Shifting plant leaf anatomical strategic spectra of 286 plants in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Changing gears along 1050–3070 m. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Jun; Chong, Peifang; Chen, Guopeng; Xian, Junren; Liu, Yinzhan; Yue, Yifan
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 146(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Altitudes changes -- Leaf anatomical -- Strategies spectra -- Eastern of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Highlights: 286 plant species were collected from 1050 to 3070 m in the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In response to changes in the environment, the blades have changed in the use of resources, mechanical support and so on. Herbaceous and woody plants leaf epidermis, mesophyll and midrib are existing functional strategy spectra. The functional strategy spectrum shifted along altitudes. Abstract: Leaf anatomical traits can reflect plant adaptation to environmental changes. However, whether the trade-offs among leaf anatomical traits can reflect the strategies spectrum of plant response to environmental changes and the strategic spectrum will shift with altitudes are not clear. In this study, 286 plant species from 19 altitudinal gradients from 1050 m to 3070 m on the eastern Tibetan Plateau were selected and 16 anatomical characters of blade, mesophyll and midrib were measured. The strategic spectra of leaf anatomical trait formation were studied by the principal components analysis, followed by generalized additive models of the strategic spectra with shift in elevation to test the shift of strategy spectra along altitudes. There are differences in response mode and intensity between woody plants and herbaceous plants along altitudes. Blade strategic spectrum (BSS), blade and mesophyll strategic spectrum (BMSS) and midrib strategic spectrum (MSS) were formed in the tissue of leaves, and the score of principal component one (PC1) was not significant between herbs and woody plants ( P > 0.05). There was mainly the spectrum of conservation and supported strategies and the spectrum of resource acquisition and consumption. With increasing altitudes, the habita tended to become unsuitable for plant growth and the resources available to plants reduced. Consequently, the plants shifted from a "invest-fast-reap" acquisition strategy to a "invest-slow-reap" conservative strategy.