: A Case Study of Three Walnut (Juglans) Species. Forests. 2019; 10 (11):965.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMeng Dang; Ming Yue; Min Zhang; Guifang Zhao; Peng Zhao; Zhao; Dang; Yue. 2019. "Gene Introgression among Closely Related Species in Sympatric Populations: A Case Study of Three Walnut (Juglans) Species." Forests 10, no. 11: 965.
An unresolved question of temperate forests is how pioneer tree species persist in mature forests. In order to understand the responsible mechanisms, we investigated a near‐climax mixed temperate forest dominated by Betula albosinensis in the Qinling Mountains of China. Through establishing four 50 m × 50 m plots, we examined the canopy disturbance characteristics and its effects on tree recruitments. We further test the intra‐ and interspecific effects on the recruitment of B. albosinensis. The obtained data demonstrated canopy disturbance was frequent but most small‐sized. The canopy gaps are caused mainly by adult B. albosinensis by snapping. The regeneration of coexistent tree species shows a distinct preference for gap size. B. albosinensis were clumped at the juvenile stage and small scales. B. albosinensis juveniles were positively associated with B. utilis juveniles and negatively associated with the conspecific and B. utilis large trees. In addition, B. albosinensis juveniles showed negative associations with contemporary other tree species. Our results suggested that canopy disturbance caused by canopy trees and gap partitioning among the coexistent tree species are important for the persistence of the mixed forest. As a main gapmaker, B. albosinensis appear to develop a self‐perpetuating life‐history trait and allow them to persist.
Yaoxin Guo; Peng Zhao; Ming Yue. Canopy disturbance and gap partitioning promote the persistence of a pioneer tree population in a near‐climax temperate forest of the Qinling Mountains, China. Ecology and Evolution 2019, 9, 7676 -7687.
AMA StyleYaoxin Guo, Peng Zhao, Ming Yue. Canopy disturbance and gap partitioning promote the persistence of a pioneer tree population in a near‐climax temperate forest of the Qinling Mountains, China. Ecology and Evolution. 2019; 9 (13):7676-7687.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYaoxin Guo; Peng Zhao; Ming Yue. 2019. "Canopy disturbance and gap partitioning promote the persistence of a pioneer tree population in a near‐climax temperate forest of the Qinling Mountains, China." Ecology and Evolution 9, no. 13: 7676-7687.
In the context of secondary forest succession, aboveground-belowground interactions are known to affect the dynamics and functional structure of plant communities. However, the links between soil microbial communities, soil abiotic properties, plant functional traits in the case of semi-arid and arid ecosystems, are unclear. In this study, we investigated the changes in soil microbial species diversity and community composition, and the corresponding effects of soil abiotic properties and plant functional traits, during a ≥150-year secondary forest succession on the Loess Plateau, which represents a typical semi-arid ecosystem in China. Plant community fragments were assigned to six successional stages: 1–4, 4–8, 8–15, 15–50, 50–100, and 100–150 years after abandonment. Bacterial and fungal communities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region of the rRNA operon, respectively. A multivariate variation-partitioning approach was used to estimate the contributions of soil properties and plant traits to the observed microbial community composition. We found considerable differences in bacterial and fungal community compositions between the early (S1–S3) and later (S4–S6) successional stages. In total, 18 and 12 unique families were, respectively, obtained for bacteria and fungi, as indicators of microbial community succession across the six stages. Bacterial alpha diversity was positively correlated with plant species alpha diversity, while fungal diversity was negatively correlated with plant species diversity. Certain fungal and bacterial taxa appeared to be associated with the occurrence of dominant plant species at different successional stages. Soil properties (pH, total N, total C, NH4-N, NO3-N, and PO4-P concentrations) and plant traits explained 63.80% and 56.68% of total variance in bacterial and fungal community compositions, respectively. These results indicate that soil microbial communities are coupled with plant communities via the mediation of microbial species diversity and community composition over a long-term secondary forest succession in the semi-arid ecosystem. The bacterial and fungal communities show distinct patterns in response to plant community succession, according to both soil abiotic properties and plant functional traits.
Yongfu Chai; Ying Cao; Ming Yue; Tingting Tian; Qiulong Yin; Han Dang; Jiaxin Quan; Ruichang Zhang; Mao Wang. Soil Abiotic Properties and Plant Functional Traits Mediate Associations Between Soil Microbial and Plant Communities During a Secondary Forest Succession on the Loess Plateau. Frontiers in Microbiology 2019, 10, 895 .
AMA StyleYongfu Chai, Ying Cao, Ming Yue, Tingting Tian, Qiulong Yin, Han Dang, Jiaxin Quan, Ruichang Zhang, Mao Wang. Soil Abiotic Properties and Plant Functional Traits Mediate Associations Between Soil Microbial and Plant Communities During a Secondary Forest Succession on the Loess Plateau. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2019; 10 ():895.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYongfu Chai; Ying Cao; Ming Yue; Tingting Tian; Qiulong Yin; Han Dang; Jiaxin Quan; Ruichang Zhang; Mao Wang. 2019. "Soil Abiotic Properties and Plant Functional Traits Mediate Associations Between Soil Microbial and Plant Communities During a Secondary Forest Succession on the Loess Plateau." Frontiers in Microbiology 10, no. : 895.
Research highlights: Water transport and CO2 diffusion are two important processes that determine the CO2 assimilation efficiency in leaves. The integration of leaf economic and hydraulic traits will help to present a more comprehensive view of the succession of woody plants in arid regions. However, studies on hydraulic traits of plants from different successional stages are still rare compared to that on economic traits in arid regions. Materials and methods: We selected 31 species from shrub stage, pioneer tree stage and late successional stage on the Loess Plateau, and measured five economic traits and five hydraulic traits of these species. Results: We found species from the pioneer tree stage exhibited "fast-growing" characteristics with high maximum net photosynthesis rate (Pmax) and vein density (VD). Species from the late successional stage exhibited "slow-growing" characteristics with low Pmax and VD. Economic traits showed no significant differences among the three stages except for Pmax. Hydraulic traits, such as VD, leaf area to sapwood area ratio and vessel frequency, exhibited significant differences among different stages. Conclusions: Hydraulics may play an important role in the succession of woody plants in arid regions. Hydraulic traits and Pmax, should be combined to investigate succession of woody plants in future studies. The "fast-growing" characteristics of pioneer trees and "slow-growing" characteristics of late successional trees may induce the succession of woody plants.
Qiulong Yin; Jingwen He; Tingting Tian; Jiaxin Quan; Peng Zhao; Yongfu Chai; Lei Wang; Ming Yue; Yin; He; Tian; Quan; Zhao; Chai; Wang; Yue. Hydraulic and Photosynthetic Traits Vary with Successional Status of Woody Plants on the Loess Plateau. Forests 2019, 10, 327 .
AMA StyleQiulong Yin, Jingwen He, Tingting Tian, Jiaxin Quan, Peng Zhao, Yongfu Chai, Lei Wang, Ming Yue, Yin, He, Tian, Quan, Zhao, Chai, Wang, Yue. Hydraulic and Photosynthetic Traits Vary with Successional Status of Woody Plants on the Loess Plateau. Forests. 2019; 10 (4):327.
Chicago/Turabian StyleQiulong Yin; Jingwen He; Tingting Tian; Jiaxin Quan; Peng Zhao; Yongfu Chai; Lei Wang; Ming Yue; Yin; He; Tian; Quan; Zhao; Chai; Wang; Yue. 2019. "Hydraulic and Photosynthetic Traits Vary with Successional Status of Woody Plants on the Loess Plateau." Forests 10, no. 4: 327.
Understanding how plants allocate biomass to different organs is of high importance since biomass allocation among organs determines many growth processes. Biomass allocation among plant organs is driven by environmental conditions, while functional traits can also be potential covariates to understand the allocation of biomass. However, the relationships between functional traits and biomass allocation remain poorly known and studied. We investigated the relationships of two biomass allocation indicators, including leaf mass fraction (LMF) and leaf area ratio (LAR), with six economic traits and five hydraulic traits across 30 woody species. We found that LMF and LAR showed different relationships with economics traits. In addition, a significantly negative correlation was observed between LMF and leaf water potential at turgor loss point (TLP), but no significant relationship was found between LAR and TLP. Principal component analyses showed that LMF-related traits and LAR-related traits could be divided into two groups. Taken together, LMF is mainly related to draught tolerance while LAR mainly related to light capture. Although LMF and LAR are two significantly correlated biomass allocation indicators, they play different roles in the acclimation of plants. Researchers should focus on the different functions of these two indicators and the different relationships with other functional traits in the further research.
Qiulong Yin; Tingting Tian; Xiaohui Han; Jinshi Xu; Yongfu Chai; Jiao Mo; Maolin Lei; Lei Wang; Ming Yue. The relationships between biomass allocation and plant functional trait. Ecological Indicators 2019, 102, 302 -308.
AMA StyleQiulong Yin, Tingting Tian, Xiaohui Han, Jinshi Xu, Yongfu Chai, Jiao Mo, Maolin Lei, Lei Wang, Ming Yue. The relationships between biomass allocation and plant functional trait. Ecological Indicators. 2019; 102 ():302-308.
Chicago/Turabian StyleQiulong Yin; Tingting Tian; Xiaohui Han; Jinshi Xu; Yongfu Chai; Jiao Mo; Maolin Lei; Lei Wang; Ming Yue. 2019. "The relationships between biomass allocation and plant functional trait." Ecological Indicators 102, no. : 302-308.