Impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees (Ulmus pumila) in degraded sandy lands in China
The effect of grazing on patterns of reproduction in trees has been little reported. We explored the effects of grazing intensities on reproductive growth, allocation patterns, and duration in elm trees (Ulmus pumila L.) at the Horqin Sandy Land, a degraded area in northern China. Current-year shoot...
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PeerJ Inc.
2020-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/9013.pdf |
| _version_ | 1827606615590699008 |
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| author | Yi Tang |
| author_facet | Yi Tang |
| author_sort | Yi Tang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The effect of grazing on patterns of reproduction in trees has been little reported. We explored the effects of grazing intensities on reproductive growth, allocation patterns, and duration in elm trees (Ulmus pumila L.) at the Horqin Sandy Land, a degraded area in northern China. Current-year shoots were selected from branches and harvested from individual elm trees subjected to one of four grazing intensities (heavy, moderate, light, and no grazing). Shoots, flower buds, flowers, seeds, leaf buds, and leaves were collected, dried, and weighed. Results showed that the biomass in heavy, moderate and light grazing treatments is significantly higher than in no grazing treatment (P < 0.05). The reproductive allocation of U. pumila in heavy grazing treatment was significantly higher from that in the no grazing treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, we found that reproduction of U. pumila ended later in grazed plots, suggesting the duration of reproduction is extended with grazing disturbance. Our findings suggest that U. pumila may prolong it s duration of reproduction and alter its reproductive biomass in response to grazing. It is not clear whether these effects are related to damage to U. pumila trees by grazers or whether they are due to grazers affecting soil properties or plant competitors around U. pumila trees. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:40:37Z |
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| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:40:37Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-ba3e13599cc14f8089938ae1a5b44cfe2023-12-03T10:51:43ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592020-04-018e901310.7717/peerj.9013Impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees (Ulmus pumila) in degraded sandy lands in ChinaYi Tang0School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, ChinaThe effect of grazing on patterns of reproduction in trees has been little reported. We explored the effects of grazing intensities on reproductive growth, allocation patterns, and duration in elm trees (Ulmus pumila L.) at the Horqin Sandy Land, a degraded area in northern China. Current-year shoots were selected from branches and harvested from individual elm trees subjected to one of four grazing intensities (heavy, moderate, light, and no grazing). Shoots, flower buds, flowers, seeds, leaf buds, and leaves were collected, dried, and weighed. Results showed that the biomass in heavy, moderate and light grazing treatments is significantly higher than in no grazing treatment (P < 0.05). The reproductive allocation of U. pumila in heavy grazing treatment was significantly higher from that in the no grazing treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, we found that reproduction of U. pumila ended later in grazed plots, suggesting the duration of reproduction is extended with grazing disturbance. Our findings suggest that U. pumila may prolong it s duration of reproduction and alter its reproductive biomass in response to grazing. It is not clear whether these effects are related to damage to U. pumila trees by grazers or whether they are due to grazers affecting soil properties or plant competitors around U. pumila trees.https://peerj.com/articles/9013.pdfDuration of reproductionHorqin Sandy LandReproductive allocationSemi-arid lands |
| spellingShingle | Yi Tang Impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees (Ulmus pumila) in degraded sandy lands in China PeerJ Duration of reproduction Horqin Sandy Land Reproductive allocation Semi-arid lands |
| title | Impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees (Ulmus pumila) in degraded sandy lands in China |
| title_full | Impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees (Ulmus pumila) in degraded sandy lands in China |
| title_fullStr | Impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees (Ulmus pumila) in degraded sandy lands in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees (Ulmus pumila) in degraded sandy lands in China |
| title_short | Impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees (Ulmus pumila) in degraded sandy lands in China |
| title_sort | impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees ulmus pumila in degraded sandy lands in china |
| topic | Duration of reproduction Horqin Sandy Land Reproductive allocation Semi-arid lands |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/9013.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yitang impactofgrazingintensitiesonreproductionpatternsofelmtreesulmuspumilaindegradedsandylandsinchina |