Effects of experimental warming on plant reproductive phenology in Xizang alpine meadow

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2016.0068

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Climate warming strongly influences reproductive phenology of plants in alpine and arctic ecosystems. Here we focus on phenological shifts caused by warming in a typical alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Our objective was to explore phenological responses of alpine plant species to experimental warming. Methods Passive warming was achieved using open-top chambers (OTCs). The treatments included control (C), and four levels of warming (T1, T2, T3, T4). We selected Kobresia pygmaea, Potentilla saundersiana, Potentilla cuneata, Stipa purpurea, Festuca coelestis and Youngia simulatrix as the focal species. Plant phenology was scored every 3-5 days in the growing season. The reproductive phenology phases of each species were estimated through fitting the phenological scores to the Richards function. Important findings Under soil water stress caused by warming, most plants in the alpine meadow advanced or delayed their reproductive events. As a result, warming significantly delayed phenological development of K. pygmaea. Warming significantly advanced reproductive phenology of P. saundersiana, S. purpurea and F. coelestis, but not of P. cuneata and Y. simulatrix. In addition, warming significantly shortened the average flowering duration of alpine plant species. The potentially warmer and drier growing seasons under climate change may shift the reproductive phenology of the alpine systems in similar pattern.

http://jtp.cnki.net/bilingual/detail/html/ZWSB201610006

Key words: alpine meadow, experimental warming, phenological shifts, reproductive phenology, Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

Jun-Tao ZHU. Effects of experimental warming on plant reproductive phenology in Xizang alpine meadow[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2016, 40(10): 1028-1036.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2016.0068

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2016/V40/I10/1028

Figures/Tables 5

References 31

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处理 Treatment	氮含量 N content (%)	碳含量 C content (%)	磷含量 P content (mg∙g^-1)	C:N
增温T4 Warming T4	0.22 ± 0.04	2.42 ± 0.52	0.75 ± 0.04	11.00 ± 0.32
增温T3 Warming T3	0.24 ± 0.06	2.31 ± 0.65	0.73 ± 0.05	9.63 ± 0.55
增温T2 Warming T2	0.21 ± 0.05	2.35 ± 0.74	0.74 ± 0.04	11.19 ± 0.74
增温T1 Warming T1	0.25 ± 0.07	2.40 ± 0.55	0.72 ± 0.03	9.60 ± 0.65
对照 Control	0.25 ± 0.06	2.53 ± 0.61	0.75 ± 0.04	10.12 ± 0.44

处理 Treatment	氮含量 N content (%)	碳含量 C content (%)	磷含量 P content (mg∙g^-1)	C:N
增温T4 Warming T4	0.22 ± 0.04	2.42 ± 0.52	0.75 ± 0.04	11.00 ± 0.32
增温T3 Warming T3	0.24 ± 0.06	2.31 ± 0.65	0.73 ± 0.05	9.63 ± 0.55
增温T2 Warming T2	0.21 ± 0.05	2.35 ± 0.74	0.74 ± 0.04	11.19 ± 0.74
增温T1 Warming T1	0.25 ± 0.07	2.40 ± 0.55	0.72 ± 0.03	9.60 ± 0.65
对照 Control	0.25 ± 0.06	2.53 ± 0.61	0.75 ± 0.04	10.12 ± 0.44

处理 Treatment	现蕾时间 Budding time			开花时间 Flowering time			结果时间 Fruiting time			开花持续 Flowering duration
	自由度 Degree of freedom	F	p	自由度 Degree of freedom	F	p	自由度 Degree of freedom	F	p	自由度 Degree of freedom	F	p
增温 Warming	4	2.92	0.03		1.84	0.13	3	1.13	0.35		39.46	0.00
物种 Species	5	1 153.39	0.00		2 567.89	0.00	5	2 268.60	0.00		589.42	0.00
增温×物种 Warming × species	20	31.54	0.00		24.97	0.00	15	12.74	0.00		2.30	0.00

处理 Treatment	现蕾时间 Budding time			开花时间 Flowering time			结果时间 Fruiting time			开花持续 Flowering duration
	自由度 Degree of freedom	F	p	自由度 Degree of freedom	F	p	自由度 Degree of freedom	F	p	自由度 Degree of freedom	F	p
增温 Warming	4	2.92	0.03		1.84	0.13	3	1.13	0.35		39.46	0.00
物种 Species	5	1 153.39	0.00		2 567.89	0.00	5	2 268.60	0.00		589.42	0.00
增温×物种 Warming × species	20	31.54	0.00		24.97	0.00	15	12.74	0.00		2.30	0.00

物种 Species	增温T1 Warming T1	增温T2 Warming T2	增温T3 Warming T3	增温T4 Warming T4
高山嵩草 Kobresia pygmaea	0	0	1	1
钉柱委陵菜 Potentilla saundersiana	0	0	1	1
楔叶委陵菜 Potentilla cuneata	0	1	1	1
紫花针茅 Stipa purpurea	1	1	1	1
矮羊茅 Festuca coelestis	0	0	0	1
无茎黄鹌菜 Youngia simulatrix	0	1	1	1