Living plants and plant roots can reduce runoff and soil erosion. Using a rain simulator, a series of soil erosion experiments were conducted to study the influence of living roots and canopies of ryegrasses （Lolium ...Living plants and plant roots can reduce runoff and soil erosion. Using a rain simulator, a series of soil erosion experiments were conducted to study the influence of living roots and canopies of ryegrasses （Lolium perenne L.） during the growing season on sediment yields and runoff of a silt loam soil. The results indicated that during the growing season, decrements in runoff and sediment yields increased with time. Sediment yields （τ^2 = 0.999） and decrements in runoff （τ2 = 0.946） were closely related to the root surface area density. The contributions of roots and canopies of ryegrasses to the reductions in runoff and sediment yields were different. Canopies usually contributed more to the runoff decrement than the roots, whereas roots contributed up to 96% of the decrease in sediment yields in the late stage of the growing season.展开更多
The vertical distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of fine root parameters for the apple trees of different ages （3, 10, 15, and 20 years old） on the Loess Plateau of China were studied. Soil coring method was ...The vertical distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of fine root parameters for the apple trees of different ages （3, 10, 15, and 20 years old） on the Loess Plateau of China were studied. Soil coring method was used to determine the vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics of fine roots at different root radial distances （1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m from the main tree trunk）. The fine root biomass density （FRD）, fine root length density （RLD）, and specific root length （SRL）, as well as soil water content and soil temperature were also measured. The FRD and RLD for the 10, 15, and 20 years old trees reached peak values in the 20-30 cm soil layer. For the 3 years old tree, the highest FRD and RLD were observed in the 10-20 cm soil layer. The FRD and RLD decreased with increased soil depth from the 10-20 or 20-30 cm soil layer for all age apple trees. The SRL declined with the increase of tree age. The FRD at the 1.0 m radial distance from the main tree trunk was higher than that at other radial distances in the 3 and 10 years old orchard. However, in the 15 and 20 years old orchards, especially the 20 years old orchard, the FRD at the 2.0 m radial distance was nearly equal to or higher than that at the 1.0 and 1.5 m radial distances. For all the root radiuses or the tree ages, the FRD, RLD, and SRL were the highest in spring and the lowest in autumn. The age of an apple tree does not affect the vertical distribution pattern but the biomass of fine roots and the SRL. Radial distance affects the root horizontal distribution of 3 and 10 years old trees but the 15 and 20 years old trees. Additionally, effects of soil temperature and soil moisture on fine root distribution or seasonal dynamics are not significant.展开更多
Frozen ground degradation plays an important role in vegetation growth and activity in high-altitude cold regions.This study estimated the spatiotemporal variations in the active layer thickness(ALT)of the permafrost ...Frozen ground degradation plays an important role in vegetation growth and activity in high-altitude cold regions.This study estimated the spatiotemporal variations in the active layer thickness(ALT)of the permafrost region and the soil freeze depth(SFD)in the seasonally frozen ground region across the Three Rivers Source Region(TRSR)from 1980 to 2014 using the Stefan equation,and differentiated the effects of these variations on alpine vegetation in these two regions.The results showed that the average ALT from 1980 to 2014 increased by23.01 cm/10 a,while the average SFD decreased by 3.41 cm/10 a,and both changed intensively in the transitional zone between the seasonally frozen ground and permafrost.From 1982-2014,the increase in the normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)and the advancement of the start of the vegetation growing season(SOS)in the seasonally frozen ground region(0.0078/10 a,1.83 d/10 a)were greater than those in the permafrost region(0.0057/10 a,0.39 d/10 a).The results of the correlation analysis indicated that increases in the ALT and decreases in the SFD in the TRSR could lead to increases in the NDVI and advancement of the SOS.Surface soil moisture played a critical role in vegetation growth in association with the increasing ALT and decreasing SFD.The NDVI for all vegetation types in the TRSR except for alpine vegetation showed an increasing trend that was significantly related to the SFD and ALT.During the study period,the general frozen ground conditions were favorable to vegetation growth,while the average contributions of ALT and SFD to the interannual variation in the NDVI were greater than that of precipitation but less than that of temperature.展开更多
In forage grasses, the nitrogen concentration is directly related to the nutritional value. The studies examined the hypothesis that global elevation of CO2 concentration probably affects the biomass, nitrogen （N） c...In forage grasses, the nitrogen concentration is directly related to the nutritional value. The studies examined the hypothesis that global elevation of CO2 concentration probably affects the biomass, nitrogen （N） concentration, and allocation and distribution patterns in the organs of forage grasses. While sainfoin （Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.） seedlings grew on a low nutrient soil in closed chambers for 90 days, they were exposed to two CO2 concentrations （ambient or ambient＋350 μmol mol^-1 CO2） without adding nutrients to them. After 90 days exposure to CO2, the biomasses of leaves, stems, and roots, and N concentrations and contents of different parts were measured. Compared with the ambient CO2 concentration, the elevated CO2 concentration increased the total dry matter by 25.07%, mainly due to the root and leaf having positive response to the elevated CO2 concentration. However, the elevated CO2 concentration did not change the proportions of the dry matters in different parts and the total plants compared with the ambient CO2 concentration. The elevated CO2 concentration lowered the N concentrations of the plant parts. Because the dry matter was higher, the elevated CO2 concentration had no effect on the N content in the plants compared to the ambient CO2 concentration. The elevated CO2 concentration promoted N allocations of the different parts significantly and increased N allocation of the underground part. The results have confirmed the previous suggestions that the elevated CO2 concentration stimulates plant biomass production and decreases the N concentrations of the plant parts.展开更多
Plant roots dynamics responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, increased temperature and changed precipitation can be a key link between plant growth and long-term changes in soil organic matter and ecosyst...Plant roots dynamics responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, increased temperature and changed precipitation can be a key link between plant growth and long-term changes in soil organic matter and ecosystem carbon balance. This paper reviews some experiments and hypotheses developed in this area, which mainly include plant fine roots growth, root turnover, root respiration and other root dynamics responses to elevated CO2 and global climate change. Some recent new methods of studying root systems were also discussed and summarized. It holds herein that the assemblage of information about root turnover patterns, root respiration and other dynamic responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 and global climatic change can help to better understand and explore some new research areas. In this paper, some research challenges in the plant root responses to the elevated CO2 and other environmental factors during global climate change were also demonstrated.展开更多
To evaluate the effect of vegetative filter strips on sediment trapping, the spatial distribution of deposited sediment, and the size distribution of deposited particles from hyperconcentrated flows, a simulated grass...To evaluate the effect of vegetative filter strips on sediment trapping, the spatial distribution of deposited sediment, and the size distribution of deposited particles from hyperconcentrated flows, a simulated grass filter strip experiment was conducted with plastic grass using an adjustable slope steel flume. The simulated vegetation cover was 36%, and the inflow sediment concentrations applied were 147, 238, 320, and 429 kg m^(-3). The sediment concentration in the outflow, and the sediment particle size were determined. The results showed that the grass filter strips trapped most of the sediment from inflow at low sediment concentration. The deposition efficiency decreased with increasing sediment concentration, being 55.2% and 15.7% in the 147 and 429 kg m^(-3)sediment treatments, respectively. Most of the deposited sediments were distributed in the upper flume. In addition, the grass filter strips mainly trapped the coarse sediment (particle size>10 μm).展开更多
基金Project supported by the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (No.2002CB111502)the Key Project of the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No.KZCX2-XB2-05)the National Sci-Tech Support Program of China (No.2006BAD09B04).
文摘Living plants and plant roots can reduce runoff and soil erosion. Using a rain simulator, a series of soil erosion experiments were conducted to study the influence of living roots and canopies of ryegrasses （Lolium perenne L.） during the growing season on sediment yields and runoff of a silt loam soil. The results indicated that during the growing season, decrements in runoff and sediment yields increased with time. Sediment yields （τ^2 = 0.999） and decrements in runoff （τ2 = 0.946） were closely related to the root surface area density. The contributions of roots and canopies of ryegrasses to the reductions in runoff and sediment yields were different. Canopies usually contributed more to the runoff decrement than the roots, whereas roots contributed up to 96% of the decrease in sediment yields in the late stage of the growing season.
基金support by the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 11th Five-Year period(2006BAD09B09)Foundation of Shaanxi Province Education Committee,China (09JS073)+1 种基金the Specialdized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education,China (SRFDP200807181008)the Key Program of Baoji University of Arts and Sciences,China (ZK0846)
文摘The vertical distribution pattern and seasonal dynamics of fine root parameters for the apple trees of different ages （3, 10, 15, and 20 years old） on the Loess Plateau of China were studied. Soil coring method was used to determine the vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics of fine roots at different root radial distances （1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m from the main tree trunk）. The fine root biomass density （FRD）, fine root length density （RLD）, and specific root length （SRL）, as well as soil water content and soil temperature were also measured. The FRD and RLD for the 10, 15, and 20 years old trees reached peak values in the 20-30 cm soil layer. For the 3 years old tree, the highest FRD and RLD were observed in the 10-20 cm soil layer. The FRD and RLD decreased with increased soil depth from the 10-20 or 20-30 cm soil layer for all age apple trees. The SRL declined with the increase of tree age. The FRD at the 1.0 m radial distance from the main tree trunk was higher than that at other radial distances in the 3 and 10 years old orchard. However, in the 15 and 20 years old orchards, especially the 20 years old orchard, the FRD at the 2.0 m radial distance was nearly equal to or higher than that at the 1.0 and 1.5 m radial distances. For all the root radiuses or the tree ages, the FRD, RLD, and SRL were the highest in spring and the lowest in autumn. The age of an apple tree does not affect the vertical distribution pattern but the biomass of fine roots and the SRL. Radial distance affects the root horizontal distribution of 3 and 10 years old trees but the 15 and 20 years old trees. Additionally, effects of soil temperature and soil moisture on fine root distribution or seasonal dynamics are not significant.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41807061)Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China (2018M633454)+2 种基金Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (GK201803046)National Science Foundation of China (41930641)National Key Research and Development Plan of China (2017YFC0504702)
文摘Frozen ground degradation plays an important role in vegetation growth and activity in high-altitude cold regions.This study estimated the spatiotemporal variations in the active layer thickness(ALT)of the permafrost region and the soil freeze depth(SFD)in the seasonally frozen ground region across the Three Rivers Source Region(TRSR)from 1980 to 2014 using the Stefan equation,and differentiated the effects of these variations on alpine vegetation in these two regions.The results showed that the average ALT from 1980 to 2014 increased by23.01 cm/10 a,while the average SFD decreased by 3.41 cm/10 a,and both changed intensively in the transitional zone between the seasonally frozen ground and permafrost.From 1982-2014,the increase in the normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)and the advancement of the start of the vegetation growing season(SOS)in the seasonally frozen ground region(0.0078/10 a,1.83 d/10 a)were greater than those in the permafrost region(0.0057/10 a,0.39 d/10 a).The results of the correlation analysis indicated that increases in the ALT and decreases in the SFD in the TRSR could lead to increases in the NDVI and advancement of the SOS.Surface soil moisture played a critical role in vegetation growth in association with the increasing ALT and decreasing SFD.The NDVI for all vegetation types in the TRSR except for alpine vegetation showed an increasing trend that was significantly related to the SFD and ALT.During the study period,the general frozen ground conditions were favorable to vegetation growth,while the average contributions of ALT and SFD to the interannual variation in the NDVI were greater than that of precipitation but less than that of temperature.
基金supported by the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education(SRFDP200807181008)the Science Fund of Shaanxi Normal University for the Young Scholars,China
文摘In forage grasses, the nitrogen concentration is directly related to the nutritional value. The studies examined the hypothesis that global elevation of CO2 concentration probably affects the biomass, nitrogen （N） concentration, and allocation and distribution patterns in the organs of forage grasses. While sainfoin （Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.） seedlings grew on a low nutrient soil in closed chambers for 90 days, they were exposed to two CO2 concentrations （ambient or ambient＋350 μmol mol^-1 CO2） without adding nutrients to them. After 90 days exposure to CO2, the biomasses of leaves, stems, and roots, and N concentrations and contents of different parts were measured. Compared with the ambient CO2 concentration, the elevated CO2 concentration increased the total dry matter by 25.07%, mainly due to the root and leaf having positive response to the elevated CO2 concentration. However, the elevated CO2 concentration did not change the proportions of the dry matters in different parts and the total plants compared with the ambient CO2 concentration. The elevated CO2 concentration lowered the N concentrations of the plant parts. Because the dry matter was higher, the elevated CO2 concentration had no effect on the N content in the plants compared to the ambient CO2 concentration. The elevated CO2 concentration promoted N allocations of the different parts significantly and increased N allocation of the underground part. The results have confirmed the previous suggestions that the elevated CO2 concentration stimulates plant biomass production and decreases the N concentrations of the plant parts.
基金This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （90502007, 30270230） the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University, China （NCET-04-0955）the United Scholar＇s Item of Talent Training Program in West China of CAS and the Program for 0utstanding Talents in Northwest A ＆ F University.
文摘Plant roots dynamics responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, increased temperature and changed precipitation can be a key link between plant growth and long-term changes in soil organic matter and ecosystem carbon balance. This paper reviews some experiments and hypotheses developed in this area, which mainly include plant fine roots growth, root turnover, root respiration and other root dynamics responses to elevated CO2 and global climate change. Some recent new methods of studying root systems were also discussed and summarized. It holds herein that the assemblage of information about root turnover patterns, root respiration and other dynamic responses to elevated atmospheric CO2 and global climatic change can help to better understand and explore some new research areas. In this paper, some research challenges in the plant root responses to the elevated CO2 and other environmental factors during global climate change were also demonstrated.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40901131)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (No. GK201103003)
文摘To evaluate the effect of vegetative filter strips on sediment trapping, the spatial distribution of deposited sediment, and the size distribution of deposited particles from hyperconcentrated flows, a simulated grass filter strip experiment was conducted with plastic grass using an adjustable slope steel flume. The simulated vegetation cover was 36%, and the inflow sediment concentrations applied were 147, 238, 320, and 429 kg m^(-3). The sediment concentration in the outflow, and the sediment particle size were determined. The results showed that the grass filter strips trapped most of the sediment from inflow at low sediment concentration. The deposition efficiency decreased with increasing sediment concentration, being 55.2% and 15.7% in the 147 and 429 kg m^(-3)sediment treatments, respectively. Most of the deposited sediments were distributed in the upper flume. In addition, the grass filter strips mainly trapped the coarse sediment (particle size>10 μm).
