Welcome to Chinese Journal of Ecology! Today is

Chinese Journal of Ecology ›› 2023, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4): 820-827.doi: 10.13292/j.1000-4890.202304.008

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Responses of life history strategies of pioneering desert plant Agriophyllum squarrosum to precipitation patterns.

LIU Meiling1,2,4, LI Xinrong3, XIE Huichun1,2,4, MAO Xiaoning1, DU Shaobo1, ZHU Ruiqing1,2,4*#br#

#br#
  

  1. (1Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Medicinal Plant and Animal Resources of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, College of Life Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining 810000, China; 2Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, Qinghai Normal university, Xining 810000, China; 3Shapotou Desert Research & Experiment Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; 4Qinghai Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station in the Southern Qilian Mountains, Huzhu 810500, Qinghai, China).

  • Online:2023-04-03 Published:2023-04-03

PDF (PC)

102

Abstract: Agriophyllum squarrosum is a pioneer species in mobile dunes. However, little is known about how A. squarrosum adapts to the habitats of mobile dunes, and in particular, how its life history strategies respond to the changes of precipitation pattern under global climate change. In this study, we investigated the vertical distribution of A. squarrosum seed banks in different parts of mobile dunes at the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, and examined the effects of rainfall patterns on population dynamics, reproductive characteristics, and life history strategies of A. squarrosum during 2017-2019. The results showed that seed bank density was mainly concentrated in the 20-60 cm soil layer. The germination, survival and death of A. squarrosum were sensitive to rainfall changes. A continuous and stable precipitation pattern in 2018 favored a steady population increase and life cycle completion, which is beneficial for A. squarrosum to produce larger seeds and to realize its population reproduction. However, a more random precipitation pattern (with high fluctuation and uncertainty) in 2019 caused massive seedling mortality, smaller seed production, and lighter seed mass, which is harmful to its population survival and continuation. Precipitation is a key factor determining the population size of A. squarrosum. The vertical distribution heterogeneity of seed bank endows it with dormancy characteristics, which is crucial for the population survival. The opportunism germinating strategy of A. squarrosum is beneficial for the effective utilization of scarce precipitation with great uncertainty in desert habitats. Reproductive strategies tend to use sustained and stable precipitation to produce higher reproductive allocation. Life history strategies of A. squarrosum are sensitive to precipitation patterns and play an important role in adapting to the environment with extremely uncertain and rare precipitation.


Key words: Agriophyllum squarrosum, seed bank, precipitation pattern, population dynamics, reproductive characteristics.