Gradient variation of δ15N values in herbs and its indication to environmental information in the agro-pastoral ecotone in the north of China

doi:10.7523/j.issn.2095-6134.2018.06.006

Abstract

Abstract: Nitrogen isotope signature (δ¹⁵N) in plants is an effective indicator for evaluating ecosystem nitrogen cycling and monitoring changes of climate environment. Investigation of δ¹⁵N for herbs and soils was conducted along the 400mm isoline of annual mean precipitation in the agro-pastoral ecotone in the north of China(APENC). The relationships between the δ¹⁵N values and environmental factors were analyzed. The main results are shown as follows. 1)The δ¹⁵N values of all herbs in this region ranged between -5.5‰ and -15.3‰ (the mean value:4.02‰). The C3 herbs had a wider range of the δ¹⁵N value (-5.5‰-15.0‰) and a significantly lower mean value than the C4 herbs (-2.85‰-15.3‰). The soil δ¹⁵N value varied from 1.42‰ to 9.11‰ with a mean value of 4.74‰. 2)The δ¹⁵N values of the C3 and C4 herbs and 2 eurytopic species were all positively correlated with the latitude and longitude(except the relationship between δ¹⁵N of C4 herbs and longitude), while displayed a weak relationship with the altitude. 3)The δ¹⁵N values of herbs amd soil showed obviously negative trends with temperature. The δ¹⁵N-temperature coefficients for C3 and C4 herbs were -0.41‰/℃ and -0.39‰/℃, respectively. However, the δ¹⁵N values of herbs showed a weak negative trend with precipitation. 4)Partial correlation analysis showed that the correlation between δ¹⁵N and the annual mean temperature was more significant after controlling precipitation. However, the relation between herbs δ¹⁵N and the annual mean precipitation was weaker after controlling temperature. This study indicates that the temperature may be a key factor affecting plant δ¹⁵N under the condition of little moisture change, and the δ¹⁵N value may provide an indication to temperature changes in APENC.

Key words: nitrogen isotope, herbs, environmental information, agro-pasture ecotone in the north of China

CLC Number:

P597.2

LIU Xianzhao, ZHANG Yong, SU Qing, LI Zhenguo, FENG Teng, SONG Yan. Gradient variation of δ¹⁵N values in herbs and its indication to environmental information in the agro-pastoral ecotone in the north of China[J]. , 2018, 35(6): 749-760.

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Gradient variation of δ¹⁵N values in herbs and its indication to environmental information in the agro-pastoral ecotone in the north of China

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