Multi-dimensional patterns of variation in root traits among coexisting herbaceous species in temperate steppes
Multi-dimensional patterns of variation in root traits among coexisting herbaceous species in temperate steppes
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温带草原共生草本植物根系性状变异的多维模式
DOI：
10.1111/1365-2745.12977
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发表时间：
2018
影响因子：
5.5
通讯作者：
Zhang Wen-Hao
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Zhou Meng;Bai Wenming;Zhang Yushi;Zhang Wen-Hao
描述植物性状在物种和环境梯度上的变异模式对于理解物种在生态系统中的表现至关重要。叶性状的一维变异模式已被证明，这被称为叶经济谱。对15种温带草原植物根系的呼吸速率、相对生长速率、寿命以及10个形态、化学和解剖学特征进行了测定。我们进一步通过Pearson相关和主成分分析（包括系统发育对比）评估了成对和多性状之间的关系，发现根函数与三个变异簇相关。根系呼吸速率和相对生长速率与平均根径呈显著正相关，与比根长呈显著负相关。与此相反，根寿命与AD不相关，但与SRL呈正相关。主成分分析结果表明，15种草本植物根系性状的变异具有多维性。此外，在相同的系统发育分支的物种往往有相似的根性状综合征。大部分的根性状表现出显着的系统发育信号。我们的研究结果不支持一个一维的根经济谱共存的温带草原草本植物。相反，根系性状的变异模式是多维的。我们进一步证明，在不同的系统发育分支的物种具有不同的根性状综合征的有效资源收购。我们的研究结果为了解温带草原的根功能和植物策略提供了下一步。
Characterizing patterns of variation in plant traits across species and environmental gradients is critical for understanding performance of species in ecosystems. One‐dimensional pattern of variation has been demonstrated in leaf traits, which is known as the leaf economic spectrum. However, it is unclear whether such a spectrum exists for root traits.For roots of 15 species from temperate grasslands, we determined respiration rate, relative growth rate, life span and 10 morphological, chemical and anatomical root traits. We further evaluated pairwise and multiple‐trait relationships by Pearson's correlation and principle component analysis including phylogenetic contrasts.We found that root functions were related to three clusters of variation. Root respiration rate and relative growth rate were positively correlated with average root diameter (AD), but they were negatively correlated with specific root length (SRL). In contrast, root life span was not correlated with AD, but it was positively correlated with SRL. These results are inconsistent with the presumption of the root economic spectrum.The principle components analysis revealed a multi‐dimensional pattern of variation in root traits among the 15 coexisting herbaceous species. Moreover, species within the same phylogenetic clades tended to have similar root trait syndromes. Most of the root traits exhibited a significant phylogenetic signal.Synthesis. Our results do not support a one‐dimensional root economic spectrum in the coexisting herbaceous species of temperate grasslands. In contrast, the pattern of variation in root traits was multi‐dimensional. We further demonstrated that species in different phylogenetic clades possess diverse root trait syndromes for efficient resource acquisition. Our findings provide a next step in understanding root functions and plant strategies in temperate grasslands.