Divergent water sources of three dominant plant species following precipitation events in enclosed and mowing grassland steppes.

ABSTRACT: Understanding of the dynamic patterns of plant water use in a changing environment is one of foci in plant ecology, and can provide basis for the development of best practice in restoration and protection of ecosystem. We studied the water use sources of three coexisting dominant plant species Leymus chinensis, Stipa grandis and Cleistogenes squarrosa growing in both enclosed and mowing grassland in a typical steppe. The oxygen stable isotope ratios (δ18O) of soil water and stem water of these three species were determined, along with soil moisture, before and after precipitation events. The results showed that (1) mowing had no significant effect on the soil moisture and its δ18O, whereas precipitation significantly changed the soil moisture though no significant effect detected on its δ1

SUBMITTER: Bao T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6790225 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature