Spatial variation of non-structural carbohydrates in the leaves of dominant tree species and ecological driving factors in a karst seasonal rainforest
Received date: 2024-07-22
Accepted date: 2024-11-15
Online published: 2025-01-14
Supported by
National Natural Science Foundation of China(32271599);National Natural Science Foundation of China(32260276);National Natural Science Foundation of China(32260286);Scientific Research Capacity Building Project for Nonggang Karst Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi(Guike23-026-273)
Aims: Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) serve as a crucial indicator for plant carbon balance and their response to external environmental changes. This study aims to elucidate the spatial variability of NSC and its ecological drivers in dominant plant species within the northern tropical karst seasonal rainforest.
Methods: This study analyzed the leaf NSC content and its components (soluble sugars and starch) in 165 individuals across 31 dominant tree species in various habitat conditions (depression, middle slope, and peak). A Bayesian phylogenetic mixed-effects model was applied to partition NSC variation into two components related to species phylogeny and unrelated factors. The relationships of these components with topography, soil properties, biotic community characteristics, as well as leaf functional traits were explored.
Results: (1) Significant spatial differences in leaf NSC content and its components were observed, with the peak showing the highest NSC content, followed by the middle slope and the depression having the lowest values. (2) The phylogenetic background of species explained 53.97%, 58.23%, and 57.88% of the total variation in NSC, starch, and soluble sugars, respectively, while ecological factors explained 48.85%, 32.54%, and 32.64% of the total variation in these three components. Notably, ecological factors influenced soluble sugar variation more through phylogenetic pathways (23.15%) and starch variation more through non-phylogenetic pathways (26.89%). (3) Factors such as leaf thickness, wood density, slope aspect (north vs. south), specific leaf area, mean DBH of community, mean elevation, and chlorophyll content had significant positive effects on NSC accumulation. In contrast, the sum of community basal area and total soil carbon exhibited significant negative effects.
Conclusions: The spatial variation in leaf NSC of dominant tree species in karst seasonal rainforests is profoundly influenced by both species’ genetic and evolutionary backgrounds and the integrated effects of ecological factors. This reflects significant adaptive differentiation in carbon acquisition, storage, and utilization strategies among plants in different habitats, providing new insights into carbon cycling mechanisms in karst ecosystems and the adaptation strategies of plants.
Bin Wang , Yiqian Zhong , Meixue Yang , Miaorui Wu , Yanping Wang , Fang Lu , Wanglan Tao , Jianxing Li , Hongming Zhao , Shengyuan Liu , Wusheng Xiang , Xiankun Li . Spatial variation of non-structural carbohydrates in the leaves of dominant tree species and ecological driving factors in a karst seasonal rainforest[J]. Biodiversity Science, 2024 , 32(12) : 24325 . DOI: 10.17520/biods.2024325
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