Comparative study on CO2 emissions from different types of alpine meadows during grass exuberance period

Potentilla fruticosa scrub, Kobresia humilis meadow and Kobresia tibetica meadow are widely distributed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. During the grass exuberance period from 3 July to 4September, based on close chamber-GC method, a study on CO2 emissions from different treatments was conducted in these meadows at Haibei research station, CAS. Results indicated that mean CO2emission rates from various treatments were 672.09+152.37 mgm-2h-1 for FC (grass treatment); 425.41+191.99 mgrn-2h-1 for FJ (grass exclusion treatment); 280.36+174.83 mgrn-2h-1 for FL (grass and roots exclusion treatment); 838.95+237.02 mgm-2h-1 for GG (scrub+grass treatment); 528.48+205.67 mgm-2h-1for GC (grass treatment); 268.97 ±99.72 mgm-2h-1 for GL (grass and roots exclusion treatment); and 659.20±94.83 mgm-2h-1 for LC (grass treatment), respectively (FC, FJ, FL, GG, GC, GL, LC were the Chinese abbreviation for various treatments). Furthermore, Kobresia humilis meadow, Potentilla fruticosa scrub meadow and Kobresia tibetica meadow differed greatly in average CO2 emission rate of soil-plant system, in the order of GG＞FC＞LC＞GC. Moreover, in Kobresia humilis meadow,heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration accounted for 42% and 58% of the total respiration of soil-plant system respectively, whereas, in Potentilla fruticosa scrub meadow, heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration accounted for 32% and 68% of total system respiration from G-G; 49% and 51%from GC. In addition, root respiration from Kobresia humilis meadow approximated 145 mgCO2m-2h-1,contributed 34% to soil respiration. During the experiment period, Kobresia humilis meadow and Potentilla fruticosa scrub meadow had a net carbon fixation of 111.11 grn-2 and 243.89 grn-2,respectively. Results also showed that soil temperature was the main factor which influenced CO2 emission from alpine meadow ecosystem, significant correlations were found between soil temperature at 5 cm depth and CO2 emission from GG, GC, FC and FJ treatments. In addition, soil moisture may be the inhibitory factor of CO2 emission from Kobresia tibetica meadow, and more detailed analyses should be done in further research.

青藏高原高山植物麻花艽的传粉生态学研究

对青藏高原东部麻花艽(Gentiana straminea)海北居群的传粉生态学进行了3a连续的观察和实验。试验表明自然去雄、人工自交和杂交处理均结实，而人工去雄套袋和自然套袋不结实。麻花艽自交亲合，但必须依赖传粉媒介才能完成授粉过程，不存在无融合生殖。野外捕捉到14种访花昆虫，它们分别属于2个纲，7个目，8个科。观察和分析了各种昆虫的访花行为后，认为苏氏熊蜂(Bombus sushikini)是麻花艽有效而稳定的传粉者。测量表明麻花艽花蜜通道的深度和苏氏熊蜂的舌长基本吻合。苏氏熊蜂的访花频率在lO：00～12：00，13：00～15：00和16：00～18：OO时间段没有差别，单花的访花频率为0．005次／(花·rain)。和其它高山植物相比，青藏高原高山植物麻花艽的访花频率较高。熊蜂传粉和高频率的访花维持了麻花艽在极端寒旱的青藏高原环境下的有性生殖。此外，高频率的访花对于维持该地区高山植物的生殖保障具有重要的现实意义，但是否具有普遍性，还有待研究更多的高山代表类群。

青藏高原高寒嵩草草甸基本特征的研究

就青藏高原高寒嵩草草甸生态系统中主要3种植物群落类型:矮生嵩草Kobresia humilis草甸、小嵩草K.pygmaea草甸和藏嵩草K.tibetica沼泽化草甸的环境特征、种类的组成及数量特征、生物量的分布及季节的动态等进行阐述,并对其初级生产力的提高和可持续利用及发展进行分析,提出应对措施.

高寒草甸不同草地类型功能群多样性及组成对植物群落生产力的影响

对不同类型草地功能群多样性和组成与植物群落生产力之间的关系进行了探讨.结果表明:(1)在矮嵩草(Kobresia humlis)草甸和金露梅(Potentilla froticosa)灌丛中,豆科植物的作用比较明显,而其他功能群植物的作用较弱.(2)在藏嵩草(Kobresia tibetica)沼泽化草甸和小嵩草(K. pygmaca)草甸中,虽然杂类草、C3植物和莎草科植物功能群的生产力占群落初级生产力的比例较大,但二者在统计上没有显著性差异,这表明群落生产力除受物种多样性的影响外,也受物种本身特征和环境资源的影响,更主要的是受到功能群内物种密度和均匀度的影响,即功能群组成比功能群多样性更能说明对生态系统过程的影响.(3)不同类型草地群落植物功能群盖度与群落初级生产力呈显著的线性相关.(4)不同类型草地群落生产力与功能群内物种数的变化均表现为单峰曲线关系,即功能群内物种数处于中间水平时,群落生产力最高。

增强UV-B辐射对高山植物麻花艽净光合速率的影响

在高寒矮嵩草 (K obresia humilis)草甸地区以太阳短波辐射为背景 ,建立了人工增强 U V- B辐射的实验装置 ,每天增补 15 .8k J· m- 2 的辐射剂量 ,模拟平流层臭氧破坏约 5 %时近地表面太阳 UV- B辐射的增强。观测表明 :UV- B辐射的增强对麻花艽 (Gentiana straminea)植物的光合作用无明显的抑制或伤害作用。相反 ,在早晨补充UV- B辐射的短时间内 ,叶片的 Pn 随 Gs的增大而有所提高。随 UV- B辐射时间的延长 ,约在 11∶ 30～ 12∶ 30 ,Pn和Gs有所降低。U V- B辐射时间进一步延长后 (约 14∶ 0 0以后 ) ,处理和对照组叶片 Pn和 Gs的差异趋向不明显。增强太阳 UV- B辐射后 ,麻花艽叶片的光合色素并无明显变化 ,U V-B 吸收物质的含量也无明显变化。麻花艽叶片厚度的直接测量表明: 增强UV -B 辐射能明显提高叶片的厚度。叶片厚度的增加可补偿增强UV -B 辐射后引起的光合色素的光降解, 改善单位叶面积为基础的光合速率, 是高原植物对强UV-B 辐射的一种适应方式。

南亚和东南亚龙胆属(龙胆科)的新名称、新组合及分类注释(英文)

本文提出了龙胆属两个种的新名称 (GentianamembranuliferaT .N .Ho,G .nudicaulis Kurz var.as samensisT .N .Ho )和 5个变种的新组合 [(Gentianalateriflora Hemsl.var.uncifolia (H.J.Lam)T.N.Ho,G.sumatranaRidl.var.humifusa (S .Moore)T .N .Ho ,G .quadrifariaBl.var.wightii(Kusnez.)T .N .Ho,G .loerzingiiRidl.var.timida (Kerr)T .N .Ho ,G .membranuliferaT .N .Hovar.recurvata (Kusnez.)T .N .Ho) ]。

条纹龙胆的胚胎学研究(英文)

首次报道了条纹龙胆(Gentiana striata Maxim.) 的胚胎学特征, 研究结果用以讨论龙胆属狭蕊组(Gentiana Sect.Stenogyne) 的系统演化关系。主要研究结果如下: 花药四室; 药壁发育为双子叶型; 绒毡层细胞仅来源于初生壁细胞, 故绒毡层起源属单型起源, 细胞具单核,原位退化, 属腺质型绒毡层, 药隔处的绒毡层细胞经多次平周分裂形成2 层至多层的绒毡层细胞, 其余部位的绒毡层细胞仍为1 层细胞; 中层细胞1 层；在花药成熟时, 花药的表皮细胞和药室内壁均部分纤维状加厚且柱状伸长。小孢子母细胞减数分裂为同时型, 四分体的排列主要为四面体形；成熟花粉为32细胞型。子房为2心皮, 1室, 侧膜胎座。胚珠4列。薄珠心,单珠被, 珠心基部产生珠被原基, 进而形成珠被, 条纹龙胆仅有1 层珠被。珠被沿珠心向上生长并将珠心包围, 于胚珠顶部形成珠孔。胚珠在发育过程中, 整个胚珠的本体倒转, 而且珠柄继续生长并弯曲, 使珠孔与合点端的连线与珠柄垂直, 形成Hypertropous 胚珠。大孢子母细胞减数分裂形成的4 个大孢子呈直列式排列, 合点端的大孢子具功能。胚囊发育为蓼型。极核在受精前融合为次生核, 反足细胞3 个、多宿存。雄蕊先熟。珠孔受精。胚乳发育为核型。胚胎发育为茄型酸浆Ⅱ变型。通过比较龙胆属狭蕊组与龙胆属其它组和双蝴蝶属的胚胎学特征表明, 龙胆属狭蕊组在一些重要的胚胎学特征上与双蝴蝶属较相似, 而与龙胆属其它组存在较大差异, 故建议应将龙胆属狭蕊组从龙胆属中移出。

青海海北地区高山嵩草草甸植物群落的结构特征及其分布格局

对高山草甸主要植物群落结构特征及其分布格局的研究结果表明, 矮嵩草草甸植物群落的丰富度最大, 隶属18科, 43属45种, 呈多优势种植物群落; 小嵩草草甸居中, 隶属11科, 30属35种, 小嵩草(K obresia py gm aea) 为优势种; 藏嵩草沼泽化草甸最小, 隶属9科, 21属23种, 藏嵩草(K. tibetica) 为优势种。其中, 有9个种群为3个群落中的共有种, 分别占矮嵩草草甸、小嵩草草甸和藏嵩草沼泽化草甸总种数的20100%、25171% 和39113%。它们在水分资源位上的生态位宽度较大。3个植物群落类型的种2面积关系呈对数曲线分布, 群落的最小样方面积为0125m 2或015m 2较适宜。种2多度分布呈对数正态分布, 其分布模型的表达式如下: S (R ) = S 0e- (a2R 2)

青海海北地区高山嵩草草甸植物群落生物量动态及能量分配

对青海海北地区高山草甸主要植物群落小嵩草(K obresia pygmaea) 草甸、矮嵩草(K. humilis) 草甸、藏嵩草(K. tibetica) 沼泽化草甸地上生物量动态和能量分配的研究结果表明, 不同植物群落年地上净生产量及其年际动态和主要植物类群生物量季节动态具明显的差异, 其生物量季节动态可由如下模型表示: W i = Ki/(1 + exp (A i - B it) ) 　　植物群落地上、地下生物量的垂直分布呈典型的金字塔和倒金字塔模式。小嵩草草甸、矮嵩草草甸和藏嵩草沼泽化草甸的地上净生产量依次为368.4g·m – 2·a- 1、418.5 g·m – 2·a- 1和518.4 g·m – 2·a- 1, 所固定的太阳能值依次为6655.16kJ·m – 2·a- 1、7610.09 kJ·m – 2·a- 1、9488.77 kJ·m – 2·a- 1。光能利用率分别为0.1097%、0.1256%、0.1568%。

Changes in plant biomass and species composition of alpine Kobresia meadows along altitudinal gradient on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Alpine Kobresia meadows are major vegetation types on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. There is growing concern over their relationships among biodiversity, productivity and environments. Despite the importance of species composition, species richness, the type of different growth forms, and plant biomass structure for Kobresia meadow ecosystems, few studies have been focused on the relationship between biomass and environmental gradient in the Kobresia meadow plant communities, particularly in relation to soil moisture and edaphic gradients. We measured the plant species composition, herbaceous litter, aboveground and belowground biomass in three Kobresia meadow plant communities in Haibei Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station from 2001 to 2004. Community differences in plant species composition were reflected in biomass distribution. The total biomass showed a decrease from 13196.96 +/- 719.69 g/m(2) in the sedge-dominated K. tibetica swamp to 2869.58 +/- 147.52 g/m(2) in the forb and sedge dominated K. pygmaea meadow, and to 2153.08 +/- 141.95 g/m(2) in the forbs and grasses dominated K. humilis along with the increase of altitude. The vertical distribution of belowground biomass is distinct in the three meadow communities, and the belowground biomass at the depth of 0-10 cm in K. tibetica swamp meadow was significantly higher than that in K. humilis and K. pygmaea meadows (P < 0.01). The herbaceous litter in K. tibetica swamp was significantly higher than those in K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadows. The effects of plant litter are enhanced when ground water and soil moisture levels are raised. The relative importance of litter and vegetation may vary with soil water availability. In the K. tibetica swamp, total biomass was negatively correlated to species richness (P < 0.05); aboveground biomass was positively correlated to soil organic matter, soil moisture, and plant cover (P < 0.05); belowground biomass was positively correlated with soil moisture (P < 0.05). However, in the K. pygnaeca and K. humilis meadow communities, aboveground biomass was positively correlated to soil organic matter and soil total nitrogen (P < 0.05). This suggests that the distribution of biomass coincided with soil moisture and edaphic gradient in alpine meadows.

An inventory of forest relicts in the pastures of Southern Tibet (Xizang AR, China)

An inventory of isolated tree stands surrounded by desert pastures in Southern Tibet (A.R. Xizang, China) revealed more than 50 sites with vigorous trees of Juniperus convallium Rehder & E.H. Wilson and Juniperus tibetica Kom and additional more than 10 records where juniper trees had been destroyed between 1959-1976. The tree stands are not restricted to any specific habitat, and occur within an area stretching 650 km westwards from the current forest border of Southern Tibet. The trees are religious landmarks of the Tibetan Buddhists. The highest trees were found at an elevation of 4,860 m. Vegetation records, rainfall correlations and temperature data collected by local climate stations and successful reforestation trials since 1999 indicate that forest relicts fragmented through human interference could regenerate if current cattle grazing and deforestation practices are halted. The drought line of Juniperus forests in Southern Tibet is approximately 200-250 mm/a. A first pollen diagram from Lhasa shows forest decline associated with the presence of humans since at least 4,600 yr BP. The currently degraded commons developed in the last 600 yr. To date, no findings of remains of ancient forests in the Central Tibetan Highlands of the Changtang have been reported.

Effect of imitated global warming on Delta C-13 values in seven plant species growing in Tibet alpine meadows

Open-top chambers were used to estimate the possible effects of global warming on delta C-13 of seven plant species grown in alpine meadow ecosystem. The delta C-13 values of plant species were lower after long-term growth in open-top chambers. In the course of experiment, temperature significantly increased inside the chambers by 4 degrees C. Plant species grown at a lower elevation above sea level had higher delta C-13 values as compared to those grown at a higher elevation. This was in accordance with the effect of open-top chamber on delta C-13 values in plants. Greater availability of CO2 and lower water vapor as indicated by an increase in discrimination against (CO2)-C-13, probably result in more negative delta C-13 values of plants because higher stomatal conductance increases availability of CO2 and causes greater discrimination against (CO2)-C-13. The plant species studied could be the indicator species for testing global warming by the change in carbon isotope ratios at the two growth temperatures.

Experimental warming, not grazing, decreases rangeland quality on the Tibetan Plateau

We investigated experimental warming and simulated grazing ( clipping) effects on rangeland quality, as indicated by vegetation production and nutritive quality, in winter-grazed meadows and summer- grazed shrublands on the Tibetan Plateau, a rangeland system experiencing climatic and pastoral land use changes. Warming decreased total aboveground net primary productivity ( ANPP) by 40 g . m(-2) . yr(-1) at the meadow habitats and decreased palatable ANPP ( total ANPP minus non- palatable forb ANPP) by 10 g . m(-2) . yr(-1) at both habitats. The decreased production of the medicinal forb Gentiana straminea and the increased production of the non- palatable forb Stellera chamaejasme with warming also reduced rangeland quality. At the shrubland habitats, warming resulted in less digestible shrubs, whose foliage contains 25% digestible dry matter ( DDM), replacing more digestible graminoids, whose foliage contains 60% DDM. This shift from graminoids to shrubs not only results in lower- quality forage, but could also have important consequences for future domestic herd composition. Although warming extended the growing season in non- clipped plots, the reduced rangeland quality due to decreased vegetative production and nutritive quality will likely overwhelm the improved rangeland quality associated with an extended growing season.Grazing maintained or improved rangeland quality by increasing total ANPP by 20 - 40 g . m(-2) . yr(-1) with no effect on palatable ANPP. Grazing effects on forage nutritive quality, as measured by foliar nitrogen and carbon content and by shifts in plant group ANPP, resulted in improved forage quality. Grazing extended the growing season at both habitats, and it advanced the growing season at the meadows. Synergistic interactions between warming and grazing were present, such that grazing mediated the warming- induced declines in vegetation production and nutritive quality. Moreover, combined treatment effects were nonadditive, suggesting that we cannot predict the combined effect of global changes and human activities from single- factor studies.Our findings suggest that the rangelands on the Tibetan Plateau, and the pastoralists who depend on them, may be vulnerable to future climate changes. Grazing can mitigate the negative warming effects on rangeland quality. For example, grazing management may be an important tool to keep warming- induced shrub expansion in check. Moreover, flexible and opportunistic grazing management will be required in a warmer future.

Determination of 30 free fatty acids in two famous Tibetan medicines by HPLC with fluorescence detection and mass spectrometric identification

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection and mass spectrometric identification has been developed for analysis of 30 long-chain and short-chain free Fatty acids (FFAs). The fatty acids were derivatized to their esters with 1-[2-(p-toluenesulfonate)ethyl]-2-phenylimidazole-[4,5-f]-9,10-phenanthrene (TSPP) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at 90 degrees C with anhydrous K2CO3 as catalyst. A mixture Of C-1-C-30 fatty acids was completely separated within 60 min by gradient elution on a reversed-phase C-8 column. Qualitative identification of the acids was performed by atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) in positive-ion mode. The fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths were 260 and 380 nm, respectively. Quantitative determination of the 30 acids in two Tibetan medicines Gentiana straminea and G. dahurica was performed. The results indicated that the medicines contained many FFAs. Linear correlation coefficients for the FFA derivatives were > 0.9991. Relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 6) for the fatty acid derivatives were < 3%. Detection limits (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1) were 3.1-38 fmol. When the fatty acid derivatives were determined in the two real samples results were satisfactory and the sensitivity and reproducibility of the method were good.

Response of chlorophyll fluorescence to dynamic light in three alpine species differing in plant architecture

A study was carried out to examine the effect of dynamic photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD) on photoinhibition and energy use in three herbaceous species, prostrate Saussurea superba, erect-leaved S. katochaete, and half-erect-leaved Gentiana straminea, from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Chlorophyll fluorescence response was measured under each of three sets of high-low PPFD combinations: 1700-0, 1400-300, and 1200-500 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), illuminating in four dynamic frequencies: 1, 5, 15, and 60 cycles per 2 h. The total light exposure time was 2h and the integrated PPFD was the same in all treatments. The highest frequency of PPFD fluctuation resulted in the lowest photochemical activity, the highest level of non-photochemical quenching, and the greatest decrease of F-v/F-m (maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII). The 5 and 15 cycles per 2h treatments resulted in higher photochemical activity than the 1 cycle per 2h treatment. The 1700-0 PPFD combination led to the lowest photochemical activity and more serious photoinhibition in all species. S. superba usually exhibited the highest photochemical activity and CO2 uptake rate, the lowest reduction of F-v/F-m,F- and the smallest fraction of energy in thermal dissipation. With similar fractions of thermal dissipation, S. katochaete had relatively less photoinhibition than G. straminea owing to effective F-o quenching. The results suggest that high frequency of fluctuating PPFD generally results in photoinhibition, which is more serious under periods of irradiation with high light intensity. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.