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Effects of pioneer N2-fixing plants on the resource status and establishment of neighboring non-N2-fixing plants in a newly formed glacier floodplain, eastern Tibetan Plateau.
- Source :
-
Plant & Soil . Jan2021, Vol. 458 Issue 1/2, p261-276. 16p. 1 Diagram, 2 Charts, 6 Graphs. - Publication Year :
- 2021
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Abstract
- Aims: The ecological roles of dinitrogen-fixing plants (N2-fixers) in the early stage of primary succession remain unclear. We aimed to examine the effects of pioneer N2-fixers on the resource status and establishment of neighboring non-N2-fixing plants (non-fixers) in a newly formed glacier floodplain, eastern Tibetan Plateau. Methods: We set up three plots in the floodplain and assessed the abundance, height, and coverage of two N2-fixing and three non-fixing species. We also collected plant and soil samples for the analyses of nutrient status and stable isotope signatures. Results: The two N2-fixing species acquired > 80% of the nitrogen (N) from N2 fixation. The cushion-forming N2-fixer Astragalus mahoshanicus increased the soil nutrient availability compared with the non-fixers and improved the microclimate beneath the cushions. Natural 15N abundance indicated significant transfer of N from A. mahoshanicus to its neighboring non-fixers. Consequently, the neighboring non-fixers were significantly higher in N concentration, above-ground to below-ground biomass ratio and height and density than the non-fixers growing alone, but more deficient in some rock-derived nutrients. The other N2-fixer Hippophae rhamnoides (in seedling stage) generally did not increase the resource availability, and its neighboring non-fixers were similar in height and lower in density than the non-fixers growing alone. Conclusions: The effects of pioneer N2-fixers on the resource status and establishment of neighboring non-fixers in the subalpine floodplain were species dependent and were related to the life history traits of the N2-fixers. A. mahoshanicus has the potential to be used in the restoration of newly exposed land in subalpine regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *FLOODPLAINS
*HIPPOPHAE rhamnoides
*GLACIERS
*SOIL testing
*ALPINE glaciers
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0032079X
- Volume :
- 458
- Issue :
- 1/2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Plant & Soil
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 148116096
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-020-04462-y