Research on the water use efficiency and foliar nutrient status of Populus euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima in the extreme arid region of China

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences Vol. 62; no. 8; pp. 1597 - 1607
• Main Authors: Cao, Sheng Kui, Feng, Qi, Su, Yong Hong, Chang, Zong Qiang, Xi, Hai Yang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.04.2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Arid zones; Biogeosciences; Biological and medical sciences; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Environmental Science and Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geochemistry; Geology; Hydrology/Water Resources; Isotope geochemistry; Isotope geochemistry. Geochronology; Marine and continental quaternary; Nutrient status; Nutrients; Original Article; Seasonal variations; Surficial geology; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems; Terrestrial Pollution; Water use; Water use efficiency; Far East; Asia; China; China, People's Rep; Correlation; C; Extreme arid area; Ledeb; Stable carbon isotope composition (δ; Foliar nutriment; Olivier; rivers; stable isotopes; efficiency; Populus euphratica Olivier; potassium; C-13/C-12; nitrogen; arid environment; vegetation; concentration; evapotranspiration; nutrients; Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb; correlation; leaves; carbon; vegetation effects; biogenic effects; seasonal variations; phosphorus
• ISSN: 1866-6280; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s12665-010-0643-y

Seasonal variations in foliar stable carbon composition (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and p otassium (K) concentrations of Populus euphratica Olivier and Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb, as well as correlations between foliar δ 13 C values and N, P and K concentrations were studied in the Ejina oasis in the lower reaches of the Heihe River, northwestern China. Foliar δ 13 C values, and P and K concentrations significantly differed between species. Foliar δ 13 C signatures in T . ramosissima were significantly more enriched than those in P . euphratica , but P and K concentrations of P . euphratica were higher. The seasonal variations and patterns of these were similar. The total foliar δ 13 C values and N, P and K concentrations in both P . euphratica and T . ramosissima showed a descending trend. There were significantly positive correlations between foliar δ 13 C values and N and P concentration of both P . euphratica and T . ramosissima . For the relationship between foliar δ 13 C and K concentration, there appeared oppositely positive and negative correlations in P . euphratica and T . ramosissima , respectively, but they were not significant. The simple positive correlations of δ 13 C–P% and δ 13 C–N% suggested that N and P in P . euphratica and T . ramosissima behave in a similar manner. This study also showed that there were nutrient deficiencies; N and P nutriments were the co-limiting factors in P . euphratica , while it was P nutriment in T . ramosissima .