In:
Biogeosciences, Copernicus GmbH, Vol. 15, No. 9 ( 2018-05-17), p. 2991-3002
Abstract:
Abstract. Rocky desertification is a major ecological problem of land degradation in
karst areas. In these areas, the high soil calcium (Ca) content has become an
important environmental factor that can affect the restoration of vegetation.
Consequently, the screening of plant species that can adapt to high Ca soil
environments is a critical step in vegetation restoration. In this study,
three grades of rocky desertification sample areas were selected in karst
areas of southwestern Hunan, China (LRD: light rocky desertification; MRD:
moderate rocky desertification; and IRD: intense rocky desertification). Each
grade of these sample areas had three sample plots in different slope positions,
each of which had four small quadrats (one in rocky-side areas, three in
non-rocky-side areas). We measured the Ca content of leaves, branches, and
roots from 41 plant species, as well as soil total Ca (TCa) and exchangeable
Ca (ECa) at depths of 0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm in each small quadrat. The
results showed that the soil Ca2+ content in rocky-side areas was
significantly higher than that in non-rocky-side areas (p〈0.05). The mean
soil TCa and ECa content increased gradually along with the grade of rocky
desertification, in the order IRD 〉 MRD 〉 LRD. For
all plant functional groups, the plant Ca content of aboveground parts was
significantly higher than that of the belowground parts (p〈0.05). The soil
ECa content had significant effects on plant Ca content of the belowground
parts but had no significant effects on plant Ca content of the aboveground
parts. Of the 41 plant species that were sampled, 17 were found to be
dominant (important value 〉 1). The differences in
Ca2+ content between the aboveground and belowground parts of the
17 dominant species were calculated, and their correlations with soil ECa
content were analyzed. The results showed that these 17 species can be
divided into three categories: Ca-indifferent plants, high-Ca plants, and
low-Ca plants. These findings provide a vital theoretical basis and practical
guide for vegetation restoration and ecosystem reconstruction in rocky
desertification areas.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1726-4189
DOI:
10.5194/bg-15-2991-2018
DOI:
10.5194/bg-15-2991-2018-supplement
Language:
English
Publisher:
Copernicus GmbH
Publication Date:
2018
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2158181-2
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