Covariation in root traits of Leymus chinensis in response to grazing in steppe rangeland
Wei Xiaoting A , Zhong Mengying A , Liu Yuehua A , Wu Ruixin B and Shao Xinqing A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, China, Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
B Dryland Farming Institute, Hebei Key Laboratory of Crops Drought Resistance, Hengshui, 053000, China.
C Corresponding author. Email: shaoxinqing@163.com
The Rangeland Journal 41(4) 313-322 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ18099
Submitted: 27 October 2018 Accepted: 7 May 2019 Published: 14 June 2019
Abstract
Root traits are closely related to nutrient absorption and resource competition and can even influence plant recovery and community succession. Grazing can influence root traits directly through trampling and foraging, or indirectly by changing soil characteristics. In the present study, a grazing experiment that involved combinations of grazing season (from June to September) and intensity (rest, moderate and heavy) was conducted in steppe rangeland, Inner Mongolia, China to investigate how the root traits of Leymus chinensis respond to different grazing regimes in the case of aboveground miniaturisation after long-term overgrazing. Root traits such as root length, root surface area, specific root length, root tissue density, root links (unbranched parts of a root connecting either a tip and a branching point or two branching points) and root topological structure were scanned and analysed using Win-RHIZO image analysis software. The results showed that the size of L. chinensis plants was reduced in response to overgrazing, typically by a smaller plant height, total root length, root surface area, root volume, number of tips and number of links. However, root diameter and link length, branching angle and topological structure (herringbone or dichotomous) were unaffected by grazing. Most root traits showed strong correlations under moderate grazing intensity, but not under heavy grazing, indicating that grazing changed the relationships among root traits. Relationships between plant height and root traits (total root length and number of links) shifted from positive to negative as grazing intensity increased, and the trade-off between aboveground and belowground traits was an important adaptive strategy of L. chinensis under heavy grazing. Decreasing grazing intensity in the late grazing season could benefit plant recovery, and a rest in the early grazing season would mitigate root and shoot damage.
Additional keywords: plant height, root tissue density, root topology structure, specific root length.
References
Anderson, T. M., Starmer, W. T., and Thorne, M. (2007). Bimodal root diameter distributions in Serengeti grasses exhibit plasticity in response to defoliation and soil texture: implications for nitrogen uptake. Functional Ecology 21, 50–60.| Bimodal root diameter distributions in Serengeti grasses exhibit plasticity in response to defoliation and soil texture: implications for nitrogen uptake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arredondo, J. T., and Johnson, D. A. (1998). Clipping effects on root architecture and morphology of 3 range grasses. Journal of Range Management 51, 207–213.
| Clipping effects on root architecture and morphology of 3 range grasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Aschehoug, E. T., and Callaway, R. M. (2014). Morphological variability in tree root architecture indirectly affects coexistence among competitors in the understory. Ecology 95, 1731–1736.
| Morphological variability in tree root architecture indirectly affects coexistence among competitors in the understory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25163107PubMed |
Barkaoui, K., Roumet, C., and Volaire, F. (2016). Mean root trait more than root trait diversity determines drought resilience in native and cultivated Mediterranean grass mixtures. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 231, 122–132.
| Mean root trait more than root trait diversity determines drought resilience in native and cultivated Mediterranean grass mixtures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Berntson, G. M. (1994). Modelling root architecture: are there tradeoffs between efficiency and potential of resource acquisition. New Phytologist 127, 483–493.
| Modelling root architecture: are there tradeoffs between efficiency and potential of resource acquisition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bouma, T. J., Nielsen, K. L., Van Hal, J., and Koutstaal, B. (2001). Root system topology and diameter distribution of species from habitats differing in inundation frequency. Functional Ecology 15, 360–369.
| Root system topology and diameter distribution of species from habitats differing in inundation frequency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bultman, T. L., McNeill, M. R., Krueger, K., Nicolo, G. D., Popay, A. J., Hume, D. E., Mace, W. J., Fletcher, L. R., Koh, Y. M., and Sullivan, T. J. (2018). Complex interactions among sheep, insects, grass, and fungi in a simple New Zealand grazing system. Journal of Chemical Ecology 44, 957–964.
| Complex interactions among sheep, insects, grass, and fungi in a simple New Zealand grazing system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30046969PubMed |
Carbajal-Morón, N. A., Manzano, M. G., and Mata-Gonzalez, R. (2017). Soil hydrology and vegetation as impacted by goat grazing in Vertisols and Regosols in semi-arid shrublands of northern Mexico. The Rangeland Journal 39, 363–373.
| Soil hydrology and vegetation as impacted by goat grazing in Vertisols and Regosols in semi-arid shrublands of northern Mexico.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chen, J., and Tang, H. P. (2016). Effect of grazing exclusion on vegetation characteristics and soil organic carbon of Leymus chinensis grassland in Northern China. Sustainability 8, 56.
| Effect of grazing exclusion on vegetation characteristics and soil organic carbon of Leymus chinensis grassland in Northern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chen, S. P., Bai, Y. F., Lin, G. H., Liang, Y., and Han, X. G. (2005). Effects of grazing on photosynthetic characteristics of major steppe species in the Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. Photosynthetica 43, 559–565.
| Effects of grazing on photosynthetic characteristics of major steppe species in the Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chen, W. Q., Huang, D., Liu, N., Zhang, Y. J., Warwick, B. B., Wang, X. Y., and Shen, Y. (2015). Improved grazing management may increase soil carbon sequestration in temperate steppe. Scientific Reports 5, 10892.
| Improved grazing management may increase soil carbon sequestration in temperate steppe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Comas, L. H., Bouma, T. J., and Eissenstat, D. M. (2002). Linking root traits to potential growth rate in six temperate tree species. Oecologia 132, 34–43.
| Linking root traits to potential growth rate in six temperate tree species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cortina, J., Green, J. J., Baddeley, J. A., and Watson, C. A. (2008). Root morphology and water transport of Pistacia lentiscus seedlings under contrasting water supply: a test of the pipe stem theory. Environmental and Experimental Botany 62, 343–350.
| Root morphology and water transport of Pistacia lentiscus seedlings under contrasting water supply: a test of the pipe stem theory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Couzigou, J. M., and Combier, J. P. (2016). Plant microRNAs: key regulators of root architecture and biotic interactions. New Phytologist 212, 22–35.
| Plant microRNAs: key regulators of root architecture and biotic interactions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27292927PubMed |
Craine, J. M., Froehle, J., Tilman, D. G., Wedin, D. A., and Chapin, F. S. (2001). The relationships among root and leaf traits of 76 grassland species and relative abundance along fertility and disturbance gradients. Oikos 93, 274–285.
| The relationships among root and leaf traits of 76 grassland species and relative abundance along fertility and disturbance gradients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dannowski, M., and Block, A. (2005). Fractal geometry and root system structures of heterogeneous plant communities. Plant and Soil 272, 61–76.
| Fractal geometry and root system structures of heterogeneous plant communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dawson, L. A., Grayston, S. J., and Paterson, E. (2000). Effects of grazing on the roots and rhizosphere of grasses. In ‘Grassland Ecophysiology and Grazing Ecology’. (Eds G. Lemaire, J. Hodgson, A. de Moraes, C. Nabinger and P. C. de F. Carvalho.) pp. 61–84. (CAB International: Wallingford, UK.)
Dawson, L. A., Thornton, B., Pratt, S. M., and Paterson, E. (2003). Morphological and topological responses of roots to defoliation and nitrogen supply in Lolium perenne and Festuca ovina. New Phytologist 161, 811–818.
| Morphological and topological responses of roots to defoliation and nitrogen supply in Lolium perenne and Festuca ovina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eissenstat, D. M. (1991). On the relationship between specific root length and the rate of root proliferation: a field study using citrus rootstocks. New Phytologist 118, 63–68.
| On the relationship between specific root length and the rate of root proliferation: a field study using citrus rootstocks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eissenstat, D. M., Wells, C. E., Yanai, R. D., and Whitbeck, J. L. (2000). Building roots in a changing environment: implications for root longevity. New Phytologist 147, 33–42.
| Building roots in a changing environment: implications for root longevity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fitter, A. H. (1986). The topology and geometry of plant root systems: influence of watering rate on root system topology in Trifolium pretense. Annals of Botany 58, 91–101.
| The topology and geometry of plant root systems: influence of watering rate on root system topology in Trifolium pretense.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fitter, A. H., Stickland, T. R., Harvey, M. L., and Wilson, G. W. (1991). Architectural analysis of plant root systems. I. Architectural correlates of exploitation efficiency. New Phytologist 118, 375–382.
| Architectural analysis of plant root systems. I. Architectural correlates of exploitation efficiency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fraser, M. D., and Gordon, I. J. (1997). The diet of goats, red deer (Cervus elaphus) and South American camelids feeding on three contrasting Scottish upland vegetation communities. Journal of Applied Ecology 34, 668–686.
| The diet of goats, red deer (Cervus elaphus) and South American camelids feeding on three contrasting Scottish upland vegetation communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Freschet, G. T., Cornelissen, J. H. C., van Logtestijn, R. S. P., and Aerts, R. (2010). Evidence of the ‘plant economics spectrum’ in a subarctic flora. Journal of Ecology 98, 362–373.
| Evidence of the ‘plant economics spectrum’ in a subarctic flora.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Freschet, G. T., Violle, C., Bourget, M. Y., Scherer-Lorenzen, M., and Fort, F. (2018). Allocation, morphology, physiology, architecture: the multiple facets of plant above- and below-ground responses to resource stress. New Phytologist 219, 1338–1352.
| Allocation, morphology, physiology, architecture: the multiple facets of plant above- and below-ground responses to resource stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29856482PubMed |
Garnier, E., Laurent, G., Bellmann, A., Debain, S., Berthelier, P., Ducout, B., Roumet, C., and Navas, M. L. (2001). Consistency of species ranking based on functional leaf traits. New Phytologist 152, 69–83.
| Consistency of species ranking based on functional leaf traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Geng, Y., Wang, L., Jin, D. M., Liu, H. Y., and He, J. S. (2014). Alpine climate alters the relationships between leaf and root morphological traits but not chemical traits. Oecologia 175, 445–455.
| Alpine climate alters the relationships between leaf and root morphological traits but not chemical traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24633995PubMed |
Glimskär, A. (2000). Estimates of root system topology of five plant species grown at steady-state nutrition. Plant and Soil 227, 249–256.
| Estimates of root system topology of five plant species grown at steady-state nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grime, J. P. (1973). Competitive exclusion in herbaceous vegetation. Nature 242, 344–347.
| Competitive exclusion in herbaceous vegetation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holdaway, R. J., Richardson, S. J., Dickie, I. A., Peltzer, D. A., and Coomes, D. A. (2011). Species-and community-level patterns in fine root traits along a 120 000-year soil chronosequence in temperate rain forest. Journal of Ecology 99, 954–963.
| Species-and community-level patterns in fine root traits along a 120 000-year soil chronosequence in temperate rain forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hong, G. Y. (2013). The response of Leymus chinensis population root system to water and nitrogen gradient in degraded grassland. MSD Thesis, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, China.
Kong, D., Ma, C., Zhang, Q., Li, L., Chen, X., Zeng, H., and Guo, D. (2014). Leading dimensions in absorptive root trait variation across 96 subtropical forest species. New Phytologist 203, 863–872.
| Leading dimensions in absorptive root trait variation across 96 subtropical forest species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24824672PubMed |
Kramer-Walter, K. R., Bellingham, P. J., Millar, T. R., Smissen, R. D., Richardson, S. J., and Laughlin, D. C. (2016). Root traits are multidimensional: specific root length is independent from root tissue density and the plant economic spectrum. Journal of Ecology 104, 1299–1310.
| Root traits are multidimensional: specific root length is independent from root tissue density and the plant economic spectrum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Laliberté, E., Lambers, H., Burges, T. I., and Wright, S. J. (2015). Phosphorus limitation, soil-borne pathogens and the coexistence of plant species in hyperdiverse forests and shrublands. New Phytologist 206, 507–521.
| Phosphorus limitation, soil-borne pathogens and the coexistence of plant species in hyperdiverse forests and shrublands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25494682PubMed |
Laughlin, D. C. (2014). The intrinsic dimensionality of plant traits and its relevance to community assembly. Journal of Ecology 102, 186–193.
| The intrinsic dimensionality of plant traits and its relevance to community assembly.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Li, X. L. (2016). Mechanisms underlying the dwarf phenotype of Leymus chinensis induced by long-term overgrazing. PhD Thesis, Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China.
Li, X. L, Hou, X.Y, Wu, X. H, Sarula, , Ji, L., Chen, H. J., Liu, Z. Y., and Ding, Y. (2014). Plastic responses of stem and leaf functional traits in Leymus chinensis to long-term grazing in a meadow steppe. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica 38, 440–451.
| Plastic responses of stem and leaf functional traits in Leymus chinensis to long-term grazing in a meadow steppe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Li, X. L., Wu, Z. N., Liu, Z. Y., Hou, X. Y., Badgery, W., Guo, H. Q., Zhao, Q. S., Hu, N. N., Duan, J. J., and Ren, W. B. (2015a). Contrasting effects of long-term grazing and clipping on plant morphological plasticity: evidence from a rhizomatous grass. PLoS One 10, e0141055.
| Contrasting effects of long-term grazing and clipping on plant morphological plasticity: evidence from a rhizomatous grass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26565974PubMed |
Li, X. L., Liu, Z. Y., Hou, X. Y., Wu, X. H., Wang, Z., Hu, J., and Wu, Z. N. (2015b). Plant functional traits and their trade-offs in response to grazing: a review. Zhiwu Xuebao 50, 159–170.
| Plant functional traits and their trade-offs in response to grazing: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu, Z. L., Wang, W., Hao, D. Y., and Liang, C. Z. (2002). Probes on the degeneration and recovery succession mechanisms of Inner Mongolia steppe. Ganhanqu Ziyuan Yu Huanjing 16, 84–90.
Liu, L., Liao, H., Wang, X. R., and Yan, X. L. (2008). Adaptive changes of soybean genotypes with different root architectures to low phosphorus availability as related to phosphorus efficiency. Zhongguo Nong Ye Ke Xue 41, 1089–1099.
Liu, G. F., Frescht, G. T., Pan, X., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Li, Y., and Dong, M. (2010). Coordinated variation in leaf and root traits across multiple spatial scales in Chinese semi-arid and arid ecosystems. New Phytologist 188, 543–553.
| Coordinated variation in leaf and root traits across multiple spatial scales in Chinese semi-arid and arid ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mason, N. W. H., de Bello, F., Mouillot, D., Pavoine, S., and Dray, S. (2013). A guide for using functional diversity indices to reveal changes in assembly processes along ecological gradients. Journal of Vegetation Science 24, 794–806.
| A guide for using functional diversity indices to reveal changes in assembly processes along ecological gradients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mawdsley, J. L., and Bardgett, R. D. (1997). Continuous defoliation of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) and associated changes in the microbial population of an upland grassland soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils 24, 52–58.
| Continuous defoliation of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) and associated changes in the microbial population of an upland grassland soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McNaughton, S. J., Banyikwa, F. F., and McNaughton, M. M. (1998). Root biomass and productivity in a grazing ecosystem: the Serengeti. Ecology 79, 587–592.
| Root biomass and productivity in a grazing ecosystem: the Serengeti.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mofidi, M., Rashtbari, M., Abbaspour, H., Ebadi, A., Sheidai, E., and Motamedi, J. (2012). Impact of grazing on chemical, physical and biological properties of soils in the mountain rangelands of Sahand, Iran. The Rangeland Journal 34, 297–303.
| Impact of grazing on chemical, physical and biological properties of soils in the mountain rangelands of Sahand, Iran.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicotra, A. B., Babicka, N., and Westoby, M. (2002). Seedling root anatomy and morphology: an examination of ecological differentiation with rainfall using phylogenetically independent contrasts. Oecologia 130, 136–145.
| Seedling root anatomy and morphology: an examination of ecological differentiation with rainfall using phylogenetically independent contrasts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Oppelt, A. L., Kurth, W., and Godbold, D. L. (2001). Topology, scaling relations and Leonardo’s rule in root systems from African tree species. Tree Physiology 21, 117–128.
| Topology, scaling relations and Leonardo’s rule in root systems from African tree species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 11303642PubMed |
Papanikolaou, A. D., Fyllas, N. M., Mazaris, A. D., Dimitrakopoulos, P. G., Kallimanis, A. S., and Pantis, J. D. (2011). Grazing effects on plant functional group diversity in Mediterranean shrublands. Biodiversity and Conservation 20, 2831–2843.
| Grazing effects on plant functional group diversity in Mediterranean shrublands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Paula, S., and Pausas, J. G. (2011). Root traits explain different foraging strategies between resprouting life histories. Oecologia 165, 321–331.
| Root traits explain different foraging strategies between resprouting life histories.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20960009PubMed |
Pérez-Harguindeguy, N., Díaz, S., Garnier, E., Lavorel, S., Poorter, H., Jaureguiberry, P., Bret-Harte, M. S., Cornwell, W. K., Craine, J. M., Gurvich, D. E., Urcelay, C., Veneklaas, E. J., Reich, P. B., Poorter, L., Wright, I. J., Ray, P., Enrico, L., Pausas, J. G., de Vos, A. C., Buchmann, N., Funes, G., Quétier, F., Hodgson, J. G., Thompson, K., Morgan, H. D., ter Steege, H., van der Heijden, M. G. A., Sack, L., Blonder, B., Poschlod, P., Vaieretti, M. V., Conti, G., Staver, A. C., Aquino, S., and Cornelissen, J. H. C. (2013). New handbook for standardised measurement of plant functional traits worldwide. Australian Journal of Botany 61, 167–234.
| New handbook for standardised measurement of plant functional traits worldwide.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Preston, K. A., Cornwell, W. K., and DeNoyer, J. L. (2006). Wood density and vessel traits as distinct correlates of ecological strategy in 51 California coast range angiosperms. New Phytologist 170, 807–818.
| Wood density and vessel traits as distinct correlates of ecological strategy in 51 California coast range angiosperms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16684240PubMed |
Qin, J., Bao, Y. J., Li, Z. H., Hu, Z. C., and Gao, W. (2014). The response of root characteristics of stipagrandis to nitrogen addition in degraded grassland. Caoye Xuebao 05, 40–48.
R Core Team (2016). ‘R: A language and environment for statistical computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna, Austria) Available at: http://www.R-project.org/ (accessed 6 May 2017).
Reich, P. B. (2014). The world-wide ‘fast–slow’ plant economics spectrum: a traits manifesto. Journal of Ecology 102, 275–301.
| The world-wide ‘fast–slow’ plant economics spectrum: a traits manifesto.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reich, P. B., Walters, M. B., Tjoelker, M. G., Vanderklein, D., and Buschena, C. (1998). Photosynthesis and respiration rates depend on leaf and root morphology and nitrogen concentration in nine boreal tree species differing in relative growth rate. Functional Ecology 12, 395–405.
| Photosynthesis and respiration rates depend on leaf and root morphology and nitrogen concentration in nine boreal tree species differing in relative growth rate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Richards, J. H. (1984). Root growth response to defoliation in two Agropyron bunchgrasses: field observations with an improved root periscope. Oecologia 64, 21–25.
| Root growth response to defoliation in two Agropyron bunchgrasses: field observations with an improved root periscope.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28311633PubMed |
Ryser, P., and Eek, L. (2000). Consequences of phenotypic plasticity vs interspecific differences in leaf and root traits for acquisition of aboveground and belowground resources. American Journal of Botany 87, 402–411.
| Consequences of phenotypic plasticity vs interspecific differences in leaf and root traits for acquisition of aboveground and belowground resources.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10719001PubMed |
Ryser, P., and Lambers, H. (1995). Root and leaf attributes accounting for the performance of fast-growing and slow-growing grasses at different nutrient supply. Plant and Soil 170, 251–265.
| Root and leaf attributes accounting for the performance of fast-growing and slow-growing grasses at different nutrient supply.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schleuter, D., Daufresne, M., Massol, F., and Argillier, C. (2010). A user’s guide to functional diversity indices. Ecological Monographs 80, 469–484.
| A user’s guide to functional diversity indices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Seagle, S. W., McNaughton, S. J., and Ruess, R. W. (1992). Simulated effects of grazing on soil nitrogen and mineralisation in contrasting Serengeti grasslands. Ecology 73, 1105–1123.
| Simulated effects of grazing on soil nitrogen and mineralisation in contrasting Serengeti grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stocker, T. F., Qin, D., Plattner, G. K., Tignor, M., Allen, S. K., Boschung, J., Nauels, A., Xia, Y., Bex, B., and Midgley, B. M. (2013). ‘IPCC: climate change 2013: the physical science basis. Contribution of working group I to the fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)
Su, Z. S., Sun, Y. F., Fu, J. J., Chu, X. T., Xu, Y. F., and Hu, T. M. (2015). Effects of grazing intensity on soil nutrient of Kobresia pygmaea meadow in Tibet Plateau. Caoye Kexue 32, 322–328.
van Staalduinen, M. A., and Anten, N. P. R. (2005). Differences in the compensatory growth of two co-occurring grass species in relation to water availability. Oecologia 146, 190–199.
| Differences in the compensatory growth of two co-occurring grass species in relation to water availability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16133192PubMed |
Wahl, S., and Ryser, P. (2000). Root tissue structure is linked to ecological strategies of grasses. New Phytologist 148, 459–471.
| Root tissue structure is linked to ecological strategies of grasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wan, W., Liang, C. Z., Liu, Z. L., and Hao, D. Y. (2000). Analysis of the plant individual behavior during the degradation and restoring succession in steppe community. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica 24, 268–274.
Wang, Y. F., Chen, H., Zhu, Q., Peng, C. H., Wu, N., Yang, G., Zhu, D., Tian, J. Q., Tian, L. X., Kang, X. M., He, Y. X., Gao, Y. H., and Zhao, X. Q. (2014). Soil methane uptake by grasslands and forests in China. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 74, 70–81.
| Soil methane uptake by grasslands and forests in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang, X. Y., Zhang, Y. J., Huang, D., Li, Z. Q., and Zhang, X. Q. (2015). Methane uptake and emissions in a typical steppe grazing system during the grazing season. Atmospheric Environment 105, 14–21.
| Methane uptake and emissions in a typical steppe grazing system during the grazing season.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wardle, D. A., Bardgett, R. D., Klironomos, J. N., Setala, H., van der Putten, W. H., and Wall, D. H. (2004). Ecological linkages between aboveground and belowground biota. Science 304, 1629–1633.
| Ecological linkages between aboveground and belowground biota.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15192218PubMed |
Wright, I. J., Reich, P. B., Westoby, M., Ackerly, D. D., Baruch, Z., Bongers, F., Cavender-Bares, J., Chapin, T., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Diemer, M., Flexas, J., Garnier, E., Groom, P. K., Gulias, J., Hikosaka, K., Lamont, B. B., Lee, T., Lee, W., Lusk, C., Midgley, J. J., Navas, M. L., Niinemets, U., Oleksyn, J., Osada, N., Poorter, H., Poot, P., Prior, L., Pyankov, V. I., Roumet, C., Thomas, S. C., Tjoelker, M. G., Veneklaas, E. J., and Villar, R. (2004). The worldwide leaf economics spectrum. Nature 428, 821–827.
| The worldwide leaf economics spectrum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15103368PubMed |
Yan, R. R., Xin, X. P., Wang, X., Yan, Y. C., Deng, Y., and Yang, G. X. (2014). The change of soil carbon and nitrogen under different grazing gradients in Hulunber meadow steppe. Acta Ecologica Sinica 34, 1587–1595.
Yang, J., Chu, P. F., Chen, D. M., Wang, M. J., and Bai, Y. F. (2014). Mechanisms underlying the impacts of grazing on plant α, β and γ diversity in a typical steppe of the Inner Mongolia grassland. China Journal of Plant Ecology 2, 188–200.
Yano, K., and Kume, T. (2005). Root morphological plasticity for heterogeneous phosphorus supply in Zea mays L. Plant Production Science 8, 427–432.
| Root morphological plasticity for heterogeneous phosphorus supply in Zea mays L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang, Y. J., Huang, D., Badgery, W. B., Kemp, D. R., Chen, W. Q., Wang, X. Y., and Liu, N. (2016). Reduced grazing pressure delivers production and environmental benefits for the typical steppe of north China. Scientific Reports 6, 19388.
| Reduced grazing pressure delivers production and environmental benefits for the typical steppe of north China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang, J., Zuo, X. A., Zhou, X., Lv, P., Lian, J., and Yue, X. Y. (2017). Long-term grazing effects on vegetation characteristics and soil properties in a semiarid grassland, northern China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 189, 216.
| Long-term grazing effects on vegetation characteristics and soil properties in a semiarid grassland, northern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28411318PubMed |
Zhang, J. H., Huang, Y. M., Chen, H. Y., Gong, J. Y., Qi, Y., Li, E. G., and Wu, X. C. (2018). Response of plant functional traits at species and community levels to grazing exclusion on Inner Mongolian steppe, China. The Rangeland Journal 40, 179–189.
| Response of plant functional traits at species and community levels to grazing exclusion on Inner Mongolian steppe, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhao, W., Chen, S. P., Han, X. G., and Lin, G. H. (2009). Effects of long-term grazing on the morphological and functional traits of Leymus chinensis in the semiarid grassland of Inner Mongolia, China. Ecological Research 24, 99–108.
| Effects of long-term grazing on the morphological and functional traits of Leymus chinensis in the semiarid grassland of Inner Mongolia, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhao, J. X., Sun, F. D., and Tian, L. H. (2019). Altitudinal pattern of grazing exclusion effects on vegetation characteristics and soil properties in alpine grasslands on the central Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Soils and Sediments 19, 750–761.
| Altitudinal pattern of grazing exclusion effects on vegetation characteristics and soil properties in alpine grasslands on the central Tibetan Plateau.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zheng, S. X., Lan, Z. C., Li, W. H., Shao, R. X., Shan, Y. M., Wan, H. W., Friedhelm, T., and Bai, Y. F. (2011). Differential responses of plant functional trait to grazing between two contrasting dominant C3 and C4 species in a typical steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. Plant and Soil 340, 141–155.
| Differential responses of plant functional trait to grazing between two contrasting dominant C3 and C4 species in a typical steppe of Inner Mongolia, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zheng, W., Dong, Q. M., Li, S. X., Li, H. T., Liu, Y., and Yang, S. H. (2012). Impact of grazing intensities on community biodiversity and productivity of alpine grassland in Qinghai lack region. Acta Agrestia Sinica 20, 1033–1038.
Zhong, M. Y., Fan, Q. L., Zhang, Y. J., Wu, R. X., Kan, Y. C., Wang, J. X., and Shao, X. Q. (2013). Morphological plasticity and the biomass allocation models of miniaturized Leymus chinensis. Acta Agrestia Sinica 21, 260–264.
