What Drives the Morphological Traits of Stress-Tolerant Plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> in a Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
The cyclical process of water storage and recession in the regular operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir creates a unique habitat stress that alters the structural and functional attributes of vegetation ecology within the riparian zone. The stress-tolerant plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i>...
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/18/3183 |
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| author | Xiaolong Li Shanze Li Yawei Xie Zehui Wei Zilong Li |
| author_facet | Xiaolong Li Shanze Li Yawei Xie Zehui Wei Zilong Li |
| author_sort | Xiaolong Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The cyclical process of water storage and recession in the regular operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir creates a unique habitat stress that alters the structural and functional attributes of vegetation ecology within the riparian zone. The stress-tolerant plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> (L.) Pers is the dominant plant species in the riparian zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir. In this study, the riparian zone of the Daning River, a tributary located in the center of the Three Gorges Reservoir, was selected as our study area. To identify the drivers of the morphological traits of <i>C. dactylon</i> in the riparian zone of Daning River, we examined plant biomass and plant characteristics across different elevation gradients, with reference to abiotic factors to determine the distribution patterns of plant morphological traits. Results indicated that in the two main soil types of the riparian zone, plant biomass showed a consistent trend along the elevation gradient, with a “middle-height expansion” pattern; biomass increased and then decreased with rising water levels. Plant biomass positively correlated with soil total nitrogen and negatively correlated with soil pH, electrical conductivity, and total phosphorus. <i>C. dactylon</i> adapted to prolonged flooding in the riparian zone by having a significant negative correlation between plant height and erect stem length with soil moisture content to facilitate root respiration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:52:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fd7a3138b8704bb4aa868f90f7301848 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:52:04Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-fd7a3138b8704bb4aa868f90f73018482023-11-19T13:24:59ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412023-09-011518318310.3390/w15183183What Drives the Morphological Traits of Stress-Tolerant Plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> in a Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, ChinaXiaolong Li0Shanze Li1Yawei Xie2Zehui Wei3Zilong Li4Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaNanjiang Hydrogeology Brigade of Chongqing Geological Survey Bureau, Chongqing 401121, ChinaOcean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, ChinaOcean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, ChinaThe cyclical process of water storage and recession in the regular operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir creates a unique habitat stress that alters the structural and functional attributes of vegetation ecology within the riparian zone. The stress-tolerant plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> (L.) Pers is the dominant plant species in the riparian zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir. In this study, the riparian zone of the Daning River, a tributary located in the center of the Three Gorges Reservoir, was selected as our study area. To identify the drivers of the morphological traits of <i>C. dactylon</i> in the riparian zone of Daning River, we examined plant biomass and plant characteristics across different elevation gradients, with reference to abiotic factors to determine the distribution patterns of plant morphological traits. Results indicated that in the two main soil types of the riparian zone, plant biomass showed a consistent trend along the elevation gradient, with a “middle-height expansion” pattern; biomass increased and then decreased with rising water levels. Plant biomass positively correlated with soil total nitrogen and negatively correlated with soil pH, electrical conductivity, and total phosphorus. <i>C. dactylon</i> adapted to prolonged flooding in the riparian zone by having a significant negative correlation between plant height and erect stem length with soil moisture content to facilitate root respiration.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/18/3183Three Gorges Reservoirriparian zonesoilplant morphological traits<i>Cynodon dactylon</i> |
| spellingShingle | Xiaolong Li Shanze Li Yawei Xie Zehui Wei Zilong Li What Drives the Morphological Traits of Stress-Tolerant Plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> in a Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China Water Three Gorges Reservoir riparian zone soil plant morphological traits <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> |
| title | What Drives the Morphological Traits of Stress-Tolerant Plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> in a Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China |
| title_full | What Drives the Morphological Traits of Stress-Tolerant Plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> in a Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China |
| title_fullStr | What Drives the Morphological Traits of Stress-Tolerant Plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> in a Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | What Drives the Morphological Traits of Stress-Tolerant Plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> in a Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China |
| title_short | What Drives the Morphological Traits of Stress-Tolerant Plant <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> in a Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China |
| title_sort | what drives the morphological traits of stress tolerant plant i cynodon dactylon i in a riparian zone of the three gorges reservoir china |
| topic | Three Gorges Reservoir riparian zone soil plant morphological traits <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/18/3183 |
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