Responses of foliar δ13C in Sabina przewalskii and Picea crassifolia to altitude and its mechanism in the Qilian Mountains, China

doi:10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2010.02.003

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Sabina przewalskii and Picea crassifolia, widely distributed in the Qilian Mountains, were employed to analyze the response of leaf δ¹³C of subalpine trees to altitude and its mechanism.

Methods Leaf samples were taken at 2 600-3 600 m elevation in October 2007. The δ¹³C was determined using an isotope mass spectrometer, carbon content was estimated with the potassium dichromate method and nitrogen content was measured with the micro-Kjeldahl method. Data were evaluated with one-way analysis of variance and correlation analysis using SPSS version 11.5.

Important findings Foliar δ¹³C in both species was positively related to elevation (p < 0.000 1) and annual mean precipitation, but negatively related to annual temperature (p < 0.000 1). The δ¹³C value of S. przewalskii increased as leaf and soil water content increased, while that of P. crassifolia was not significantly related to soil water content, leaf water content, leaf N content or C/N ratio. Altitude, which can lead to changes of hydrothermal conditions, is the main factor influencing carbon isotope fractionation in these subalpine trees; however, the combined effects of various factors on the mechanism of action maybe more complicated and need further study.

Key words: altitudinal response, fractionation mechanism, leaf δ¹³C, Picea crassifolia, Qilian Mountains, Sabina przewalskii

ZHANG Peng, WANG Gang, ZHANG Tao, CHEN Nian-Lai. Responses of foliar δ¹³C in Sabina przewalskii and Picea crassifolia to altitude and its mechanism in the Qilian Mountains, China[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2010, 34(2): 125-133.

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References 44

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样地号Plot No.	海拔Altitude (m)	土壤类型 Soil type	阳坡 Sunny slope			阴坡 Shade slope
样地号Plot No.	海拔Altitude (m)	土壤类型 Soil type	纬度 Latitude	经度 Longitude	树种 Tree species	纬度 Latitude	经度 Longitude	树种 Tree species
1	3 565	亚高山灌丛草甸土 Subalpine shrub meadows soil	38°26.392′ N	99°56.595′ E	祁连圆柏 Sabina przewalskii	-	-	青海云杉 Picea crassifolia
2	3 465		38°26.320′ N	99°56.567′ E		38°25.257′ N	99°55.497′ E
3	3 365		38°26.198′ N	99°56.306′ E		38°25.299′ N	99°55.495′ E
4	3 265	森林灰褐土 Grey-drab forest soil	38°26.150′ N	99°56.202′ E		38°25.337′ N	99°55.554′ E
5	3 165		38°26.049′ N	99°56.099′ E		38°25.466′ N	99°55.647′ E
6	3 065		38°26.087′ N	99°56.767′ E		38°25.798′ N	99°55.740′ E
7	2 965		38°26.184′ N	99°56.477′ E		38°26.127′ N	99°55.388′ E
8	2 865		38°26.242′ N	99°55.194′ E		38°26.352′ N	99°54.887′ E
9	2 765		38°26.417′ N	99°54.900′ E		38°26.528′ N	99°54.440′ E
10	2 665		38°26.733′ N	99°53.929′ E		38°26.952′ N	99°54.050′ E

样地号Plot No.	海拔Altitude (m)	土壤类型 Soil type	阳坡 Sunny slope			阴坡 Shade slope
样地号Plot No.	海拔Altitude (m)	土壤类型 Soil type	纬度 Latitude	经度 Longitude	树种 Tree species	纬度 Latitude	经度 Longitude	树种 Tree species
1	3 565	亚高山灌丛草甸土 Subalpine shrub meadows soil	38°26.392′ N	99°56.595′ E	祁连圆柏 Sabina przewalskii	-	-	青海云杉 Picea crassifolia
2	3 465		38°26.320′ N	99°56.567′ E		38°25.257′ N	99°55.497′ E
3	3 365		38°26.198′ N	99°56.306′ E		38°25.299′ N	99°55.495′ E
4	3 265	森林灰褐土 Grey-drab forest soil	38°26.150′ N	99°56.202′ E		38°25.337′ N	99°55.554′ E
5	3 165		38°26.049′ N	99°56.099′ E		38°25.466′ N	99°55.647′ E
6	3 065		38°26.087′ N	99°56.767′ E		38°25.798′ N	99°55.740′ E
7	2 965		38°26.184′ N	99°56.477′ E		38°26.127′ N	99°55.388′ E
8	2 865		38°26.242′ N	99°55.194′ E		38°26.352′ N	99°54.887′ E
9	2 765		38°26.417′ N	99°54.900′ E		38°26.528′ N	99°54.440′ E
10	2 665		38°26.733′ N	99°53.929′ E		38°26.952′ N	99°54.050′ E

Responses of foliar δ¹³C in Sabina przewalskii and Picea crassifolia to altitude and its mechanism in the Qilian Mountains, China

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