Positive adaptation of Salix eriostachya to warming in the treeline ecotone, East Tibetan Plateau

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• 作者：Jun-ren Xian ; Guo-peng Chen ; Yin-zhan Liu ; Xiao-xun Xu…
• 关键词：Dwarf willow ; Experimental warming ; Ecophysiological adaptation ; Dominating ; Treeline
• 刊名：Journal of Mountain Science
• 出版年：2017
• 出版时间：February 2017
• 年：2017
• 卷：14
• 期：2
• 页码：346-355
• 全文大小：
• 刊物主题：Earth Sciences, general; Geography, general; Environment, general; Ecology;
• 出版者：Science Press
• ISSN：1993-0321
• 卷排序：14

文摘

Understanding of treeline ecotone ecophysiological adaptation to climate warming is still very limited. Furthermore, it is difficult to predict which plant species could dominate in the future. For this reason, a study was conducted in the treeline ecotone, East Tibetan Plateau to detcct the adaptation of the dwarf willow (Salix eriostachya) to experimental warming. Compared to ambient conditions, the experimental warming advanced the bud break by 12 days, delayed the leaf abscission by 20 days, and prolonged the growing period by 28 days. It also increased photosynthesis (47%), number of leaves (333%), leaf area (310%), and carbon sequestration of the dwarf willow. Experimental warming did not affect carbon use efficiency, but decreased water use efficiency significantly. Experimental warming enhanced the clonal ramets of Salix eriostachya (+ 3.7 shrubs m-2). The frequent air temperature fluctuations had minor effect on Salix eriostachya. Based on these findings, we highlighted that Salix eriostachya could dominate in the community treeline ecotone of east Tibetan Plateau in the future climate warming scenario.