根茎克隆植物研究面临的挑战

Challenges in research on rhizomatous clonal plants

根茎克隆植物是克隆植物的一个类型,地下系统的特殊性赋予其独特的繁殖和生长方式,也赋予其对环境的特有适应能力。但是,受研究手段限制,人们对根茎克隆植物在表型可塑性、克隆整合、觅食行为和克隆分工等方面与其他类型克隆植物有何异同,这些行为对预防植物入侵、应对气候变化、进行退化生态系统恢复有何特殊意义尚不很清晰。鉴于此,通过梳理和总结前人工作,提出了根茎克隆植物研究面临的挑战。根茎克隆植物下一步研究重点应体现在下述方面:1)可塑性性状的选择与测定方法;2)环境因子对克隆整合的影响机制;3)综合植物特征和环境特征的觅食模型。

Rhizomatous clonal plants are a category of clonal plants in which daughter ramets are formed by spreading underground stems.Their particular distinction of having a subsurface connection system provides them a range of unique reproduction and growth modes and also unique adaptations to their local environment.However,because relevant research techniques are not well developed,the differences between rhizomatous and other clonal plants in phenotypic plasticity,clonal integration,foraging behavior and clonal division of labor,are not yet well understood and the potential to harness their behavior to prevent weed invasion,to mitigate climate change,to reduce ecosystem degradation or to promote ecosystem ecological restoration is also unclear.In view of this,through a review and summary of relevant recent research,we have identified knowledge gaps for further research.We recommend immediate research effort in the following areas:1)Innovation in research methodology for identification and selection of beneficial plasticity traits;2)The mechanisms by which various environmental factors affect clonal integration outcomes;3)Development of a complete foraging model that comprehensively combines plant and environmental characteristics.