Soil Water Use Strategies of Dominant Tree Species Based on Stable Isotopes in Subtropical Regions, Central China
Water is a crucial factor affecting plant growth and ecosystem processes. In the subtropical region, global climate change leads to frequent seasonal droughts. How plant water strategies and the adaptability of forest ecosystems change is an urgent issue to be discussed. In this study, four sample p...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/6/954 |
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| author | Yuchen Li Fangfang Zhu Yu Wang Jinhua Cheng |
| author_facet | Yuchen Li Fangfang Zhu Yu Wang Jinhua Cheng |
| author_sort | Yuchen Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Water is a crucial factor affecting plant growth and ecosystem processes. In the subtropical region, global climate change leads to frequent seasonal droughts. How plant water strategies and the adaptability of forest ecosystems change is an urgent issue to be discussed. In this study, four sample plots (<i>P. massoniana</i> for Plot 1, <i>C. lanceolata</i> for Plot 2, <i>Q. acutissima</i> for Plot 3, <i>C. funebris</i> and <i>I. corallina</i> for Plot 4) were selected in the Taizishan Mountain area of Hubei, China, including three forest types (coniferous forest, broad-leaved forest and coniferous broad-leaved mixed forest) and five dominant tree species. The <i>δD</i> and <i>δ</i><sup>18</sup><i>O</i> isotope compositions in plant and soil water were analysed, and the water use strategies of dominant species were predicted by using the MixSIAR model. The water absorption depth and proportion of the five species were significantly different in different seasons. In plot 4, <i>I. corallina</i> and <i>C. funebris</i> derived (58.8 ± 14.0% and 55.7 ± 23.4%, respectively) water from 10–40 cm soil in wet season, but <i>C. funebris</i> shifted to derive water from deep soil in dry season. This result indicates that the mixing of <i>C. funebris</i> and <i>I. corallina</i> can effectively prevent water competition in dry season with water deficit. From wet season to dry season, the depth of water utilisation of the <i>P. massoniana</i>, <i>C. lanceolata</i>, <i>Q. acutissima</i> and <i>C. funebris</i> with deep roots converted from shallow to deep soil, suggesting that the four species had significant dimorphic root systems and strong ecological plasticity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:13:04Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:13:04Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-a5de026f40db4bbba343d0dc4621b63c2023-11-30T22:49:45ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-03-0114695410.3390/w14060954Soil Water Use Strategies of Dominant Tree Species Based on Stable Isotopes in Subtropical Regions, Central ChinaYuchen Li0Fangfang Zhu1Yu Wang2Jinhua Cheng3School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaWater is a crucial factor affecting plant growth and ecosystem processes. In the subtropical region, global climate change leads to frequent seasonal droughts. How plant water strategies and the adaptability of forest ecosystems change is an urgent issue to be discussed. In this study, four sample plots (<i>P. massoniana</i> for Plot 1, <i>C. lanceolata</i> for Plot 2, <i>Q. acutissima</i> for Plot 3, <i>C. funebris</i> and <i>I. corallina</i> for Plot 4) were selected in the Taizishan Mountain area of Hubei, China, including three forest types (coniferous forest, broad-leaved forest and coniferous broad-leaved mixed forest) and five dominant tree species. The <i>δD</i> and <i>δ</i><sup>18</sup><i>O</i> isotope compositions in plant and soil water were analysed, and the water use strategies of dominant species were predicted by using the MixSIAR model. The water absorption depth and proportion of the five species were significantly different in different seasons. In plot 4, <i>I. corallina</i> and <i>C. funebris</i> derived (58.8 ± 14.0% and 55.7 ± 23.4%, respectively) water from 10–40 cm soil in wet season, but <i>C. funebris</i> shifted to derive water from deep soil in dry season. This result indicates that the mixing of <i>C. funebris</i> and <i>I. corallina</i> can effectively prevent water competition in dry season with water deficit. From wet season to dry season, the depth of water utilisation of the <i>P. massoniana</i>, <i>C. lanceolata</i>, <i>Q. acutissima</i> and <i>C. funebris</i> with deep roots converted from shallow to deep soil, suggesting that the four species had significant dimorphic root systems and strong ecological plasticity.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/6/954seasonal droughtwater use strategiesMixSIARdual stable isotopesdominant tree species |
| spellingShingle | Yuchen Li Fangfang Zhu Yu Wang Jinhua Cheng Soil Water Use Strategies of Dominant Tree Species Based on Stable Isotopes in Subtropical Regions, Central China Water seasonal drought water use strategies MixSIAR dual stable isotopes dominant tree species |
| title | Soil Water Use Strategies of Dominant Tree Species Based on Stable Isotopes in Subtropical Regions, Central China |
| title_full | Soil Water Use Strategies of Dominant Tree Species Based on Stable Isotopes in Subtropical Regions, Central China |
| title_fullStr | Soil Water Use Strategies of Dominant Tree Species Based on Stable Isotopes in Subtropical Regions, Central China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Soil Water Use Strategies of Dominant Tree Species Based on Stable Isotopes in Subtropical Regions, Central China |
| title_short | Soil Water Use Strategies of Dominant Tree Species Based on Stable Isotopes in Subtropical Regions, Central China |
| title_sort | soil water use strategies of dominant tree species based on stable isotopes in subtropical regions central china |
| topic | seasonal drought water use strategies MixSIAR dual stable isotopes dominant tree species |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/6/954 |
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