Abstract
BackgroundTrace elements are essential for the growth and survival of plants, and their concentrations and distributions in plants are effective reflections of ecological adaptation strategies. However, this aspect has seldom been addressed.MethodChanges in the leaf and branch trace elements of Pinus massoniana Lamb, induced by seasonal dynamics and in response to a 3-yr 100% rainfall exclusion, were evaluated.ResultsThe results showed that the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr in leaves of P. massoniana in the control group had high seasonal resolution. There were three groups according to their patterns over the growing season: (1) nutrient elements (Cu, Zn, Ni and Cd), which continuously decreased in concentration during the growing season, with the highest concentration in spring and the lowest in autumn; (2) accumulating element (Cr), which increased in concentration from spring to autumn; and (3) indifferent element (Fe), which increased in concentration from spring to summer and decreased in concentration from summer to autumn. The concentrations of trace elements in leaves and branches showed no significant differences with mild drought stress, except for Fe and Cr in leaves and Cr in branches, which significantly increased (p < 0.05) under the result of self-selection under mild drought stress. Therefore, the resultant seasonal and drought effects on trace element cycling in P. massoniana could provide theoretical support to respond to future climate change.
Highlights
As an important part of the terrestrial ecosystem, the forest ecosystem has the characteristics of strong stability and perfect function (Hisano, Searle & Chen, 2018)
This study investigated changes in leaf and branch trace elements of P. massoniana induced by the annual seasons and in response to a 3-yr manipulated precipitation experiment (100% rainfall exclusion) that began in April 2013 and ended in January 2016 in Changting County, Fujian Province, China
The 1,032 days of 100% rainfall exclusion caused a mean reduction in the soil moisture contents at 20 cm and 80 cm compared to the soil moisture at 20 cm and 80 cm in the control group (p < 0.01), decreasing by 11.87% and 13.54%, respectively (Fig. 3)
Summary
As an important part of the terrestrial ecosystem, the forest ecosystem has the characteristics of strong stability and perfect function (Hisano, Searle & Chen, 2018). Trace elements, defined as elements that are present at low concentrations (mg.kg−1 or less) in most soils, plants and living organisms (Phipps, 1981), are widely distributed in the forest ecosystem and essential for the growth and survival of plants. Long-term accumulation of trace elements causes chronic damage to living organisms; for example, increasing the concentration of trace elements in plants affects normal growth and physiological and ecological characteristics (Peñuelas, 2002). Trace elements are essential for the growth and survival of plants, and their concentrations and distributions in plants are effective reflections of ecological adaptation strategies. The resultant seasonal and drought effects on trace element cycling in P. massoniana could provide theoretical support to respond to future climate change
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