Aims

Plants respond to resource stress by modifying various aspects of morphology, physiology, and allocation. Yet, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms governing the functional coordination between phenotypic plasticity (the ability to regulate traits) and phenotypic integration (degree of association and coordination between traits) in alleviating resource stress remains elusive.

Methods

In alpine wetland, we investigated the interactions among root and leaf functional traits, phenotype plasticity, and integration mechanisms within a dominant species, Carex muliensis, under three water level treatments (control, deep, shallow) and two drainage durations (long-term, short-term).

Results

Declining water table prompted a shift in leaf towards resource-conserving strategies, typified by reductions in specific leaf area and photosynthetic efficiency. Conversely, root shifted towards resource-acquisition strategies to improve competitiveness under low water tables. Notably, a discernible trade-off, manifests between leaf and root phenotypic plasticity and integration across instances of long-term drainage, while short-term drainage scenarios exhibit a synergistic relationship, between these attributes. This observation suggests that long-term drainage fosters a diminution in the integration of leaf and root traits despite heightened plasticity, contrasting with the more cohesive response observed in the context of short-term drainage.

Conclusions

We conclude that, declining water table altered the resource use strategies of plant leaf and root, and trade-offs/synergistic relationships between leaf and root phenotypic plasticity and integration contributed to plant adaptation to drainage durations. This study contributes to the understanding of the role of leaf and root overall phenotypic plasticity and integration in plant adaptation in the context of declining water tables of alpine wetlands, and will help predict the future dynamics of alpine wetland ecosystems.

中文翻译：

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分配、形态、生理学：地上和地下对地下水位压力的多个方面的响应，高山湿地植物（苔草）排水持续时间

目标

植物通过改变形态、生理和分配的各个方面来应对资源压力。然而，对于缓解资源压力的表型可塑性（调节性状的能力）和表型整合（性状之间的关联和协调程度）之间的功能协调机制的全面理解仍然难以实现。

方法

在高山湿地，我们研究了在三种水位处理（对照、深水、浅水）和两种排水持续时间（长期、短期）。

结果

地下水位下降促使叶子转向资源节约策略，其特点是特定叶子面积和光合效率的减少。相反，根转向资源获取战略，以提高低地下水位下的竞争力。值得注意的是，叶和根的表型可塑性和长期排水情况下的整合之间存在明显的权衡，而短期排水情况则表现出这些属性之间的协同关系。这一观察结果表明，尽管可塑性增强，但长期排水会导致叶和根性状的整合减弱，这与短期排水情况下观察到的更具凝聚力的反应形成鲜明对比。

结论

我们的结论是，地下水位下降改变了植物叶子和根的资源利用策略，叶子和根的表型可塑性和整合之间的权衡/协同关系有助于植物对排水持续时间的适应。这项研究有助于了解高山湿地地下水位下降背景下叶和根整体表型可塑性和整合在植物适应中的作用，并将有助于预测高山湿地生态系统的未来动态。