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Bolboschoenus planiculmis is a key wetland plant in the semi-arid regions of Songnen Plain, China, providing food and habitat for the endangered Siberian crane. B. planiculmis wetlands are being degraded by water shortages caused by anthropogenic activities and climate changes. However, the vegetation dynamics under hydrological fluctuations have been rarely reported. We conducted a two-year field investigation in B. planiculmis wetlands to determine the vegetation response to water level changes, and a comparative control experiment to examine the restoration effect of supplemental water on degraded community. We found that the community biomass was positively related with water depth under natural conditions, whereas plant diversity and richness were negatively related. The population density, biomass, and root/shoot ratio of B. planiculmis exhibited quadratic relationships with water depth. The optimum ecological threshold of water depth determining B. planiculmis populations was 11.2–36.1 cm. The control experiment demonstrated that water depth at 0–10 cm during the early growing season and 10–25 cm at later growing stages can enhance the dominance of B. planiculmis and help it outcompete other macrophyte species. Understanding the water requirement cycles of B. planiculmis is valuable for guiding water management plans for the rehabilitation of degraded natural wetlands.

Herbaceous marsh is the most widely distributed type of marsh wetland ecosystem, and has important ecological functions such as water conservation, climate regulation, carbon storage and fixation, and sheltering rare species. The carbon sequestration function of herbaceous marsh plays a key role in slowing climate warming and maintaining regional environmental stability. Vegetation biomass is an important index reflecting the carbon sequestration capacity of wetlands. Investigating the biomass of marsh vegetation can provide a scientific basis for estimating the carbon storage and carbon sequestration capacity of marshes. Based on field survey data of aboveground biomass of herbaceous marsh vegetation and the distribution data set of marsh in China, we analyzed the aboveground biomass and its spatial distribution pattern of herbaceous marsh on a national scale for the first time. The results showed that in China the total area of herbaceous marsh was 9.7×104 km2, the average density of aboveground biomass of herbaceous marsh vegetation was 227.5±23.0 g C m−2 (95% confidence interval, the same below), and the total aboveground biomass was 22.2±2.2 Tg C (1 Tg=1012 g). The aboveground biomass density of herbaceous marsh vegetation is generally low in Northeast China and the Tibetan Plateau, and high in central North China and coastal regions in China. In different marsh distribution regions of China, the average biomass density of herbaceous marsh vegetation from small to large was as follows: temperate humid and semi-humid marsh region (182.3±49.3 g C m−2)

During flood irrigation, the physical and chemical properties of the soil change to some extent, and then alter the content and fraction of soil Se. At present, soil properties and the process of S...

Tussock swamp meadow, as a typical wetland in Northeast China, is governed by hydrological variations. Understanding the responses of tussocks to environment factors would help in advancing the management, protection and restoration of tussock sedge wetlands. We investigated ecological characteristics of tussocks in coverage, species height and above-biomass along a flooding gradient. Tussock patterning and hummock size were also recorded to identify the mechanisms of self-organization in tussock swamp meadow. Results showed that sampling sites and species had no significant effects on tussock ecological characteristics. Species coverage, species height and biomass were moderately related to flooding depth. The fittings based on Gauss model showed that the optimum flooding depth and flooding proportion for tussock biomass in critical growth period are 11.2 cm and 29.6%, respectively. Species coverage and above-biomass increased with increasing tussock density. Relationships between above-biomass and hummock size accorded with Gauss curve. Linear mixed-effect models indicated that flooding proportion, tussock density and hummock height exert great influences on the growth of tussocks. Results help to advance our understanding of the tussocks’ responses to environmental factors and the mechanisms of self-organization in tussock sedge wetlands.

Water-level fluctuations are common abiotic stresses influencing growth and physiological processes of wetland plants. Nonetheless, little is known about plant eco-physiological responses and growth strategy under multi-hydrological processes. Carex schmidtii was grown under the conditions with interaction of initial water-level depth (DW) and water-level amplitude (AW). Dynamics of plant eco-physiological traits and growth strategy were investigated continuously during the entire growth stages. Results indicated that leaf morphology was significantly affected by DW and lasted time, and leaf width was sensitive to AW. The SLA and LDMC of C. schmidtii varied significantly at different lased time, and their relationships indicated the trade-off in leaves between matter production and nutrient conservation. Increasing DW inhibited matter production of C. schmidtii in early growth stage, but increased nutrient conservation in late growth stage. However, increasing AW contributed to both increase of matter production and nutrient conservation of C. schmidtii. The photosynthetic pigments of C. schmidtii are relatively sensitive to DW, AW and their interaction. Slowing down water-level fluctuations and appropriate water management in the key growth stage will assist with the adaption of Carex schmidtii. The findings provide invaluable supporting information for the management and conservation of C. schmidtii tussock wetlands.