Morphological responses of Leymus chinensis (Poaceae) to the large‐scale climatic gradient along the North‐east China Transect (NECT)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to examine the morphological variations of Leymus chinensis along the climatic gradient of the North‐east China Transect (NECT), from 115° to 125° E, in the vicinity of 43.5° N, in north‐eastern China. Ten sites selected for plant sampling along the gradient have approximately uniform theoretical radiation, but differ in precipitation and geographical elevation. The results of analyses showed that vegetative and reproductive shoot heights, flag leaf lengths and widths and seed numbers per inflorescence increased from the west to the east with precipitation, but decreased with aridity. Leaf lengths and widths for most leaf types from 115° to 124° E exhibited little variations. Significant correlations of plant heights, flag leaf lengths and widths and seed numbers per inflorescence with large‐scale climatic variables (e.g. annual precipitation, aridity) and geographical variation (longitude) found in this study indicated that climatic factors have significant effects on some morphological traits of L. chinensis along the NECT.

The effect of elevational gradient on alpine gingers (Roscoea alpina and R. purpurea) in the Himalayas

“…At the lower elevation, environmental conditions are likely to be more favourable for optimum plant growth. The reduction of plant height and leaf length of these two alpine gingers with increasing elevation reflects the morphological adaptation to increased environmental stresses such as low concentration of carbon dioxide, decreased temperature, higher solar radiation and/or low water availability (Wang & Gao, 2004; Davis, Shaw & Etterson, 2005; Guerin, Wen & Lowe, 2012). The observed relatively smaller plants with shorter leaf characteristics of these gingers at higher elevation thus may reflect local adaptation at a higher altitude to enable reduction of transpiration and maintain efficient utilization of water (Ackerly et al, 2002; Royer et al, 2008; Peppe et al, 2011; Guerin, Wen & Lowe, 2012).…”

“…Thus, based on the adaptative plasticity, the plant species exhibit local adaptation by altering the morphological and/or physiological traits over the range of elevational gradient (Hirano, Sakaguchi & Takahashi, 2017). For example, local adaptations of plants in response to variable climatic conditions at different elevations may result in variation of plant height and leaf length (Wang & Gao, 2004). Variation in carbon assimilation, energy balance and water relations along the elevational gradient could result in variation of leaf morphological and physiological traits such as leaf area, specific leaf area (SLA) and stomata density (Ackerly et al, 2002).…”

Staying in situ or shifting range under ongoing climate change: A case of an endemic herb in theHimalaya‐HengduanMountains across elevational gradients

“…Additionally, leaf area was found to decrease and leaf shape lengthened, which conforms to previous studies (e.g., Saussurea , Roscoea and Epilobium ) reflecting the leaf adaptation to increased environmental stress (Paudel et al, 2019; Stöcklin et al, 2009; Wang & Yue, 2014). Smaller leaf size is driven by low temperatures, high solar irradiation and wind exposure typical of high elevation environments, and the decreasing leaf size enables reduction of transpiration and ability to maintain efficient utilization of water (Guerin et al, 2012; Royer et al, 2008; Wang & Gao, 2004). In contrast, inflorescence branching significantly increased with elevation in M. himalaica , similar to resource allocation schemes in other alpine plants (Takahashi & Matsuki, 2017).…”

Peer Review #1 of "The effect of elevational gradient on alpine gingers (Roscoea alpina and R. purpurea) in the Himalayas (v0.1)"

“…Manuscript to be reviewed climatic conditions at different elevations may result in variation of plant height and leaf length (Wang & Gao, 2004). Variation in carbon assimilation, energy balance and water relations along the elevational gradient could result in variation of leaf morphological and physiological traits such as leaf area, specific leaf area (SLA) and stomata density (Ackerly et al, 2002).…”