Abstract
This study aimed to examine the responses of persistent soil seed bank to future precipitation reduction of global climate change in the forest-steppe ecotone of Hulunbuir. Samples of soil seed bank were collected from 0-10 cm soil layer along a precipitation gradient. We examined the density, species composition, diversity of seed bank and their relationship with vegetation. Structural equation model was used to explore the direct impact of annual precipitation on soil seed bank and the indirect impact through vegetation, soil nitrogen, soil phosphorus, and soil pH. The results showed that seed bank density and species richness were negatively correlated with annual precipitation. The species diversity of soil seed banks in grasslands was higher than that in forests. The similarity between soil seed bank and vegetation was generally low. The results of structural equation model showed that the effects of annual precipitation on seed bank density and species richness were negative, with the standard path coefficients of -0.051 and -0.122, respectively. The direct effect of annual precipitation on seed bank density and species richness were positive. Precipitation had indirect and positive effect on seed bank density and species richness through soil nitrogen, a significantly indirect negative effect on seed bank species richness through soil pH and soil available phosphorus, and a significantly indirect negative effect on seed bank density through soil pH. The reduction of precipitation under furture climate change might alter the hedging strategies of plants. The persistent soil seed bank in the forest-steppeecotone had a potential buffering effect against future precipitation reduction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.