Jiawei Zhou

Variations in leaf functional traits among plant species grouped by growth and leaf types in Zhenjiang, China

Leaf functional traits are adaptations that enable plants to live under various environmental conditions. This study aims to determine the differences in leaf functional traits among plants grouped by growth habit, leaf life span, leaf lifestyle, leaf form, and origin. Specific leaf area (SLA) of perennial or evergreen species was lower than that of annual or deciduous species because longer-lived leaves of perennial or evergreen species require more investment in structural integrity and/or defense against disturbances, especially with any resource constraint. SLA of large individuals was lower than that of small individuals. The low SLA in large individuals can improve their response to changing light and water conditions because increasing plant height is advantageous for light competition, but it can also impose a cost in terms of structural support and water transport. Petioles of plants with compound leaves were significantly longer than those of simple leaves because branching is expensive in terms of gaining height. SLA of plants increased with increasing invasiveness accordingly, and SLA of invasive plants was higher than that of their native congeners because invasive plants should invest more biomass on leaf growth rather than leaf structures per unit area to achieve a higher growth rate. Overall, variation in leaf functional traits among different groups may play an adaptive role in the successful survival of plants under diverse environments because leaf functional traits can lead to pronounced effects on leaf function, especially the acquisition and use of light. Plant species with different growth and leaf traits balance resource acquisition and leaf construction to minimize trade-offs and achieve fitness advantages in their natural habitat.

Solidago canadensis invasion affects soil N-fixing bacterial communities in heterogeneous landscapes in urban ecosystems in East China

Soil nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities (SNB) can increase the level of available soil N via biological N-fixation to facilitate successful invasion of several invasive plant species (IPS). Meanwhile, landscape heterogeneity can greatly enhance regional invasibility and increase the chances of successful invasion of IPS. Thus, it is important to understand the soil micro-ecological mechanisms driving the successful invasion of IPS in heterogeneous landscapes. This study performed cross-site comparisons, via metagenomics, to comprehensively analyze the effects of Solidago canadensis invasion on SNB in heterogeneous landscapes in urban ecosystems. Rhizospheric soil samples of S. canadensis were obtained from nine urban ecosystems [Three replicate quadrats (including uninvaded sites and invaded sites) for each type of urban ecosystem]. S. canadensis invasion did not significantly affect soil physicochemical properties, the taxonomic diversity of plant communities, or the diversity and richness of SNB. However, some SNB taxa (i.e., f_Micromonosporaceae, f_Oscillatoriaceae, and f_Bacillaceae) changed significantly with S. canadensis invasion. Thus, S. canadensis invasion may alter the community structure, rather than the diversity and richness of SNB, to facilitate its invasion process. Of the nine urban ecosystems, the diversity and richness of SNB was highest in farmland wasteland. Accordingly, the community invasibility of farmland wasteland may be higher than that of the other types of urban ecosystem. In brief, landscape heterogeneity, rather than S. canadensis invasion, was the strongest controlling factor for the diversity and richness of SNB. One possible reason may be the differences in soil electrical conductivity and the taxonomic diversity of plant communities in the nine urban ecosystems, which can cause notable shifts in the diversity and richness of SNB.

Nitrogen Deposition Influences the Allelopathic Effect of an Invasive Plant on the Reproduction of a Native Plant: Solidago canadensis versus Pterocypsela laciniata

ABSTRACT This study aims to gain insights into the allelopathic effects (by using leaf extracts) of the notorious invasive Solidago canadensis L. on seed germination of the associated Pterocypsela laciniata (Houtt.) C. Shih under different nitrogen (N) forms added: inorganic (NO3--N and NH4+-N), organic (urea-N), and mixed N (a mixture of the three N forms at 1:1:1 ratio). Among the two used concentrations of S. canadensis leaf extracts the higher exhibited inhibitory allelopathic effects on seedling height and biomass, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index of P. laciniata. N demonstrated positive effects on seed germination of P. laciniata. The effects of mixed and organic N on the seedling biomass of P. laciniata were more pronounced than those of inorganic N and control treatment. The vigor index of P. laciniata under mixed N was significantly higher than those under single N form and control treatment. Thus, organic and mixed N showed higher ecological effects on seed germination of P. laciniata than inorganic and single N form. All N forms could alleviate the inhibitory allelopathic effects of S. canadensis on seed germination of P. laciniata. Overall, the inhibitory allelopathic impact of S. canadensis on seed germination of native species may be attenuated under increased and diverse N deposition, thus it could prevent its further invasion.

N deposition affects allelopathic potential of Amaranthus retroflexus with different distribution regions

This study aims to determine the allelopathic potential of Amaranthus retroflexus (Ar) with different climatic zones on seed germination and growth of A. tricolor (At) treated with a gradient N addition. Ar leaf extracts only displayed significantly allelopathic potential on the underground growth of Ar but not the aboveground growth of At. The allelopathic potential of Ar leaf extracts on root length of At were enhanced under N addition and there may be a N-concentration-dependent relationship. The effects of the extracts of Ar leaves that collected from Zhenjiang on seed germination and growth of At may be higher than that collected from Jinan especially on root length of At under medium N addition. This reason may be the contained higher concentration of secondary metabolites for the leaves of plants that growths in high latitudes compare with that growth in low latitudes. This phenomenon may also partly be attributed to the fact that Ar originated in America and/or south-eastern Asia which have higher similarity climate conditions as Zhenjiang rather than Jinan. The allelopathic potential of Ar on seed germination and growth of acceptor species may play an important role in its successful invasion especially in the distribution region with low latitudes.

Silver nanoparticles with different particle sizes enhance the allelopathic effects of Canada goldenrod on the seed germination and seedling development of lettuce

Allelopathic effects on the seed germination and seedling development of co-occurring native plant species (natives hereafter) are regarded as an important driver facilitating invasion of many invasive plant species (invaders hereafter). The release of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into the environment may affect the allelopathic effects of the invaders on the seed germination and seedling development of natives. This study aims to assess the allelopathic effects (using leaf extracts) of Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) on the seed germination and seedling development of native lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) treated with AgNPs with different particle sizes. Canada goldenrod leaf extracts with high concentration exhibit stronger allelopathic effects on the seedling height and root length of lettuce than those treated with low concentration. AgNPs of all particle sizes significantly decreased seed germination and seedling development indices of lettuce. AgNPs with larger particle sizes exerted stronger toxicity on leaf length and width of lettuce than those with smaller particle sizes. Thus, nanoparticles with larger particle sizes might mediate the production of increased sizes of cell wall pore size and large absorption of such substances by plant roots can be harmful. AgNPs significantly enhanced the allelopathic effects of Canada goldenrod on the seed germination and seedling development of lettuce. Small particle size AgNPs may play a more essential role in the enhanced allelopathic effects of low concentrations of Canada goldenrod leaf extracts; however, large particle size AgNPs may play a more important role in the enhanced allelopathic effects of high concentrations of Canada goldenrod leaf extracts.

Effects of Different Types of Heavy Metal Pollution on Functional Traits of Invasive Redroot Pigweed and Native Red Amaranth

The differences in functional traits between invasive plant species (invaders hereafter) and natives are believed to be closely associated with whether the former are successful invasion. Meanwhile, variability in the type of heavy metal pollution can alter the growth and physiological performance of invaders. Thus, determination of the potential effects of different types of heavy metal pollution on functional traits of invaders is vital for illuminating the mechanisms supporting the success of invaders. This study aims to address the effects of the separated treatment of Cu, Cd, and the combined treatments of Cu and Cd on functional traits of invasive redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.; pigweed hereafter) and native red amaranth (A. tricolor L.; amaranth hereafter). Pigweed was significantly taller than amaranth under most treatments. The greater height of pigweed may award greater competitive ability for resource acquisition (particularly sunlight). Leaf shape index of pigweed was significantly larger than that of amaranth under all treatments. The larger leaf shape index of pigweed can enhance the efficiency of resource capture (especially sunlight capture) via adjustments to leaf shape and size. Hence, the higher height and leaf shape index of pigweed may facilitate its further invasion process. Heavy metal pollution (especially Cd) poses significant adverse effects on the growth and physiological performance of the two Amaranthus species. This may be because heavy metal pollution, especially Cd, can mediate toxicity on plant species. The combined treatments of Cu and Cd can confer an antagonistic effect on functional traits of the two Amaranthus species compared with the separated treatment of Cu or Cd. The main reason may be the fact that Cd and Cu influence each other’s uptake for plants.Graphical Abstract

The combined treatments of Canada goldenrod leaf extracts and cadmium pollution confer an inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling development of lettuce

Increasing levels of heavy metals are released into ecosystems. The influence of heavy metal pollution on successful invasive species has raised considerable interest, particularly regarding potential allelopathic effects on seed germination and seedling development of native species. Adding heavy metals may alter or even enhance such allelopathic effects of invasive species. The aim of the present study was to address the combined treatments of the invasive species Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) leaf extracts and cadmium (Cd) pollution on seed germination and seedling development of the homologous native species lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Results showed that the combined treatments of Canada goldenrod leaf extracts and Cd pollution significantly decreased seed germination and seedling development of lettuce compared with the control. In addition, the indices of allelopathic effects for all seed germination and seedling development indices of lettuce were less than zero under the combined treatments of high concentration of Canada goldenrod leaf extracts and Cd pollution (regardless of concentration). Thus, the combined treatments of high concentration of Canada goldenrod leaf extracts and Cd pollution pose an inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling development of lettuce. Further, the combined treatments of high concentration of Canada goldenrod leaf extracts and Cd pollution (regardless of concentration) cause more toxic effects than the combined treatments of low concentration of Canada goldenrod leaf extracts and Cd pollution (regardless of concentration) on all seed germination and seedling development indices of lettuce. Thus, the inhibitory effects of Canada goldenrod on the seed germination and seedling development of co-occurring native species may be intensified at heavy invasion degrees under increased heavy metal pollution. Subsequently, the competitiveness and fitness of native species may be notably decreased via the reduced seed germination and seedling development and then the notorious invader can establish progressively-growing populations in the colonised ecosystems.