Elm (Ulmus pumila), widely distributed in the north temperate zone, contributes to a special savanna-like woodland in typical grassland region in the northeastern China. This woodland performs a variety of ecologica...Elm (Ulmus pumila), widely distributed in the north temperate zone, contributes to a special savanna-like woodland in typical grassland region in the northeastern China. This woodland performs a variety of ecological functions and environmental signifi- cance, such as decreasing soil erosion, stabilizing sand dunes, preserving species diversity. However, in the last approximate 30 years, the species composition, productivity and distribution area of elm woodland has decreased severely. A series of studies have been carried out to find out whether the climate changes or human disturbances caused the degradation of elm woodland and how these factors af- fected elm woodland. In this study, undisturbed, plowing and grazing elm woodland were investigated in 1983 and 2011 by using Point-Centered Quarter method. The relationship between vegetation changes and environmental factors was analyzed by Bray-Curtis ordination. The results show that in 2011, species diversity and understory productivity of undisturbed elm woodland decrease slightly compared to those of undisturbed elm woodland in 1983. However, nearly 60% of the species is lost in the plowing and grazing elm woodland relative to the species undisturbed elm woodland in 1983. Interestingly, plowing stimulates the growth of elm and certain understory species through furrowing soil and accelerating soil nutrient turnover rate. Grazing disturbance not only leads to species loss and productivity decrease, but also induces changes in elm growth (small, short and twisted). The mean age of the elm was 29 -4- 2 yr in undisturbed and plowing elm woodland, while only 15 yr in the grazing elm woodland. The results of Bray-Curtis ordination analysis show that all sample stands clustered to three groups: Group I including the undisturbed sample stands of 83UE (undisturbed elm wood- land in 1983) and l lUE (undisturbed elm woodland in 2011); Group II including sample stands of PE (elm woodland disturbed by plowing); Group III including samples stands of GE (elm woodland disturbed by grazing). The results indicate that the long time distur- bance of the plowing and grazing have converted elm woodland to different community types. Climate change is not the primary reason causing the degradation of elm woodland, but plowing and grazing disturbance. Both plowing and grazing decrease the vegetation composition and species diversity. Grazing further decreases vegetation productivity and inhibits the growth of elm tree. Therefore, we suggest that reasonable plowing and exclusive grazing would be favorable for future regeneration of degraded elm woodland.展开更多
The injury tolerance of cell plasma membrane and the correlative enzymes activities of plasma-membrane protection system in the Ulmuspumila leaves treated by nine concentrations (0.3%, 0.6%, 0,9%, 1,2%, 1.5%, 1.8%, 2...The injury tolerance of cell plasma membrane and the correlative enzymes activities of plasma-membrane protection system in the Ulmuspumila leaves treated by nine concentrations (0.3%, 0.6%, 0,9%, 1,2%, 1.5%, 1.8%, 2,1%, 2.4%, 3.0%) of Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 mixtures were studied in a greenhouse of Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. The rate of electrolyte leakage (REL) and SOD (Superoxide dismutase) activity in leaves of different samples were determined. Results showed that the REL in leaves of U. pumila presented a slowly increasing trend at the salt concentrations less than 1.5%, which indicated that cell plasma membrane of U. pumila leaves had rather strong resistance to the injury of salt ion, and had a significant increase at the salt concentrations more than 1.5%. The SOD activities in leaves of U, pumila presented an increased trend at salt concentrations less than 1.5%, the growth of seedlings did not decline, and tress and leaves had no symptom of injury, while the salt concentrations exceeded 1.5%, SOD activities sharply decreased and REL increased promptly.展开更多
基金Under the auspices of the Seventh Framework Programme(European Commission,No.226818)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31070294,31072070,31100331)
文摘Elm (Ulmus pumila), widely distributed in the north temperate zone, contributes to a special savanna-like woodland in typical grassland region in the northeastern China. This woodland performs a variety of ecological functions and environmental signifi- cance, such as decreasing soil erosion, stabilizing sand dunes, preserving species diversity. However, in the last approximate 30 years, the species composition, productivity and distribution area of elm woodland has decreased severely. A series of studies have been carried out to find out whether the climate changes or human disturbances caused the degradation of elm woodland and how these factors af- fected elm woodland. In this study, undisturbed, plowing and grazing elm woodland were investigated in 1983 and 2011 by using Point-Centered Quarter method. The relationship between vegetation changes and environmental factors was analyzed by Bray-Curtis ordination. The results show that in 2011, species diversity and understory productivity of undisturbed elm woodland decrease slightly compared to those of undisturbed elm woodland in 1983. However, nearly 60% of the species is lost in the plowing and grazing elm woodland relative to the species undisturbed elm woodland in 1983. Interestingly, plowing stimulates the growth of elm and certain understory species through furrowing soil and accelerating soil nutrient turnover rate. Grazing disturbance not only leads to species loss and productivity decrease, but also induces changes in elm growth (small, short and twisted). The mean age of the elm was 29 -4- 2 yr in undisturbed and plowing elm woodland, while only 15 yr in the grazing elm woodland. The results of Bray-Curtis ordination analysis show that all sample stands clustered to three groups: Group I including the undisturbed sample stands of 83UE (undisturbed elm wood- land in 1983) and l lUE (undisturbed elm woodland in 2011); Group II including sample stands of PE (elm woodland disturbed by plowing); Group III including samples stands of GE (elm woodland disturbed by grazing). The results indicate that the long time distur- bance of the plowing and grazing have converted elm woodland to different community types. Climate change is not the primary reason causing the degradation of elm woodland, but plowing and grazing disturbance. Both plowing and grazing decrease the vegetation composition and species diversity. Grazing further decreases vegetation productivity and inhibits the growth of elm tree. Therefore, we suggest that reasonable plowing and exclusive grazing would be favorable for future regeneration of degraded elm woodland.
文摘The injury tolerance of cell plasma membrane and the correlative enzymes activities of plasma-membrane protection system in the Ulmuspumila leaves treated by nine concentrations (0.3%, 0.6%, 0,9%, 1,2%, 1.5%, 1.8%, 2,1%, 2.4%, 3.0%) of Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 mixtures were studied in a greenhouse of Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. The rate of electrolyte leakage (REL) and SOD (Superoxide dismutase) activity in leaves of different samples were determined. Results showed that the REL in leaves of U. pumila presented a slowly increasing trend at the salt concentrations less than 1.5%, which indicated that cell plasma membrane of U. pumila leaves had rather strong resistance to the injury of salt ion, and had a significant increase at the salt concentrations more than 1.5%. The SOD activities in leaves of U, pumila presented an increased trend at salt concentrations less than 1.5%, the growth of seedlings did not decline, and tress and leaves had no symptom of injury, while the salt concentrations exceeded 1.5%, SOD activities sharply decreased and REL increased promptly.